Our Reasonable Service.
By Lera E. Orton
We sometimes think when almost overcome of evil, that if our circumstances were different we could serve the Lord with a whole heart, dwelling on the heights continually. It is a great mistake. We may be in a community of Christians, may live in a Christian family; but the most favorable surroundings cannot excuse us from constant watchfulness—constant warfare with evil besetments. God requires an individual work wherever our lot is cast; and has promised that his strength shall be sufficient for us in our greatest extremity. Joseph, suffering under unjust imprisonment in a foreign land, away from all kindred, served the Lord acceptably. And he was just as devoted to God when made second only to Pharaoh, and with the honors of Egypt showered upon him. He was just as steadfast though separated from all of “like precious faith,” and among idol worshipers. God may not call for a great work from us; but only to do what little we do out of supreme love to him. He measures our love and obedience, rather than the magnitude of our work, and we need not charge it to surroundings, but to something wrong within ourselves, when we offer a lame sacrifice unto the Lord. “O, think of the Master worn and faint!
Whose meek lips uttered no complaint.
Who toiled for thee ’mid the noontide heat,
And sought no rest for his weary feet.”