Unto Himself

"He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me; because he delighted in me." (Psa. 18:19.)

Fearing to launch on "full surrender's" tide,
I asked the Lord where would its waters glide
My little bark, "To troubled seas I dread?"
      "Unto Myself," He said.

Weeping beside an open grave I stand,
In bitterness of soul I cried to God:
"Where leads this path of sorrow that I tread?"
     "Unto Myself," He said.

Striving for souls, I loved the work too well;
Then disappointments came; I could not tell
The reason, till He said, "I am thine all;
     Unto Myself I call."

Unto Himself! No earthly tongue can tell
The bliss I find, since in His heart I dwell;
The things that charmed me once seem all as naught;
     Unto Himself I'm brought.

--from Streams in the Desert