Jude 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God.

January 4

Keep yourselves in the love of God. ~ Jude 21

Photo: Nat Arnett

O Thou Eternal Love, Whom Jesus has taught us to call our Father, and in Whom we are learning to trust as our Brother, our Comrade, our Closest Friend, we are not seeking Thee, for we know that Thou art nearer to us every moment than we are to ourselves; we are only wishing and hoping that often, throughout this day, the Thought of Thy nearness to us, of Thy presence with us, may spring into our consciousness, that we may see what Thou art is showing us, and know what that Thou art is telling us, and be ready to take what Thou art is giving us, and to do what Thou art is bidding us. Help us to feel more than once today that the good Thoughts and the good wishes which we find in our hearts are signs of Thy presence there; and may we learn to look for Thee thus, within our own lives, and to rejoice when we find Thee there, and so to become aware, more and more, of what we mean when we  speak of the fellowship and communion of the Holy Spirit! We know that Thou art working in us to will and to do Thy good pleasure; and we know that Thou findest Thy good pleasure in lives made fruitful and beautiful in Thy service. So help us to work with Thee, this day and every day, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Washington Gladden, D.D., LL.D

Columbus, Ohio