| Christian Life and Doctrine | June 1950 |
“Songs in the Night”
JUNE 1
Be thou strong and very courageous.—Joshua 1:7
THERE never was a time when more strength of character and more courage were needed than just now. We need to be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. … We do not know in what form some of our trials and tribulations will come. But we who are living in this “evil day,” yea, in the very close of this day—in the final “hour of temptation”—surely need to have on the whole armor of God. We need to have our loins girt about with truth; we need the helmet to protect our minds, our intellects, from the shafts of error; we need the breastplate of righteousness; we need the sword of the Spirit—the broad twoedged sword; we need the sandals of the “preparation of the Gospel of peace.” We need all of these to overcome the Canaanites in our own breast, and to overcome all the surrounding obstacles.—Z 1915-182 (Hymn 200)
JUNE 2
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips: when I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches.—Psalm 63:5,6
WHOEVER has time for meditation will receive a great blessing if his thoughts shall turn toward the Almighty, acknowledging his goodness, seeking to give praise to God for all his manifold mercies, meditating upon God in the night watches. … We should think of God as the personification of all that is just, loving, kind, wise, in character and principle. This should stimulate us to be like him. The more we appreciate a noble character the more we desire to emulate it. The more we see of God’s mighty works in nature and his mercies toward us, in that same proportion our hearts and lips shall praise him.—Z 1915-311 (Hymn App. A)
JUNE 3
I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his Word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.—Psalm 130:5,6
IN EVERY experience of sorrow and distress, and when the strain of the jarring discords and the stinging vexations and wounds that make the heart bleed, threaten to overwhelm the spirit, let the child of God remember that he “knows, and loves, and cares,” and that his ministering angel is ever near us, and that no trial will be permitted to be too severe. The dear Master is standing by the crucible, and the furnace heat will never be permitted to grow so intense that the precious gold of our characters shall be destroyed, or even injured. Ah no! If by his grace the experiences may not work for our good they shall be turned aside. He loves us too well to permit any needless sorrow, any needless suffering.—Z 1915-345 (Hymn 12)
JUNE 4
Go ye, … and teach all nations.—Matt. 28:19
SURELY He who was careful to supervise the sowing work is not less interested and careful in respect to the reaping. Let us then thrust in the sickle of truth with energy and courage, remembering that we serve the Lord Christ, remembering that we are not responsible for the harvest, but merely for our energy in gathering what ripe “wheat” we can find. If the labor be great for the finding of few grains of ripe wheat we are to rejoice the more in those we do find, and learn to love and appreciate the more that which is scarce and precious. Let us remember, too, while using all the wisdom we can in this service, that the Lord’s object in giving us a share in his work is not so much what we can accomplish as in the blessing that the labor will bring upon us. This will be an encouraging thought to the dear ones who are engaged in the “volunteer” work; and if they find many discouragements and but small results, the reflection that the Master knoweth them that are his, and that he appreciates every sincere effort made to serve his cause and to lay down our lives on behalf of the brethren, will give courage and strength to those who otherwise might faint by the way.—Z 1901-156 (Hymn 309)
JUNE 5
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth.—Psalm 149:6
THE saints can praise God more intelligently and fully now than ever before. We can see our Lord’s character better, because much of the ignorance, misconception, mysteries, and obscurity have fled away. The Lord’s people who keep close to his Word are now able to tell forth the wondrous story of God’s love, wisdom, justice, and power as never before. And the truth is surely accomplishing a work in the binding and fettering of error. We believe that the words of the Psalmist in this text are being fulfilled at this time. To some extent at least we are already engaged in the great work here depicted.—Z 1915-347 (Hymn 324)
JUNE 6
The cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord.—James 5:4
