In the center of the circle of the will of God I stand,

As I launch from sheltering harbor to obey His last command.

What though waves o’erwhelm my vessel and grim fears my faith assail,

Still I’ll stay upon His promise, for that cannot, will not fail.

In the center of the circle of the will of God I stand,

Where the warfare wages fiercest, ’tis the place that He has planned.

Though dread foes may storm the castle, and the battle seem but lost,

I will claim in Him the vict’ry and hold on what’er the cost.

In the center of the circle of the will of God I stand,

There can be no second causes, all must come from His own hand,

When dark clouds obscure my vision, and the way I may not see,

I will trust Him in the darkness, for I know He pilots me.

In the center of the circle of the will of God I stand,

Though the circumstances round me show small trace of His skilled hand,

Yet in darkness as in daylight, in the gloom as sunshine fair,

I will trust Him for His presence, for I know He’s always near!

– Arthur Mathews

If you would like to read more about the lives of Arthur and Wilda Mathews who endured much hardship and trials as missionaries in China, but also learned to always count upon the Lord for His protection, provision, and presence, I would recommend reading Green Leaf in Drought by Isobel Kuhn