cated by the verbs. The first one is “they shall lay their hands upon you.” The words “lay their hands” comes from the Greek meaning “to strike violently.” It is the picture of an on- rushing mob trying to mow down their innocent victims. Our English word “persecute” comes from a Greek word which means “to drive away,” “to pursue.” It is as a wild dog chas- THINGS JUST DON'T HAPPEN Things just don't happen to us who love God They are planned by His own dear hands Then molded and shaped, and timed by His clock. Things just don't happen, they are planned. We just don't guess on the issues of life We Christians just rest in our Lord, We are directed by His sovereign will, In the light of His Holy Word. We who love Jesus are walking by faith, Not seeing one step that's ahead, Not doubting one moment what our lot may be, But looking to Jesus instead. We praise our dear Saviour for loving us so, For planning each care for our life, Then giving us faith to trust Him for all, The blessings as well as the strife. Things just don't happen to us who love God, To us that have taken our stand, No matter the lot, the course, or the price. Things jusl don't happen, they are planned. ing a little innocent child. This verse suggests that there will be a union between priesthood and politics, be tween state and church, between re ligion and government. All will be aligned against God’s faithful people who because of their witness shall be
imprisoned and receive tribulation. Returning to Matthew 24:10, we discover that this persecution shall not always be from enemies without, but also from enemies within the household of Israel itself. “And then shall many be offended (scandalized), and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.” Words fail to describe the tremendous ferment of evil and hatred which will be mani fested in that day. Think of the distrust already in the world. I can remember the day when one could go to a library, sign out a book, take it home, read it, and bring it back. Not so any longer. Here in the city of Philadelphia no one is allowed to carry any brief case or other container into the stack rooms for fear he will walk out with some concealed volumes. This is just a com mon ordinary instance of men not trusting one another. Things may be difficult now but imagine what they will be in this end time which our text describes. But in the midst of this hopelessness and complete treach ery, there can be great hope. For it is but the hour of travail which signals the soon deliverance of Israel when they shall come to the full saving knowledge of their Messiah. The promises which God gave to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will be completely and literally fulfilled.. BOAT PEOPLE One from the Orient sagely de clared, “There are three types of peo ple in organizations: rowboat people, sailboat people and steamboat people. Rowboat people need to be pushed or shoved along. Sailboat people move when a favorable wind is blowing. But steamboat people go ahead continuous ly through calm or storm. They usual ly master their surroundings because of what they have inside of them.” Into which category would you fit? * Middle age has been defined, among other things, as the time when a narrow waist and a broad mind begin to change places. 10 * *
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