We Must Not Only Do God's Will, But Do It Cheerfully

December 12.

I delight to do Thy will, O my God: yea, Thy law is within my heart_.

PSALM 40, verse 8.


A patient, a victorious mind,
That life and all things casts behind,
Springs forth obedient to Thy call;
A heart that no desire can move,
But still to adore, believe, and love,
Give me,
My Lord, my Life, my All.

P. GERHARDT.


That piety which sanctifies us, and which is a
true devotion to God, consists in doing all
His will precisely at the time, in the situation,
and under the circumstances, in which He
has placed us. Perfect devotedness requires,
not only that we do the will of God, but that
we do it with love. God would have us serve
Him with delight; it is our hearts
that He asks of us.

FRANCOIS DE LA MOTHE FENELON.


Devotion is really neither more nor less than a
general inclination and readiness to do that
which we know to be acceptable to God. It is
that "free spirit," of which David spoke when
he said, "I will run the way of Thy commandments,
when Thou hast set my heart at liberty."
People of ordinary goodness walk in God's way,
but the devout run in it, and at length they almost
fly therein. To be truly devout, we must not only
do God's will, but we must do it cheerfully.

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES.