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world’s Redeemer, Christ was constantly confronted with apparent
failure. He seemed to do little of the work which He longed to do
in uplifting and saving. Satanic agencies were constantly working to
obstruct His way. But He would not be discouraged. Ever before Him
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He saw the result of His mission. He knew that truth would finally
triumph in the contest with evil, and to His disciples He said: “These
things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the
world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome
the world.” [
John 16:33
.] The life of Christ’s disciples is to be like
His, a series of uninterrupted victories—not seen to be such here, but
recognized as such in the great hereafter.
Those who labor for the good of others are working in union with
the heavenly angels. They have their constant companionship, their
unceasing ministry. Angels of light and power are ever near to protect,
to comfort, to heal, to instruct, to inspire. The highest education, the
truest culture, the most exalted service possible to human beings in
this world, are theirs.
Often our merciful Father encourages His children and strengthens
their faith by permitting them here to see evidence of the power of His
grace upon the hearts and lives of those for whom they labor. “My
thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith
the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways
higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as
the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not
thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that
it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall My word
be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the
thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth
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with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you
into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead
of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree, and instead of the brier shall
come up the myrtle-tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an
everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” [
Isaiah 55:8-13
.]
In the transformation of character, the casting out of evil passions,
the development of the sweet graces of God’s Holy Spirit, we see
the fulfilment of the promise, “Instead of the thorn shall come up the