February 14

"Let us run with patience."—HRB. xii. 1.

LORD, teach me to endure to the end. Give me the hopeful, brave, steadfast, militant grace of patience.

Over all hostile circumstances let me triumph in Thy inspiring strength. I would not ask a lower path, or a clearer path, or a smoother path, or a shorter path. I would ask rather the royal mind, the heroic mood, the unfaltering step, the lofty soul, the heart great in faith and high in resolve. The inward transfiguration is better than the outward.

Over men who provoke and persecute me let me prevail in Thy name. Let me find in the bitterest antagonist the King's messenger and envoy, who executes His commandment and fulfils His purpose. Then I shall have a song in the gloomiest night and for the dreariest dungeon.

Over failure and the want of manifest success let me gain the victory through Thy grace. I must work the works of Him who hath sent me, while it is day; I must glorify Him in the world; even if He does not permit me to carry home any harvest-sheaves here and now. The broken arc must content me, till He allows me to see the perfect round.

Over God's delays let me be a conqueror by Thy love. I cry to Him, and cry again; I wrestle with Him; but no answer comes to my waiting and wearying spirit. It is hard to bear, and hard to persevere in praying. But Patience will assure me that my Father has a wise and gracious reason—a reason which will grow plain to me by and by, and which, once I know it, will rouse my song.

I crave "faith's patience imperturbable in Thee, hope's patience till the long-drawn shadows flee."