DEARLY beloved of the consecrated household, let us not forget to keep in touch with the groaning creation; to sympathize with its sorrows and its woes; to realize its deep degradation and misery; to remember its frailties, its awful burden of hereditary taints and consequent weaknesses; its present environments of ignorance and superstition; and its long established error of public sentiment; remembering that we too are still in the sinful flesh, and that the motions of sin are still often painfully manifest in us, in some direction, at least if not in many. And as the cries of the groaning creation come up into the ears of the Lord of hosts with strong and pathetic pleading to his loving heart, so let them come into our ears and gain our sympathies, and quicken our zeal to co-operate with our Heavenly Father’s plan for the establishment of his kingdom of righteousness and peace.—Z 1902-263 (Hymn 214)
JUNE 7
Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, … The Lord, is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.—Exodus 15:1,2
IF IT was appropriate, as we all admit that it was, that the Israelites should give glory to God for their deliverance from the bondage of Egypt, much more is it appropriate that spiritual Israel should recognize the still greater deliverance from the power of Satan and the thraldom of sin accomplished for us through the blood of the Lamb of God who died for our sins. If the illiterate people who had been in a measure of slavery for a long period and who had not the advantages of this Gospel age were prompted to give thanks to the Lord, how much more should we, who have tasted of his goodness, show forth the praises of him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light! (I Peter 2:9) What wonder, then, that the Scriptures everywhere refer to the Lord’s people as being ministers, servants, of the truth, and declare that the Lord has not only lifted our feet from the horrible pit and miry clay of sin and death, but has additionally put into our mouths a new song, even the loving-kindness of our God.—Psalm 40:2,3 Z 1907-158 (Hymn 79)
JUNE 8
And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light.—Exodus 13:21
WHAT was thus done every day by the Lord’s direction in natural Israel surely takes place with equal regularity in spiritual Israel. All who will be found faithful, all Israelites indeed, as they go forth every morning to the journey of life, to the battle of life, to the trials and testings by the way, must surely learn to look unto the Lord as the Captain of their Salvation, as the one through whom alone Satan and his hosts can be defeated, through whom alone we can have the victory. … Which spiritual Israelite can afford to retire at the close of the day without retrospectively calling to mind the goodness of the Lord and desiring his continued favor and protection in the shades of night?—Z 1907-236 (Hymn 110)
JUNE 9
If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.—John 13:17
WE MAY never become entirely satisfactory to ourselves in thought, word, and deed while in the flesh; and we may never, therefore, be entirely satisfactory either to others; but we can, we should, we must, and by the grace of God let us each resolve that we will, attain to all of this so far as our hearts are concerned. Nothing short of this will be satisfactory to our Lord, to whom we are “betrothed” as members of the chaste, virgin church. If we fail to come up to this reasonable, possible, standard, we will fail to make our calling and election sure to a place in the bride company. But if we do these things, if at heart we are at this standard, and are daily seeking to live it to the best of our ability, the heavenly Bridegroom will rejoice to own us as members of his elect. Oh, how much depends upon our learning this lesson!—Z 1909-255 (Hymn 109)
JUNE 10
Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.—Gal. 6:7
WHILE each act and word and thought has its bearing upon the ultimate results in every Christian’s life, nevertheless no one thought, no one word, and no one deed carries the deciding weight, either for good or for evil. The more loyal we are, the more faithful we are, the fewer slips we make, the more like our Redeemer we shall be, and the brighter will be our reward, for as the apostle declares, “As star differeth from star in glory, so also is the resurrection of the dead.” Those, then, who are of the world may know that every good and every evil act of theirs will have a weight and influence in respect to their trial for life or death under the messianic kingdom arrangements. And every Christian who has entered into a covenant to become dead with Christ that he may also live with him, to suffer with Christ that he may also reign with him—all such should know that every word, every thought, every act, has a bearing upon the great results. Hence, as the apostle says, all such should walk through life circumspectly, wisely, seeking to know and to do the things pleasing to God, and to attain the highest reward.—Z 1913-127 (Hymn App. O)
JUNE 11
Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.—Eph. 4:32
