Thoughts of Grace

I waited patiently for the Lord;
and He inclined unto me,
and heard my cry.–Psalm 40:1

It is possible,
when the future is dim,
when our depressed faculties can form
no bright ideas of the perfection
and happiness of a better world,

–it is possible still to cling to the conviction of God’s merciful purpose towards His creatures, of His parental goodness even in suffering;

still to feel that the path of duty, though trodden with a heavy heart, leads to peace;

still to be true to conscience;

still to do our work,
to resist temptation,
to be useful, though with diminished energy,
to give up our wills
when we cannot rejoice under God’s mysterious providence.

In this patient, though uncheered obedience,
we become prepared for light.
The soul gathers force.
WM. E. CHANNING.

Psalm 22:24
For he hath not despised nor abhorred
the affliction of the afflicted;
neither hath he hid his face from him;
but when he cried unto him,
he heard.