July 27We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God — Dan. 6:5.
All are not leading spirits, as was Daniel, nor are all given to visions and revelations and interpretations, as was he; but all will have the same spirit of devotion to principles of righteousness, which devotion will be tested under Divine providence, step by step, through the narrow way, as they seek to walk in the footsteps of Him who set us an example—our Daniel, our Leader, our Lord Jesus. Let all, then, who have named the name of Christ depart from iniquity; let all such be faithful: "Dare to be a Daniel"—Z '99, 167 (R 2492). Daniel's character is worthy of our imitation. Like him we should seek to be so careful in physical, mental, moral and religious respects that no faults can be justly charged against us by the natural man. Inevitably he will stumble over our religious activity, if it be in harmony with the Truth. Gladly would the enemies of the Truth charge us with delinquencies along other lines. We should give them no occasion for this, even as Daniel did not—P '33, 80. Parallel passages: Gen. 49:23; Job 12:4; Psa. 11:2; 38:20; 44:15-18, 22; Isa. 29:20, 21; Matt. 5:10-12, 44; 10:16-18, 21-23, 28; 24:9, 10; Luke 6:22, 23; 21:12-19; John 15:18, 19; 16:1, 2; 17:14; Acts 4:16-20; 5:40-42; Rom. 8:17, 35-37; 2 Cor. 11:23-27; Heb. 12:3, 4. Hymns: 200, 13, 134, 259, 307, 299, 325. Poems of Dawn, 186: "Think It Not Strange!" Tower Reading: Z '11, 347 (R 4874). Questions: Have I been persecuted this week for righteousness? How did I endure it? With what results? |
|
"THINK IT NOT STRANGE!"
1 PET. 4:12.
THINK it not strange, beloved,
When fiercely burns the fiery flame!
Think it not strange, but praise His name,
Who counts thee worthy to partake
Of painful sufferings for His sake.
Nor think it strange
When loved ones scornful from thee turn,
The Truth reject, the message spurn;
Consider Him who thus endured,
And Immortality secured!
Think it not strange, beloved,
If sometimes every door seem closed,
And all thine efforts be opposed,
But calmly wait in patience till
The master shall reveal His will.
Nor think it strange
When darker grows the "narrow way,"—
Press on, thy Master soon shall say,
"Enough, My child, thou hast well done,
Come, enter in, the Prize is won!
1 PET. 4:12.
THINK it not strange, beloved,
When fiercely burns the fiery flame!
Think it not strange, but praise His name,
Who counts thee worthy to partake
Of painful sufferings for His sake.
Nor think it strange
When loved ones scornful from thee turn,
The Truth reject, the message spurn;
Consider Him who thus endured,
And Immortality secured!
Think it not strange, beloved,
If sometimes every door seem closed,
And all thine efforts be opposed,
But calmly wait in patience till
The master shall reveal His will.
Nor think it strange
When darker grows the "narrow way,"—
Press on, thy Master soon shall say,
"Enough, My child, thou hast well done,
Come, enter in, the Prize is won!
