January, 19
Victory that overcomes the world
"This is the victory that overcometh the world,
even our faith" (1 John 5:4).
It is easy to love Him when the blue is in the
sky,
When summer winds are blowing, and we smell the
roses nigh;
There is little effort needed to obey His
precious will
When it leads through flower-decked valley, or
over sun-kissed hill.
It is when the rain is falling, or the mist hangs
in the air,
When the road is dark and rugged, and the wind no
longer fair,
When the rosy dawn has settled in a shadowland of
gray,
That we find it hard to trust Him, and are slower
to obey.
It is easy to trust Him when the singing birds
have come,
And their canticles are echoed in our heart and
in our home;
But 'tis when we miss the music, and the days are
dull and drear,
That we need a faith triumphant over every doubt
and fear.
And our blessed Lord will give it; what we lack
He will supply;
Let us ask in faith believing--on His promises
rely;
He will ever be our Leader, whether smooth or
rough the way,
And will prove Himself sufficient for the needs
of every day.
To trust in spite of the look of being forsaken;
to keep crying out into the vast, whence comes no
returning voice, and where seems no hearing; to
see the machinery of the world pauselessly
grinding on as if self-moved, caring for no life,
nor shifting a hair-breadth for all entreaty, and
yet believe that God is awake and utterly loving;
to desire nothing but what comes meant for us
from His hand; to wait patiently, ready to die of
hunger, fearing only lest faith should fail--such
is the victory that overcometh the world, such is
faith indeed. --George MacDonald