July 6, 2005

Have faith in God –
Whose Son descended low;
Have faith in God –
For pain His heart could know;
Have faith in God –
Eternal love to show.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Like a River Glorious

Frances Havergal, 1836-1879

    Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea. Isaiah 48:18.

This hymn text by Frances Havergal, often called "England's Consecration Poet", reflects so well her personal lifestyle. Her brief life of 43 years was said to be completely dedicated to God and His service. The music was composed for this text by James Mountain, an English Baptist pastor, evangelist, and musician. The hymn first appeared in its present form in the Hymns of Consecration and Faith, published in 1876. The song was titled "Perfect Peace".

Like a river glorious, is God’s perfect peace,
Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth, fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it groweth, deeper all the way.
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love;
We may trust Him fully all for us to do.
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

Have Faith in God by H.M.S. Richards, Used by Permission