How ere this day begin or end

How ere this day begin or end
May it see thy blessed work in me
Though all around desire to be
Nothing of comfort or compassion
May this reaction in me
Be one of joy and satisfaction

When bitterness would knock
At this hollowed door
May I indeed ignore it
Though temptation should try
To be my ally
Even working in the midst of friends
May I break these bonds that tie me to them

All for thee
What ere the cost
Though its sting
May cost me everything
Trial is but temporary
Thine alone eternity

For sorrow cannot
Take from me
Doubt creep in
Ne'er sway me

Thine and thine alone
Shall carry me
In grief and gladness
Through the darkest madness

All shall prove thy worth in thee
None can find security
In anything other than thy surety

No earthly power control me
Death deny me
No fear I find thee

All tis worth the cost
When the cost so great
Doth take it all away

Then clear I see
The path before me
Steady on I shall go
None shall prevail
Ever with me
Through the storm
Through the dark
And through the morn

Thy strength shall hold me up
And I shall walk
I shall run
To thy kingdom come

My joy complete
When at last
I fall at thy feet

-Joshua Lee Foist