our patience. You may ask yourself, “Does it really pay to live for the Lord?” Listen to these words of Scrip ture, “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul; Having your conversation (con duct) honest among the Gentiles (un believers): that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall, behold, glorify God in the day of visi tation” (I Peter 2:11, 12). Notice that last phrase particularly, “glorify God in the day of visitation”. Sometimes we do things for the Lord on Monday and Tuesday. Then we expect to be rewarded on Thursday and Friday, yet this does not come to pass. God nev er promised to bless us here and now. Often He does, of course. The text, however, says “in the day of visitation”. This means in the day of inspection when we shall see Him face to face. It is at this time that all the books shall be opened before Him. May we TOMORROW The love of God has hung a veil Around tomorrow. That we may not its beauty see, Nor trouble borrow. But, oh, 'tis sweeter far to trust His unseen hand And know that all the path of life His wisdom planned.
Live for Christ (continued) we follow the order as it is given. Our lights are to bum brightly, not before our fellow Christians, or where believ ers are gathered, but we are to give an earnest witness for Christ where we work, where we live, where we play, whatever we do. We are in a world which does not know our blessed Lord. There are some people who speak about having peace in the Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday but throughout the week they worry all the time. There is certainly no indication that the Lord ever gave them peace. Then there are some Christians who sing about the joy of the Lord. When you meet them, however, they are the most “sad sacks” you could imagine. Do you see the practicality of our witness for Christ? There must be real peace and joy in our hearts which the world can un mistakably see. In the most distressing situations we are at rest in Christ. In the most sorrowful experiences, we THE STORM The storm was long and severe. The skies were leaden and gray, The rain beat down on a trembling earth And the wind roared. loud with a mocking mirth In that storm of yesterday. But yesterday's storm is past; Today the skies are blue— A little more blue and a little more fair. And Nature smiles with a freshened air. And the verdure is brighter every where Because it stormed yesterday. have a joy which comes from heaven alone. Then, and then alone will they listen to us. Perhaps you have already found that living for the Lord can at times be very discouraging. This is because we do not see God being glorified through our good works. At other times people take advantage of our good works; they are indifferent to our mercy and thwart
I know not if tomorrow's way Be steep or rough, But when His hand is guiding me, That is enough. And so, although the veil has hid Tomorrow's way, I walk with perfect faith and trust Through each today.
be able to hear His, “Well done thou good and faithful servant!” Never be discouraged by what people may say about us. Look forward to His bless ing, as well as for that blessed hope- when He comes again. May we again realize the fact that the sufferings of this present world are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall follow!
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