1998-04-14 - Divine Love, Rejected by the World

A little deviation today. I thought I would share a poem by William Cowper. He is one of the greatest poets England has produced, but suffered greatly with depression. He has been called the suffering genius. However, it was his faith in Christ that carried him through three major bouts of depression that each lasted for years. His life is one that testifies, as Scripture does (Psalm 104:1-9, Matthew 6:26-34, Romans 8:14-18) to the loving care and provisions God has promised and gives to His children; even to those who struggle in this life.

O love, of pure and heavenly birth!
O simple truth, scarce known on earth!
Whom men resist with stubborn will;
And, more perverse and daring still,
Smother, and quench, with reasonings vain,
While error and deception reign.

Whence comes it, that, your power the same
As His on high, from whence you came,
Ye rarely find a listening ear,
Or heart that makes you welcome here?
Because ye bring reproach and pain,
Where'er ye visit, in your train.

The world is proud, and cannot bear
The scorn and calumny ye share;
The praise of men the mark they mean,
They fly the place where ye are seen;
Pure love, with scandal in the rear,
Suits not the vain; it costs too dear.

Then, let the price be what it may,
Though poor, I am prepared to pay;
Come shame, come sorrow; spite of tears,
Weakness, and heart-oppressing fears;
One soul, at least, shall not repine,
To give you room; come, reign in mine!

"Yahweh will be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know Thy name will put their trust in Thee; For Thou hast not forsaken those who seek Thee, O Yahweh." Psalm 9:10,11

Soli Deo Gloria,
Tim