T HE K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S
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bia, Paul returned to Damascus and took up again with increased power his work of preaching Christ in the synagogues. Learning of a plot of the Jews to kill him, Paul escaped from Damascus and went to Jerusalem where he remained a short time with the disciples. If it seems an undignified departure to be lowered from the wall in a basket, we, may bear in mind that it was the same Paul who later was caught up to the third heaven. - The increased power with which Paul resumed his ministry after his Arabian experience teaches us the great value of solitude, meditation and prayer as a preparation for service. No thing can take the place of being alone with God. SATURDAY, July 23. 2 Tim. 4:1-8. Paul’s Charge to Timothy. The basis of Paul’s charge to Timothy was his own experience as a minister of Christ. Everything that he exhorted Timothy to do and be, he had done and been himself. Standing at the end of his pilgrim journey, he receives his vale dictory without egotism and without self- disparagement. The veteran has a right to counsel the novice. His words have been an inspiration and a safe-guard to ministers and Christian workers through the ages. All volumes of homiletics and pastoral theology that have been written, possessing any claim to consideration, are but the expansion and interpretation of Paul’s advice to Timothy. It- reflects the mind of the Great Shepherd instruct ing the under-shepherds of the flock. SUNDAY, July 24. Acts 26:12-23. Paul’s Story before Agrippa. The command of verse 16 “Rise and stand upon thy feet” is a noble challenge suggesting the typical dignity of the Christian ministry. So God spake to Ezekiel the prophet, Ezek. 2:1, and even assisted Daniel to conform to a similar requirement. Dan. 8:18 and 10:10. God puts no premium on pure passivity. He appeals to the intelligence even of the natural man. Is. 1:18. He would have all things done unto edifying and can scarce ly be pleased with the confusion of auto matic and sub-conscious utterance. “O God, Who through the preaching of the blessed Apostle Paul, hast caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world; grant we beseech Thee, that we, having his wonderful .conversion in remembrance, may show forth our thankfulness unto Thee for the same, by following the holy doctrine which he
a later time in his Epistle to the Romans. This desert experience was his appren ticeship for the toils and hardships that awaited him, and when they came, they all contributed to mould his character into the pattern of his Master whom he' glorified with such abounding labors. It has been well said that while talent de velops in solitude, character is formed in the stream of life. WEDNESDAY, July 20. 1 Cor. 15:1-11. The Pauline Gospel. Paul frequently used the personal pos sessive pronoun with reference to the Gospel which he preached. Rom. 2:16. He did not learn it by instruction from the twelve. He received it directly from the risen Lord. 1 Cor. 15: 3. The ideal Gospel message is not originated by the preacher but transmitted from the as cended Lord to His people through the medium of thé preacher. Paul asserted his independence of human authority. He owed nothing to man because he receiv ed nothing from man. While it is sup posed that the track of Paul and Jesus never crossed on earth, Paul was saved by a personal interview with the risen Christ and he rests all title to apostle- ship upon a similar foundation. On this account he places himself on a level with the twelve. 2 Cor. 11:5. Paul is simply the mouthpiece and medium of the glori fied Lord in all his Apostolic teaching and ministry. THURSDAY, July 21. Rom. 15:15-24. Paul’s Life Purpose. If a man’s supreme desire be to do the will of God the plan of God for his life will surely be unfolded. The lives of Moses, Samuel, David and Paul show how the Divine plan was gradually re vealed to. them until they apprehended it and progressively realized it. The great end of Christ’s earthly life was to do the will of God. It should be the supreme end of ours. This implies that God’s will may be known. Acts 22:14. This is not presumption but election. Our prayer should constantly be that we might be filled with the knowledge of His will. Col. 1:9. The will of God includes not only a man’s character but his career. The highest blessedness in life can only be realized when God’s will is done. “I cannot fear theè, blessed Will, thine em pire is so sweet.” FRIDAY, July 22. Acts 9:23-31. Paul Returns to Damascus. After his period of retirement in Ara
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