35.
Elijah fed by Ravens.[1]— 1 Kings, xvii, 6.
1 ELIJAH S example declares,
Whatever distress may betide,
The saints may commit all their cares
To Him who will surely provide :
When rain long withheld from the earth
Occasion d a famine of bread,
The prophet, secured from the dearth,
By ravens was constantly fed.
2 More likely to rob than to feed
Were ravens, who live upon prey ;
But when the Lord s people have need,
His goodness will find out a way.
This instance to those may be strange
Who know not how faith can prevail ;
But sooner all nature shall change
Than one of God s promises fail.
3 Nor is it a singular case
The wonder is often renew d;
And many can say to his praise,
He sends them by ravens their food.
Thus worldlings, though ravens indeed,
Though greedy and selfish their mind,
If God has a servant to feed,
Against their own wills can be kind.
4 Thus Satan, that raven unclean,
Who croaks in the ears of the saints,
j Compell d by a Power unseen,
Administers oft to their wants :
God teaches them how to find food
From all the temptations they feel ;
This raven, who thirsts for my blood,
Has help d me to many a. meal.
5 How safe and how happy are they
Who on the good Shepherd rely!,
- ↑ Book iii, Hymn 47.