EACH and every one of the new creatures, sons of God, accepted through the merit of Jesus, is held responsible for his own weaknesses; but divine power has provided for the cancellation of these freely for Christ’s sake, upon their acknowledgment and request for forgiveness. But the forgiving of these trespasses of God’s children is made dependent upon their having a spirit of forgiveness toward the brethren, for “if ye do not from the heart forgive one another’s trespasses, neither will your Heavenly Father forgive you.” “With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure” of benevolence ye mete out to others, the same shall be meted out to you. How wonderful are the divine arrangements! How blessed, how profitable to us, how helpful to us in our preparation for the kingdom!—Z 1912-359 (Hymn 198)
JUNE 12
If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.—John 15:10
LET us, dearly beloved, be more than ever careful respecting the Word of the Lord; let us not by negligence give evidence of a decay of love. Our Lord points out that his continuance in the Father’s love, as the well beloved Son, with all which this implies, was because of his obedience to the Father’s will; and that following the same line, he must require that we should be obedient to him if we would abide in his love and share his throne and glory. Our Lord’s instruction and commandments are not intended to terrify us, nor to deprive us of happiness. On the contrary, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” (John 15:11) Those who give surest evidence of living nearest the Lord well know that obedience to the Lord’s words, together with the privilege thus obtained of abiding in him and his love, is the greatest joy, a joy which wholly outweighs all the trifling pleasures which the world has to offer. It is the joy and peace which “passeth all understanding,” which rules in the heart, and which brings with it the promise, the assurance, “not only of the life which now is, but also of that which is to come.”—Z 1912-259 (Hymn 172)
JUNE 13
Work … while it is still day: the night cometh, when no man can work.—John 9:4
ASK yourself, What am I doing? Then lay aside weights and hindrances, and multiply your efforts. Be assured that if you are not a servant of the truth in some of the many ways now open, you are unworthy of it, and will lose your hold on it, because now is the harvest, the sifting and separating time. Various things will tend to draw you away from the truth; fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters will oppose and seek to separate you from the truth and its service. You must remember the Lord’s words that the “harvest” is not a time for peace, but on the contrary it will surely produce separation and alienations between true wheat and all else. See, and treasure up his words on this subject. (Matt. 10:30-39 and Luke 18:28-30)—Z 1887-2 (Hymn 309)
JUNE 14
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.—Phil. 4:13
WHETHER born with too much or with too little self-esteem, those who come into God’s family are put into the school of Christ to be taught, corrected—made right, in harmony with divine standards. Those naturally self-conceited must learn meekness—by instructions if they will—otherwise by experiences. And they should learn to rejoice even in humiliating experiences. They are evidences that God’s providence is supervising their affairs and preparing them for the kingdom; for without meekness and humility none will be fit for it. As the self-conceited must learn humbly to trust God and not rely on themselves and thus secure balance, so the naturally self-depreciative must learn a lesson of confidence. Not self-confidence, not self-reliance is the most desirable, but rather, confidence in God and reliance upon his promised “grace to help in every time of need.” This maintains the desirable humility and meekness, yet gives the courage and force suggested by the apostle’s words: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” As Paul again declares, “Our sufficiency is of God”!—Z 1912-319 (Hymn 93)
JUNE 15
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!—Psa. 133:1
THE truth seems to take hold on the stronger characters rather than on the weaker ones. The former have in their flesh more of the firmness, grittiness, and combativeness than have many others, who are too pliable and “wishy-washy” to be acceptable to the Lord as members of the “little flock” of overcomers. Thus we see that the very quality which makes us acceptable to the Lord and which is one qualification of the overcoming position, is a serious disadvantage in some respects, when a number of these come together as a church. Even a diamond surrounded by mud would cut nothing, would scratch nothing; but place a dozen diamonds together, and the more you get rid of the mud element the more gritting, scouring, and cutting there is likely to be. So it is with the Lord’s jewels—the more they come together, the more they get wakened up, the more opportunities there will be for friction, and the greater necessity there will be that all be thoroughly imbedded in and covered with the Holy Spirit, which, like oil, is smooth and unctuous and tends to prevent friction.—Z 1912-100 (Hymn 23)
JUNE 16
Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.—Phil. 2:14,15
