Anstice: O Lord! how happy should we be

Thursday, November 1, 2018
    Feast of All Saints
Meditation:
    [Jesus:] “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”
    —Matthew 6:28-30 (NIV)
Quotation:
O Lord! how happy should we be,
If we could cast our cares on Thee,
    If we from self could rest;
And feel at heart that One above,
In perfect wisdom, perfect love,
    Is working for the best.

For when we kneel and cast our care
Upon our God in humble prayer,
    With strengthened souls we rise,
Sure that our Father Who is nigh,
To hear the ravens when they cry,
    Will hear His children’s cries.

O may these anxious hearts of ours
The lesson learn from birds and flowers,
    And learn from self to cease,
Leave all things to our Father’s will,
And in His mercy trusting still,
    E’en in affliction, peace!
    ... Joseph Anstice (1808-1836), [1836], A Library of Religious Poetry: a collection of the best poems of all ages, Philip Schaff, New York: Dodd, Mead, 1880, p. 521-522 (see the book)
    See also Matt. 6:28-30; Ps. 102:1; Jer. 24:5-7; Matt. 10:29; Rom. 5:3-4; 8:28,35-39; 2 Cor. 4:15-17; Jas. 1:2-4
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, lead me to care only for Your will.

CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
    search    script    mobile
sub    fb    twt    Jonah    Ruth