March 10Exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin — Heb. 3:13.
If we realize that a spiritual lethargy has to any extent been creeping over us, imperceptibly benumbing our spiritual senses, so that the Truth is losing its inspiring power upon us, our first duty is to betake ourselves to prayer and to communion with God and His Word, that its sanctifying power may be realized. For we are made partakers of the Kingdom with Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end (Heb. 3:14)—Z '03, 54 (R 3149). Sin through its various avenues of access is exceedingly deceitful, and its specious entreaties certainly have a hardening effect upon the yielding heart. Therefore the disciples of Christ have the privilege throughout the Gospel Age to exhort one another daily as need may be, that thus they may be preserved blameless. How much more this duty and this privilege are incumbent upon us as the day is rapidly nearing!—P '32, 30. Parallel passages: Acts 13:15; 20:2; Rom. 12:8; 2 Cor. 9:5; 1 Tim. 6:2; Titus 2:15; Heb. 12:3, 4; 13:22; Deut. 29:18; Psa. 9:15, 16; Prov. 5:22; Isa. 57:20, 21; Mark 7:21-23; Gal. 6:7, 8; 1 Pet. 4:3. Hymns: 145, 198, 34, 114, 196, 4, 130. Poems of Dawn, 107: O, Use Me, Lord! Tower Reading: Z '03, 53 (R 3149). Questions: Have I this week sought to encourage the brethren to fight the good fight of faith? Why? How? What were the effects? |
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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!
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!
