June 1927
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IV. T heir E nd C omes S oon A t B est “Fret not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious against the "Workers o f iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like thè grass and wither as the green herb” (Psa. 37:1, 2). It is natural that the flesh should chafe at seeing the best meat go to dogs while; loving children pine for the want of it, yet it can do us no good to fret about these conditions. Certainly it is the height of folly to envy evil men their prosperity, for it might be woe with US' if we had their loaded tables and gilded trappings. Who would envy a fat bullock the ribbons and garlands with which he might be decorated, if he were being led to slaughter? The prosperous wicked “shallifcoon be cut down like the grass’’ Quickly it springs into verdure, and quickly comes the scythe. The green herb imme diately withers in the heat of the sun, so in one hour of death, all the glory of the wicked will be gone. Infi nitely better is it to be poor and saved, for within the believer there is a divine and incorruptible seed which “liveth and abideth forever.” “Yet a little while; and the wicked shall not be : yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in abundance of peace” (vs. 10, 11). “A little that a righteous man hath is bet ter than the riches of many wicked” (v. 16). “We would sooner hunger with John,” said Mr. Spurgeon, “than feast with Herod® Though they spread themselves like green bay trees, prosperous« sinners will soon be gone. “Yéa, I sought him,” said the Psalmist, “but he could not be found. But mark the perfect man, and behold the upright : for the end of that man is peace” (vs. 36, 37). The same argument appears again in Psa. 73. The Psalmist was beginning to feel, in view of the increasing prosperity of ungodly men, that he had “cleansed his heart in vain, for all the day long he was plagued, and chastened every morning” (vs. 12-14). But when he went into the sanctuary of God and looked upon the scene from spiritual heights, he says, ‘‘I understood their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places So foolish was I and ignorant. Nevertheless, I am con tinually with thee; thou hast holden me by thy right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” Although he was afflicted for right eousness’ sake, he could rejoice in his sufferings, for he could say, “ God is my portion forever. I t is good for me to draw near to God.” Later, he comes to see that before he was afflicted, he went astray from God (Psa. 119,:67). “It is good for me that I have been afflicted.” he adds, “that I might learn thy statutes. The law of 'thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver” (vs. 71, 72). V. T hey C annot T ake T heir W ealth W ith T hem “Their inward thought is that their houses shall con tinue forever, and their dwelling places to all generations” (Psa. 39:11), yet, like the fool and the brutish person, they perish “and leave their wealth to others” (v. 10). “He shall carry nothing away. His glory cannot descend after him” (v. 17). Vainly the Christ-rejector tries to fancy that earthly goods and pleasures are enduring. If is but a fool’s dream. They are but lodgers, and may any moment get their notice to quit and leave all they pos sess forever. Though their hands hold sceptres, they will fall from their grasp, and crowns upon skulls are of no worth in the sepulchre. Hell knows no aristocracy. How different is it with the Christian! “God will redeem my sold from the power of the grave; for He shall receive me” (v. 15). Here is something worthy of' meditation,
7 he R ights o f Women B y R ev , M. L owry The rights of women! ,What are they.? . The right to labor, love and pray; The right to weep with those who weep, The right to wake when others sleep. The right to dry the falling tear, The right to quell thq rising fear, The right to smooth the brow of care, And whisper comfort in despair. The right to watch the parting breath, . To soothe and cheer the bed of death; The right when earthly hopes all fail, To point to that within the vail. The right the wanderer to proclaim, And win the lost from paths of shame-; « The right to comfort and to bless The widow and the fatherless. The right the intellect to train, And guide the soul to noble aim, Teach it to rise above earth’s toys;; :-,' And wing its flight for heavenly joys. The right to live for those we love, The right to die that love to prove; The right to brighten earthly homes With pleasant smiles and gentle tones. Are these thy rights? Then, use them well, Thy silent influence none can tell; If these are thine, why ask for more? Thou hast enough to answer for. Are these thy rights ? Then, murmur not That woman’s mission is thy lot! Improve the talents God has given— Life’s duty done, thy rest is heaven.
for the Psalmist inserts a “selah.” Hôw infinitely super ior is such a hope to what is said of Christ’s enemies— “God shall pluck thee out of thy dwelling place . . . The righteous also shall see it” (Psa. 52 :5, 6). “I am like a green olive tree,” continued tbe Psalmist, “in the house of God. I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever” (v. 8). VI. A D ay of R eckoning M ust C ome In the very first Psalm, the inspired writer is led to say, “The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous : but the way of thé ungodly shall perish” (vs. 5, 6). “The Lord cometh to judge the earth : He shall judge the world with right eousness and the people with His truth” (Psa. 96:13).
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