October 20

God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.—1 Corinthians 10:13.

DO I feel, with comfort, that though the world and those in it may prove false, yet God is for ever true, and is the sure and unfailing stay of his children? Do I feel, as well as know, that he is wise as well as faithful, and that he knows how to proportion our burdens to our strength? Am I diligent to keep myself out of the way of temptation, remembering that God does not promise strength to those who willfully expose themselves to its power?

Continual comfort and prosperity would be unsafe for us. Continual affliction would be hard upon us. Therefore our gracious Lord appoints us changes. Comforts and trials are interwoven in our dispensations; and so closely, that hardly an hour passes, in which we have not many causes for thankfulness.—J. NEWTON.

God's children are most triumphant when most tempted; most glorious, when most afflicted; most in God's favor, when least in man's. As their conflicts, so their conquests; as their tribulations so their triumphs—SPENCER.

Meek souls there are, who little deem Their daily strife an angel's theme; Nor think the cross they take so calm, May prove, in heaven, a martyr's palm; That God's own hand, though trials frown, Is leading to the heavenly crown!