[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":4},["ShallowReactive",2],{"reading-0210":3},"FEBRUARY 10\r\nDearly beloved, avenge not yourselves (Rom. 12:19).\r\n\r\nThere are seasons when to be still demands immeasurably Higher strength than to act Composure is often the highest result of\r\npower. To the vilest and most deadly charges Jesus responded with  deep, unbroken silence, such as excited the wonder of the judge and the spectators. To the grossest insults, the most violent\r\nill-treatment and mockery that might well bring Indignation into the feeblest heart, He responded with voiceless complacent\r\ncalmness. Those who are unjustly accused, and causelessly\r\nill-treated know what tremendous strength is necessary to keep silence to God.\r\nMen may misjudge thy aim,\r\nThink they have cause to blame, Say, thou art wrong;\r\nKeep on thy quiet way,\r\nChrist is the Judge, not they, Fear not, be strong.\r\nSt Paul said, \"None of these things move me.\"\r\nHe did not say, none of these things hurt me. It is one thing to be\r\nhurt and quite another to be moved. St Paul had a very tender heart\r\nWe do not read of any apostle who cried as St Paul did. It takes a\r\nstrong man to cry. Jesus wept and He was the manliest Man that ever\r\nlived. So it does not say, none of these things hurt me. But the\r\napostle had determined not to move from what he believed was right He did not count as we are apt to count; he did not care for ease;\r\nhe did not care for this mortal life. He cared for only one thing,\r\nand that was to be loyal to Christ, to have His smile. To St Paul,  more than to any other man, His work was wages, His smile was Heaven.\r\n--Margaret Bottome.",1783499792049]