It is not for a sign we are watching—
For wonders above and below,
The pouring of vials and judgment,
The sounding of trumpets of woe;
It is not for a Day we are looking,
Not even the time yet to be
When the earth shall be filled with God's glory
As the waters cover the sea.
It is not for a King we are longing
To make the world-kingdoms His own;
It is not for a Judge Who shall summon
The nations of earth to His throne.
Not for these, though we know they are coming;
For they are but adjuncts of Him
Before Whom all glory is clouded,
Beside Whom all splendor grows dim.
We wait for the Lord, our Beloved,
Our Comforter, Master, and Friend,
The substance of all that we hope for,
Beginning of faith and its end;
We watch for our Saviour and Bridegroom,
Who loved us and made us His own;
For Him we are looking and longing
For JESUS, and JESUS ALONE.
—Annie Johnson Flint
