Be Gone Unbelief

Written by John Newton in 1803

Be gone, unbelief;
my Savior is near,
and for my relief
will surely appear;
by prayer let me wrestle,
and he will perform;
with Christ in the vessel,
I smile at the storm.

Though dark be my way,
since he is my guide,
'tis mine to obey,
'tis his to provide;
though cisterns be broken
and creatures all fail,
the word he has spoken
shall surely prevail.

His love in time past
forbids me to think
he'll leave me at last
in trouble to sink;
while each Ebenezer
I have in review
confirms his good pleasure
to help me quite through.

Why should I complain
of want or distress,
temptation or pain?
He told me no less;
the heirs of salvation,
I know from his word,
through much tribulation
must follow their Lord.

How bitter that cup,
no heart can conceive,
which he drank right up
that sinners might live;
his way was much rougher
and darker than mine;
did Jesus thus suffer,
and shall I repine?

Since all that I meet
shall work for my good,
the bitter is sweet,
the medicine, food;
though painful at present,
'twill cease before long;
and then, O how pleasant
the conqueror's song!


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I could not find this poem set to any tune in any hymnal on-line nor in my home.  So, I did the next best thing.  I set it to music myself.  (Note: I have since found that Indelible Grace has a version.)

New version: 6pm, 23-Mar-2020

He Leads My Soul

There, there He leads my soul:
   through mountains, rivers, brambled lands;
There, there He feeds my soul:
   on manna from His loving hands.
The way be rough and arduous,
   great strain at every turn;
But though the way is filled with pain,
  'tis graced by His presence at each turn.
I'd not have chosen this my path,
   this way so filled with grief;
Nor would I trade these many years,
   because I've seen Him bring relief.
My God, my God—He leads me on,
   and though I know not where;
I know I'm safe within His hands
   and on Him cast my care!
Soon, soon this road shall wind to heav'n—
   by faith I'll see that place;
Then by His own dear Sovereign love,
   I'll see His smiling face.

- D. Benning

A New Twenty-Third Psalm

My Lord, my God, my Shepherd Guide,
   My good maintains—He's at my side;
Through pastures green and gentle streams
   Such truth rests easy as our theme.

But when the way is choked with cares,
   When troubles come with fears, despairs,
When heartaches rock life's fragile boats,
   When prayers grow dry and stuck in throats,
You must recall His promise well:
   He came to earth to take your Hell,
That you might be a child of Heav'n—
   His presence everlasting giv'n.

Thus you may hold His hand, dear child,
   Though storms and waves may rock you wild;
Through Valleys of Death's Shadows trek,
   His loving hands upon you check
And quell all doubts, your qualms, your fears,
   His Word to you will bring you cheer.

Though thousands then might fall around,
   Your stores run low and foes confound;
Though death looms large and sounds its knell,
   He vows in Heav'n with Him you'll dwell.

- D. Benning

Based on a reflection upon Ps. 23

Trusting in His Word

Trusting in His Word,
   Trusting in His Sovereignty,
      Trusting that He's good to me—
Oh, how hard to do this word.

Basing all my life on Him,
    Basing all my choices in Him,
       Basing all my joys with Him—
Oh, how hard my flesh rebels.

Lord, I need your Spirit in me,
    Lord, let your Word dwell richly in me,
       Lord, rule graciously over me—
So my will becomes Your own.

- D. Benning