October 18

Our sufficiency is of God—2 Corinthians 3:5.

IN every hour of exposure or weakness, do I feel that my sufficiency is in God, and only in him? And if through his grace, I have been enabled to overcome temptation, control appetite, subdue selfish inclination, or to do anything for God's glory, do I give all the praise to him? Do I check self-complacency, and self-reliance, and render thanks to God for his sufficiency and aid which were granted to me in the hour of need?

Everything is to be found in God by those who for the sake of God are willing to give up everything.—AUGUSTINE.

God will help not once or twice, but at all times, if we ask him. What then would he have me to do? Only to trust in him, call upon him, and watch and acknowledge his hand. Trust his word, for it is true; call upon him, for he hath promised; watch his hand in the dispensations of providence, for he will do as he has said.—J. SMITH.

Thou art the source and centre of all minds, Their only point of rest, eternal word!

From thee is all that soothes the life of man, His high endeavor and his glad success,

His strength to suffer and his will to serve.

But, oh! thou bounteous Giver of all good,

Thou art, of all thy gifts, thyself the crown.

Give what thou canst, without thee we are poor,

And with thee, rich, take what thou wilt away.

—COWPER.