DEVOTIONAL COLUMN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 212, 7 August 1937, Page 7

DEVOTIONAL COLUMN

PRAYER. Our Father, we thank Thee for the examples of faith and obedience given in Thy Word. Thy promises arc ever sure. Thy goodness never fails. Thy hand is strong to lead any trusting child of Thine. We thank Thee for the courage Thou didst give Abraham, for the spirit of readiness to obey Thy call. What consequences have come down the centuries from the obedience of this man, whom Thou didst condescend to call Thy friend. Oh, may we merit by our obedience through Christ such a name as that! May wo face the future in our daily lives with a faith that does not ask Cod why, but rests in Him for guidance by Ilis hand of love and mercy. In the name of our Lord Jesus we pray. Amen. “WGREEKS TOGETHER WITH ’ HIM.” (II Cor. 6:1.) Little is much when God is in it; Man’s busiest day is not worth God’s minute. Much is little everywhere, If God the labour do not share; So work with God and nothing’s lost. Who works with Him does best and most: * Work on! Work on! • —A. A. Rees. BETTER THAN GOLD. A certain man of whom we read Who lived in days of old, Though he was rich he felt his need Of something more than gold. ' Oh yes, my friend, there’s something more, something more than gold : To know your sins are all forgiv’n is something more than gold.

It happened on a certain day This little man was told That Jesus soon would pass that way With something more than gold. He climbed a tree above the crowd, So that he might behold The Blessed One with power to give Something more than gold. The Saviour -came along the way, And saw him on the tree, Then calling to him Jesus said, “I must abide with thee.” So he obeyed, and soon he found, The half had not been told. The blessing Jesus brought to him Was better far than gold. DISILLUSIONMENT'S. A man may bo taken unawares when he is disheartened and discouraged. There are moments of depression and of disillusionment that throw the spirit off its guard. It does not matter very much what the source of the disillusionment may be, whether it may be in ourselves, or in others. We jibe sometimes those who give way to temper and irritability; and if we were a little more considerate, and made allowances for them, we would be a little more charitable. Show a happy cheerfulness, and a little patienco and considerateness. When we get discouraged and depressed, discouragement opens the way for an • adversary ever alert to his opportunity.—Dr. John Macbeath. THAT DAY. Human life often looks forward to a critical day. The athlete looks forward to the day when he is to run in the mile raco, or engage in the long row on the river; his diet, his sleep and his exercise are all regulated to fit him for the occasion. So it is with the Christian. Expectation of “that day” rings like a solemnly reiterated undertone through the New Testament. Our Lord directed attention to it in many of His parables : The Talents, the Pounds, etc. The Apostle Paul charges Timothy to have the coming judgment always in mind, and he speaks of the crown laid up for himself, to be given him in “that day,” and “unto all them also that love His appearing.” —Dr. A. Rendle Short. AT THE CLOSE OF LIFE’S DAY. When my lifo work is ended, and I cross the swelling tide, When the bright and glorious morning I shall see; I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side, And His smile will be the first to welcome me. I shall know. '. . .Him, I shall know Him, As redeem’d by His Side I shall stand, I shall know. . . .Him, I shall know Him, By tlie print of the nails in His hand. Oil, the soul-thrilling rapture when I view His blessed face, And the lustre of His kindly beaming eye; How my full heart will praise Him for the mercy, love, and grace, That prepares me for a mansion in the sky. Oh, the dear ones in glory, how they beckon me to come, And our parting at the river I recall ; To the sweet vales of Eden they will sing my welcome home, But I long to meet my Saviour first of all. Thro’ the gates to .the city in a robe of spotless white, He will lead me where no tears shall ever fall; In the glad song of ages I shall mingio with delight, i But 1 long to meet my Saviour first ; of all.