HIS Billows

Annie Johnson Flint was adopted by the Flint family as a young girl.  She became a teacher but had to quit the profession after only a few years when severe arthritis made her unable to walk. Thereafter, she lived near the Clifton Springs Sanitarium and began writing poetry.  Many of her verses were published on cards and in magazines as well as in book form. 

The following is from L. B. Cowman's devotional Streams in the Desert and shows how deeply she learned how God works.  "Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world" (Acts 15:18 KJV).

"All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me" (Ps. 42:7).

They are HIS billows, whether they go o'er us,
Hiding His face in smothering spray and foam;
Or smooth and sparkling, spread a path before us,
And to our haven bear us safely home.

They are HIS billows, whether for our succor
He walks across them, stilling all our fear;
Or to our cry there comes no aid nor answer,
And in the lonely silence none is near.

They are HIS billows, whether we are toiling
Through tempest-driven waves that never cease,
While deep to deep with clamor loud is calling;
Or at His word they hush themselves in peace.

They are HIS billows, whether He divides them,
Making us walk dryshod where seas had flowed;
Or lets tumultuous breakers surge about us,
Rushing unchecked across our only road.

They are HIS billows, and He brings us through them;
So He has promised, so His love will do.
Keeping and leading, guiding and upholding,
To His sure harbor, He will bring us through.