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Help In Daily Living
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. Every man has his place in the eternal plan of heaven. Whether we
fill that place depends upon our own faithfulness in co-operating with
God.
[16]
We need to beware of self-pity. Never indulge the feeling that you
are not esteemed as you should be, that your efforts are not appreciated,
that your work is too difficult. Let the memory of what Christ has
endured for us silence every murmuring thought. We are treated better
than was our Lord. “Seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them
not.”
Jeremiah 45:5
. The Lord has no place in His work for those
who have a greater desire to win the crown than to bear the cross.
He wants men who are more intent upon doing their duty than upon
receiving their reward—men who are more solicitous for principle
than for promotion.
Those who are humble, and who do their work as unto God, may
not make so great a show as do those who are full of bustle and self-
importance; but their work counts for more. Often those who make a
great parade call attention to self, interposing between the people and
God, and their work proves a failure. “Wisdom is the principal thing;
therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt
her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when
thou dost embrace her.”
Proverbs 4:7, 8
.
Because they have not the determination to take themselves in
hand and to reform, many become stereotyped in a wrong course of
action. But this need not be. They may cultivate their powers to do
the very best kind of service, and then they will be always in demand.
[17]
They will be valued for all that they are worth.
If any are qualified for a higher position, the Lord will lay the
burden, not alone on them, but on those who have tested them, who
know their worth, and who can understandingly urge them forward. It
is those who perform faithfully their appointed work day by day, who
in God’s own time will hear His call, “Come up higher.”
While the shepherds were watching their flocks on the hills of
Bethlehem, angels from heaven visited them. So today while the
humble worker for God is following his employment, angels of God
stand by his side, listening to his words, noting the manner in which
his work is done, to see if larger responsibilities may be entrusted to
his hands.