T HE K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
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He hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth, He breaketh the bow and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariot in the fire.” We find rest and comfort when we shift our gaze from man to God and from earth to heaven. A trav eler describes an earthquake in South America, “ The houses were falling down. The earth reeled like a drunken man. The sea receded and the ships were thrown upon 'the beach. The earth which I thought was stable seeml- ed to be in convulsions. Then I looked up into the heavens and the peaceful stars gave me a sense of permanence and a feeling of relief.” MONDAY, May 8 . 2 Chron. 29:1-11. A Good King’s Edict. When Hezekiah came to the throne, he first had to bring about a reforma tion owing to the wicked reign of his father Ahaz. He had a godly mother in Abijah the daughter of the prophet Zechariah. ' Besides her influence he had the prophets Micah, Isaiah and pos sibly Nahum to encourage and counsel him. Although he was king of Judah, he had an interest in the spiritual wel fare of the kingdom of Israel arud he sent an urgent invitation to the north ern kingdom to come and worship at Jerusalem and keep the passover. On account of this attitude and effort, he is eulogized by the sacred historian as “ doing that which was right in the sight of the Lord according to all that David his father had done.” To be thus link ed up with David gives him immortal fame. It is possible for one to imbibe the spirit and follow the example of some hero of the faith in such wise as to justify a similar association. TUESDAY, May 9. 2 Chron. 29:12-19. The Temple Cleansed. During 'the first year of Hezekiah’s reign, he opened the house* of the Lord which Ahaz had closed and made all necessary repairs upon it. He cleansed the temple by removing the filth and rubbish which had accumulated during the years that it had been neglected and closed. The restoration of the worship of the house of God was attended with great rejoicing. The priests purified themselves and a great sacrifice was of fered to Jehovah. It is always a mark of spirituality to have a concern and care for the house of God. In driving through the country, if you see a church with moss-covered roof and broken win-
will sizzle. The truth of God thrust into a human heart will stir up hitter hostility. This is cause and effect. The carnal mind is enmity against God. It may be cultured, polished and veneered with respectability but under the sur face is hatred of God.. This iS why con viction precedes conversion. This is why the Great Physician hurts before He heals. The festering ulcer of sin must be probed before it can be cured. The surface of a river may be smooth while the current is swift. Let some obstruction be placed in the stream and the water will boil and foam around it. Since the Gospel runs counter to human pride, passion, and preference, there will inevitably be commotion and dis turbance when they meet. Gal. 5:17. SATURDAY, May 6. Matt. 5:1-9 The Peacemakers The beatitudes are the text for the sermon on the mount. The Master told the people in this discourse that what they most needed was a change, not' in their circumstances but in themselves. Blessedness consists not in positions but in dispositions. The beatitudes are not arbitrary enactments. God can not change them Himself. Every. one is demonstrably true to the man who will test it by obedience. Nevertheless there is not one which does not contradict some popular maxim of worldly wisdom. “ Blessed are they that mourn.” Do we put crepe on the door to advertise our blessedness? “ Blessed are the peace-makers.” It is the war-makers whom we crown with laurel and cover with medals. Man’s first cry is “ Change our circumstances.” Christ’s first call is "Change your mind, you must think as I do. There is no other way to peace and blessedness. Except ye repent ye cannot see the kingdom of God.” When the torch is lighted even the dark cry stals in the cavern shine. SUNDAY, May 7. Psalm 46:1-11. Divine Desolations A survey of the world reveals what man has done. As a result of strife and carnage, it is full of ruin and desola- lation. War turns a fertile land into a desert. By way of contrast the Psalm ist invites us to see what God has done. The shade of thought may be suggested by elocution. Read the eighth and ninth verses and place the emphasis on the personal pronoun. “ Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations.
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