January 8

Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, Neither will he uphold the evildoers. He will yet fill thy mouth with laughter, And thy lips with shouting. — Job 8:20-21

A blue bird built his nest
Here in my breast.
“O bird of Light! Whence comest thou?”
Said he, “From God above:
My name is Love.”

A mate he brought one day,
Of plumage gray.
“O bird of Night! Why comest thou?”
Said she: “Seek no relief!
My name is Grief.”
— Laurence Alma-Tadema.

It is not so much resolution as renunciation, not so much courage as resignation, that we need. He that has once yielded thoroughly to God will yield to nothing but God.
— John Ruskin.

Prayer

Almighty God, help me to understand that peace does not come in rebellion or grieving, but is obtained through the calm of the soul. Grant that if I may be perplexed or worried to-day, I may have the power to control myself and wait in thy strength. Amen.