Companionship

We thank Thee, Lord, for weary days

When desert springs were dry,

And first we knew what depth of need

Thy love could satisfy.

Days when beneath the desert sun,

Along the toilsome road,

O'er roughest ways we walked with One,

That One the Son of God.

We thank Thee for that rest in Him

The weary only know—

The perfect, wondrous sympathy

We needs must learn below:

The sweet companionship of One

Who once the desert trod;

The glorious fellowship with One

Upon the throne of God;

The joy no desolations here

Can reach, or cloud, or dim—

The present Lord, the living God,

And we alone with Him.

We know Him as we could not know

Through Heaven's golden years;

We there shall see His glorious Face,

But Mary saw His tears.

The touch that heals the broken heart

Is never felt above;

His Angels know His blessedness,

His way-worn saints His love.

When in the glory and the rest

We joyfully adore,

Remembering the desert way

We yet shall praise Him more.

Remembering how, amidst our toil,

Our conflict, and our sin,

He brought the water for our thirst

It cost His blood to win.

And now in perfect peace we go

Along the way He trod,

Still learning from all need below

Depths of the heart of God.