Thoughtful Moments OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 13, 6 February 1942, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE

GOD IS ABLE

'"Suppose God is the God you know Hini to be Avhen you are nearest to Him, what an impertinence worry is!" In looking to God for deliverance of any kind, we are prone to try to discover wluit material He has on hand to work on in coming to our relief. If we are praying for financial help we are apt to look over the community to see if we can think oT anyone whom the Lord might influence to lend us some money. If there are no apparent probabilities in that direction, we find it difficult to believe for hard cash. If it is employment we need, we make diligent enquiries in the industrial. centres, and if wc find that the shops, stores, and factories are more than full handed, it is pretty hard to be hopeful that we are going to get work. If we are ill, and our physician is at a Joss to know what next to try in order to alleviate us. it is not at all easy to convince ourselves that we are going to recover. It is so human to look and eraVe for something in sight that will help the Lord out. In time of need, if we can only find a little something foi God to begin on, we seem so much better satisfied. . . . Now, to God's child, what is the real situation? Is there nothing but liabilities? Much every way. Are there no resources? Yes, thousands, millions! Where are they? Above you, below you, around you. Earth and air are full of wealth untokl. Can't you see it? You don't need to see it. Keep your eye on Him!

Just think a moment. It) is not at all necessary for you to see any help in sight, nor is it really necessary for God to have any reilief on hand. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. What did make them out of? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Pretty satisfactory earth to be made out of nothing! "He . . . hangeth the earth upon nothing." It hangs all right, doesn't it? Very- well, then. A God Who eaJn make an earth, a sun, a moon, and stars out of nothing, and keep them hanging on nothing, can supply all your needs, whether He has anything to begin to work with, or not. Trust Him and He will see you through, though He has to make your supplies out of nothing. ■ —"The Evangelical Christian" Esther Munro read the leaflet over and over again. Each time the truth took a stronger grip. "Yes, I' know," she mused, "that is all true. I have never doubted that God could supply our need. How many 'times He has proved it! But what can even God do with mismanagement and waste?"

(Supplied by the Whakatnne Ministers' Association)

For years she had struggled loyally to call her husband's failure by some other name. In the days before marriage it had never occurred to her that Hector Munro wais'lazy. He had regular employment with a carrying company, and was known as a good and obliging workman.

The trouble began when his father, as a wedding present, established him in a business of his own. After the first enthusiastic start, he placed too much emphasis on the privileges of "being his own boss." Previously he had commenced work at eight o'clock. Gradually the hour lengthened until it was ten before he took out the lorry. Some days, even when work waited, he did no work at all, except the frequent business of "seeing a chap up town"

Trading on an honoured family name, debts accumulated. The income was never sufficient for the growing needs of the family. Esther was in despair this morning, as she opened her mail, noting the various accounts clamouring for payment. Enclosed in her mother's letter was this leaflet with its assuring message. *'If Hector would only work," site thought, desperately, "instead of wasting his time as he does!" She made a cup of tea, and while she enjoyed the rest and refreshment, she turned ever the leaves of her book of "Daily Thoughts." She read — " "Thou movest in the moving years, Where'ere man is, there still Thou art, To over-rule his nobler part And bring a blessing out of tears." The hoot of the motor sounded, and the lorry turned in at the gate. "Got a cup of tea, old girl? That's good." Hector threw his hat across the table. "I'm all in," he said gloomily, "the whole outfit will have to go. Greave and Greave are selling me up." Esther poured out a fresh cup of tea, and squeezed her husband's hand sympathetically. "And what next?" she asked, quietly. "Oh! I can get a job. I saw the boss at the old firm, and he says I can start on Monday. But I hate it, Es . grubbing along all day and every day, and under orders all the time. It's torture to me, but I sux>pose I'll have to do it." Esether, clearing away the cups, while the sound of the lorry faded away in the distance, smiled with tear-dimmed eyes"God is able," she murmured. Not, till the looms are silent And the shuttles cease to fly Shall God unroll the canvas And explain the reason why For the dark threads are as needful In the weavers skillful hands As the threads of Gokl and Silver In the Pattern He has planned.