HEARKENING

C. Middleton

When adversity befalls him,

This may lead a man to pray—

Often asking God to heal him

And the trouble take away.

 

Slow he may be to consider,

Is it chance that’s come his way?

God now seeks his ear to open,

He has something He would say.

 

Maybe many times He’s spoken

Patiently to reach the ear;

Now His hand may add the pressure

All to bring a man to hear.

 

He would say to him how Jesus

Came into the world to save

Sinners who all need a Saviour,

One whom God in love so gave.

 

Not a hope has man without Him,

None has power to save his soul;

Just a living touch by Jesus

Saves the sinner—makes him whole.

 

Strongest men must find their weakness

When they meet the power of death;

All the pride of man is humbled

When he breathes his final breath

 

Different far it was with Jesus

When He faced that solemn hour—

Death must yield, and He triumphant

Rises from the grave in power.

 

Joyful news that death is vanquished,

Man’s last enemy o’erthrown

And the glorious risen Saviour

Shares His victory with His own.

 

He it is who saves completely

Those who come to God by Him,

Gives the soul to know the Father,

Love divine that ne’er grows dim.

 

Our first knowledge of the Saviour

Fills the soul with glory bright,

And the more we come to know Him

So expands the wondrous light.

 

All the way we need the Saviour,

Need to hearken to His voice;

As in Bethany ‘twas Mary

Who had made the better choice.

 

How much sorrow christians suffer

Failing to ‘abide in Him’;

He can save His own completely

In His love that’s never dim.