What God Hath Promised ~ Grace, Strength, Hope for the Day!

I came across in tidying up a bookmark, an incomplete poem I felt .. so looked. It was not all the poem (or hymn as I found out) but wanted to know who wrote it as the printed bookmark did not have that either. Upon reading it all I wanted to share it .. for it so touched my heart, and thought it may bless others (the link used is here):

" This the last hymn written by Annie Johnson Flint. 

Her hands were so gnarled by arthritis that she was unable to hold a pen, so a crayon or stick of chalk was wedged between her fingers, so she could write on a surface suspended over her bed. She had hoped to become a concert pianist, but in her late twenties she was diagnosed with arthritis. By the end of her life she was just four feet tall."

What God hath promised

God hath not promised skies always blue,

 flower strewn pathways all our lives through.

God hath not promised sun without rain, 

 joy without sorrow, peace without pain, 

 
God hath not promised we shall not know

 toil and temptation trouble and woe.

 He hath not told us, we shall not bear,

 many a burden, many a care.

 
But hath promised strength for the day,

 Rest for the labour, light for the way,

 Grace for the trials, help from above,

 Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

 
God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,

 Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;

 Never a mountain rocky and steep,

 Never a river turbid and deep.

 
But God hath promised strength for the day,

 Rest for the labour, light for the way,

 Grace for the trials, help from above,

 Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

 by Annie Johnson Flint.

 It really tied in well with this illuminated work I did some time back for a very dear friend in Melbourne. 

 I pray the LORD might use this lift your heart, to cheer you on your way, wherever you may be.. 

For He cares for you, not in a light-hearted, flippant way but in a deeply loving understanding way.. He knows your every need, care, woe and burden and grief of heart. He is a true Father and cares for His own... 

So cast all your care upon Him..  and leave them with Him, dont pull them back :D

He is able to bare your burdens, that is why He is called the Burden Bearer.

Sending loving thoughts and prayers for each of you who read this, praying at the throne of grace where we find Grace to Help in time of need. 

Shaz in Oz.x

A biography of Annie Johnson Flint is here .. and she also wrote the extra special hymn "He giveth more grace", another great favourite of mine.

see here:

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need". Hebrews 4:16

Linking up to:
Annie's Smiles over at  Stitch in time - as this hymn and researching this post really brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart.

Stephanie's Enchanting Rose link up party 

Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au.