We Dare Not Doubt!

I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron" (Isaiah 45:2).

This was for Cyrus; but it is evermore the heritage of all the LORD'S own spiritual servants.

Only let us go forward by faith, and our way will be cleared for us.

Crooks and turns of human craft and satanic subtlety shall be straightened for us; we shall not need to track their devious windings.

The gates of brass shall be broken, and the iron bars which fastened them shall be cut asunder.

We shall not need the battering ram nor the crowbar: the LORD Himself will do the impossible for us, and the Unexpected shall be a fact.

Let us not sit down in coward fear.

Let us press onward in the path of duty, for the LORD hath said it: "I will go before thee."

Ours not to reason why; ours but to dare and dash forward.

It is the LORD's work, and He will enable us to do it: all impediments must yield before Him.

Hath He not said, "I will break in pieces the gates of brass"!

What can hinder His purpose or balk His decrees?

Those who serve God have infinite resources.

The way is clear to faith though barred to human strength.

When Jehovah says, "I will," as He does twice in this promise, we dare not doubt.

~Charles Spurgeon~

Blessed Are They That Have Not Seen Yet Have Believed!

When my little son was about ten years of age, his grandmother promised him a stamp album for Christmas.

Christmas came, but no stamp album, and no word from grandmother.

The matter, however, was not mentioned; but when his playmates came to see his Christmas presents, I was astonished, after he had named over this and that as gifts received, to hear him add, And a stamp album from grandmother.

I had heard it several times, when I called him to me, and said, But, Georgie, you did not get an album from your grandmother. Why do you say so?

There was a wondering look on his face, as if he thought it strange that I should ask such a question, and he replied, Well,  mamma, grandma said, so it is the same as.

I could not say a word to check his faith.

A month went by, and nothing was heard from the album.

Finally, one day, I said, to test his faith, and really wondering in my heart why the album had not been sent, Well, Georgie, I think grandma has forgotten her promise.

Oh, no, mamma, he quickly and firmly said, she hasn't.

I watched the dear, trusting face, which, for a while, looked very sober, as if debating the possibilities I had suggested.

Finally a bright light passed over it, and he said, Mamma, do you think it would do any good if I should write to her thanking her for the album?

I do not know, I said, but you might try it.

A rich spiritual truth began to dawn upon me.

In a few minutes a letter was prepared and committed to the mail, and he went off whistling his confidence in his grandma.

In just a short time a letter came, saying:

My dear Georgie: I have not forgotten my promise to you, of an album.

I tried to get such a book as you desired, but could not get the sort you wanted; so I sent on to New York.

It did not get here till after Christmas, and it was still not right, so I sent for another, and as it has not come as yet, I send you three dollars to get one in Chicago. Your loving grandma.

As he read the letter, his face was the face of a victor.

Now, mamma, didn't I tell you? came from the depths of a heart that never doubted, that, against hope, believed in hope that the stamp album would come.

While he was trusting, grandma was working, and in due season faith became sight.

It is so human to want sight when we step out on the promises of God, but our Savior said to Thomas, and to the long roll of doubters who have ever since followed him: Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed.

-Mrs. Rounds

Sit Still, Just Sit Calmly Still

Isa 52:2  Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.

I do not believe that we have begun to understand the marvelous power there is in stillness.

We are in such a hurry-we must be doing-so that we are in danger of not giving God a chance to work.

You may depend upon it, God never says to us, "Stand still," or "Sit still," or "Be still," unless He is going to do something.

This is our trouble in regard to our Christian life; we want to do something to be Christians when we need to let Him work in us.

Do you know how still you have to be when your likeness is being taken?

Now God has one eternal purpose concerning us, and that is that we should be like His Son; and in order that this may be so, we must be passive.

We hear so much about activity, may be we need to know what it is to be quiet.

~Crumbs

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still! Nor deem these days--these waiting days--as ill!

The One who loves thee best, who plans thy way, Hath not forgotten thy great need today!

And, if He waits, 'tis sure He waits to prove To thee, His tender child, His heart's deep love.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!

Thou longest much to know thy dear Lord's will!

While anxious thoughts would almost steal their way Corrodingly within, because of His delay

Persuade thyself in simple faith to rest

That He, who knows and loves, will do the best.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!

Nor move one step, not even one, until His way hath opened. Then, ah then, how sweet!

How glad thy heart, and then how swift thy feet

Thy inner being then, ah then, how strong!

And waiting days not counted then too long.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!

What higher service could'st thou for Him fill?

'Tis hard! ah yes! But choicest things must cost!

For lack of losing all how much is lost!

'Tis hard, 'tis true!

But then--He giveth grace To count the hardest spot the sweetest place.

~J. D. Smith