WHAT PREPARATION HAVE YOU?
By C. L. Taylor
THE young men and women who read these lines have been called of God to bear the last Gospel message to the world. Many of these same young people, therefore, will be called upon to fulfil this prophecy, "Before governors and kings shall ye be brought for My sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles." This will not be the first time that young men and women have been called to stand for Christ in the courts of kings, but it will be the last; and, as the last, will be the most trying, yet most glorious, of all such experiences. This is not speculation, it is the great inevitable; and all who hope to "endure unto the end" and "see the King in His beauty," would better prepare for the ordeal now. As the greatest trials are only the greatest blessings in disguise; and as the greatest blessings are for those only who have the greatest capacity to receive them; so God will give this one of the greatest trials to those only who are best fitted to bear it to His glory. The prophecy does not say that your church is to be called before kings. The call will come to you as an individual. You will probably be made to stand alone with God. And this being so, it behooves every one to see that his own personal preparation is made, whether he be associated with many or with few, with those who agree with him or with those who do not. We have a grand illustration of what is needed in the life of Daniel and his companions. There were but few among God's people of those days who realized their need of a preparation for the crisis which lay before them. But Daniel was one. He understood the times in which he lived and what he must be in his relation to them. He therefore made the most of his opportunities, and earnestly sought a knowledge of Jehovah. In the schools of the prophets he ardently devoted himself to gaining an education. And, better than all else, he lived whatever he learned. The result is faithfully told: He was a young man "in whom was no blemish, but well-favored, and skilful in all wisdom, and endued with knowledge, and understanding science, and [was] such [an one] as had ability to stand in the king's palace." His call finally came,—and how peculiarly! Because of the unfaithfulness of the people with which he was identified, he was carried into captivity. As a slave he was taken away from all that was dear to him, and placed in a position of severe test and trial. Into the very court of the monarch of the great Babylonian empire he was brought, there to bear witness to the truth of God. And no sooner was he brought into the palace of the king than he was brought into direct issue with the king's commandment, made to face a question of life or death to him. He met the issue as only a Christian can, and in so doing he bore his testimony to the value and power of truth. We often sing, "Dare to Be a Daniel," but how little it means to many of us. It is certain, however, that it meant much to Daniel. He stood alone, so far as human help was concerned; and yet he was not alone, for God was with him. In days that were past, he had learned to stand in the presence of Jehovah, the "King of Kings." The fear of God was in his life, and thus all fear of earthly rulers was taken away. To him who dwelt constantly in the palace of the Lord, it was but an incident to be called to stand in an earthly court. As a child of the King, he was at home wherever his Father's business called him. It is said of him that he "purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself." This was not a new thing for him. That purpose had been carried out each day of his life,—at home, among friends, at his work, in the school. The circumstance of being called into conflict with the king's arrangement, was but an opportunity for him to express what was written deep in his soul. He was a young man of purpose and deep conviction, schooled in the art of righteous living. How beautifully and easily he dealt with the matter. He was a diplomat of the right sort. Without hesitation or weakness he quickly and wisely made his proposition to the steward, and his proposition11carried with it the conviction of truth. He gained the day for God. Now, reader, wherever and whoever you are, let me ask, Are you, to-day, allowing God to prepare you for the time of emergency? Are you making the most of opportunities and privileges? Are you doing each day what you are able, and with all your might? Are you living a life of prayer and study of the Word of God? Are you in this accepted time learning as it were the testimony you are to bear when God shall more specially call you? Think it over; and if you can not say before the Master that your purpose is formed, and that you can not defile yourself, even tho to resist be at the cost of life, then make your decision quickly, and be ready.