72. Wednesday after Second Sunday after Epiphany.
The God of patience and consolation
grant us to be likeminded
according to Christ Jesus. Amen.
James 1, 2-12. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
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Afflictions always come to them in whose heart and house Jesus reigns. It is necessary that we be tried in suffering; for by this means, only, can our hearts learn not to put their trust in the things of this world. I have a hundred times read and thought that I must not expect a quiet, easy time on earth; but before I am aware of it, I have again found myself dreaming that when this or that thing is over, or when such or such an object has been reached, then I will have an earthly paradise, and will take my ease and enjoy myself. Yes, precious soul; you certainly shall receive ample riches, complete rest, and unmixed enjoyment; not, however, before you reach heaven. In order that you may attain this end, it is necessary that you suffer here on earth, and learn to rejoice and glory in your tribulations. You could, were you so disposed, cut loose, depart from the Lord, and seek enjoyment in the pleasures of the world. You might, possibly, find some sort of happiness herein for a short time; but then, you do not know what tomorrow may bring forth. For what is your life? It is even a “vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” Earthly wealth and splendor wither like the flowers of the grass. Patience is the only road to daily happiness. As a Christian you must needs have trouble and pain, in order that the old Adam may die with his love of fleeting riches and honor, his craving for sensual pleasures, his unclean lusts, and all his variety of idolatrous ways. You must learn to trust in God alone; you will need to believe in him with your whole heart in order to obtain the victory over your terrible enemies, Satan and death. But such a whole heart you neither have nor can receive except through tribulations. For whether we be rich or poor, we are fond of having some of the good things of this world in reserve; whether we be gross sinners or fine and pious folk, we are prone to trust a little in ourselves. Patience, only, produces a perfect work. The Lord gives, and takes away; leads into the fire, and out of it; permits the devil and the flesh and the world to tempt us. The rich must learn to rejoice in that he is made low; and the one of low degree, in that he is exalted. Thus shall the heart belong wholly to the Lord, and he alone shall be the rock of our reliance. He has promised us wisdom; that is, knowledge of his ways and purposes, in order that we may rejoice and thank him for all things; and he has promised to give us at last the crown of life. Blessed is he that has him alone as his God. To this end he helps us by means of our sufferings. Count it, then, all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. The filled waterpots are vessels full of wine.
Dear heavenly Father, give us true wisdom; give us grace to believe in thee with whole hearts; give us patience, that we may honor thee by rendering thanks to thee for our sufferings; and finally, when our trials are done, give us the crown of life. Amen.*
What our Father does is well:
Blessed truth! his children tell!
Though he send, for plenty, want,
Though the harvest store be scant,
Yet we rest upon his love,
Seeking better things above.
* Here the head of the family says a short morning or evening prayer in his own words, and closes with the Lord’s Prayer and the Benediction. This is to be done every day. If the stanzas are not sung, they may be read in their proper place before the impromptu petition and the Lord’s Prayer.