230 If thou but suffer God to guide thee,

1 If thou but suffer God to guide thee, And hope in Him through all thy ways, He'll give thee strength, whate'er betide thee, And bear thee through the evil days; Who trusts in God's unchanging love Builds on the rock that naught can move. 2 What can these anxious cares avail thee, These never-ceasing moans and sighs? What can it help if thou bewail thee O'er each dark moment as it flies? Our cross and trials do but press The heavier for our bitterness. 3 Only be still, and wait His leisure In cheerful hope, with heart content To take whate'er thy Father's pleasure And all-discerning love have sent; Nor doubt our inmost wants are known To Him who chose us for His own. 4 He knows the time for joy, and truly Will send it when He sees it meet; When He has tried and purged thee duly, And finds thee free from all deceit, He comes to thee all unaware And makes thee own His loving care. 5 Nor think amid the heat of trial That God hath cast thee off unheard, That he whose hopes meet no denial Must surely be of God preferred; Time passes and much change doth bring, And sets a bound to everything. 6 All are alike before the Highest; 'Tis easy for our God, we know, To raise thee up though low thou liest, To make the rich man poor and low; True wonders still by Him are wrought Who setteth up and brings to naught. 7 Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving; So do thine own part faithfully; And trust His word, though undeserving; Thou yet shalt find it true for thee: God never yet forsook at need The soul that trusted Him indeed.