January 10

Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience — Jas. 5:10.
 
The right path is still the "narrow path" of self-abasement and self-denial—the path of meekness and humility—and it will require as much effort and grace to walk it this year as last, or possibly more; for the more we grow in grace and knowledge, the stronger will be the temptations to be boastful, puffed up, heady, high-minded; and the higher we climb in faith and hope and love and activity in the Lord's service, the more the great Adversary will oppose our progress, and the more his emissaries will slander, backbite and generally seek to injure us—Z '95, 3 (R 1751).
 
God's mouthpieces have ever been the targets of much abuse and the subjects of much suffering, which, like God, they have borne with much patience. Therein they have given an example worthy of imitation by all who would be the Lord's people and mouthpieces. The Lord's true people will be profited by taking them as an example and the Lord's name will thereby be glorified—P '34, 189.
 
Parallel passages: 2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Pet. 1:11; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21; 2 Cor. 4:16-18; 2 Tim. 2:10-12; 1 Pet. 3:13-18; 4:13-19; Matt. 5:10-12; 23:34, 37; Luke 6:22, 23, 26; Acts 5:41; 7:52; 2 Chron. 36:16; Neh. 9:26; 1 Thes. 2:15; Job 1:22; 2:10; 42:10.

Hymns: 102, 56, 57, 93, 94, 108, 179.
Poems of Dawn, 177: Broken Purposes.
Tower Reading: Z '13, 312 (R 5332).

Questions: What good did the prophets' example in endurance of evil do me this week? In what circumstances? What helped or hindered therein?

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BROKEN PURPOSES
My purposes are broken off; even the thoughts of my heart." — ​
Job 17:11.

MY purposes are broken off,
So be it, blessed Lord;
With wisdom and with wondrous Love
Thy purposes are stored.
The thoughts of my poor heart give place
To Thy great plan for me;
In all Thy ways my soul can trace
Thy mercy rich and free.

My purposes are broken off,
Dear Lord, 'tis better so;
For higher are Thy ways than mine,
Who to the end dost know.
I praise Thee still though broken off
My purposes may be;
For in Thy glory I shall know
Thy will was best for me.