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The Ministry of Health and Healing
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which
is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but
rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when
His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”
1
Peter 4:12, 13
.
In the full light of day, and hearing the music of other voices, the
caged bird will not sing the song that his master seeks to teach him.
He learns a snatch of this, a trill of that, but never a separate and
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entire melody. But the master covers the cage and places it where the
bird will listen to the one song he is to sing. In the dark he tries and
tries again to sing that song until it is learned, and he breaks forth in
perfect melody. Then the bird is brought out, and ever afterward he
can sing that song in the light. Thus God deals with His children.
He has a song to teach us, and when we have learned it amid the
shadows of affliction we can sing it ever afterward.
Many are dissatisfied with their lifework. It may be that their
surroundings are uncongenial. Or perhaps their time is occupied with
commonplace work when they think themselves capable of higher
responsibilities. Often their efforts seem to them to be unappreciated
or fruitless. Their future is uncertain.
Let us remember that while the work we have to do may not
be our choice, it is to be accepted as God’s choice for us. Whether
pleasing or unpleasing, we are to do the duty that lies nearest. “What-
ever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no
work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you
are going.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10
. If the Lord desires us to bear a mes-
sage to Nineveh, it will not be as pleasing to Him for us to go to
Joppa or Capernaum. He has reasons for sending us to the place
toward which we have been directed. At that very place there may
be someone in need of the help we can give. He who sent Philip to
the Ethiopian councilor, Peter to the Roman centurion, and the little
Israelite maiden to the help of Naaman, the Syrian captain, sends
men and women and youth today as His representatives to those in
need of divine help and guidance.