August 25

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God. — Ps 42:5

O teach me in the trying hour,
When anguish swells the dewy tear,
To still my sorrows, own thy power,
Thy goodness love, thy justice fear.

Then why, my soul, dost thou complain?
Why drooping seek the dark recess?
Shake off the melancholy chain,
For God created all to bless.
— Thomas Chatterton.

Each substance of a grief hath twenty shadows
which show like grief itself, but are not so:
For sorrow’s eye, glazed with blinding tears,
Divides one thing entire to many shadows.
— William Shakespeare.

Prayer

Loving Father, forbid that I should be lonesome, and forget thou art my friend: and may I not pass over thy mercies while waiting for thy compassion. Help me to find contentment in the inheritances of the earth, where I may always draw from thee. Amen.