Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
---Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923
The blessings of a life with God are many and varied, and
this familiar hymn explores lots of them. One verse speaks of the blessings of
nature --- the change of the seasons (although I am about done with this
‘all four seasons in just one week’ thing),
the constellations in their utterly predictable paths, all of nature witnessing
the attentions of a good God with imagination and aspiration.
I will admit to the next verse being my favorite, though,
and it’s all about the third line --- “strength for today and bright hope
for tomorrow.” God provides for us not only
what we need to get through whatever presently troubles us --- worry, sorrow,
fear --- but offers us a view of a tomorrow bright with hope. This seems to me
the gift that keeps on giving.
All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided, indeed.
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