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Education
lesson which God has bidden us learn from the stars in their untroubled
course?
“Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these
things, that bringeth out their host by number: He calleth them all by
names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power;
not one faileth. Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My
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way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my
God? Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting
God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither
is weary? there is no searching of His understanding. He giveth power
to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.”
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed for I am Thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee
with the right hand of My righteousness.” “I the Lord thy God will
hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”
Isaiah
40:26-29
;
41:10, 13
.
The palm tree, beaten by the scorching sun and the fierce sand-
storm, stands green and flourishing and fruitful in the midst of the
desert. Its roots are fed by living springs. Its crown of verdure is seen
afar over the parched, desolate plain; and the traveler, ready to die,
urges his failing steps to the cool shade and the life-giving water.
The tree of the desert is a symbol of what God means the life of
His children in this world to be. They are to guide weary souls, full
of unrest, and ready to perish in the desert of sin, to the living water.
They are to point their fellow men to Him who gives the invitation, “If
any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.”
John 7:37
.
The wide, deep river, that offers a highway for the traffic and travel
of nations, is valued as a world-wide benefit; but what of the little
rills that help to form this noble stream? Were it not for them, the
river would disappear. Upon them its very existence depends. So men
called to lead in some great work are honored as if its success were due
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to them alone; but that success required the faithful co-operation of
humbler workers almost without number—workers of whom the world
knows nothing. Tasks uncommended, labor without recognition, is the
lot of most of the world’s toilers. And in such a lot many are filled
with discontent. They feel that life is wasted. But the little rill that
makes its noiseless way through grove and meadow, bearing health
and fertility and beauty, is as useful in its way as the broad river. And