Daily Strength for Daily Needs Part 59

Hold in thy murmurs, heaven arraigning!

The patient see G.o.d's loving face; Who bear their burdens uncomplaining, 'Tis they that win the Father's grace.

ANON.

Do not run to this and that for comfort when you are in trouble, but bear it. Be uncomfortably quiet--be uneasily silent--be patiently unhappy.

J.P. GREAVES.

Hard words _will_ vex, unkindness _will_ pierce; neglect _will_ wound; threatened evils _will_ make the soul quiver; sharp pain or weariness _will_ rack the body, or make it restless. But what says the Psalmist?

"When my heart is vexed, I will complain." To whom? Not _of_ G.o.d, but _to_ G.o.d.

E.B. PUSEY.

Surely, I have thought, I do not want to have a grief which would not be a grief. I feel that I shall be able to take up my cross in a religious spirit soon, and then it will be all right.

JAMES HINTON.

November 14

_Thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me_.--ISA. xliv. 21.

Oh, give Thy servant patience to be still, And bear Thy will; Courage to venture wholly on the arm That will not harm; The wisdom that will never let me stray Out of my way; The love, that, now afflicting, knoweth best When I should rest.

J. M. NEALE.

Supposing that you were never to be set free from such trials, what would you do? You would say to G.o.d, "I am Thine--if my trials are acceptable to Thee, give me more and more." I have full confidence that this is what you would say, and then you would not think more of it--at any rate, you would not be anxious. Well, do the same now. Make friends with your trials, as though you were always to live together; and you will see that when you cease to take thought for your own deliverance, G.o.d will take thought for you; and when you cease to help yourself eagerly, He will help you.

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES.

Ah, if you knew what peace there is in an accepted sorrow!

MADAME GUYON.

November 15

_Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy G.o.d: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness_.--ISA. xli. 10.

Lord, be Thou near and cheer my lonely way; With Thy sweet peace my aching bosom fill; Scatter my cares and fears; my griefs allay, And be it mine each day To love and please Thee still.

P. CORNEILLE.

What if the wicked nature, which is as a sea casting out mire and dirt, rage against thee? There is a river, a sweet, still, flowing river, the streams whereof will make glad thy heart. And, learn but in quietness and stillness to retire to the Lord, and wait upon Him; in whom thou shall feel peace and joy, in the midst of thy trouble from the cruel and vexatious spirit of this world. So, wait to know thy work and service to the Lord every day, in thy place and station; and the Lord make thee faithful therein, and thou wilt want neither help, support, nor comfort.

I. PENINGTON.

November 16

_Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee_.--ISA. xxvi. 3.

What comforts, Lord, to those are given, Who seek in Thee their home and rest!

They find on earth an opening heaven, And in Thy peace are amply blest.

W. C. DESSLER.

G.o.d is a tranquil Being, and abides in a tranquil eternity. So must thy spirit become a tranquil and clear little pool, wherein the serene light of G.o.d can be mirrored. Therefore shun all that is disquieting and distracting, both within and without. Nothing in the whole world is worth the loss of thy peace; even the faults which thou hast committed should only humble, but not disquiet thee. G.o.d is full of joy, peace, and happiness. Endeavor then to obtain a continually joyful and peaceful spirit. Avoid all anxious care, vexation, murmuring, and melancholy, which darken thy soul, and render thee unfit for the friendship of G.o.d. If thou dost perceive such feelings arising, turn gently away from them.

G. TERSTEEGEN.

November 17

_Every day will I bless Thee; and I will praise Thy name for ever and ever_.--PS. cxlv. 2.

_Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established_.--PROV. xvi. 3.

Lord, I my vows to Thee renew; Disperse my sins as morning dew; Guard my first springs of thought and will, And with Thyself my spirit fill.

THOMAS KEN.

Morning by morning think, for a few moments, of the chief employments of the day, any one thing of greater moment than others, thine own especial trial, any occasions of it which are likely to come that day, and by one short strong act commend thyself beforehand in all to G.o.d; offer all thy thoughts, words, and deeds to Him--to be governed, guided, accepted by Him.

Choose some great occasions of the day, such as bring with them most trial to thee, on which, above others, to commend thyself to G.o.d.

E. B. PUSEY.

Will you not, before venturing away from your early quiet hour, "commit thy works" to Him definitely, the special things you have to do to-day, and the unforeseen work which He may add in the course of it?

F. R. HAVERGAL.

November 18

_Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He bath given us of His Spirit_.--I JOHN iv. 13.

Within! within, oh turn Thy spirit's eyes, and learn Thy wandering senses gently to control; Thy dearest Friend dwells deep within thy soul, And asks thyself of thee, That heart, and mind, and sense, He may make whole In perfect harmony.