Daily Strength for Daily Needs Part 13

There is a faith in G.o.d, and a clear perception of His will and designs, and providence, and glory, which gives to its possessor a confidence and patience and sweet composure, under every varied and troubling aspect of events, such as no man can realize who has not felt its influences in his own heart. There is a communion with G.o.d, in which the soul feels the presence of the unseen One, in the profound depths of its being, with a vivid distinctness and a holy reverence, such as no words can describe.

There is a state of union with G.o.d, I do not say often reached, yet it has been attained in this world, in which all the past and present and future seem reconciled, and eternity is won and enjoyed; and G.o.d and man, earth and heaven, with all their mysteries, are apprehended in truth as they lie in the mind of the Infinite.

SAMUEL D. ROBBINS.

March 13

_He that abideth in me, and I in him, bringeth forth much fruit_.--JOHN xv.

5.

_Let the beauty of the Lord our G.o.d be upon us_.--PS. xc. 17.

As some rare perfume in a vase of clay Pervades it with a fragrance not its own, So, when Thou dwellest in a mortal soul, All Heaven's own sweetness seems around it thrown.

H. B. STOWE.

Some glances of real beauty may be seen in their faces, who dwell in true meekness. There is a harmony in the sound of that voice to which Divine love gives utterance, and some appearance of right order in their temper and conduct whose pa.s.sions are regulated.

JOHN WOOLMAN.

I believe that no Divine truth can truly dwell in any heart, without an external testimony in manner, bearing, and appearance, that must reach the witness within the heart of the beholder, and bear an unmistakable, though silent, evidence to the eternal principle from which it emanates.

M. A. SCHIMMELPENNINCK.

March 14

_I have called upon Thee, for Thou wilt hear me, O G.o.d: incline Thine ear unto me, and hear my speech_.--PS. xvii. 6.

_Ye people, pour out your heart before Him: G.o.d is a refuge for us_.--PS.

lxii. 8.

Whate'er the care which breaks thy rest, Whate'er the wish that swells thy breast; Spread before G.o.d that wish, that care, And change anxiety to prayer.

JANE CREWDSON.

Trouble and perplexity drive us to prayer, and prayer driveth away trouble and perplexity.

P. MELANCTHON.

Whatsoever it is that presses thee, go tell thy Father; put over the matter into His hand, and so thou shalt be freed from that dividing, perplexing care that the world is full of. When thou art either to do or suffer anything, when thou art about any purpose or business, go tell G.o.d of it, and acquaint Him with it; yea, burden Him with it, and thou hast done for matter of caring; no more care, but quiet, sweet diligence in thy duty, and dependence on Him for the carriage of thy matters. Roll thy cares, and thyself with them, as one burden, all on thy G.o.d.

R. LEIGHTON.

March 15

_Hear me, O Lord. for Thy loving-kindness is good: turn unto me according to the mult.i.tude of Thy tender mercies_.--PS. lxix. 16.

_Let, I pray Thee, Thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Thy word unto Thy servant_.--PS. cxix. 76.

Love divine has seen and counted Every tear it caused to fall; And the storm which Love appointed Was its choicest gift of all.

ANON.

O that thou couldst dwell in the knowledge and sense of this! even, that the Lord beholds thy sufferings with an eye of pity; and is able, not only to uphold thee under them, but also to do thee good by them. Therefore, grieve not at thy lot, be not discontented, look not out at the hardness of thy condition; but, when the storm and matters of vexation are sharp, look up to Him who can give meekness and patience, can lift up thy head over all, and cause thy life to grow, and be a gainer by all. If the Lord G.o.d help thee proportionably to thy condition of affliction and distress, thou wilt have no cause to complain, but to bless His name.

I. PENINGTON.

March 16

_Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of G.o.d_.--I COR. x. 31.

_With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not unto men_.--EPH. vi.

7.

A Servant, with this clause, Makes drudgery divine: Who sweeps a room, as for Thy laws, Makes that and th' action fine.

G. HERBERT.

Surely the truth must be, that whatsoever in our daily life is lawful and right for us to be engaged in, is in itself a part of our obedience to G.o.d; a part, that is, of our very religion. Whensoever we hear people complaining of obstructions and hindrances put by the duties of life in the way of devoting themselves to G.o.d, we may be sure they are under some false view or other. They do not look upon their daily work as the task G.o.d has set them, and as obedience due to Him. We may go farther; and say, not only that the duties of life, be they never so toilsome and distracting, are no obstructions to a life of any degree of inward holiness; but that they are even direct means, when rightly used, to promote our sanctification.

H. E. MANNING.

March 17

_Where hast thou gleaned to-day_?--RUTH ii. 19.

What have I learnt where'er I've been, From all I've heard, from all I've seen?

What know I more that's worth the knowing?

What have I done that's worth the doing?

What have I sought that I should shun?

What duties have I left undone?

PYTHAGORAS.

All of this world will soon have pa.s.sed away. But G.o.d will remain, and thou, whatever thou hast become, good or bad. Thy deeds now are the seed-corn of eternity. Each single act, in each several day, good or bad, is a portion of that seed. Each day adds some line, making thee more or less like Him, more or less capable of His love.