Thoughtful Moments

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 3, 11 September 1942, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments

FAITH AND COURAGE IN VERSI A SOLITARY WAY (Anonymous) (Proverbs 14: 10; Corinthians 2: 51) There is a mystery in human hearts And tho' we. be encircled by a lio.si Of those who love us well, and arc beloved To every one of us, from time t( time There comes a sense , of niter loneliness. Our dearest friend is strange to oiu joy And cannot realise our bitterness. "There is not one who really understands, Not one to enter into all I feel." Such is the cry of each of us in turn We wander in a "Solitary Way;" iYo matter what or where our lot may be, Each heart, mysterious even to itself Must live its inner life in solitude. (Isaiah -1.8; Psalm :U: 22) And when beneath some heavy cross .you faint And say, "I cannot bear this load

alone-,' ,. You say the truth, Christ made it purposely So heavy that 3 r ou must return to Him. The bitter grief, which- "no one understands." Conveys a secret message from the King, Entreating you to come to him again. The Man of Sorrows understands il well, In all points tempted, He can feel with you. Yon cannot come too often, or too near : The Son of God is infinite in grace, And those who walk with him from day to- day, Can never have a "Solitary Way." (Job 7: 17; Matthew 10: 37) And would you know the reason why this is, It is because the Lord desires our love, - In eveVy heart he wishes to be"first.

He therefore keeps the secret key Himself, To open all its chambers and to bless With perfect sympathy and holy peace . Each solitary soul which comes to Him. So when avc feel this loneliness, it is The voice of Jesus saying, "Come to Mic." And every time we are "not understood" ft is a call to us to come again; For Christ alone can satisfy the soul. And those who walk with Him from day to day, Can never have a "Solitary Way." PEACE AT EVENTIDE By E.S.F. The storms and streets of life, are passing, The troubled waves to rest subside; Athwart life's sea the sun is shining: 'Tis peace at eventide.

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE

(Supplied by ihc \V'li:iknlf>ne Ministers' Association).

GOD IS IN EVERY TO-MORROW God is in every to-morrow, Therefore I live for to-day, Certain of finding at sunrise Guidance and strength for the way; Power for each moment of weakness, Hope for each moment of pain,, Coin fort for every sorrow, Sunshine and joy after rain. God is in every to-morrow, Planning for you and for me; E'en in the dar!k will I follow— Trust where my eyes cannot see; Stilled by His promise of blessing, Soothed by the touch of His hand, Confident in His protection, Knowing my life-path is planned. God is in every to-morrow, Life with its changes may come; He is behind and before me; While, in the distance shines Home; Home—where no thought of tomorrow Eiver can shadow by brow; Home—in the presence of Jesus Through all eternity—now.

What though the years their toll have taken, And Fate's grim sears no art can hide, Bitter an;] sv.eet_ can both by His bestowing Spell peace at eventide. Lil'e's mem'ries ol't ami sore may elude us. Our failures sialic and gaunt deride; Yet we may have, if we but truly trust Him, His peace at eventide. What though we've failed in wordly planning, With pelf and power both denied; If we have gained His constant Jove ami friendship, We've peace at eventide. O blessed hope for every voyager, That, as the evening's shadows hide, He comes, and, with His own abiding presence, Brings peace at eventide, A FRIEND Of all the gifts that time and earth bestow. Of % all the blessings that from heaven descend, ' There is none half so precious that I know As one true Friend. J What are a host of enemies to ma, If there is one on whom I may depend? All hell's battalions instant turn and flee Before a Friend! Straight from the Father's kindly heart j'ou came. The citadel of my spirit to defend: One faithful word, one utterance of my name— Thank you, my Friend! J. ffiewis Milligan.