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THE K I N G ' S BUS I NE S S the need is urgent and the outcome if doubtful. In the former case the temp tation is to self-reliance and self-suffi ciency. King Asa was tested by peace as well as by war and was not found wanting. No man ever did a great and enduring work for God who was not a man of prayer. The only way to be come a man of prayer is by praying. The prayer that prevails is not the oc casional and intermittent petition in duced by desperate need, but the habit ual and constant attitude of taking everything to God and looking to Him at all times. Some one has said that the only way to insure Heaven’s inter vention in time of need is to keep prayed up to date. Thursday, March 30. Esther 4:9-17. A Queen’s Reliance Upon God The destiny of a nation hung upon the fidelity, faith and courage of a single woman. “ If I perish, I perish,” she said, not in bitterness and despair, but in resignation and self-sacrifice. While nothing is said of prayer, the fasting itself was a prayer. It was a real appeal to God, and God does not regard the words or the outward sign but that only which the soul expresses through the one or the other. God was in this case entreated for His people and made a way of escape for them. Opportunity brings the test to char acter. It was the crisis of Esther’s life, and the question was whether she would rise to the occasion or whether it would sweep her away. Happily she stood the test. It is out of the com monplace that the heroic is born at the moment of opportunity. If we are faithful in that which is least, we shall not fail when we come to the kingdom and the crisis. Friday, March 31. Psalm 27:1-14. A Song of Trust The first six verses of this Psalm are a poem of ecstacy. The rest of the Psalm is a cry of pain. Both parts are obviously true and the outcome of experience. Perhaps while the author was composing it and pouring out his heart in the fulness of joy and con fidence, some sad and terrible tidings were brought to him and he wrote down this new experience with sorrow and tears. In the first place, he offers “ sacrifices of joy.” Language fails to express what he would say about Je hovah. His one desire is to dwell for
ever in .Jehovah’s presence. Then, ¡Without pause or warning, comes the minor strain, a loud cry of alarm and pain, after the Jewish and Oriental fashion. The end is that the Psalmist will wait upon Jehovah and have faith to see His goodness even in the land of the living. He who is the strength of the life, verse 1 , will, when trusted, become the strength of the heart, v. 14. ate ate “ THE KING’ S BUSINESS” (A Tribute) ■T’he King’s Holy Business it ever pro claims, JJJis Greatness and Glory it ever main tains: External Verities all are made clear, j^ingdom Truths of our Lord, Precious and Dear: Jnstruction in Scripture which has a large place, Nothing is wanting in Kindness and Grace: fo o d ’s Own Dear Son, is always to the ' “*fore, ginners and Saints are all helped from God’s store: glessed “ Glad Tidings” it tells Old and New. IJnfolded simply in pleasant review: gtudents read eagerly all it contains, Jmportant and true is “ The Faith” it explains: Mone who peruse it can say it’s un- 1 ’ sound, r a c h one declares how much help he has found; gubjects for Christians which have a good ring, getting forth solely the “ BUSINESS OF THE KING.” Quartus.
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