Quotable

What is faith? It is the assurance that the thing which God has said in His Word is true, and that God will act according to what He has said in His Word. This assurance, this reliance on God’s Word, this confidence is FAITH....

I get letters from so many of God’s dear children who say: “Dear Brother Müeller, I’m writing this because I am so weak in faith.” Just so surely as we ask to have our faith strengthened, we must feel a willingness to take from God’s hand the means for strengthening it. We must allow Him to educate us through trials and bereavements and troubles. It is through trials that faith is exercised and developed more and more. God affectionately permits difficulties, that He may develop unceasingly that which He is willing to do for us, and to this end we should not shrink, but if He gives us sorrow and hindrances and losses and afflictions, we should take them out of His hands as evidences of His love and care for us in developing more and more that Faith which He is seeking to strengthen in us.

—George Müeller (1805-98)

Another year is dawning! Dear Master, let it be

In working or in waiting another year with Thee.

Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast,

Of ever-deepening trustfulness, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of mercies,
 of faithfulness and grace;

Another year of gladness 
in the shining of Thy face.

Another year of progress; another year of praise;

Another year of proving
 Thy presence “all the days.”

Another year of service,
 of witness of Thy love;

Another year of training
 for holier work above.

Another year is dawning! Dear Master, let it be

On earth, or else in heaven, another year for Thee!

—Frances Ridley Havergal