Daily Strength for Daily Needs Part 42

JEAN NICOLAS GROU.

August 14

_I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help_.--PS.

cxxi. 1.

_My grace is sufficient for thee_.--2 COR. xii. 9.

I look to Thee in every need, And never look in vain; I feel Thy touch, Eternal Love, And all is well again: The thought of Thee is mightier far Than sin and pain and sorrow are.

S. LONGFELLOW.

How can you live sweetly amid the vexatious things, the irritating things, the mult.i.tude of little worries and frets, which lie all along your way, and which you cannot evade? You cannot at present change your surroundings.

Whatever kind of life you are to live, must be lived amid precisely the experiences in which you are now moving. Here you must win your victories or suffer your defeats. No restlessness or discontent can change your lot.

Others may have other circ.u.mstances surrounding them, but here are yours.

You had better make up your mind to accept what you cannot alter. You can live a beautiful life in the midst of your present circ.u.mstances.

J. R. MILLER.

Strive to realize a state of inward happiness, independent of circ.u.mstances.

J. P. GREAVES.

August 15

_G.o.d hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind_.--2 TIM. i. 7.

We cast behind fear, sin, and death; With Thee we seek the things above; Our inmost souls Thy spirit breathe, Of power, of calmness, and of love.

HYMNS OF THE SPIRIT.

I must conclude with a more delightful subject,--my most dear and blessed sister. I never saw a more perfect instance of the spirit of power and of love, and of a sound mind; intense love, almost to the annihilation of selfishness--a daily martyrdom for twenty years, during which she adhered to her early-formed resolution of never talking about herself; thoughtful about the very pins and ribands of my wife's dress, about the making of a doll's cap for a child,--but of herself, save only as regarded her ripening in all goodness, wholly thoughtless; enjoying everything lovely, graceful, beautiful, high-minded, whether in G.o.d's works or man's, with the keenest relish; inheriting the earth to the very fulness of the promise, though never leaving her crib, nor changing her posture; and preserved through the very valley of the shadow of death, from all fear or impatience, or from every cloud of impaired reason, which might mar the beauty of Christ's spirit's glorious work.

THOMAS ARNOLD.

August 16

_Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap_.--GAL. vi. 7.

The life above, when this is past, Is the ripe fruit of life below.

Sow love, and taste its fruitage pure; Sow peace, and reap its harvest bright; Sow sunbeams on the rock and moor, And find a harvest-home of light.

H. BONAR.

The dispositions, affections, inclinations of soul, which shall issue hereafter in perfection, must be trained and nurtured in us throughout the whole course of this earthly life. When shall we bear in mind this plain truth, that the future perfection of the saints is not a translation from one state or disposition of soul into another, diverse from the former; but the carrying out, and, as it were, the blossom and the fruitage of one and the same principle of spiritual life, which, through their whole career on earth, has been growing with an even strength, putting itself forth in the beginnings and promise of perfection, reaching upward with steadfast aspirations after perfect holiness?

H. E. MANNING.

August 17

_O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give Thy strength unto Thy servant, and save the son of Thy handmaid_.--PS. lx.x.xvi. 16.

Thou art my King-- My King henceforth alone; And I, Thy servant, Lord, am all Thine own.

Give me Thy strength; oh! let Thy dwelling be In this poor heart that pants, my Lord, for Thee!

G. TERSTEEGEN.

When it is the one ruling, never-ceasing desire of our hearts, that G.o.d may be the beginning and end, the reason and motive, the rule and measure, of our doing or not doing, from morning to night; then everywhere, whether speaking or silent, whether inwardly or outwardly employed, we are equally offered up to the eternal Spirit, have our life in Him and from Him, and are united to Him by that Spirit of Prayer which is the comfort, the support, the strength and security of the soul, travelling, by the help of G.o.d, through the vanity of time into the riches of eternity. Let us have no thought or care, but how to be wholly His devoted instruments; everywhere, and in everything, His adoring, joyful, and thankful servants.

WM. LAW.

August 18

_Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward G.o.d_--I JOHN iii. 21.

O Lord, how happy is the time When in Thy love I rest: When from my weariness I climb E'en to Thy tender breast.

The night of sorrow endeth there, Thy rays outs.h.i.+ne the sun; And in Thy pardon and Thy care The heaven of heavens is won.

W. C. DESSLER.

Nothing doth so much establish the mind amidst the rollings and turbulency of present things, as both a look above them, and a look beyond them; above them to the good and steady Hand by which they are ruled, and beyond them to the sweet and beautiful end to which, by that Hand, they shall be brought. Study pure and holy walking, if you would have your confidence firm, and have boldness and joy in G.o.d. You will find that a little sin will shake your trust and disturb your peace more than the greatest sufferings: yea, in those sufferings, your a.s.surance and joy in G.o.d will grow and abound most if sin be kept out. So much sin as gets in, so much peace will go out.

R. LEIGHTON.

August 19

_Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path_.--PS. xxvii. 11.

Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom, Lead Thou me on; The night is dark, and I am far from home, Lead Thou me on.

Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see The distant scene; one step enough for me.