Elijah’s Example Declares

Elijah’s ex­am­ple de­clares

Whatever dis­tress may be­tide

The saints may com­mit all their cares

To Him who will al­ways pro­vide

When rain long with­held from the earth

Occasioned a fa­mine of bread

The pro­phet

se­cured from the dearth

By ra­vens was con­stant­ly fed.

More like­ly to rob than to feed

Are ra­vens who live up­on prey;

But where the Lord’s people have need

His good­ness will find out a way:

This in­stance to those may seem strange

Who know not how faith can pre­vail;

But soon­er all na­ture shall change

Than one of God’s pro­mis­es fail

Nor is it a sin­gu­lar case;

The won­der is oft­en re­newed;

And ma­ny may say to God’s praise

By ra­vens He sen­deth them food.

Thus world­lings

tho’ ra­vens in­deed

Tho’ greedy and self­ish their mind

If God has a serv­ant to feed

Against their own wills can be kind.

Thus Sa­tan the ra­ven un­clean

That croaks in the ears of the saints

O’erruled 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 helped me to ma­ny a meal.

How safe and how hap­py are they

Who on the good Shep­herd re­ly!

He’ll give them aught strength for their day

Their wants He will sure­ly sup­ply

He ra­vens and li­ons can tame;

All crea­tures ob­ey His com­mand:

Then let me re­joice in His name

And leave all my cares in His hand.