THE KING’S BUSINESS
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Rule 7. "Fervent in spirit .”—See it in Jesus for service (John 2:17) ; in Paul for preaching (Acts 20:7, 113) ; in John for the truth (1 John 3:10); in Jesus for prayer (Luke 6:12). Rule 8. "Serving the Lord .”—We are saved to serve. We are not to live for our selves (Rom. 14:7) ; the Lord has left us work to do (Mark 13:14); and we must report to Him (Rom. 14:12). These are the things Endeavorers should endeavor. But no one can succeed who has not the “Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.” Lessons from the Sky and the Clouds August 10.—Ps. 147: 48. 1. God made the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1). Although we did not see Him do it we believe it (Heb. 11:3). Reason teaches it, and we can find God and know His will, if not His Gospel, through nature (Rom. 1:19, 20; Acts 14:15-17; 17:24-28). 2. These works of God are for His glory (Ps. 19:1, 2). He who made these wonderful suns and stars and planets, is certainly the God of glory. When Na poleon heard some unbelievers talking to gether about their doubts one evening, he stopped them and said, “But gentlemen, who made those stars?” 3. The works of nature, especially the stars, show the littleness of man as well as the goodness of God. Read what Psalm 8 says about this. 4. The Bible uses the works and objects of nature to teach the doctrines of redemp tion. The Word of God is like rain and snow (Isa. 55:10, 11). Our sins are like clouds (Isa. 44:22); the Holy Spirit is likened to dew (Hos. 14:5) ; our goodness is as unstable as the mists (Hos. 6:4); God’s judgments are like the whirlwind (Prov. 1:27); but His Spirit is like a quickening wind (John 3 :8) ; God’s prom ise is as beautiful, radiant, all-embracing, and heaven bent as the rainbow (Gen. 9: 13, 14) ; Jesus Himself is the Sun of Right eousness (Mai. 4:2); the Day Star (2
Peter 1:21) ; and the Bright and Morning Star (Rev. 22:16). The most beautiful cloud, the cloud most full of blessing, is that in which Jesus was transfigured (Matt. 16), in which He went up (Acts 1:9), and in which He shall return with all His saints and angels (Mark 14:62). Then we shall know the wonders of the clouds and sky, for we shall rise above the one, and find a mansion in the other (1 Thess. 4:16- 18; John 14:1-3). 5 “A Little While” John 16:16. “A little while”-—“a little while !” O Mas ter, What is it Thou hast said? The long train of expectant years grows vaster ; The deep, dark tide of sin flows fuller, faster ; We listen for Thy tread. Hope, watching, stands, her storm-tossed vessel steering; But the dark heavens vouchsafe no sign of Thine appearing. “A little while !” Faith reads the promise over, While louder roars the storm ; Then gazes, keener-eyed than any lover, O’er the night-blackened surges, to discover . Some vestige of Thy form ; And still, the weary night-watch to beguile, Repeats, “A little while;” He said, "A little while.” But Love, with instinct truer, deeper, keener, Nor sign nor vision craving, Garnering Thy precious words up, as a gleaner The golden grain, with heart and brow serener For all the tempest’s raving, Feeling Thee near, and, conscious of Thy smile, Counts the slow-rolling ages but “a little while.” ■Eustace R. Conder.
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