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Look Up and Rejoice

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 30, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 52.

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Look Up and Rejoice

By Mrs. Luella B. Priddy

MRS. LUELLA B. PRIDDY
In the midst of the sin and darkness that surround us, there is danger that we take our eyes off from Jesus and the reward he has promised, and thus become discouraged. The discouraged man is on the road to defeat.
Like David, we may encourage ourselves in the Lord. Even Christ, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross.
God’s people will meet with difficulties, and these can not be entirely ignored. They must be surmounted. But we need often to turn our eyes from them, and look beyond to the glorious results of our work. Otherwise the prize will lose value in our sight, and we shall be overwhelmed by difficulties and perplexities.
The patriarchs of old passed through trying experiences, but they ‘looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.’ Many of these pilgrims have been sleeping in their lowly beds through long centuries, waiting for that ‘blessed hope.’ We, the most privileged of all people, are permitted to live when eternity is almost in sight. We have seen nearly all the prophecies fulfilled. Luke says, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28. We ought to be the happiest people that have ever lived.
Just as a scrap of paper a few inches wide placed over our eyes, may exclude from our sight the whole world, so the little insignificant, transient things of this life may blind our eyes to the unspeakable glory that is just before us.
We are almost home. By faith our Father lifts us up that we may see the most encouraging sign of all,—the one that comes from the end of the way, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the reviving drops of the latter rain. The Lord is coming near to his people to strengthen them for the last great conflict.
Eternity is long enough for every pleasure. There are the countless legions of the angelic hosts, and, best of all, Jesus himself is there. “From one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.” Isa. 66:23. They will come with songs of praise on their lips, and everlasting joy on their heads.
But we must turn for a time from this pleasing picture to the great unwarned world perishing in their sins. We must push the work a little faster, that we may go home the sooner, redeeming the time because the days are evil. We must endure the trials of this sin-cursed earth a little longer, and then—home! home! How our hearts throb in anticipation at that reality!
“Home, home; beameth before us! When, when, shall we be there? Long, long, here we have wandered, Burdened with sorrow and care. Home, home, home, home, Sorrow breathes not in the air.”
Milliken, Ontario.