Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CHASTENING, by EDWARD NOYES POMEROY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CHASTENING, by                    
First Line: Lord, when thy chastenings come
Last Line: God loveth as he saith.
Subject(s): God; Hearts; Love


Lord, when Thy chastenings come,
And desolate their home,
Then how can any feel
That these Thy love reveal?

Did not His giving prove
Our Father's tender love?
Then wherefore should we say
His love doth take away?

Why should His love delight
The trusting heart to smite?
And why, if smite He must,
Shall any longer trust?

Be still, complaining soul;
On Him thy burden roll;
Thy faithful friend is He,
Who still life's end can see.

God's giving surely shows
That tender love He knows;
But love that gives us breath
As tenderly gives death.

Is His example vain
Who lost that we might gain?
Then how shall we refuse
At His command to lose?

But cast thine eyes about;
A little look without,
And see how any fare
Who not thy losses share.

Note how they cling to earth;
Regard their selfish mirth;
Not one of them for thee
Affordeth sympathy.

Heaven's gifts they take, and yet
The Hand that gives forget;
And find, till life grows sere,
Their satisfaction here.

Earth's pleasures having tried,
And being satisfied,
The joys beyond the grave
They never learn to crave.

But thou, since earthly gain
With thee doth not remain,
Art taught thereby to prize
The riches of the skies.

Then learn, fond, foolish heart,
To bear affliction's smart;
For whom He chasteneth
God loveth as He saith.





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