p. 501 | Only Follow!

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 19, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 32.

Only Follow!

If one intends to follow anything it is obvious that something or somebody must lead. Suppose that in case of war there was no leader, no one to show the troops where to march, what confusion, what demoralization there would be. Instead, the eyes of every man are fixed upon the one who directs them where to go, and in silence they follow him even unto death. It is the same with our spiritual warfare. When Joshua assembled the tribes at Shechem, he reminded them of the goodness of God to them and to their fathers. He said unto them that they had come to a place where it was necessary for them to choose whom they would serve. That is just the place to which every man and woman must come, to decide whom they will follow. The sheep hear the Shepherd's voice and they follow him. Who is on the Lord's side? What if instead of a banner there is a cross to carry, do not they who carry the cross wear the crown? As the gladiator flushed with victory in the arena, was crowned amid the acclamations of thousands, so they who carry the cross, not hesitatingly, not vauntingly, but simply upon the shoulders as they follow Christ, will be crowned before the assembled multitudes of Heaven.

Is it not worth striving for? With such a Leader, waiting with superhuman patience to lead us; standing with loving arms outstretched, as an earthly father asks a child to come to him to be cared for and protected and loved; saying to us, Only follow me and all will be right,—is it not easy to follow where He leads, knowing that He doeth all things well?

"I know not the way I am going, But well do I know my Guide— With a childlike trust I give my hand To the mighty Friend at my side. The only thing that I say to him As he takes it is, 'Hold it fast, Suffer me not to lose my way, And bring me home at the last.'" —Christian at Work.