Devotional Column

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 153, 1 July 1939, Page 8

Devotional Column

THE JOY OF INTERCESSION I like to feel that though on earth We never meet, Yet we may hold heart-fellowship At God’s dear feet. I like to feel in all the work Thou hast to do, That I, by lifting hands of prayer, May help Thee, too. I like to think that in the path His Love prepares, Thy steps may sometimes stronger prove Through secret prayers. I like to think that when on high Results we see, Perchance thou wilt rejoice that I Thus prayed for thee! THE GIFT OF OLD AGE Doctor Moon thanked God for the gift of blindness and prayed that he might put it to the best passible use. The Bible in raised type for the blind was the answer to his prayer—a great service. Praying Hyde thanked God for the gift of deafness, and although he could not hear a word went regularly to church, where he says he had a glorious time praying for speaker and hearers. Who can tell the value of this service? In the same old age may be regarded as a heaven-sent gift to be used in useful service. There is no need to “rust out.” God has something better to give. Let tho aged then give thanks for what one, who was three years over seventy, called “a bonus from tho Lord,” and asked how we may best use it for His glory. —H. J. Barnett. IN GOD’S SCHOOL So my God is teaching me. In the School of Life where He has placed me, with infinite wisdom He suits His lessons to my individual need, to the stage to which I have already attained, and to the work for which He is seeking to fit me. He uses my circumstances as tho lesson-books from which I am to spell out life’s meaning, the problems on which I am to test and train my soul. But what have I learned in the lengthening years? What has He made mo know'? Are there any lessons that by this time have been wrought into the very texture ot‘ my mind and heart? Have I, at least, learned this, that man doth not live by bread only? —Francis B. James. INTER-RELATIONSHIP The relation of myself to those for whom I pray must forever be modified by the fact that it is not i alone who have to do with them, but God and I together. The desire of the praise of men is a constant and ever-recurring snare. If we work in the office, if we preach from the pulpit, th* constant wish which seeks to make itself felt is that of being seen of men, and of receiving their approbation. When, however, we bring them before God, they enter into a new relation. The l’ear of them, the desire for their praise, become secondary matters, may become altogether non-existent. In that conclave God impresses us most, and the other is relegated to his rightful position. —G. Granger Fleming. “CONSIDER HIM” (Hebrews 3:1; 1-23) Consider Him, creation’s Lord Foretold ere time began; Consider Him, Incarnate Word, Who comes to earth as Man. Consider Him, the Virgin’s Child, God’s Son in mercy given; Consider Him, the undefiled True Man, yet Lord from Heaven. Consider Him, His one delight To do tho will of God. Consider Him, what glory bright Shone o’er the path He trod. Consider Him, upon the cross In agony and shame ; Consider Him, He suffered loss That you might life obtain. Consider Him, the Conquering One O’er every hurtful foe; Consider Him, God’s blessed Son Who laid the tyrant low. Consider Him, upon the throne As meeting all your need; Consider Him, He loves His own For them He lives to plead. Consider Him, in all His ways Then worship and adore; Consider Him, whose worthy praise We’ll sing for ever more. —M.R.C.