Streams From Zion

Photo credit: BamaWester

HYMN 5


"I will pour water on him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground." -- Isaiah 44:8.


Source of my spirit's deep desire

For living joys that shall not perish,

The patient hope Thy words inspire,

Still let Thy tender mercy cherish.


On Thee my humbled soul would wait,

Her utmost weakness calmly learning,

And see Thy grace its way create,

Through thorns and briers which Thou art burning.


Gladly my inmost heart would know

The love that now it faintly traces,

And see the streams from Zion flow

O'er all its waste and desert places.


And still I hope -- O not in vain!

I know, this holy seed possessing,

Thou wilt come down like gentle rain,

And make the barren ground a blessing.


--from Hymns and Meditations by Anna L. Waring

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His Embrace in Solitude

Photo credit: AgniMax

HYMN 4


"I, even I, am He that comforteth you." -- Isaiah 2:12


Sweet is the solace of Thy love,

My Heavenly Friend, to me,

While through the hidden way of faith

I journey home with Thee,

Learning by quiet thankfulness

As a dear child to be.


Though from the shadow of Thy peace

My feet would often stray,

Thy mercy follows all my steps,

And will not turn away;

Yea, thou wilt comfort me at last,

As none beneath Thee may.


Oft in a dark and lonely place,

I hush my hastened breath,

To hear the comfortable words

Thy loving Spirit saith;

And feel my safety in Thy hand

From every kind of death.


O there is nothing in the world

To weigh against Thy will;

Even the dark times I dread the most

Thy covenant fulfill;

And when the pleasant morning dawns

I find Thee with me still.


Then in the secret of my soul,

Though hosts my peace invade,

Though through a waste and weary land

My lonely way he made,

Thou, even Thou, wilt comfort me --

I need not be afraid.


Still in the solitary place

I would awhile abide,

Till with the solace of Thy love

My heart is satisfied;

And all my hopes of happiness

Stay calmly at Thy side.


--from Hymns and Meditations by Anna L. Waring

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The One Needful Thing

Photo credit: Grant MacDonald

HYMN 3

"If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it." -- John 14:14.


My prayer to the promise shall cling --

I will not give heed to a doubt;

For I ask for the one needful thing,

Which I cannot be happy without.


A spirit of lowly repose

In the love of the Lamb that was slain,

A heart to be touched with his woes,

And a care not to grieve Him again --


The peace that my Savior has bought,

The cheerfulness nothing can dim,

The love that can bring every thought

Into perfect obedience to Him --


The wisdom his mercy to own

In the way he directs me to take, --

To glory in Jesus alone,

And to love, and do good for His sake.


All this Thou hast offered to me

In the promise whereon I will rest;

For faith, O my Savior, in Thee,

Is the substance of all my request.


Thy word has commanded my prayer,

Thy Spirit has taught me to pray;

And all my unholy despair

Is ready to vanish away.


Thou wilt not be weary of me,

Thy promise my faith will sustain,

And soon, very soon, I shall see

That I have not been asking in vain.


--from Hymns and Meditations by Anna L. Waring

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Source of My Life's Refreshing Springs

Photo credit: hiskinho

Not long ago I discovered the poetry of the shy, Welsh hymn-writer, Anna Waring. Simple yet polished, her poetry has the power to touch hearts in a way that rivals the works of more popular writers. A great sermon could be preached from the truth contained in the last stanza of today's poem alone. May this week's selections from Anna's pen bless you as much as they bless me.

HYMN 2


"Thou maintainest my lot." -- Psalm 16:5.


Source of my life's refreshing springs,

Whose presence in my heart sustains me,

Thy love appoints me pleasant things,

Thy mercy orders all that pains me.


If loving hearts were never lonely,

If all they wish might always be,

Accepting what they look for only,

They might be glad, but not in Thee.


Well may Thy own beloved, who see

In all their lot their Father's pleasure,

Bear loss of all they love, save Thee,

Their living, everlasting treasure.


Well may Thy happy children cease

From restless wishes prone to sin,

And, in Thy own exceeding peace,

Yield to Thy daily discipline.


We need as much the cross we bear,

As air we breathe, -- as light we see;

It draws us to Thy side in prayer,

It binds us to our strength in Thee.


--from Hymns and Meditations by Anna L. Waring

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Let Us Love One Another

The message of this video is simple but profound. May we approach the truth of these words with prayerful hearts, and may we be changed.



--Chris Tomlin - Love

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