DEVOTIONAL COLUMN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 165, 13 June 1936, Page 12

DEVOTIONAL COLUMN

PRAYER, Our Father, we thank Thee that Thou hast so freely and lovingly kept the way open to Thyself for the return of those who have offended Thee, and who are restored to Thee by thy free grace. Indeed, “It is a. good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O most High,” as the Psalmist has declared in his lifting lip of praise to Thee. Thou dost provide a fresh start for so many of us that have wandered away from Thee. As thou didst provide for the return of a remnant of thy people, who were ready to leave the land of their captivity, so Thou dost most mercifully receive into the circumstances of Thy forgiving care those who willingly respond to Thy loving call. Thou dost even use means, as Thou didst use King Cyrus, to work out Thy will in ways that come often with a deep surprise to those who are thus benefited. Help us to be more trustful and to expect great things of Thee. AA’e ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus.—Amen.

THRISTING FOR GOD. If you are, at all costs, determined to get into the presence of God, there must be a settled purpose, from which nothing will deflect you. No society, however attractive, no conversation, however fascinating, no engagement, however urgent, must deflect us from this holy determination that, by the grace of God, we are going to get right into the immediate presence of God Himself, into the very holiest of all. The Lord is saying to you and to me. “Seek ye Aly face.” Alay our hearts respond to Him, “ r ."Tiy face, Lord, will we seek.” —AV. H. Aldis. I hunger and I thirst: Jesus, my manna be; Ye living waters hurst Out of the rock for me. THE CHRISTIAN EXAAIPLE. Oh, to be like Him, Tender and kind, Gentle in spirit, Lowly in mind; Alore like to Jesus, Day after day, Filled with His Spirit Now and alway. Yes, to be like Him, we must abide Near to our Saviour, close to His side. Oh, to be like Him, Quick to obey, Childlike and truthful, Ready to say, “I and my Father Purpose have one, Thine, not my will, Ever he done.” Oh. to be like Him, Tempted in vain, Dwelling with sinners. Yet without stain ; Giving our life-work Sinners to save, . Triumphing over ' Death and the grave.

THE PRICE OF CHRISTIAN AIINISTRY. The Christian ministry is high priced. although it may lie, at times, very low salaried. It costs the real minister a great deal to be a minister. Much is expected of him ; under some circumstances, absurdly much. For example, we are told iv.ith a touch of satire that some of the requisites for pastoral success are the following:

“The strength of an ox. the tenacity of a bulldog, the daring of a lion, the industry of a beaver, the versatility of a chameleon, the vision of an eagle, the disposition of an angel, the loyalty of an apostle, the heroism of a martyr, the faithfulness of a prophet, the tenderness of a shepherd, the fervency of an evangelist, and the devotion of a mother.” SERVICE AND REWARD. The Master is supposed to be absent, at a wedding, so that the exact time of his return could not be known to the servants who waited at home. Tn these circumstances, they should hold themselves in readiness, that, whatever hour it might he, they should be able to open the door at the first knocking. Such eagerness and devotion of service would naturally meet its reward, and tha Master would, in turn, consult the comfort of those who had not allowed themselves their evening-meal; nor lain down, but watched for Him. Hungry and weary as they were from their zeal for him, he would now, minister to their personal comfort. —Edersheim. Mv reward is with ire. Rev. 22. 12.