IN FOLLOWING in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus, running the race for the great prize set before us in the Gospel, we are not to murmur by the way, finding fault with its difficulties and narrowness; nor are we to dispute respecting it, nor seek to have any other way than that which divine providence marks out for us, realizing that the Lord knows exactly what experiences are necessary to our development in the school of Christ; and realizing also that, if obedience were possible, while our mouths are full of complaints and dissatisfaction with the Lord and our lot which he has permitted, it would indicate that we are at least out of sympathy with the spirit of his arrangement; and such an obedience, if it were possible (but it could not be possible), would not meet the divine approval, nor gain us the prize.—Z 1911-442 (Hymn 197)
JUNE 17
The wise shall understand.—Dan. 12:10
DEARLY beloved, we are permitted to enjoy wonderful things! By the grace of God we are privileged to see the meaning of things that were once mysterious, not only to us, but to our parents. While some in Babylon are going into infidelity, some out of Babylon are becoming stronger spiritually, entering by hope “into that which is within the veil.” If Christ is our Forerunner, we shall enter there with him. To do so will mean to become partakers of The Messiah, by becoming the bride of Messiah, as symbolically represented. The true church is to become associated with Christ in his kingdom. Then will come the promised blessings to “all the families of the earth.” As we perceive the consistency of the divine plan of the ages, our hearts are full of thanksgiving to God. We see that the new dispensation will be ushered in with “a time of trouble such as never was”; and that this time of trouble is located, among other ways, by that prophecy which tells that “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased”; that there will be a time of trouble; but that “the wise shall understand.” From what source do the wise receive their instruction? They will understand according to the wisdom from on high—in humility accepting the divine Word and being blessed in so doing.—Z 1912-278 (Hymn 333)
JUNE 18
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.—Psa. 103:2,3
THE Prophet David may have appropriated these words to himself as a Jew, and may have thought of his own physical healing and blessing as evidences of the Lord’s favor under the Law Covenant. But the prophetic application of this Psalm to spiritual Israel is still more interesting. The spiritual Israelites are new creatures, and have this treasure in earthen vessels. With these it is the new mind that recognizes his healing, his forgiveness, his reconciliation to God; and according to God’s promise, all things are working together for good to him because he loves God and has been called according to the divine purpose. Continually the new creature has cause to exclaim the words of our text. The Apostle Paul, carrying out this same thought, declared that the great Redeemer will ultimately present his church before the Father faultless and perfect in love—Sown in weakness, raised in power; sown in dishonor, raised in glory; sown an animal body, raised a spirit body. We shall be like him and see him as he is and share his glory.—Z 1912-73 (Hymn 327)
JUNE 19
Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live.—Amos 5:14
THE greatest privilege of the present time is to get into the elect company of God’s saints. In order to enter this company faith and obedience are necessary requisites. That faith must recognize Jesus as the Lamb of God, the Sin-bearer. It must recognize him also as the Pattern and Examplar. The reward will be to those who have his spirit, his disposition, and who will walk through the present life in his footsteps. Such will eventually gain with him glory, honor, immortality—the kingdom. In the present time they will to the world seem to have the unfavorable side, a battle against the world, the flesh, and the Adversary. The world cannot understand what pleasure and blessing these really enjoy because of the surrender of their wills to God’s will, and because of the Spirit of the Lord, which they consequently receive. But these alone have the peace and joy and blessing which the world can neither give nor take away. What other men are seeking and failing to find, God’s saints enjoy.—Z 1913-156 (Hymn 123)
JUNE 20
Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee.—Psa. 91:9,10
GOD has so arranged that only the truly consecrated will be kept from stumbling into error in this evil day. Every day we learn to appreciate more and more the divine favor which has anointed the eyes of our understanding, and permitted us to see the internal strength and beauty of the divine Word and plan. If, then, we are thus by divine favor made strong in the Lord, and enabled to “stand fast” while thousands are falling from their faith and steadfastness, let us “rejoice with fear” (reverence). Let him who feels strong and well supported “be not high-minded,” but “take heed lest he fall.” Humility and zeal for the Lord are the terms upon which we received the great blessing, and are also the terms upon which we may retain it to the end—until our “change” comes and establishes in glory what grace began in our weakness.—Z 1911-438 (Hymn 120)
