THE K I N G ’ S B U S I NE S S
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Doing Wrong Brings Its Punishment A father often said to his little girl, "dear, every time you do wrong you will get into trouble.” Rachel did wrong and she lost her son Jacob. Jacob did wrong and lost LESSON his home. Each sin has its ILLUSTRA- own punishment in cir- TIONS cumstances as well as in our characters. A Vision of Hope. In our mistakes in life we would all be cast down and completely discouraged if God did not from time to time give us a vision of hope. As Longfellow puts it, “ It is a dream, sweet child! a waking dream, A blissful certainty, a vision bright, Of that rare happiness, which even on earth Heaven gives to those it loves.” Or as Goethe says, “ Correction does much, but encouragement does more. Encouragement after censure is as the sun after a shower.” The Sources of Vision. Dr. Luther H. Gulick has said: “ The best work that most of us do is not begun in our offices or at our desks, but when we wander in the woods or sit with undi rected thoughts. From somewhere at such times ideas flash into our minds that direct and control our lives—vis ions, new aspirations and desires— the great ideas come largely during quiet and without being sought. We need to do nothing at times when we are as well as possible and when our natures are ready for their very finest product. The man who never takes time to do* nothing, will hardly do great things— will hardly have epoch making ideas or stimulating ideals. We need occasion ally to leave our natures undirected that we may receive messages by wire less from the Unseen.” Obedience Retains Vision. The story is told of an old monk who often knelt in prayer waiting for a vision. One day the vision came but while con templating this new view of Christ the
man the object of Hig mercy. Here is the first intimation that Heaven is to be the home of man. God made to the sinner seven great promises; so full, so specific, so comprehensive, so far-reaching, that it fills us with wonder. (4) "Behold, I am with thee; X will keep thee; I will bring thee again into this land.” No wonder Jacob awakened startled. God was there. He'had not evaded God. If he had known God was there, would he have stopped? What a wonderful blessing God presents to comfort him! Adam and Eve hid;. Abraham talked face to face. Jacob recog nized the presence'of God. He turns the pillow into a pillar and poured out the oil of consecration. God overwhelms Him. Then the true character of Jacob is manifest again; he commences to bargain with God and says “ If you will dp so and so, I will do so and so,” but he promises to do more than most Christians ever do— he prom ised to give a tenth. PRACTICAL POINTS (1) There is a weary path for the pil grim Jacob, but there is a wonder ful promise to sustain him. (2) God is true, even to the truant. (3 ) The only medium of communica tion between God and man, is the man, Christ Jesus. (4) A stony pillow may prove a starry place. (5) Here is a great lesson on the grace of God. (6) The vagabond- Jacob deserved the vengeance of God, but instead God gave him a vision of heaven. (7) Contrast the guilty Jacob with the guileless Nathaniel (John 1:47- 51), (8) Any place is a house of God where the ladder is set up.
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