Daily Strength for Daily Needs Part 52

October 8

_Ye shall not go out in haste, for the Lord will go before you; and the G.o.d of Israel will be your rearward_.--ISA. lii. 12. (R. V.).

_He that believeth shall not make haste_.--ISA. xxviii. 16.

Holy Spirit, Peace divine!

Still this restless heart of mine; Speak to calm this tossing sea, Stayed in Thy tranquillity.

S. LONGFELLOW.

In whatever you are called upon to do, endeavor to maintain a calm, collected, and prayerful state of mind. Self-recollection is of great importance. "It is good for a man to quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord." He who is in what may be called a spiritual hurry, or rather who runs without having evidence of being spiritually sent, makes haste to no purpose.

T. C. UPHAM.

There is great fret and worry in always running after work; it is not good intellectually or spiritually.

ANNIE KEARY.

Whenever we are outwardly excited we should cease to act; but whenever we have a message from the spirit within, we should execute it with calmness.

A fine day may excite one to act, but it is much better that we act from the calm spirit in any day, be the outward what it may.

J. P. GREAVES.

October 9

_As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord_.--JOSH. xxiv. 15.

O happy house I and happy servitude!

Where all alike one Master own; Where daily duty, in Thy strength pursued, Is never hard or toilsome known; Where each one serves Thee, meek and lowly, Whatever Thine appointment be, Till common tasks seem great and holy, When they are done as unto Thee.

C. J. P. SPITTA.

At Dudson there was no rushing after anything, either worldly or intellectual. It was a home of constant activity, issuing from, and retiring to, a centre of deep repose. There was an earnest application of excellent sense to the daily duties of life, to the minutest courtesy and kindness, as well as to the real interests of others. Everything great and everything little seemed done in the same spirit, and with the same degree of fidelity, because it was the will of G.o.d; and that which could not be traced to His will was not undertaken at all. Nothing at Dudson was esteemed too little to be cared for, and nothing too great to be undertaken at the command of G.o.d; and for this they daily exercised their mental and bodily powers on the things around them; knowing that our Lord thoroughly furnishes each of His soldiers for his work, and places before each the task he has to do.

M. A. SCHIMMELPENNINCK.

October 10

_Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means_.--2 THESS. iii. 16.

_The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace_.--PS. xxix. 11.

In the heart's depths a peace serene and holy Abides, and when pain seems to have its will, Or we despair,--oh, may that peace rise slowly, Stronger than agony, and we be still.

S. JOHNSON.

But if a man ought and is willing to lie still under G.o.d's hand, he must and ought also to lie still under all things, whether they come from G.o.d, himself, or the creatures, nothing excepted. And he who would be obedient, resigned, and submissive to G.o.d, must and ought to be also resigned, obedient, and submissive to all things, in a spirit of yielding, and not of resistance; and take them in silence, resting on the hidden foundations of his soul, and having a secret inward patience, that enableth him to take all chances or crosses willingly; and, whatever befalleth, neither to call for nor desire any redress, or deliverance, or resistance, or revenge, but always in a loving, sincere humility to cry, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!"

THEOLOGIA GERMANICA.

October 11

_And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord_.--NUM. xi. 1.

When thou hast thanked thy G.o.d For every blessing sent, What time will then remain For murmurs or lament?

R. C. TRENCH.

Let him, with a cheerful and thankful spirit, yield himself up to suffer whatever G.o.d shall appoint unto him, and to fulfil, according to his power, by the grace of G.o.d, all His holy will to the utmost that he can discern it, and never complain of his distresses but to G.o.d alone, with entire and humble resignation, praying that he may be strong to endure all his sufferings according to the will of G.o.d.

JOHN TAULER.

He who complains, or thinks he has a right to complain, because he is called in G.o.d's Providence to suffer, has something within him which needs to be taken away. A soul whose will is lost in G.o.d's will, can never do this. Sorrow may exist; but complaint never.

CATHERINE ADORNA.

October 12

_Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord_.--EPH. v. 19.

_Sanctify the Lord G.o.d in your hearts_.--I PETER iii. 15.

There are in this loud stunning tide Of human care and crime, With whom the melodies abide Of th' everlasting chime; Who carry music in their heart Through dusky lane and wrangling mart, Plying their daily task with busier feet, Because their secret souls a holy strain repeat.

J. KEBLE.

Strive to carry thyself with a total resignation to the Divine Will, that G.o.d may do with thee and all thine according to His heavenly pleasure, relying on Him as on a kind and loving Father. Never recall that intention, and though thou be taken up about the affairs of the condition wherein G.o.d hath placed thee, yet thou wilt still be in prayer, in the presence of G.o.d, and in perpetual acts of resignation. "A just man leaves not off to pray unless he leaves off to be just." He always prays who always does well.

The good desire is prayer, and if the desire be continued so also is the prayer.

M. DE MOLINOS.

October 13