Blessed be the Lord for another day of mercy, even though I am now weary with its toils. Unto the preserver of men lift I my song of gratitude.

The dove found no rest out of the ark, and therefore returned to it; and my soul has learned yet more fully than ever, this day, that there is no satisfaction to be found in earthly things — God alone can give rest to my spirit.

As to my business, my possessions, my family, my attainments, these are all well enough in their way, but they cannot fulfil the desires of my immortal nature. “Return unto thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.”

It was at the still hour, when the gates of the day were closing, that with weary wing the dove came back to the master: O Lord, enable me this evening thus to return to Jesus.

She could not endure to spend a night hovering over the restless waste, not can I bear to be even for another hour away from Jesus, the rest of my heart, the home of my spirit.

She did not merely alight upon the roof of the ark, she “came in to him;” even so would my longing spirit look into the secret of the Lord, pierce to the interior of truth, enter into that which is within the veil, and reach to my Beloved in very deed.

To Jesus must I come: short of the nearest and dearest intercourse with Him my panting spirit cannot stay.

Blessed Lord Jesus, be with me, reveal Thyself, and abide with me all night, so that when I awake I may be still with thee.

I note that the dove brought in her mouth an olive branch plucked off, the memorial of the past day, and a prophecy of the future.

Have I no pleasing record to bring home? No pledge and earnest of lovingkindness yet to come? Yes, my Lord, I present Thee my grateful acknowledgments for tender mercies which have been new every morning and fresh every evening; and now, I pray Thee, put forth Thy hand and take Thy dove into Thy bosom.

God knows exactly when to withhold or to grant us any visible sign of encouragement. How wonderful it is when we will trust Him in either case!

Yet it is better when all visible evidence that He is remembering us is withheld. He wants us to realize that His Word—His promise of remembering us—is more real and dependable than any evidence our senses may reveal.

It is good when He sends the visible evidence, but we appreciate it even more after we have trusted Him without it.

And those who are the most inclined to trust God without any evidence except His Word always receive the greatest amount of visible evidence of His love.

CHARLES GALLAUDET TRUMBULL

Believing Him; if storm clouds gather darkly ’round, And even if the heavens seem hushed, without a sound? He hears each prayer and even notes the sparrow’s fall.

And praising Him; when sorrow, grief, and pain are near, And even when we lose the thing that seems most dear? Our loss is gain. Praise Him; in Him we have our All.

Our hand in His; e’en though the path seems long and drear We scarcely see a step ahead, and almost fear? He guides us right—this way and that, to keep us near.

And satisfied; when every path is blocked and bare, And worldly things are gone and dead which were so fair? Believe and rest and trust in Him, He comes to stay.

Delayed answers to prayers are not refusals. Many prayers are received and recorded, yet underneath are the words, “My time has not yet come.”

God has a fixed time and an ordained purpose, and He who controls the limits of our lives also determines the time of our deliverance.