Blessings of Patient Waiting
By Wm. S. Foote
The happiest days of my life were those which immediately preceded the passing of the time in 1844, and with a few I could sing,
> "One there is above all others,
> Well deserves the name of friend." In those days there were many hearts which were filled with a peace which passeth all understanding, and a joy which was unutterable. We not only remember the blessing upon us, who were waiting for the coming of the Lord, but well remember the sad disappointment to which we were subjected; and the inquiry went round. What does it mean? Praise the Lord! we now know, brethren and sisters, what it means. We know that although our Lord delayed his coming, (and it may be well for some of us Laodiceans that it was so,) that "Yet a little while and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry." We know it means also, that those who live in these last days may be blessed above all others, if we will receive and follow the light which has been shed upon our pathway. God has bestowed upon us who have received the present truth, a knowledge of his word, far surpassing that which is in the possession of any other people. Of course then, our responsibilities are great, truly great. How many of us in these days of the saints' patience, like Enoch of old are "walking with God?" How many of us in the midst of the opposition and trials which we have to experience, and in view of the time of "Jacob's trouble," which is near at hand, can say with Job, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him?" The apostle James says, "Behold we count them happy, which endure; ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy." Let us always bear in mind that the Lord does not afflict willingly, and that if we are without chastisement, we are accounted as bastards, and not as sons." While waiting for our Lord, then, let us like Paul glory in tribulation, and praise the Lord that we are accounted worthy to suffer for Christ's sake. The end which the Lord had in view in afflicting Job, was, that he might be glorified, and that his servant might be better fitted for his service here, and have a part in the first resurrection, and a residence in the heavenly city; and if we would go up with him, to possess the kingdom, we must be patient in tribulation, and be ready, if it is the will of our heavenly Father, to suffer the loss of our worldly goods, and with the people of God be willing to be afflicted, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short season. A word to the doubtful and wavering. Remember Peter. As soon as he began to doubt his ability to get to his Lord on the water he began to sink; and when you begin to doubt, you will begin to sink. You have believed the present truth; if through the whisperings of the adversary, or the teachings of false instructors, or because you find the way to life rough and thorny, you are disposed to turn back, take care, my brother! you had better never have known the way of righteousness, than after you have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto you. "Watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation."