Fading Glory-Abiding Hope
by jim stillwellIt never seemed in haste,
The journey which so long ago began;
But age is slowly making its case
As we approach this life's end.
How many hopes and dreams have gone,
Some fulfilled and some not;
The many things done and undone,
It's all part of man's lot.
A distant future with cares and fears,
All seemed so far away;
Because youth was always so near
Age seemed to be kept at bay.
But time does not stand still for man,
And marches steadily along;
Gray hairs or not with life's span
Mark the ending of our song.
Though I know many things are passing,
Which before I took for granted,
I still have a hope that's lasting,
Enduring, though youth with age is supplanted.
While one's relations go on before,
And friends be lost along the way,
God is there all the more
And His presence shall never sway.
In riches I know I cannot trust,
Nor in any earthly delight;
All material things in life will eventually bust,
But God remains the strength of my life.
For while I have aged in time,
God remains the same,
While my strength thins as a dime,
God remains the same!
Though my eyesight dims,
And more shadows than light appears,
God's eyesight has not failed Him,
Seeing clearly through all my years.
Once with great strength
We marched through life's course;
Bold and brash we'd go any length,
Full of life's youthful force.
But time has seen that strength fade,
Slowly ever slowly has it gone;
Now some teeter and totter in life's parade;
At times feeling in life all alone.
Though my steps may not be as sure
And my stride something less,
I still follow and endure
Because I'm still in the Master's steps.
Steps laid out carefully in time,
Steps ordained by God's great plan,
Steps in the pathway sublime,
Steps guided by the Master's hand.
He has been my sure foundation,
Through the eroding path of life;
He, who is the king of the nations,
Still keeps me in the light.
The same strength that was there,
To bear me through my youth,
That same love with such great care
Bears me up though my vitality be loosed.
In my youth the Lord was my rock,
In my old age He remains the same;
For this sheep is still part of His flock,
All praise to His glorious name.
I have stumbled many times
And fallen more than a few,
But God's hand's still hold mine
And each day my faith He renews.
My faith in God has been tried,
Bent and almost broken in two;
But the One who is my sure supply
Has been faithful with words of truth.
His sustaining hand still holds me,
Despite all I've done;
He's been faithful and Him only,
A Father to a father's son.
Though my failings may be recounted,
And my errors in judgment be recalled,
May they know I've drunk at life's fountain,
And been refreshed by Him who called.
Yes, youth is gone from my frame of flesh,
Yes, this tent of mine is tattered and torn,
But each day He does still refresh
Because at Calvary I was reborn.
Yes, this body is failing slowly,
Yes, I know I'll return to dust,
But God is still my one and only,
The One in whom I trust.
His unfailing love will see me through
What days still lie ahead;
The grace that sustained me in my youth
Will hold me close when I am dead.
Yes, that amazing grace so sustaining,
That kept me safe in the past,
That grace brought me through life's training,
Through Hell's trying fiery blast.
And when at last my eyes shall close,
And I breathe my final breath,
Then at last my soul shall know
There is victory in death.
And as my soul to my God flies,
Leaving behind this earthly realm,
Kneeling at last before Him on high,
Who's always been at my life's helm;
I shall richly sing His praise,
The Overseer of my life;
The One who's guarded all my days,
Spent on the edge of a knife.
So why should I fear and tremble
At uncertain events still to come;
For God is in His holy temple
Watching over His precious ones.
He knows my every need,
Understands my every care;
Trusting His plans to succeed,
As I bathe each day in prayer.
Yes, I will finish life's race,
Though I'm carried in His hands;
I'll cross life's finish line with grace
And enter that heavenly promised land.
And when at last I recall
All done in this life's past,
Whether great or small,
A life whose die is cast;
I shall praise the One who never failed,
Whose love is always true;
The One who provided wind for my sails,
Who guided me to age from my youth.
My hope abides in Him who cannot fail,
Whose strength does not diminish,
Whose glory makes all else pale,
Seeing me through to life's finish.
