"The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
    to the soul who seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord. 
 It is good for a man that he bear
    the yoke in his youth.

 Let him sit alone in silence
    when it is laid on him;

let him put his mouth in the dust—
    there may yet be hope; 

 let him give his cheek to the one who strikes,
    and let him be filled with insults.

For the Lord will not
    cast off forever,

but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion
    according to the abundance of his steadfast love;"

-Lamentations 3:25-32 


Streams in the Desert, Sept 30:
 
."...And is it not so with the Christian who is afflicted, tempest-tossed, and not comforted? Till the storms and vicissitudes of God’s providence beat upon him again and again, his character appears marred and clouded; but trials clear away the obscurity, perfect the outlines of his disposition, and give brightness and blessing to his life.
Amidst my list of blessings infinite
Stands this the foremost, that my heart has bled;
For all I bless Thee, most for the severe.
–Hugh Macmillan"