The Wise by Susan Elmer

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 28, 1862

The Wise.

By Susan Elmer

Among the rich instruction given by the angel to the beloved Daniel, we find the following: "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament." We all know how beautiful the heavens appear when the moon goes forth in its majestic loveliness, and the sky is studded with countless myriads of shining orbs. Thus shall the wise or righteous shine forth in the kingdom of their Father. Would we share in this excellent glory, would we secure a portion with the wise, how careful we should be in searching that word which is able to make us wise unto salvation.

In Matt. vii, 24, we have a perfect description of a wise man, as given by our Saviour: "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock," &c. Here, then, is our duty plainly pointed out. But though we observe all the sayings of Jesus, it does not lessen the obligation of keeping the commands of his Father, as some affirm; for did he not keep his Father's commandments? Was he not our pattern? That same law which inspiration declares shall stand fast forever and ever, our Saviour says he came not to destroy. David exclaims when meditating on the law of God, Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. He also says, I have more understanding than all my teachers. And again, I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. Ps. cxix, 98-100. In Ps. cxi, 10, we read, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments. Thus we see that it is the keeping of the commandments of God and the requirements of the Saviour that constitute the truly wise.

We now pass on to notice the reward of the righteous. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Matt. xiii, 43. How beautiful and impressive are these words, coming as they do from the lips of our Redeemer! How they serve to cheer and encourage us on the way! How they smooth the rugged pathway as we contemplate how soon the glorious reward is to be given! Much is implied in the word, then. Then—when both sin and sinners are consumed in the lake of fire, when the earth is purified and becomes a blooming paradise, then shall the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of their Father.

Behold the contrast. There are those who were once the poor of earth who labored for a pittance of bread, reproached, despised, and defrauded, by the rich; those who bedewed life's thorny pathway with their tears; those who for their adherence to the truth suffered cruel scourges, tortures, and death; those who were denied a resting-place on earth, who wandered in the mountains and dens, were clothed in sheep and goat-skins; those are now clad in robes of purest white. A star-gemmed crown decks those heads once bowed in sorrow. Once they were compelled to listen to the proud insults and bold blasphemies of their persecutors. Now their ears are saluted by angels' songs, the rich music of heaven.

Again, how comforting the thought that He who owns this vast possession is their Father; and he it is who wipes the tears from their eyes. We can never in our mortal state comprehend what the Lord has prepared for those who love and obey him. May the Lord help us so to improve these fleeting moments that we may be numbered among those who shall be counted worthy to inherit that everlasting kingdom which is so soon to be set up. SUSAN ELMER.