Our Daily Homily

Devotional For

September 12

      A man of rest . . . he shall build. 1 Chron. 22: 9, 10.
      
      THE men of rest are the builders of the most lasting structures. Solomon builds the Temple, not David. Mary's deed of anointing, learnt in much sitting at the Lord's feet, fills the world with its aroma. What is needed to make us men and women of rest?
      
      First, a profound conviction that God is working. Never despair of the world, said the late Mrs. Beecher Stowe, when you remember what God did with slavery: the best possible must happen. This serene faith, that all things are working out for the best the best to God, the best to man and that God is at the heart of all, will calm and still us in the most feverish days. There is a strong and an experienced Hand on the helm.
      
      Next, an entire surrender to his will. God's will is certain to mean the destruction of the flesh, in whatever form He finds it; but it is our part to yield to Him; to will his will even to the cross; to follow our leader Christ in this, that He yielded Himself without reserve to execute his Father's purpose.
      
      Thirdly, a certain knowledge that He is working within to will and do of his good pIeasure. what a blessed peace possesses us when once we realize that we are not called on to originate or initiate, nor to make great far reaching plans and try to execute them; but just to believe that God is prepared to work through our hands, speak by our life, dwell in our bodies, and fulfil in us the good purposes of his will. Be full of God's rest. Let there be no hurry, precipitation, or fret; yield to God's hands, that He may mould thee: hush thy quickly throbbing pulse! So shalt thou build to good and lasting purpose.