It’s both wise and necessary to constantly ask God to strengthen what He has begun in us. We often forget that the One who started our faith must also be the One to sustain it. The lamp in the temple was never allowed to go out, but it had to be refilled with fresh oil every day; in the same way, our

faith can only survive if it’s continually fed with the oil of grace, which we can only get from God Himself.

So, day by day, let’s go to our Lord for the grace and strength we need. We have a strong argument to present because we’re asking Him to strengthen His own work of grace in us. Let your faith grab hold of His strength.

Keep your sail up even when there’s no wind so that when the wind blows, you’re ready. Keep using the means of grace even when you don’t see immediate results because that way you’ll be in the right place when grace comes. It’s better to go fifty times

and gain nothing than to miss one good opportunity. Even if the angel isn’t stirring the pool, stay by it because the moment you leave might be the time when the angel arrives.