Poems (Shipton)/The Swelling of Jordan
THE SWELLING OF JORDAN.
"When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan."—Joshua iii. 8.
"As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."—Joshua i. 5.
Be still, O Jordan's billows! And stay thy rushing tide, Until I stem thy current" On to the other side." My heart with fear is sinking As the waters touch my feet; How shall I tread the pathway When the wild waves o'er me meet?
I thought a band of angels Would wait to lead me home; I thought the gates of glory Would glisten through the gloom—That the joyful hymn of seraphs Would cheer the starless wave, And hide death's dismal pageant, The death- throe and the grave.
Darker my path is growing; I falter on the brink; If, with my foes contending, My trembling soul shall shrink, Then they who watch my halting Before the Jordan's flood Will cry, "Behold the boaster Who anchored on his God."
The rolling river whispers, "Where is the vaunted faith That, in life's summer morning, Unshrinking, looked on death? You thought to cross the Jordan Like the light bark, fair and fleet, And now you fail and tremble When the cold waves kiss your feet.
"Ah, stand still, and remember Your unbelief and pride; Read o'er your life's long record, In stains of crimson dyed; Your Saviour oft forsaken And wounded, as you strayed, Unprized the love that sought you, Your Friend and Lord betrayed!"
All true—most true! A sinner By pride and passion tossed, Who had no plea for pardon, Ruined, and dead, and lost! But Jesus, oft forsaken, Hath rescued me, I know, And my sins, as red as scarlet, Are now as white as snow.
Then a song rose in the darkness. And softly on my sight A track of golden glory Touched every wave with light. 'Twas a Father's sweet compassion, Lest my weary soul should sink, And my foes rejoice above me As I stood on Jordan's brink.
"Nay, child, these roaring waters Will not be passed alone, A path is made already, Where the living God hath gone; And He who went before thee Is watching o'er thee now; His hand upholds thee, fainting, With the death -dew on thy brow.
"Yea, 'stand still,' and remember The way thy steps were led; His arms (the Everlasting) Are ceaselessly outspread; Not one good thing was lacking, And they who watch shall see, That as I was with Moses, So will I be with thee.
"Fear not th' accuser's malice; His rage shall be in vain; And the foes that now surround thee Thou ne'er shalt see again. The Ark hath crossed before thee Through Jordan's swelling flood, And the path through these wild waters Is traced with Jesus' blood."
I trust in Thee, Lord Jesus! Though darkness veil Thy face; It cannot dim one promise Of faithfulness and grace. I passed the Red Sea's fury, And death I shall not see; For as Thou wert with Moses, So wilt Thou be with me!
I have no song of triumph; My lips forget the lay; My hand forgets her cunning On my broken harp to-day. But Christ is my salvation, And all my heart can bring—The Lamb once slain for sinners, My Saviour, Lord, and King!
Glory to Thee for ever, Who rulest Jordan's wave; Glory to Thee, Lord Jesus, Who came to seek and save. I hear amid the swelling Of the dark, tempestuous tide,"Welcome to thee, poor sinner, For whom the Saviour died."