December 29In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good — Eccles. 11:6.
All the Lord's people, in proportion as they desire to be the servants of the Truth, should be continually on the alert to note opportunities for service, and should expect to be guided and used of the Lord. Wherever we see evidences of devotion to the Lord and His Word, we should be on the alert to extend a helping hand. … We are to be on the alert to pass along the blessing which we have received, and to esteem that this is the chief business of life with those who have consecrated themselves to the service of the King of kings—Z '02, 71 (R 2964). We cannot read the hearts of others. God only can do this. Therefore, we are to sow beside all waters. We are authorized to withhold our holy things and pearls of Truth and character from but two classes: the "dogs"—those who contentiously snap, snarl and growl at, and bite us—and the "swine"—those who wallow in the mire of sin. To all others are we to give appropriate parts of the Word. Nor are we to do this work but once or twice. It is to be repeated as often as the needs of those with whom we deal require, regardless of our own convenience. We cannot tell at which repetition the Word will find lodgment; nor can we tell which person will respond. Like Samuel we often think those to be the Lord's anointed whom God rejects; and those not to be His anointed whom He accepts. Therefore we should be cautious in judging. God alone judges infallibly the hearts, and reveals their attitude by the touchstone of the Spirit, Word and providences. They prove whether the characters are genuine or alloy. Therefore let us wait upon His assays, which prove each case aright—P '32, 197. Parallel passages: Gen. 49:24-26; Psa. 1:3; 127:1, 2; 128:1, 2; Prov. 11:18, 19, 30; Isa. 58:6-14; 62:1; John 18:37; 1 Cor. 15:58; Gal. 6:9; 2 Tim. 4:2, 5. Hymns: 210, 70, 164, 260, 200, 275, 309. Poems of Dawn, 147: Only. Tower Reading: Z '14, 197 (R 5489). Questions: Have I this week spread the Truth? How? Why? With what results? |
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ONLY
ONLY a word for the Master,
Lovingly, quietly said,
Only a word!
Yet the Master heard,
And some fainting hearts were fed.
Only a look of remonstrance,
Sorrowful, gentle and deep,
Only a look!
Yet the strong man shook,
And he went alone to weep.
Only some act of devotion,
Willingly, joyfully done,
"Surely 'twas nought!"
(So the proud world thought),
But yet souls for Christ were won.
"Only"—but Jesus is looking
Constantly, tenderly down
To earth, and sees
Those who strive to please,
And their love He loves to crown.
ONLY a word for the Master,
Lovingly, quietly said,
Only a word!
Yet the Master heard,
And some fainting hearts were fed.
Only a look of remonstrance,
Sorrowful, gentle and deep,
Only a look!
Yet the strong man shook,
And he went alone to weep.
Only some act of devotion,
Willingly, joyfully done,
"Surely 'twas nought!"
(So the proud world thought),
But yet souls for Christ were won.
"Only"—but Jesus is looking
Constantly, tenderly down
To earth, and sees
Those who strive to please,
And their love He loves to crown.
