I did know thee in the wilderness,
in the land of great drought.
Hosea 13:5
"Yes, Lord, Thou didst indeed know me in my fallen state,
and Thou didst
even then choose me for Thyself.
Since then, my inward experience has often been a
wilderness; but Thou hast owned me still as Thy beloved, and poured
streams of love and grace into me to gladden me, ....
Yea, when my outward circumstances have been at the worst, and I have
wandered in a land of drought, Thy sweet presence has solaced me. .....for no affliction dims the lustre of Thy love.
.... and I deplore that I should at any time
* have forgotten Thee
* and been exalted in heart,
....Have mercy upon Thy servant in this thing."
Charles Spurgeon