November 29Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised — Heb. 10:23.
God's promise is the foundation upon which all that we hope for, either of character or coming glory, is built. Let us prize this truth so that we will not compromise it in any sense or in any degree; let us not only hold the Truth in the letter but also in the spirit—in the love of it, because it is true, as well as because it is beautiful and grand. And let us ever remember the importance of patient endurance, that we may not only cultivate the Christian graces, and practice them, but that we may take joyfully the trials, persecutions or difficulties which God may see proper to permit to come upon us for our testing and character development, which He explains to us is of paramount importance, and without which perfect love could neither be attained nor maintained—Z '01, 119 (R 2790). The thought of the text would be clearer if the word translated "profession" were rendered "professing" or "confessing." Here the word "faith" has the meaning of the "Truth" (Jude 1:3). The Apostle's thought seems to be that we persevere in declaring the Truth undauntedly, fearlessly, and steadfastly, however great the obstacles that stand in the way. His thought can most clearly be seen when we remember that in this chapter he first describes Jesus in the Holy and in the Most Holy and then describes the Underpriests in the Holy. In our text he is giving the antitypical thought of the Lampstand, which he shows represents the Church in its capacity of giving light, not to those in the Court, nor in the Camp, but in the Holy only. Thus seen, we recognize that the Priesthood in the flesh would have the work of enlightening one another in the deep things. God promises His favors to those who faithfully and steadfastly persevere in His good work. He will surely prove Himself faithful under all circumstances in fulfilling His promises—P '34, 160. Parallel passages: Heb. 4:14; 1 Cor. 1:17, 18, 21, 31, 27-29; 2:1-8, 12, 13; 14:1-25; 2 Cor. 2:14-16; 3:12, 13; Col. 1:23-29; 1 Thes. 2:3-12; 2 Tim. 2:15; Titus 3:8, 9; Psa. 57:7; Matt. 10:22; 1 Cor. 15:58; Heb. 13:9; Deut. 7:8, 9; Josh. 23:14; 2 Sam. 7:28; 1 Kings 8:23, 24, 56; Psa. 89:1, 2, 5, 8, 14, 24, 28, 33, 34; Isa. 54:9, 10. Hymns: 293, 11, 44, 70, 164, 260, 309. Poems of Dawn, 302: The Granite Wall. Tower Reading: Z '14, 211 (R 5497). Questions: Have I persevered in presenting the Truth this week? How did God show His faithfulness therein? What resulted therefrom? |
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THE GRANITE WALL
I CAME against a granite wall—
It would not break nor bend;
I tried to get around it, but
It seemed there was no end;
I tried to climb up over it,
But its sides—they were too steep;
Then I tried to dig beneath it, but
Its foundation was too deep:
I took my problem to the Lord,
I left it in His care;
And when I sought that wall again—
It wasn't even there!
I CAME against a granite wall—
It would not break nor bend;
I tried to get around it, but
It seemed there was no end;
I tried to climb up over it,
But its sides—they were too steep;
Then I tried to dig beneath it, but
Its foundation was too deep:
I took my problem to the Lord,
I left it in His care;
And when I sought that wall again—
It wasn't even there!
