Caesar’s Household
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glect of religion. Few religious privileges are granted them; and should
they manifest an interest in religion, they might lose the favor of their
employer, and bring upon themselves the ridicule of their companions.
He who is thus situated has more than a common battle to fight, if
he stands forth as a witness for Christ, a candidate for Heaven. But
there can be nothing in his surroundings to excuse him for neglecting
the claims of God. Whatever the difficulties in his path, they will be
powerless to hinder him if he is determined to seek first the kingdom
of God and his righteousness.
The Christian should not array before his imagination all the trials
which may occur before the end of the race. He has but to begin to
serve God, and each day live and labor for the glory of God that day,
and obstacles which appeared insurmountable will gradually grow
less and less; or, should he encounter all that he has feared, the grace
of Christ will be imparted to him according to his need. Strength
increases with the difficulties met and overcome.
Daniel, the Hebrew captive, the prime minister of a royal realm,
encountered great obstacles to a life of fidelity to God. But at the very
beginning of his career, he determined that whatever might oppose, he
would make the law of God his rule of action. As he maintained his
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steadfastness amid the lesser trials which he daily met in the court of a
heathen king, his faith, courage, and firmness grew stronger; and when
the royal decree went forth forbidding him to offer supplication to his
God, he was able, with the den of lions open before him, to stand true
to principle and to God.
He whose heart is fixed to serve God, will find opportunity to
serve him. He will pray, he will read the word of God, he will seek
virtue and forsake vice. He can brave contempt and derision while
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who endured the
contradiction of sinners against himself. Help and grace are promised
by Him whose words are truth. God will not fail to fulfill his promise
to all who trust in him.
Are any tempted to make their circumstances an excuse for neglect-
ing the religion of Christ? Let them remember that Satan can frame
one difficulty after another to bar the way of those who will permit
themselves to be thus hindered. Let them consider the situation of the
disciples in Caesar’s household, the fierce depravity of the emperor,
the profligacy of the court. It was like rushing into the fire to accept