Dear Friends,

As M. Scott Peck says in his book “The Road Less Traveled,” “Life is difficult!” Even so, there are times when grief and pain flood our lives and we cannot see how to meet them. The Bible and the old hymns offer help here. Today’s devotional gives you an example. God bless you.

Because of Calvary,

John Janney

• Psalm 61:1-4

  Psalm 61:1-4    English Standard Version
  Lead Me to the Rock
  To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David.
  61 Hear my cry, O God,
  listen to my prayer;
  2 from the end of the earth I call to you
  when my heart is faint.
  Lead me to the rock
  that is higher than I,
  3 for you have been my refuge,
  a strong tower against the enemy.
  4 Let me dwell in your tent forever!
  Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah

Psalm 61:1-4

BE STILL, MY SOUL

Be still, my soul! the Lord is on thy side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief of pain;

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul! thy best, thy heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul! thy God doth undertake

To guide the future as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul! the waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still my soul! When dearest friends depart,

And all is darkened in the vale of tears,

Then shalt thou better know his love, his heart,

Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears,

Be still, my soul! thy Jesus can repay

From his own fullness all he takes away.

Be still, my soul! the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored

Be still, my soul! when change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.”

[Katharina Amalia von Schlegel (1697-?)
Translated by Jane Laurie Borthwick (1813-1897)]