“Let us Run with Patience the Race that Is Set before Us.” Heb. 12:1.
By N. ORCUTT
The Scriptures contain many admonitions to constant persevering effort in our conflict with the powers of darkness; earnest endeavors, not only to retain every advantage gained, but to make those advantages the stepping-stones to future victories. It is not he who starts with alacrity to run the race when the signal is given, and after a few paces gives up in discouragement or falls back to enter anew the contest, that will first, or most certainly, reach the goal, or take the prize. When we enter the arena to contend for the prize, the word gives no warrant for hesitancy or vacillation in our course. It is dangerous to pause or look back; safe, “forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,” to “press towards the mark of the prize.” Phil. 3:13, 14. It is the patient, constant, sustained effort that will ensure success. Says Paul, Rom. 2: 5–7, “God . . . will render . . . to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life.” Not doing well to-day and ill to-morrow, alternating obedience with transgression, but by patient continuance, perseverance, steadfastness; “always abounding in the work of the Lord.” “Run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus.” He is our pattern. We may profit by his example. Did he falter in the conflict? We may “follow his steps.” On the other hand, Was his every move in the conflict a step in advance? Our duty is plain. If in our conflict with the enemy we gain an advantage to-day, how unwise to yield that advantage and have to fight the battle over again to-morrow. We are too near the end to spend our time thus foolishly. Our only safe course is, if we gain a foot of ground, to hold that and strike for another, and thus vanquish the enemy; and, by gaining a daily victory, ensure a final triumph. If we have been enabled to move out in the discharge of duty, we should hold ourselves in readiness when next we come up to that place, to move promptly, decidedly, without conferring with the enemy. We may expect that he will be there with his temptations, to strive to influence us to neglect what we should do. But why stop to parley with him? Far better let him understand that we have gained that point, and, in the strength of God, shall hold the ground and press forward to higher attainments. We must confess Christ before men. Our course is plainly marked, and the consequences of our action fairly before us. Knowing what duty is, why allow the enemy to have anything to say about the matter? Why not let him and his understand that as we wish to be confessed by Christ before his Father and the holy angels, it shall be the first business of our lives here to confess him before men, in word and in life, whether he and the world favor it or not? He will dispute the ground as long as we hesitate, but when, in the strength of Israel's God we decide to go forward, he is powerless to oppose. God requires us to obey him. Let the question be settled at once and forever, that where he has marked the way, there we will go, and there stand, let present consequences be what they may. It may be unpopular, inconvenient. It will bring persecution, and subject us to present loss. But what of that? This one consideration is enough. “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts. 5:29. “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev. 22:14. Love for God's law ensures peace. Unless we retain that love, peace will not abide with us. It is not sufficient that the seed be sown. It must be cast into good ground, well covered, where it may take root and daily thrive under the influence of the sunshine and shower, else the heat will wither, the thorns will choke, or the fowls will devour, and no fruit will be matured. Oh! may each day be marked with some real progress in the race. N. ORCUTT.