Daily Strength for Daily Needs Part 32

M. A. KELTY.

June 21

_Thou calledst in trouble, and. I delivered thee_.--PS. lx.x.xi. 7.

_Be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed_.--I CHRON.

xxii. 13.

Thou canst calm the troubled mind, Thou its dread canst still; Teach me to be all resigned To my Father's will.

HEINRICH PUCHTA.

Though this patient, meek resignation is to be exercised with regard to all outward things and occurrences of life, yet it chiefly respects our own inward state, the troubles, perplexities, weaknesses, and disorders of our own souls. And to stand turned to a patient, meek, humble resignation to G.o.d, when your own impatience, wrath, pride, and irresignation attack yourself, is a higher and more beneficial performance of this duty, than when you stand turned to meekness and patience, when attacked by the pride, or wrath, or disorderly pa.s.sions of other people.

WM. LAW.

June 22

_There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man: but G.o.d is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it_.--I COR. x. 13, 14.

Not so, not so, no load of woe Need bring despairing frown; For while we bear it, we can bear, Past that, we lay it down.

SARAH WILLIAMS.

Everything which happens, either happens in such wise that them art formed by nature to bear it, or that thou art not formed by nature to bear it. If then, it happens to thee in such way that thou art formed by nature to bear it, do not complain, but bear it as thou art formed by nature to bear it.

But, if it happens in such wise that thou art not able to bear it, do not complain; for it will perish after it has consumed thee. Remember, however, that thou art formed by nature to bear everything, with respect to which it depends on thy own opinion to make it endurable and tolerable, by thinking that it is either thy interest or thy duty to do this.

MARCUS ANTONINUS.

June 23

_Why art than cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in G.o.d; for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my G.o.d_.--PS. xlii. 11.

Ah! why by pa.s.sing clouds oppressed, Should vexing thoughts distract thy breast?

Turn thou to Him in every pain, Whom never suppliant sought in vain; Thy strength in joy's ecstatic day, Thy hope, when joy has pa.s.sed away.

H. F. LYTE.

Beware of letting your care degenerate into anxiety and unrest; tossed as you are amid the winds and waves of sundry troubles, keep your eyes fixed on the Lord, and say, "Oh, my G.o.d, I look to Thee alone; be Thou my guide, my pilot;" and then be comforted. When the sh.o.r.e is gained, who will heed the toil and the storm? And we shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed on G.o.d. If at times we are somewhat stunned by the tempest, never fear; let us take breath, and go on afresh. Do not be disconcerted by the fits of vexation and uneasiness which are sometimes produced by the multiplicity of your domestic worries. No indeed, dearest child, all these are but opportunities of strengthening yourself in the loving, forbearing graces which our dear Lord sets before us.

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES.

June 24

_Even so, Father; for so it seemed good in Thy sight_.--MATT. xi. 26.

Let nothing make thee sad or fretful, Or too regretful; Be still; What G.o.d hath ordered must be right, Then find in it thine own delight, My will.

P. FLEMMING.

If we listen to our self-love, we shall estimate our lot less by what it is, than by what it is not; shall dwell on its hindrances, and be blind to its possibilities; and, comparing it only with imaginary lives, shall indulge in flattering dreams of what we should do, if we had but power; and give, if we had but wealth; and be, if we had no temptations. We shall be forever querulously pleading our difficulties and privations as excuses for our unloving temper and unfruitful life; and fancying ourselves injured beings, virtually frowning at the dear Providence that loves us, and chafing with a self-torture which invites no pity. If we yield ourselves unto G.o.d, and sincerely accept our lot as a.s.signed by Him, we shall count up its contents, and disregard its omissions; and be it as feeble as a cripple's, and as narrow as a child's, shall find in it resources of good surpa.s.sing our best economy, and sacred claims that may keep awake our highest will.

J. MARTINEAU.

June 25

_My times are in Thy hand_.--PS. x.x.xi. 15.

_Every purpose of the Lord shall be performed_.--JER. li. 29.

I am so glad! It is such rest to know That Thou hast ordered and appointed all, And wilt yet order and appoint my lot.

For though so much I cannot understand, And would not choose, has been, and yet may be, Thou choosest, Thou performest, THOU, my Lord.

This is enough for me.

F. R. HAVERGAL.

"We mustn't be in a hurry to fix and choose our own lot; we must wait to be guided. We are led on, like the little children, by a way that we know not.

It is a vain thought to flee from the work that G.o.d appoints us, for the sake of finding a greater blessing to our own souls; as if we could choose for ourselves where we shall find the fulness of the Divine Presence, instead of seeking it where alone it is to be found, in loving obedience."

GEORGE ELIOT.

Everywhere and at all times it is in thy power piously to acquiesce in thy present condition, and to behave justly to those who are about thee.

MARCUS ANTONINUS.

June 26

_And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespa.s.ses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespa.s.ses_.--MARK xi. 25, 26.

'Tis not enough to weep my sins, 'Tis but one step to heaven:-- When I am kind to others,--then I know myself forgiven.