Many people want to direct God instead of surrendering themselves to be directed by Him. They want to show Him the way instead of submissively following where He leads. MADAME GUYON

I said, “Let me walk in the field”; God said, “No, walk in the town”; I said, “There are no flowers there”; He said, “No flowers, but a crown.”

I said, “But the sky is black, There is nothing but noise and din”; But He wept as He sent me back, “There is more,” He said, “there is sin.”

I said, “But the air is thick, And smog is veiling the sun”; He answered, “Yet souls are sick, And your work is yet undone.”

I said, “I will miss the light, And friends will miss me, they say”; He answered me, “Choose tonight, If I am to miss you, or they.”

I pleaded for time to be given; He said, “Is it hard to decide? It will not seem hard in Heaven To have followed the steps of your Guide.”

I cast one look at the field, Then set my face to the town; He said, “My child, do you yield? Will you leave the flowers for the crown?”

Then into His hand went mine, And into my heart came He; And I walk in a light Divine, The path I had feared to see.

GEORGE MACDONALD

We were at the foot of Mont Blanc in the village of Chamouni. A sad thing had happened the day before. A young physician had determined to reach the heights of Mont Blanc. He accomplished the feat and the little village was illuminated in his honor; on the mountainside a flag was floating that told of his victory.

After they had ascended, and descended as far as the hut, he wanted to be released from his guide; he wanted to be free from the rope, and insisted on going on alone.

The guide remonstrated with him, telling him it was not safe; but he tired of the rope, and declared that he would be free. The guide was compelled to yield. The young man had gone only a short distance when his foot slipped on the ice and he could not stop himself from sliding down the icy steeps. The rope was gone, so the guide could not hold him nor pull him back. Out on the shelving ice lay the body of the young physician.

The bells had been rung, the village had been illumined in honor of his success; but alas, in a fatal moment he refused to be guided; he was tired of the rope.

Do you get tired of the rope? God’s providences hold us, restrain us, and we get tired sometimes. We need a guide, and shall until the dangerous paths are over. Never get disengaged from your Guide. Let your prayer be “Lead Thou me on,” and sometime the bells of heaven will ring that you are safe at home! CHARLES H. SPURGEON

Oh, tame me, Lord! rebellious nature calm.

Oh, tame me, Lord!

This heart so tossed and filled with wild alarm;

Oh, tame me, Lord!

These human longings, let them end in Thee,

And let me be Thy bond-slave—

Even me.

“THE MARECHAL”

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

The Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Our sufficiency is of God.

Lead us not into temptation.

O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

My times are in thy hand.

This is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.

His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor.

O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

The mighty God, The everlasting Father.

I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

The Prince of Peace.

He is our peace.

Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help.

As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.

His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor.—Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding, I have strength.—Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.—Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

O Lord , I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.—Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.—Commit thy works unto the Lord , and thy thoughts shall be established.—He knoweth the way that I take.—Man's goings are of the Lord : how can a man then understand his own way?

Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.—This God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.—O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.—I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

O Lord , I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

Not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.

We know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Ye know not what ye ask.

He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

These things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

I would have you without carefulness.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single thy whole body shall be full of light.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.—Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.—I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Be ye not as the horse or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.