Beloved of the Lord by Cathrine Lindsay

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 10, 1871

Beloved of the Lord.

By Cathrine Lindsay

THERE is no joy like that which springs from knowing that we are beloved of the Lord. I sometimes try to comprehend the ecstasy that must have thrilled the heart of Daniel, when after three long weeks of mourning, fasting, and prayer, for wisdom to know and understand the vision, he heard the salutation of the angel, “O Daniel, a man greatly beloved!” Not only was wisdom and understanding granted, but he received the divine assurance that he was highly esteemed at the court of Heaven, greatly beloved by the divine Ruler of the universe. Let us think for a moment what a privilege it is to be thus honored. Men scheme and strive for years to win the favor of some poor mortal ruler of our earthly kingdom, and feel highly exalted to be the praised and petted favorites of an earthly court. But few are willing like Daniel to spend weeks praying and fasting to win favor of God and gain a place in the courts of Heaven.

So prone are mortals to look at the things that are seen and to be dazzled by the gilded splendor of earthly greatness, that they lose sight of the heavenly inheritance. But if like Daniel they had enjoyed but a foretaste of the divine favor, how vain and insipid would the flattery of a poor worm of earth seem, though swaying a kingly scepter, and ruling the leading kingdom of this world.

No doubt Daniel felt all this when he returned to fill his place in the Persian court. What was high earthly position? what was the favor and good will of even a Cyrus to one greatly esteemed at the court of Heaven? Was not Daniel in the lion’s den as much a prince as when the third ruler in the kingdom?

And if we turn to the Lord as he did with fasting and prayer, and put away our sins by righteousness, and our iniquities by turning to the Lord, our mind will become so impressed with the glory and beauty of the heavenly inheritance that the glitter of the wealth and fashions of earth will have no power to draw us aside from the narrow way; for when compared with the city of God, how worthless and vain does all beneath the sun appear!

May the Lord in mercy grant that each and every one of us who have tasted the good word of the Lord and felt the power of a world to come, may seek like Daniel for wisdom to comprehend divine things, and like him receive the assurance that we are beloved of the Lord.

CATHRINE LINDSAY.

Hygeian Home, Florence, N. J.