October 31

Fifteenth Thursday after Trinity

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me: . . . for without Me ye can do nothing. S. John 15:4, 5.

THIS I want you to feel more and more every hour of the day, because it is the necessary ladder to that other saying, "I can do all things." It is not thou who art to overcome the world, within thee or without thee, but thy faith, which is the gift of God, and the power of Christ within thee. The strong man will not give way to thee, but he will give way to the power of Christ within. Thou mayest not see thy progress, nor for a while, perhaps, may others see it; strive on in humility, strive on as for thy life, and pray God that thou mayest strive on to the end and thou canst not fail. It is not thyself, although it is not without thyself, God wills that thou gather up thyself into one, wholly to depend upon Him, wholly to trust Him, wholly to believe Him. Human things are gained by human energy, Divine things by Divine. Look not to thy fears within thee, go forth out of thyself, go to Jesus, then

Be of good cheer; your cause belongs To Him Who can avenge your wrongs, Leave it to Him, our Lord. Though hidden yet from all our eyes, He sees the Gideon who shall rise To save us, and His word.

As true as God's own word is true, Nor earth nor hell with all their crew Against us shall prevail. A jest and byword are they grown; God is with us, we are His own: Our victory cannot fail.

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