God holds the Key of All Unknown

A Hymn

GOD holds the key of all unknown,
And I am glad;
If other hands should hold the key,
Or if He trusted it to me,
I might be sad.

What if to‑morrow's cares were here
Without its rest!
I'd rather He unlocked the day;
And, as the hours swing open, say,
"My will is best."

The very dimness of my sight
Makes me secure;
For, groping in my misty way,
I feel His hand; I hear Him say
"My help is sure."

I cannot read His future plans;
But this I know;
I have the smiling of His face,
And all the refuge of His grace,
While here below.

Enough! this covers all my wants,
And so I rest!
For what I cannot, He can see,
And in His care I safe shall be.
For ever blest.

These words of reassurance were written by Joseph Parker (1830‑1902). He was a Congregational Minister in Banbury and Manchester and London. After his death the Parker Memorial Congregational Church was opened in Crowborough in 1907. He wrote many hymns but this seems to be the one that is still heard today and which has brought sustenance to many Christian men and women for decades.

Here are some scriptures which may have inspired the writer;

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Matthew 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 6:30‑33 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ...for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing:...my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Samuel 7:12 (RSV) Samuel took a stone and set it up,...and called its name Ebene'zer; for he said, "Hitherto the LORD has helped us."

Psalm 54:4 (RSV) Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.

Psalm 121:1‑5 (RSV) Whence does my help come? My help comes from the LORD.who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved.he who keeps you will not slumber. The LORD is your keeper; ...on your right hand.

Ephesians 3:11 (Diaglott) According to a Plan of the Ages, which he formed for the Anointed Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 46.1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Heb.4.9‑11 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest.

Psalm 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.