Fridays with Frances: Poetry

Thy Reign.

"Righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." Romans 14:17

Thy reign is righteousness,

Not mine, but Thine !

A covering no less

Than the broad, bright waves of Thy great sea,

That roll triumphantly

From line to pole, and pole to line;

A reign where every rebel thought

In sweet captivity

To Thine obedience is brought.

Thy reign is perfect peace; 

Not Mine, but Thine !

A stream that cannot cease,

For its fountain is Thy heart.  O depth unknown ! 

Thou givest of Thine own,

Pouring from Thine and filling mine.

The 'noise of war' hath passed away;

God's peace is on the throne,

Ruling with undisputed sway. 

Thy reign is joy divine;

Not mine, but Thine;

Or else not any joy to me !

For a joy that flowed not from Thine own,

Since Thou hast reigned alone, 

Were vacancy or misery. 

O sunshine of Thy realm, how bright

This radiance from Thy throne,

Unspeakable in calmest light ! 

Thy reign shall still increase !

I claim Thy word,

Let righteousness and peace 

And joy in the Holy Ghost be found,

And more and more abound

In me, through Thee, O Christ my Lord;

Take unto Thee Thy power, who art

My Sovereign, many-crowned ! 

Stablish Thy kingdom in my heart.

~by Frances Ridley Havergal in Evening Thoughts