Calm Trust Through Life’s Changes

ALMIGHTY! we do greatly rejoice that Thou art from everlasting to everlasting, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. We sometimes cast a troubled look over the mighty generations that have passed away and are no more, and we wonder where they are gone; but remembering that Thou art all in all, we know that, though gone from our sight, they are all in Thee. At times we look forward with doubt and trembling, but we take comfort, for we know that even as those gone before us, we shall all rest in Thee.

Grant that we may never go so far from Thee that we may not return to Thee. Grant that in all times of shaken faith, we may rest undisturbed in Thee. All our troubles Thou knowest; in stormy times it was hard to think so. Would that we were less moved by the changes that go on around us! Would that through them all we could go on our way undisturbed, having firm faith in Thee and Thy goodness! But, alas! even the changes in the weather trouble us. The fall of leaves, a gloomy day, sadden and depress us; the bright sunshine raises joy in our hearts, and in other things we are sensitive to a little joy more or less. The fading of those we love, friends grown cold, all these things shake us much. We are like a leaf, tossed hither and thither, fading, falling; but what matter, if the leaf belong to Thee? Grant us more and more to cease from man and trust in Thee.

All we suffer is but for the hour. When evil things have the upper hand, help us to smile and remember that God is all in all. All we ask is that Thou wilt give us calmness wherewith to go through life. May we enter into all its duties with an earnest spirit. Sometimes we look with wonder at the care of men for little things. Let us turn to our work with faith, and what the Lord has willed, the servant will do.

Be to us all in all, our Friend when friends are faithless, our Lover when love grows cold; when life is faint and feeble within us, be Thou our soul's life. Come what will, may we abide in deep peace of mind and soul, ever striving to be sheep of the true fold, and dwelling in the hope of hearing the good Shepherd call us by name.—AMEN.