JUNE 21
I will show thee my faith by my works.—James 2:18
OUR faith does not consist merely in believing in God’s personality, God’s righteousness. We fully believe in the personality of God, in the power of God. Nevertheless we need to exercise faith in the divine providence in our own case; faith in the fact that God veils things from our mental and spiritual sight at the present time. He allowed things to come to Jesus which might have astonished our Lord if he had not exercised faith. He allowed our Lord to be maligned, slandered—to be crucified. It requires knowledge, faith, for everything that we are called upon to do and to undergo. We believe God; but, are we determined to be loyal to God and to his plan? And are we willing to endure hardship and to sacrifice earthly interests in favor of these heavenly promises?—Z 1912-211 (Hymn 279)
JUNE 22
I keep tinder my body, and bring it into subjection.—I Cor. 9:27
OUR text is a great lesson of itself. It brings to our attention the fact that, like the apostle, we should recognize ourselves as new creatures in Christ Jesus, for whom “old things have passed away, and all things have become new,” and acting from this standpoint the new creature should keep a continual supervision of the old nature, its desires and affections, and should keep these continually under or subject to the new nature, and the higher law should bring it gradually into full subjection, yet hoping, yet praying for the glorious consummation of the first resurrection, when the new creature, the new mind or will, shall be clothed upon with the spiritual body. Such a keeping under of the body will include wisdom and control in respect to what we eat, as well as what we drink and what we wear, and our every act, word, and thought.—Z 1908-361 (Hymn 150)
JUNE 23
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.—Phil. 3:14
NO CHRISTIAN should be satisfied with a long delay in reaching the mark. The milk of the Word should be received, its strength should be appropriated, spiritual sight and spiritual energy should quickly follow, and strong meat of divine truth should speedily bring to full maturity the Christian character. And once attained, it should be held at any cost through all the trials and difficulties which the Adversary, and the world, and the flesh, might be permitted to bring against us. The severest temptations come after we have reached the mark—temptations to slackness in service of God; temptations to withhold parts of our sacrifice; temptations to deal unkindly, uncharitably, unlovingly with the brethren, or unjustly with our neighbor, or ungenerously with our enemies. All of these must be resisted as we prize our eternal life, as we prize the promise of joint-heirship and fellowship with our Redeemer in his kingdom. Whoever sees this subject clearly must realize that as a Christian he has to do with a great proposition which will thoroughly test his loyalty, his courage, his zeal, his love. He will need to remember the Lord’s comforting assurances of grace to help in every time of need if he would come off a victor and not be dismayed, nor have his courage beaten down by the Adversary’s attacks.—Z 1909-270 (Hymn 4)
JUNE 24
Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.—I Pet. 3:15
FOLLOWING this course—of preaching the Gospel of hope—we are following the Master and the apostles. They had so much of this spirit of hope, trust, confidence, love, joy, and peace that they could rejoice in tribulation; and they did so. The apostles even sang praise to God that they were accounted worthy to share in the sufferings of Christ, that they might also share in his coming glories. Let us, then, dear brethren, realize that the world has tears and sorrows enough, and fears aplenty. Let us more and more use our time, strength, talents, joys, etc., in relieving the poor world of its mental distress. Hearken to the words of Jesus: God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. “Be ye perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” As it will be God’s great work in the future, through Christ and the church, to wipe away earth’s tears, let us chase away some of those tears at the present time. Thus we shall help to prepare the way for the world to come back into fellowship with God by and by, for the faithful of the present time to walk more carefully in the footsteps of Jesus and to encourage one another in the good way.—Z 1913-106 (Hymn 280)
JUNE 25
Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.—John 5:39
