ABIDING WITH GOD. THE words of the Lord are tried. Not one is written in vain, and in the inexhaustible treasury of truth we find passages suited to every case-lessons pregnant with warning, instruction, guidance, encouragement, and comfort. Other words may deceive us, these never can. The Psalmist found them, as every child of God finds them to be, perfect, sure, right, and pure-true and righteous altogether. (Ps. xix. 7–9.) "To the law," then, "and to the testimony" it is our privilege to come for counsel at all times, and under all circumstances, for "It is the one true light, Which when all other lamps grow dim Or lead astray from Him." The Lord has appointed to each of His children upon earth work to do for Him, and special duties to fulfil in the different stations in which He has placed them. "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it; but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's free man: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God." (1 Cor. vii. 20-24.) Whatever, then, be the calling, the one matter of moment is, "therein to abide with God." "Abide with me from morn till eve, For without Thee I dare not die." "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will shew them his covenant." (Ps. xxv. 14.) And this secret is only revealed to those who abide in Him. The reason why there is often discontent and dissatisfaction as to their calling, even amongst the Lord's professing people, is, because there is so much walking before men, instead of before the Lord. before me," was the word addressed to Abraham, and it is before our God that we are to serve without fear, in holiness and righteousness, all the days of our life." (Luke i. 74, 75.) Walk The effect of abiding in Jesus is walking before the Lord. "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." (John xv. 4, 7, 8.) And again, the same apostle writes, "He that saith he |