We do not well;
this is a day of good tidings,
and we hold our peace.
2 Kings 7:9
Four lepers in Samaria lay
Outside the city gate,
And shared the rigour of the siege
In their unhappy state.
Encircled by Benhadad's hosts,
Like wolves to seize the prey,
While famine stalks with sharper teeth
The multitude to slay.
In desperate plight they reasoned thus-
"Why sit we here to die?
There's food enough in Syrian camp,
While we in hunger lie!
Perchance, our lives may well be spared
If to the host we go,
And if they kill, we shall but die,
By hunger or by foe."
As day was fading into night,
The Syrian sentries heard
The sound of chariots drawing near,
And quickly passed the word.
It was Jehovah's unseen pow'r,
Which gripped the host with fright,
They left their food, their wealth, their all,
In wild disordered flight.
The fearful lepers reached the camp,
And, lo, no man was there!
They flew upon the glitt'ring spoil,
And supped on Syrian fare.
"We do not well,' '--their conscience spake,
"While death the hungry choose,
Ere morning light in haste we go
To share the glorious news."
Another king this world besieged,
To starve and blight the race,
Whom Jesus on the cross o'ercame
By dying in our place.
He satisfies the longing soul,
And gives the Living Bread,
With all the good things grace supplies,
His table's richly spread.
In ev'ry continent and dime,
The hungry still are there;
We do not well to hold our peace,
Good tidings we must bear.
Though many starve and will not come,
For want of appetite,
The plenty of God's love abounds,
And will till Morning Light.
Be the first to react on this!
