Whate'er my God ordains is right; My Light, my Life, is he, Who cannot will me aught but good; I trust him utterly; For well I know, In joy or woe, We soon shall see, as sunlight clear, How faithful was our Guardian here. Whate'er my God ordains is right; Here will I take my stand; Though sorrow, need, or death, make earth For me a desert land. My Father's care Is round me there; He holds me that I shall not fall, And so to him I leave it all. --S. Rodigast. MY TIMES ARE IN THY HAND "My times are in thy hand"; My God, I wish them there; My life, my friends, my soul, I leave Entirely to thy care. "My times are in thy hand," Whatever they may be; Pleasing or painful, dark or bright, As best may seem to thee. "My times are in thy hand"; Why should I doubt or fear? My Father's hand will never cause His child a needless tear. "My times are in thy hand," Jesus, the crucified! The hand my cruel sins had pierced Is now my guard and guide. "My times are in thy hand"; I'll always trust in thee; And, after death, at thy right hand I shall forever be. --William F. Lloyd. ALL FOR THE BEST Away, my needless fears, And doubts no longer mine; A ray of heavenly light appears, A messenger divine. Thrice comfortable hope, That calms my troubled breast; My Father's hand prepares the cup And what he wills is best. If what I wish is good, And suits the will divine, By earth and hell in vain withstood, I know it shall be mine. Still let them counsel take To frustrate his decree; They cannot keep a blessing back, By heaven designed for me. Here, then, I doubt no more; But in his pleasure rest Whose wisdom, love, and truth, and power, Engage to make me blest. --Charles Wesley. GOD NEVER FORSAKES Leave God to order all thy ways, And hope in him, whate'er betide, Thou'lt find in him, in evil days, Thy all-sufficient strength and guide. Who trusts in God's unchanging love Builds on the rock that naught can move. What can these anxious cares avail, The never-ceasing moans and sighs? What can it help us to bewail Each painful moment as it flies? Our cross and trials do but press The heavier for our bitterness. Only thy restless heart keep still, And wait in cheerful hope, content To take whate'er his gracious will, His all-discerning love, hath sent. Nor doubt our inmost wants are known To him who chose us for his own. He knows when joyful hours are best; He sends them as he sees it meet; When thou hast borne the fiery test, And now art freed from all deceit, He comes to thee all unaware And makes thee own his loving care.