What God hath promised

~

God hath not promised skies always blue,

Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;

God hath not promised sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

~

God hath not promised we shall not know

Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;

He hath not told us we shall not bear

Many a burden, many a care.

~

God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,

Swift easy travel, needing no guide;

Never a mountain rocky and steep,

Never a river, turbid and deep.

~

But God hath promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labour, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above,

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

~

Annie Johnson Flint