February 6Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another — Psa. 75:6, 7.
We may have desires and aspirations for usefulness which will never be gratified. The Lord may see that we could not bear the exaltation and honor which we seek. He knows far better than we do what is for our good, and so He would have us rest contented in His providence, not idle, but diligent; not careless, but watchful; not indifferent, but full of intense, earnest longing to do the will of God; yet patient under restraint, and content to be neglected and forgotten, remembering that "they also serve who only stand and wait" and that the Lord in His own well-chosen hour can lead us forth to fulfill His purposes—Z '95, 11 (R 1756). There are no accidents in the experiences of God's people. Both their exaltations and their humiliations, their prosperities and their adversities, are under the Divine direction. His unerring judgment suits to our varying needs His changing providences, working all things together for good to them that love God. Therefore, we may rest content in His hand—P '30, 14. Parallel passages: Jas. 4:10-12; 1 Pet. 5:6; Luke 6:37; 1 Sam. 2:7; Dan. 2:21; Psa. 113:7, 8; Luke 1:46-55; Matt. 13:10-17; Rom. 9:6-33; 11:1-33; 14:4, 13. Hymns: 67, 11, 63, 83, 199, 176, 296. Poems of Dawn, 162: Waiting. Tower Reading: Z '13, 265 (R 5304). Questions: What have been this week's abasing and exalting experiences? How were they met? What motives ruled therein? In what did they result? |
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WAITING
"THEY also serve who only stand and wait."
Behold me here,
Dear Lord! With eager, watchful eye and quick
attentive ear,
I stand, and if a message Thou wouldst send o'er land
or sea—
(Today, tomorrow, night or day), Lord, here am I,
send me!
But, if in Thine all-wisdom, Thou shouldst choose
another one,
My heart in swift submission shall respond, Thy will
be done!
Let me learn well the lesson that Thy blessed Word
doth teach,
To rest in humble silence, not to murmur, nor to
reach
For what appears my service, with an over-confident
zeal,
But watch and pray until Thy will for me Thou shalt
reveal;
Thus patient, waiting ever, keeping very close to
Thee,
Perhaps, dear Lord, some wondrous day Thou wilt
have need of me!
"THEY also serve who only stand and wait."
Behold me here,
Dear Lord! With eager, watchful eye and quick
attentive ear,
I stand, and if a message Thou wouldst send o'er land
or sea—
(Today, tomorrow, night or day), Lord, here am I,
send me!
But, if in Thine all-wisdom, Thou shouldst choose
another one,
My heart in swift submission shall respond, Thy will
be done!
Let me learn well the lesson that Thy blessed Word
doth teach,
To rest in humble silence, not to murmur, nor to
reach
For what appears my service, with an over-confident
zeal,
But watch and pray until Thy will for me Thou shalt
reveal;
Thus patient, waiting ever, keeping very close to
Thee,
Perhaps, dear Lord, some wondrous day Thou wilt
have need of me!