June 18
In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore–Psa. 16: 11.
In the Lord’s presence, no matter where we are, is fullness of joy. Let us cultivate the Lord’s acquaintance more, drawing near to Him in prayer, in the study of His precious Word, in meditation upon all His goodness, His providential care, the marked manifestations of His grace in our own individual experiences, and His precious promises which are all yea and amen in Christ Jesus. Thus “draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (Jas. 4: 8); He will manifest Himself to you and take up His abode with you. It is indeed the will of God that all His children should be happy in Him, that they should be always rejoicing; and if anyone lack this blessing, he is living below his privileges—Z ’96, 54 (R 1948).
By the presence of God, we may understand is meant the condition of God’s favor in our present sacrificing state, and in our future glorified position. Fullness of joy, that is joy to one’s fullest capacity, is the privilege of either condition; and the Christ class, who enjoy His fullest favor, is blessed with eternal pleasures—P ’36, 78.Parallel passages: Acts 2: 28; Prov. 4: 18; 1 John 3: 2; Matt. 5: 8; Psa. 17: 15; 36: 8; Heb. 12: 2; Luke 14: 14; John 6: 39, 40, 44, 54; 14: 2, 3, 19; Acts 2: 26-28; 26: 6, 7; 1 Cor. 15: 40-57; 2 Cor. 5: 1-5; Phil. 3: 10, 11, 21; Rev. 20: 4, 6.Hymns: 179, 32, 109, 273, 201, 176, 58.
Poems of Dawn, 184: His Will, Not Mine, Be Done.
Tower Reading: Z ’96, 53 (R 1949).Questions: What has this text meant to me this week? How did I use it in my daily life? What were the results?
Poems of Dawn, 184: His Will, Not Mine, Be Done.
Tower Reading: Z ’96, 53 (R 1949).Questions: What has this text meant to me this week? How did I use it in my daily life? What were the results?
HIS WILL, NOT MINE, BE DONE
O THOU of little faith! why dost thou fear?
Didst thou forget that Jesus is so near?
And hast thou thought that thou must walk alone?
Behold now at thy side the loved One!Aye, more than this, thou’rt held within His hand,
And ’twas Himself that hath thy trial planned!
There was a need be seen by Eye Divine,
Although, perchance, not visible to thine.And, wherefore wouldst thou see? Thou canst not tell
If what thy heart contends for would be well;
Perhaps thy hope’s fruition would be vain,
Or prove a life-long discipline of pain!Hast thou not seen, in retrospective life,
That will of God which caused thee bitterest strife
Hath turned to sweetness—while the thing He gave
To suit thy will grew darker than the grave?There’s rest supreme for souls that choose His will;
A blest security from every ill.
The things God chooses for us never fail!
They have their anchorage within the veil.
Didst thou forget that Jesus is so near?
And hast thou thought that thou must walk alone?
Behold now at thy side the loved One!Aye, more than this, thou’rt held within His hand,
And ’twas Himself that hath thy trial planned!
There was a need be seen by Eye Divine,
Although, perchance, not visible to thine.And, wherefore wouldst thou see? Thou canst not tell
If what thy heart contends for would be well;
Perhaps thy hope’s fruition would be vain,
Or prove a life-long discipline of pain!Hast thou not seen, in retrospective life,
That will of God which caused thee bitterest strife
Hath turned to sweetness—while the thing He gave
To suit thy will grew darker than the grave?There’s rest supreme for souls that choose His will;
A blest security from every ill.
The things God chooses for us never fail!
They have their anchorage within the veil.