DEVOTIONAL COLUMN

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 79, 2 March 1929, Page 12

DEVOTIONAL COLUMN

PRATER. Lord Jesus, we would come into a deeper understanding of thy suffering. AVe thank thee for the record that lias been handed down to us. But we would see in it l'ar more than history, for we know that thy life was lived and given for sinners, among whom we have belonged by nature, by thought, and by deed. Quicken our dull minds to a realisation of .what thou hast done for us. May we not calmly take for granted thy wondrous salvation. May we rejoice to share thy sufferings in loyalty to thee, giving faithful testimony in word and life. In thy dear name we pray. Amen. SECURITY. Thoughts for a missionary sailing to the mission field. (By Mrs James Allardice). Boundless as yon ocean seems Is the love of God. Far beyond my deepest dreams Is the power of God. Love to cherish ; Power to keep; On the land, or on the deep, Praise the name of God! Steady as this vessel’s course Is the will of God; Guiding with resistless force, Oh. the grace of God! 'Will so steadfast; Grace so free*' Loving, keeping, guiding me: Praises bo to God! Need I dread the days ahead? Leaning upon God? Loving friends my steps have sped, Giving me to God While they pray, From day to day, Trusting, I shall go my way, Giving thanks to God. “HE IS FAITHFUL THAT PROMISED.” Every promise of Scripture is a writing of God, which may be pleaded before Him with this reasonable request: “Do as Thou bast said.” The Creator will not cheat His creature who depends upon His truth; and, far more, the Heavenly Father will not break Ilis word to His own child. “Remember the word unto Thy servant, on which Thou hast caused me to hope, is most prevalent pleading. •It is a double argument: It is Thy AA’ord, wilt Thou not keep it? AVhy hast Thou spoken of it if Thou wilt not make it good? Thou hast caused me to hope in it; wilt Thou disappoint the hope which Thou hast Thyself begotten in me?—C. H. Spurgeon. SOAVING THE SEED. Do all the good you can. —Eccl. ix. 10. In every way you can. —Matt. v. 16. To all the people you can. —Gal. iv.lo- - every place you can. —Acts. x. 38. At all the times you can. —1 Cor', xv. 58. - vr In the quietest way you can. —Matt.

vi. 3-4. ••in As long as ever you can. —Rev. u. lU. For the sowing time will soon be over

MY HANDS. My hands were quick in restless haste, All eager, tasks to do, That I might fruits of victory taste AVhich Hope held out to view. The Master came and touched my hands, v (Sure, firm, and strong, His own), And mine were weak and helpless then; His sovereignty was shown. “I must have yielded hands,” said He, “That I may work my works through, three.” HEARING GOD’S VOICE. God’s voice may either paralyse or energise. It struck iterror into Adam’s heart after his sin ; but it sent life thrilling through the decaying muscles of Lazarus of Bethany. It broke in upon Nebuchadnezzar’s boasting and stripped him of his kingdom; it gave new courage to Paul when he was spending a lonely night behind >the castle walls at Jerusalem. Sinners are still terrified at the voice of God, and saints are still comforted by the voice of their heavenly father. But no sinner need lie terror-stricken before a holy God, for the Lord Jesus lias opened the way of approach. God longs to convict us of our sin, or to encourage us; but if he can do neither, we are badly off. Spiritual deafness is a more serious ailment than any fears we may have because of sin. God points out our sin only that he may cleanse us and bring us into full fellowship with himself. If we are not conscious of either conviction of sin or renewed strength as we read God’s AVord, perhaps it is because we are indifferent to his voice. «' BRIGHT PROSPECTS. AVe do not know what the future holds, but we know AVho holds the future. Anxiety is caused by habitually thinking of “things to come” rather than of Him who is “the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.” But “things to come” are spoken of in a comprehensive list of things that cannot “separate us from the ‘ love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” • AA’hether we are troubled by disaster that threatens the world, or bv difficulties that confront us personally, we may be sure that our gaze is temporarily diverted. AVe are looking toward the creation instead of the Creator, the earth instead of “heavenly places,” an unlovely prospect instead of the One who “is altogether lovely.” As we look away from circumstances to the Author and Finisher of our faith, how quickly our attitude changes! Then we remember that the Lord Jesus has made us children of the heavenly Father, who leads us with unfailing wisdom, and who makes all things work together for our good.