"DEVOTIONAL PERIOD”

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 4, 1 May 1948, Page 3

"DEVOTIONAL PERIOD”

Hymn 70, “Fight the Good Fight.” Heading, Plulippians 3:7-15. Not that I have already won the prize or already reached pertection, but 1 press on that 1 may apprehend or lay firm, hands on that for which the Lord laid hands on me. The literal interpretation of verse 12 is: "If 1 may also grasp that for which I was even grasped by Christ.” Paul means, “I bend every passionate effort of my spirit to this single end, to fulfil the purpose of the Damascus Road." Christ 4iad a purpose and a plan for every one of us when He called us to follow Him. How are we fulfilling His call. Paul says, This one thing I do, and he introduces the Roman chariot race. Paul pictures himself in the chariot, bent over the curved rail which reached to the thighs and against which the charioteer’s knees were firmly pressed. With the long reins bound round and round his waist and with arms outstretched and body tensely bent over the horses’ backs, the charioteer in this most dangerous and exciting of sports was at the mercy of his team's sure feet and his own line driving skill. That is what Paul means by “stretching forward.” How are we fulfilling our call? Are'we easygoing or do we see the vigorous picture of life as Paul saw it. He forgets in the intense concentration of the race the things that are behind—l press on. God help us to press on with the same concentration as when we signed the pledge and promised to press on till death or victory. That is the glory of the race, the urgency of it, the joy of it. There are some things we must not forget. The lessons we have, our Father’s compassionate love. His power to overcome the wicked one, His long-suffering with our failures, His sympathy, touched with a feeling of our infirmities, these are the lessons we must not forget. Today we are concerned with the “fo'ward look.” We are commencing a new vear of service, no problem can arise but God has the word to say to us which will comfort and strengthen. And as we press on this year whatever the problems a still small voice even in the rush of the race will speak words of encouragement. As God puts into our trembling hands tasks still to he accomplished He saVs, “I am thy keeper,” “Fear not,” “Press on.” Blessed it is to know that there is One who never ceases to pray for us that our faith fails not. In such confidence we can say with Paul, I am equal to every lot through the help of Him who gives me inward strength, who continually prays for me. Equal

lor any service because He gave Himself, who knew no other way to fruitfulness than by laying down iiis lite for others, lie prays l6r me as 1 press on in 1948. Each day is lent to us, only lent. John Wesley was once asked how he would spend Ins last day on earth it he knew when it would be. He replied: “1 would preach in the morning, keep another appointment at 11. lake my afiernoon service at 3, preach again in the evening as usual, go home, have •upper, prayer, retire to rest and wake up in the morning in glory.” \\ hen President Lincoln was dying he asked, ‘Shall 1 be remembered by posterity?” He was, and millions of grateful slaves remembered him with gratitude. John Knox’s life was so lived that while time lasts this great Scottish saint will be spoken of as one who never feared the face of man and always lived for God. He pressed on in his great high calling. Florence Nightingale is remembered as the Lady with the Lamp, whose Christ-like ministry brought hope and happiness to suffering soldiers. Elizabeth Fry is remembered by her sacrificial service in the polluted prisons of England, where she told the unfortunate prisoners of Christ and life Frances Willard is remembered by giving herself and her earthly advancement on the altar of service for the uplifting of women and children and for the casting out of strong drink and other foes to Christ’s Kingdom. What a cloud of witnesses, every one ardently pressing on, breaking earth’s fetters for the joy of serving Christ. Measure thy life by loss instead of gain. Not by the wine drunk but by the wine poured forth. For love’s strength standeth in love’s sacrifice. And whoso suffers most hath most to give. J. HIETT.