Exercising Faith

January 17.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning
the fiery trial which is to try you, as though
some strange thing happened unto you:
but rejoice, in as much as ye are partakers
of Christ's sufferings.

1 PETER 4, verses 12 and 13.


We take with solemn thankfulness
Our burden up, nor ask it less,
And count it joy that even we
May suffer, serve, or wait for Thee,
Whose will be done!

J. G. WHITTIER.


Receive every inward and outward trouble,
every disappointment, pain, uneasiness,
temptation, darkness, and desolation, with
both thy hands, as a true opportunity and
blessed occasion of dying to self, and
entering into a fuller fellowship with thy
self-denying, suffering Saviour. Look at no
inward or outward trouble in any other view;
reject every other thought about it; and
then every kind of trial and distress will
become the blessed day of thy prosperity.
That state is best, which exerciseth the
highest faith in, and fullest
resignation to God.

William LAW.