Something to Praise God For.
By A. S. Nason
In the darkest hour that befalls the Christian there is still some cause left for which he has reason to bless the Lord. Especially can the people who are numbered among those that are looking for their Lord from Heaven in a few years lift up their hands and rejoice. Suppose the path we now tread is rough and thorny, and numberless difficulties arise to impede our progress toward the eternal city, yet let us praise the Lord that so much of the dreary way has been traveled over, and that the bitter sorrows and griefs of the past have not to be lived over again by us. We can look back over desert wastes in our lives, in which there seemed not one oasis to cheer us in our weary march, and though the retrospective view causes a shade of sorrow, we can thank the Lord that we shall not pass that way again. Jesus has said, “Let not your hearts be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me.” If Christ is our friend whom shall we fear? Is not he stronger than the strong man armed? and will he leave one of his little ones to perish? He has said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Earthly friends with whom we have held sweet communion, and whom we have loved and cherished, may forsake us, and we may seem to be left alone to buffet with the fierce waves of life, but amidst all the darkness and temptation with which Satan may assail us, we can triumph if we have Christ in us the hope of glory. “What shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” Soldiers in the army of the Lord, let there be a mighty rallying all along the lines. Let us renew the conflict with sin and Satan with such vigorous assault as shall cause distraction and defeat in the enemy’s camp. It is no time to parley with the foe. We need to be in haste. The shadows are lengthening, and soon the darkness of night will close in upon us when our work will be finished. Then while it is yet day let us labor with unceasing diligence to lead souls to repentance. Too much precious time has been wasted by many of us, and precious opportunities for sowing the good seed in the hearts of the people, have passed unimproved. God forbid that it should be so in the future. Let us arise and shake off dull sloth, and in the strength of that God whom Daniel and Elijah trusted. Arm for the last great conflict, which will end in sure and certain victory to the righteous. A. S. NASON.
Ipswich, Mass.