Who Shall be Able to Stand.
By R. F. Phippeny
WhEN I cast my thoughts about me, it makes me sick at heart to see the fearful inroads Satan is making upon the human race. And, oh sad truth! he is weaving his net so thick and so fast, thread by thread, that it soon will be impossible to break away. O my soul, shall I be able to withstand all his snares, and stand with the redeemed at last? Shall I be able to overcome when wave after wave of trouble sweeps over me; threatening to engulf me at every returning surge? Or when storm after storm looms up darkly before me, shall I then have strength given me to bear me up? Or shall I be borne down, on and on, with the relentless tide, till certain destruction is my doom? Oh for sustaining grace for such an hour, that I may bear with patience the trials of life. There are times when I think I am strong, and can bear much, when in reality I am weakest. It is thus when the affairs of life glide smoothly along, and all seems fair and promising; but alas! in how short a time may every hope be crushed! The hand of the fell Destroyer is felt in our midst, cutting asunder the ties of nature. Or the withering influence of false-hearted friends may crush our once hopeful hearts. Then is when I feel my weakness—my dependence upon a just God. Then, too, when I go to Him, do I feel that in Him is my strength. Then is when I am strong. Thank God, there is a time coming, and not far distant either, when we shall be freed from these troubles, if faithful to him who died for us. Yes, where no such thing as sin or sorrow will be known. I want to be an overcomer, and to stand when he appeareth. Dear reader, let us ask ourselves the solemn question, Am I ready to stand before the awful Judge? Oh, may we search our hearts, and our motives, trying with all our powers to be what God would that we should be. For we know that this world is full of care and toil, and that all earthly bliss is transient. “Then let the hope of joys to come
Dispel our cares, and chase our fears:
If God be ours, we’re traveling home,
Though passing through a vale of tears.”