Basic HTML Version
Seek New Heights in Faith, November 12
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after
thee, O God.
Psalm 42:1
.
Many of the youth ... sink under every cloud, and have no power of
endurance. They do not grow in grace.... Their carnal hearts must be
changed. They must see beauty in holiness; then they will pant after it as
the hart panteth after the water-brooks....
If your steps are ordered by the Lord, dear youth, you must not expect
that your path will always be one of outward peace and prosperity. The
path that leads to eternal day is not the easiest to travel, and at times it will
seem dark and thorny. But you have the assurance that God’s everlasting
arms encircle you, to protect you from evil. He wants you to exercise
earnest faith in Him, and learn to trust Him in the shadow as well as in the
sunshine....
In her endeavors to reach her home, the eagle is often beaten down by
the tempest to the narrow defiles of the mountains. The clouds, in black,
angry masses sweep between her and the sunny heights where she secures
her nest. For a while she seems bewildered, and dashes this way and that,
beating her strong wings as if to sweep back the dense clouds.... At last
she dashes upward into the blackness, and gives a shrill scream of triumph
as she emerges, a moment later, in the calm sunshine above. The darkness
and tempest are all below her, and the light of heaven is shining about
her. She reaches her loved home in the lofty crag, and is satisfied. It was
through darkness that she reached the light. It cost her an effort to do this,
but she is rewarded in gaining the object which she sought.
This is the only course we can pursue as followers of Christ. We must
exercise that living faith which will penetrate the clouds that, like a thick
wall, separate us from heaven’s light. We have heights of faith to reach,
where all is peace and joy in the Holy Spirit
[324]
31
The Youth’s Instructor, May 12, 1898
.
335