AS OUR text points out, the Lord is revealed in the holy Scriptures, and those who would know him should seek their information from that quarter. Under divine providence, apostle s, prophets, and teachers are necessary, indispensable. But no words of man are to be taken instead of the Word of God. On the contrary, their presentations are to find acceptance only in proportion as they are found to be in harmony with the Scriptures, and to discern this harmony the Holy Spirit is necessary. The Scriptures must be searched, but only by coming into a condition of heart harmony and teachableness, and then by a full consecration receiving the Holy Spirit, can we hope to understand the divine message and to obtain therewith the eternal life which it promises to those guided and taught of the Lord.—Z 1909-54 (Hymn 296)
JUNE 26
Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.—Romans 13:14
OUR hearts are already consecrated to the Lord. We are already adopted into his family by the begetting of his Holy Spirit. But our flesh is not perfect, and it continues to love many of the garments of the old nature, which we are to put off. Gradually we are to substitute the new clothing, the livery of heaven, by which all may know us outwardly as well as know us by profession to be children of God, brethren of Christ, “heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ our Lord.” Putting on the Lord Jesus is not the work of a moment, nor of an hour, nor of a month, nor of a year; it is the work of a lifetime. But unless it be begun it will never be completed. And indeed we may be sure that we can never fully put on Christ’s characteristics. However, the Lord will see our endeavor, our strenuous fighting to put off the old nature, to put off the works of the flesh and to be clothed with the garments of righteousness, suitable to our relationship to him—the livery, the clothing, that will make us separate from the world, sanctified to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.—Z 1909-152 (Hymn 82)
JUNE 27
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in truth.—John 4:24
WE DO well to keep continually in mind the thought that God, with whom we have to do, is a spirit being of unlimited power; that he can read the very thoughts and intents of our hearts and that any worship or service that we could render, that he could accept, must be honest hearted—rendered in Spirit and in truth. He seeketh only such to worship him, and of this class there are but a few at the present time. After the Covenant of Grace shall have gathered out all the household of faith, the royal priesthood, and the great company of antitypical Levites, then, as a means of extending God’s favor, the New Covenant will witness the thousands of the world coerced to righteousness—that all may be enabled to see, to experience the love of God and the blessings of righteousness, to the intent that all who will may come into heart harmony with him and proportionately experience restitution, the rewriting of the divine law in the very character, the very being. Yet in the end, even with the world, only such as worship God in Spirit and in truth will be finally approved and be granted life eternal beyond the millennial age.—Z 1909-174 (Hymn 65)
JUNE 28
Pray without ceasing.—I Thess. 5:17
TO SOME, prayer at any time is irksome, tedious, but to the true Christian prayer constitutes one of the greatest of God’s blessings. His privilege of approaching the throne of heavenly grace to obtain mercy and also to find grace to help in every time of need is a privilege the value of which cannot be too highly esteemed. … These blessed privileges of prayer belong to the Lord’s family because they are his and have access to him continually through their great Advocate, their Redeemer.—Z 1909-188 (Hymn 241)
JUNE 29
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.—Matt. 5:10
OUR text applies the general principle enunciated by our Lord, “Through much tribulation shall ye enter the kingdom.” This is not because divine power is not able to shield us from the tribulations, nor because our Lord is not interested in our welfare, but quite the contrary, because, according to divine tests placed upon the church, the new nature can be developed, educated, crystallized, only through the tests and trials it will endure through its earthly members in the flesh, through loyalty to the Lord. These testings will come along various lines—faith, obedience, endurance, love, etc. And it is only to the overcomers that the reward is promised. But thank God, grace to help in time of need is promised us. If our hearts are loyal and we do our best, the Lord will see to the remainder.—Z 1909-39 (Hymn 222)
JUNE 30
The Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.—Psa. 84:11
OUR text is a great encouragement to the David class, the beloved class, the anointed ones, the members of Christ. To these the Lord God is both a sun and shield; he not only enlightens these, but he will not suffer them to be injured by the blessings which he bestows upon them. He will shield them from all enemies and everything that would tend to injure them in any manner; all things shall work together for good to those that love him, to the called ones according to his purpose. With such blessed assurances, then, we may look forward into the future with rejoicing and with confidence, trusting to have a share in the glorious rewards God has promised to the faithful.—Z 1908-236 (Hymn 273)