THE LORD OUR DELIVERER.
By T.
We have reached the season when the nation is asked to give thanks to God in a special manner. And while our hearts should be all the time overflowing with thankfulness that God is our bountiful Provider,—that He gives us abundant harvests,—there are other special reasons just now for thankfulness to our Father in heaven. The world was never filled with so many perplexities and perils as it is to-day. There are rumors of wars from all the nations of earth, with a storm center just now of hostile conditions between England and France. And in all the international politics of the time there is a network of complications that will greatly endanger the peace of the whole world, in case any two of the leading nations go to war. And while these nations are quarreling among themselves, there are internal strifes in each that make the situation still more perilous. The very wealthy are in one camp and the poor in another, and each is in deadly antagonism to the other; and, in consequence, strikes are numerous and violence is threatened. The land is filled with vice and immorality. Drunkenness and debauchery are increasing, and murders and robberies are of constant occurrence. Now how thankful we should be that the Lord has forewarned us of all this, by telling us that thus it would be in the last days? Some men’s hearts are “failing them for fear” as they look at the evils and perils that are coming on the earth, but we may know what these evils mean if we study the Word of God, and then with thankfulness praise Him for His foreknowledge, that has enabled Him to see and foretell these calamities in advance, and provide us a shelter that casts out all fear. Who can be afraid while viewing dangers—no matter how great—when those dangers were foretold centuries ago, and while the all-sufficient protection of Omnipotence is our harbor of safety. With what thankfulness may we enjoy the fact that the Father in heaven is our Protector from all earth’s dangers. Even tho the perilous times of these last days are surrounding us with their worst pitfalls, God is our great Provider; we praise Him for the bounties of the7harvest. Our God also is our strong Deliverer; we praise Him for His mighty power to save. T.