THOUGH every power on earth combines
To do his high command,
God can effect his vast designs
Even by the feeblest hand:
The weakest instrument may raise
A deathless structure to his praise.
Far in the deep sea’s vast abyss,
Where ocean’s gloomy bed
Is to the seaman fathomless,
Even with the deep-sea lead,
The coral insect rears an isle
Where man may live and summer smile!
Unseen he plies his hidden toil,
For many a long long year;
While overhead fierce billows boil
And gallant fleets career.
At length the islet greets the day,
Rising amid the foaming spray.
So doth the Church of Judah’s God
Amid the nations rise;
Its firm foundation deep as broad,
Its summit in the skies.
‘Twas God that drew the mighty plan
For thee, the builder, feeble Man!
Deep in eternity’s abyss,
Its base is firmly laid;
And (wondrous in the realms of bliss!)
Man is the builder made!
The coral insect cannot be
A feebler architect than he!
Unseen he labours many an hour
Beneath the raging flood,
Strong through the Spirit’s mighty power
And the good word of God;
Tho’ Unbelief contemns his toil,
And Satan vainly raves the while.
At length the lofty fabric stands,
In glorious majesty;
And every tribe in heathen lands
Enters successively!
What seraph, ere he saw, could tell,
Man should have built so strong, so well!
Yet all the glory and the praise
To Judah’s God belong.
Then, O ye builders, gladly raise
To him your grateful song!
The Lord, the master-builder, planned –
Ye only build by his command.
(John Dunmore Lang)
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Based on Topics: Man Poems, God Poems, Christianity Poems, Happiness Poems, Smiling Poems, Success Poems, Work & Career Poems, Anger Poems, Praise Poems, Eternity Poems, Planning PoemsBased on Keywords: successively, contemns, master-builder