They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:3.
When I think of those words of Daniel, I find myself waking up in the night and repeating them over and over: “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Look at the sun and the stars marshaled in the heavens, and known by their names. The Lord says, They that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars forever and ever.
In order to determine how important are the interests involved in the conversion of the soul from error to truth, we must appreciate the value of immortality; we must realize how terrible are the pains of the second death; we must comprehend the honor and glory awaiting the ransomed, and understand what it is to live in the presence of Him who died that He might elevate and ennoble man, and give to the overcomer a royal diadem.
The worth of a soul cannot be fully estimated by finite minds. How gratefully will the ransomed and glorified ones remember those who were instrumental in their salvation! No one will then regret his self-denying efforts and persevering labors, his patience, forbearance, and earnest heart yearnings for souls that might have been lost had he neglected his duty or become weary in well-doing.
Now these white-robed ones are gathered into the fold of the Great Shepherd. The faithful worker and the soul saved through his labor are greeted by the Lamb in the midst of the throne, and are led to the tree of life and to the fountain of living waters. With what joy does the servant of Christ behold these redeemed ones, who are made to share the glory of the Redeemer! How much more precious is heaven to those who have been faithful in the work of saving souls! “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars.”
What is done through the cooperation of men with God is a work that shall never perish, but endure through the eternal ages.
Maranatha p. 330
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for my mother-in-law who broke her leg and is in a care home. Pray that she heals physically and mentally. J
—–I am losing my house. Please pray that I can find a place to live by Christmas. D
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,
One afternoon, Ronnie Jay, Jeremiah, Eileen, and I
decided to go walking in a nearby park. I was thinking we were going to
the area of the park that has nice cement walkways, so I wore my church
clothes. As we were driving to the park, Eileen asked if we could go to
the other side of the park. Now that area has tiny dirt trails. I
thought, “Well, I’m not dressed for it, but I like that area better too,
so let’s go there.” After we had started down the trail, I realized that
few people had been there since a flood in that area almost a year ago.
There were places where the path was barely visible because grass and
thistles had grown over it. To add to my troubles, it had rained the
night before, so most of the way was muddy. Church shoes and mud just
do not go well together! I slipped and slid along the trail and almost
fell. Still, the walk was enjoyable. We saw many birds, two deer, and
stopped occasionally to watch a spider on its web. As we neared the end
of the walk, the trail was no longer visible. It was covered with grass.
That does not sound like a problem, but here in Kansas the wild grass is
over six feet tall! I am 5 feet 2 inches and Eileen is 4 feet 11 inches
short. We felt like we were in a jungle. If the trail had not been
going beside the trees, we would have become disoriented. That stand of
trees was our guide. ( Ronnie Jay and Jeremiah were far ahead of us.
They were no help at all.) Finally the trail was visible again and soon
we were back to the car. As I was sliding along, I was thinking how
like life our little walk was. We have two paths to choose. One is
broad and smoothe. One is narrow and hard to travel. Jesus says, “Enter
ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and
narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find
it.” Matt 7:13,14 Which path are we travelling? The easy path seems
like the best choice, but if we choose that one, we will perish. The
difficult trail will take us through sorrows and heartaches and many
trials, but we have a Guide Who has promised, “I will instruct thee and
teach thee in the way which
thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Ps 32:8 and “I will
never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Heb 13:5 May we choose the steep
and rocky path to the Heavenly Kingdom. May we ever look to our loving
Savior. May we listen to His gentle voice as He
says,”‘This is the way, walk ye in it,’ when ye turn to the right hand,
and when ye turn to the left.” Isa 30:21
Rose