June 26
IT WILL NOT BE LONG
"Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the
Lord draweth nigh" James 5:8
The last word in the Canticle of love is, "Make haste, my beloved,"
and among the last words of the Apocalypse we read, "The Spirit and
the Bride say, Come"; to which the heavenly Bridegroom answers,
"Surely I come quickly." Love longs for the glorious appearing of the
Lord, and enjoys this sweet promise -- "The coming of the Lord draweth
nigh." This stays our minds as to the future. We look out with hope
through this window.
This sacred "window of agate" lets in a flood of light upon the
present, and puts us into fine condition for immediate work or
suffering. Are we tried? Then the nearness of our joy whispers
patience. Are we growing weary because we do not see the harvest of
our seed-sowing? Again this glorious truth cries to us, "Be patient."
Do our multiplied temptations cause us in the least to waver? Then the
assurance, that before long the Lord will be here, preaches to us from
this text, "Stablish your hearts." Be firm, be stable, be constant,
"stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." Soon
will you hear the silver trumpets which announce the coming of your
King. Be not in the least afraid. Hold the fort, for He is coming;
yea, He may appear this very day.