THE man of faith recognizes no second causes. He takes everything as from the Lord, either directly or by His permissive will. Therefore, he can look up to Him in every circumstance and count on God’s sustaining grace in every hour of trial and testing. They who wait upon Him, we are told, shall never be ashamed. They are enabled to mount up as with eagles’ wings above the mists of earth into the clear sunlight of divine love. They run the race without weariness; they walk the rugged path without fainting. For God has promised that they shall not want any good thing. Therefore, the trusting soul goes on his way with gladness, looking to Him alone to meet every need.
“I look to Thee in every need,
And never look in vain;
I feel Thy strong and tender love,
And all is well again.
The thought of Thee is mightier far
Than sin and pain and sorrow are.
Thy calmness bends serene above
My restlessness, to still.
Around me flows Thy quickening life
To nerve my faltering will;
Thy presence fills my solitude;
Thy providence turns all to good.”
—Samuel Longfellow.