​August 4

The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves — 2 Tim. 2:24, 25.
 
Some of the Lord's dear people have greatly injured their influence in the Truth by display of too large a degree of self-confidence, self-assurance, in speaking of the Divine Plan to others especially to the learned. Meekness is a jewel wherever found, and is especially desirable as an adjunct and sling for the Truth. Let the Truth be shot forth with all the force it can carry, but always with meekness and humility; and the question form of suggesting Truth will often be found the most forceful—Z '00, 14 (R 2558).
 
The qualities enumerated in this text are such as will enable the servant of the Truth to realize the object of his office: efficiency for the Lord and His cause and His people. The lack of these qualities unfits one for the service of the Truth, and makes one an injurer of the brethren and others instead of a helper, however great his natural talents may be. Well-balanced people resent in a religious teacher the marks of priestcraft but readily respond to the spirit of the Master, whose manner and spirit of teaching are well expressed in the Apostle's words in this text—P '32, 112.
 
Parallel passages: Gen. 13:8; Prov. 15:2; 16:13; Jude 3; Titus 3:2; 1 Tim. 3:2, 3; 6:11; Rom. 12:18; 14:19; 1 Cor. 4:21; 10:31, 32; Phil. 2:3, 14; Col. 3:12; Jas. 1:19; 2 Thes. 3:15; 2 Tim. 2:25.

Hymns: 44, 95, 125, 145, 198, 116, 210.
Poems of Dawn, 107: O Use Me, Lord.
Tower Reading: Z '15, 166 (R 5698).

Questions: Have I this week ministered the Word to others? Under what circumstances? How? Why? With what results?

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O, USE ME, LORD!

LORD, speak to me, that I may speak
In living echoes of Thy tone;
As Thou hast sought, so let me seek
Thine erring children, lost and lone.

O, lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wandering and the wavering feet;
O, feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Thy hungering ones with manna sweet.

O, strengthen me, that while I stand
Firm on the Rock, and strong in Thee,
I may stretch out a helping hand
To wrestlers in the troubled sea.

O, teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.

O, give Thine own sweet rest to me,
That I may speak with soothing power
A word in season, as from Thee,
To weary ones in needful hour.

O, fill me with Thy fulness, Lord,
Until my very heart o'erflow
In kindling thought and glowing word,
Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show,

O, use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where;
Until Thy blessed face I see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share!

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