February 27Let your moderation be known unto all men — Phil. 4:5.
The Greek word here rendered "moderation" seems to carry with it the thought of reasonableness (gentleness), and of not exacting our rights too vigorously. Mercy and leniency are certainly qualities required of all who would be in the Kingdom with our Lord. Faithfulness in the performance, as far as possible, of all that justice would require of us, and mercifulness in respect to all our requirements of justice from others should be our rule; so shall we be the children of our Father which is in heaven, for He is kind and merciful to the unthankful—Z '03, 7 (R 3128). True Christianity does not breed fanaticism. Blending as it does in the character wisdom, justice, love and power, it is considerate of others' rights; full of justice and love to them and powerful to hold one in harmony with these principles. It therefore avoids extremes of thought, word and action and takes a middle course in life's affairs, whereby it exercises gentleness, which is the meaning of the word rendered moderation in our text. True to God, it is just to man. It preserves the love of devotion in harmony with respect for others' rights, and is therefore gentle toward all—P '30, 30. Parallel passages: Isa. 40:11; 42:3; 2 Cor. 10:1; Matt. 11:29; 23:37; 2 Sam. 22:36; Psa. 18:35; Gal. 5:22; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:1; Jas. 3:17; Heb. 2:17, 18; 4:15. Hymns: 198, 23, 38, 43, 96, 104, 293. Poems of Dawn, 62: Our Bow of Promise. Tower Reading: Z '13, 167 (R 5249). Questions: Was I gentle this week? Why? Amid what circumstances? What helped or hindered therein? What were its results? |
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OUR BOW OF PROMISE
A RAVELED rainbow overhead
Lets down to earth its varying thread—
Love's blue, joy's gold; and fair between
Hope's shifting light of emerald green.
On either side in deep relief
A crimson pain, a violet grief.
Wouldst thou amid their gleaming hues
Snatch after those, and these refuse?
Believe, could thine anointed eyes
Follow their lines, and sound the skies,
There where the fadeless glories shine
Thine unseen Savior twists the twine!
And be thou sure what tint soe'er
The broken ray beneath may wear,
It needs them all that, fair and white,
His love may weave the perfect light.
A RAVELED rainbow overhead
Lets down to earth its varying thread—
Love's blue, joy's gold; and fair between
Hope's shifting light of emerald green.
On either side in deep relief
A crimson pain, a violet grief.
Wouldst thou amid their gleaming hues
Snatch after those, and these refuse?
Believe, could thine anointed eyes
Follow their lines, and sound the skies,
There where the fadeless glories shine
Thine unseen Savior twists the twine!
And be thou sure what tint soe'er
The broken ray beneath may wear,
It needs them all that, fair and white,
His love may weave the perfect light.
