Part 15 (1/2)

March 23

_Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest_.--3 JOHN 5.

_And this also we wish, even your perfection_.--2 COR. xiii. 9.

In all the little things of life, Thyself, Lord, may I see; In little and in great alike Reveal Thy love to me.

So shall my undivided life To Thee, my G.o.d, be given; And all this earthly course below Be one dear path to heaven.

H. BONAR.

In order to mould thee into entire conformity to His will, He must have thee pliable in His hands, and this pliability is more quickly reached by yielding in the little things than even by the greater. Thy one great desire is to follow Him fully; canst thou not say then a continual ”yes” to all His sweet commands, whether small or great, and trust Him to lead thee by the shortest road to thy fullest blessedness?

H. W. SMITH.

With meekness, humility, and diligence, apply yourself to the duties of your condition. They are the seemingly little things which make no noise that do the business.

HENRY MORE.

March 24

_I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety_.--PS. iv. 8.

_He giveth His beloved sleep_.--PS. cxxvii. 2.

He guides our feet, He guards our way, His morning smiles bless all the day; He spreads the evening veil, and keeps The silent hours while Israel sleeps.

I. WATTS.

We sleep in peace in the arms of G.o.d, when we yield ourselves up to His providence, in a delightful consciousness of His tender mercies; no more restless uncertainties, no more anxious desires, no more impatience at the place we are in; for it is G.o.d who has put us there, and who holds us in His arms. Can we be unsafe where He has placed us?

FRANcOIS DE LA MOTHE FeNELON.

One evening when Luther saw a little bird perched on a tree, to roost there for the night, he said, ”This little bird has had its supper, and now it is getting ready to go to sleep here, quite secure and content, never troubling itself what its food will be, or where its lodging on the morrow.

Like David, it 'abides under the shadow of the Almighty.' It sits on its little twig content, and lets G.o.d take care.”

MARTIN LUTHER.

March 25

_I will hear what G.o.d the Lord will speak: for He will speak peace unto His people_.--PS. lx.x.xv. 8.

There is a voice, ”a still, small voice” of love, Heard from above; But not amidst the din of earthly sounds, Which here confounds; By those withdrawn apart it best is heard, And peace, sweet peace, breathes in each gentle word.