T H E K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small; though with patience He stands waiting, with exact ness grinds He all.” TUESDAY, June 13. 2 Kings 2 5 :1 3 - 21 . The Temple and Hand Despoiled. Nebuzaradan was the officer next to the king of Babylon. He came to Jeru salem on a mission of destruction. In a month after the city was taken its destruction began. No building was spared either because of its cost or its importance. The splendid temple built by Solomon was burned with the royal palace. All the buildings within the city having been burned, the army wrecked and razed the walls. The valuable articles and furniture of the temple were carried away to Babylon. The number must have been very large for at a later time Cyrus restored to the exiles on their return to Jerusalem five thousand four hundred vessels of gold and silver. The better classes and the common people who were likely to be of use were also carried away to Babylon, while the poorer classes who would not be likely to make any trouble for the government at Babylon were left in Judah. If the king of Judah had trusted in Jehovah instead of an arm of flesh, if he had believed the words and followed the advice of Jeremiah, his life might have been saved and his kingdom might have been preserved. WEDNESDAY, June 14. Dev. 2 6 :3 1 - 39. God Warns Israel. Among all the nations of the earth none are so remarkable as Israel. The great nations of antiquity, Egypt, Assy ria, Babylon, Greece and Rome lie bur ied under the dust and debris of cen turies. Israel, though scattered among the nations of the earth, persecuted and oppressed constantly and cruelly, still maintains amidst all the changes of the past her distinguishing characteristics. How literally and explicitly have these Divine warnings been fulfilled! Are we not compelled to believe that sinoe the prophecies relating to the dispersion have been thus literally fulfilled, those relating to the restoration must be equally and literally fulfilled? The covenant of God still stands. Lev. 26: 42. The covenant with Abraham, re affirmed and repeated to Jacob, that his seed should have the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession, still awaits fulfillment.
614 make our own grief lighter. Each of us may be inclined to say, “ There is no sorrow like unto my sorrow.” We find in God however a very present help in time of trouble. No relief from the sorrows of life can be found outside of God. Whether He saves us in our trou ble or saves us out of it does not matter. The glorious fact is that He saves us. In Him alone do we find relief from sor row, rest in weariness, comfort in be reavement and inspiration when our own strength is utter weakness. SUNDAY, June 11. Isaiah 4 0 :1 -8 . God’s Word Shall Stand. "This book contaiqs the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners; its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its his tories are true; its decisions are im mutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to guide you, food to sup port you and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map* the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, the Christian’s chart. Christ is its subject, our good its de sign and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the life and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequent ly, thoughfully and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory,, and a river of pleasure. It is given us in life, will be opened in the judgment and will be studied in Heaven. It in volves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will con demn forever all who trifle with its Di vine and sacred contents.” MONDAY, June 12. 2 Kings 25:1-12. The Downfall of Judiab. Zedekiah had been urged by Jere miah to surrender to Nebuchadnezzar so as to gain mercy for himself and the city. He was assured that God would protect him in doing so but he refused. After eighteen months of siege with great suffering from hunger and dis ease, the city was captured. Zedekiah attempted to escape but was overtaken about twelve miles from Jerusalem. He was put on trial as a criminal and treat ed as a traitor. He saw1 his sons and his nobles slain and then his own eyes were put out. It is the old story of sowing the wind and reaping the whirl wind. It is a lesson for all nations and all times. The wages of sin is death. God had been patient and long-suffer ing with His people but now they must taste the fruits of their sin. “ Though
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