If our zeal is embittered by expressions of anger, invective, or scorn—we may think we are doing service of the cause of truth, when in reality we shall only bring it into discredit!

Every drop of rain hits its appointed target.

How many times has He delivered me! Yet, alas! How distrustful and ungrateful is my heart even until the present!

The midsummer sun shines but dim, The fields strive in vain to look gay; But when I am happy in Him December's as pleasant as May.

We have no clear ideas of the agency of [demonic] spirits, nor is it necessary. The Scripture says little to satisfy our curiosity; but tells us plainly that he is always watching us, and desiring to sift us as wheat. I believe we give him no more than his due, when we charge him with having a hand in all our sins. I believe he cuts us all out abundance of work.

All shall work together for good; everything is needful that He sends; nothing can be needful that He withholds.

We serve a gracious Master who knows how to overrule even our mistakes to his glory and our own advantage.