SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 464, 22 July 1899, Page 2 (Supplement)

SERIOUS THOUGHTS.

THE POWER OF A LOOK.

When the Angel whom Joshua vevy soon recognised as tho Lord, looked upon the chosen deliverer of His people, Ho said to him ; "Go in this thy might and save Israel from tho hand of Midian; have not I sent thee !'' Such was the power of God's look, it needed no touch, no word, no sigu to fill the warrior with strength, just a look, and to further objections of incompetency the promise of " Surely I will be with thee " was all sufficient. But the look must be reciprocal. We hear and think a good deal about our "looking unto Jesus " ; " Look and live " " Look unto me and bo yo saved" saith the Lord which is quite right. But we do not think enough about the returning look without which all our looking forever would be in vain. Poor help is it to us just to gaze at some celebrated personage who is porhaps unaware of our very existence, and not to bo compared to the mutual glance of deep friendship and lovo between '' hearts of each other sure." Tho one without the other is of no avail.

Our Father is ever ready with His strength-giving look ' but we must turn our glance upward to meet it ere we can receive and profit by it. One can imagine Gideon suddenly looking up and receiving into his inmost soul that heavenly look, which filled him with strength and courage. Just so must it have been when " the Lord turned and looked upon Peter " which look convicted him of sin and melted his heart to tears of bitter repentance. Why do we not all avail ourselves of this helpful look ? Every morning before we go off to our daily work let us " put ourselves in the right attitude "to receive this blessing ; " open the windows of our soul to God." We look up to our Father—that is our individual part which none can do for us, and we receive direct into our souls the look full of power. Constantly throughout the busy day which gives so little leisure for " devotion " so called, we can give and receive this mutual look. The revised version of 2 Cor. 111. 18 reads thus: "For we all with unweiled face reflecting as a mirror the glory of tha Lord are transformed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as from the Spirit of the Lord." So wondrous thought! God's look will be reflected in us ! but on certain conditions, there must be no veil over onr face, we must let no earthly desireß or wordly affections come between us and God, and our hearts must be clean and pure, like a polished mirror, free from all guile and hypocrisy. Then God's look will flash baok in answer and His glory (or oharaoter) will be reflected in us. Then will " take knowledge of us that we have been with Jesus" and we shall glorify our heavenly Father. (F). GOOD-BYE. Good-bye, good-bye, it is the sweetest blessing That falls from mortal lips on mortal ear The weakness of our human love confessing, The promise that a love more strong is near. —May God be with you. Oh may He bless and keep you his for ever He, who is strong to wrestle with your foes Whoever fails, His love can fail you never,' And all your necdß He in His wisdom knows. —May God be with you. Better than earthly presence, e'en the dearest Is the great blessing that our partings bring. For in the loneliest moments God is nearest And from our sorrows heavenly comfort springs. —May God be with you, Good-bye 'tis all we have for one another And love moro strong than death is helpless still For none can take the burden from his brother Nor shield, except by prayer, from any ill. —May God be with you. Good-bye good-bye with latest breath we say it A legacy of faith and hope and love. Partings must come, and we would not delay it Tor, one in Him we soon shall meet above. —May God be with you.