Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 158

NOTE.-Says a Christian writer: "Our sorrows do not spring out of the ground. G.o.d 'doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.' When He permits trials and afflictions, it is 'for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.' If received in faith, the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear will prove a blessing. The cruel blow that blights the joys of earth will be the means of turning our eyes to heaven. How many there are who would never have known Jesus had not sorrow led them to seek comfort in Him! The trials of life are G.o.d's workmen, to remove the impurities and roughness from our character. Their hewing, squaring, and chiseling, and their burnis.h.i.+ng and polis.h.i.+ng, is a painful process. It is hard to be pressed down to the grinding-wheel. But the stone is brought forth prepared to fill its place in the heavenly temple."

There's never a night but is followed by day, And the darkest to dawn must give place: There's never a sorrow that crosses our way But is sent with a message of grace.

It comes to the peasant, it comes to the king, It comes in our pleasures and pain; It comes from the Father of mercies, to bring To His fold His own stray ones again.

O soul! is thy burden too heavy to bear?

Does the load seem too weighty for one?

There's a Helper at hand all thy sorrows to share, 'Tis thy Father's own well-beloved Son.

Then cast every burden on Jesus thy Lord, And thy troubles will quickly depart; Make every sweet promise in His precious Word An entrance to His loving heart.

REV. JOHN WILLIAMS.

Overcoming

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Meeting Of Jacob And Esau. "But thanks be to G.o.d, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:57.

1. What overcomes the world?

"For _whatsoever is born of G.o.d_ overcometh the world." 1 John 5:4, first part.

2. In whose victory may the Christian ever rejoice and take courage?

"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.

3. Who is it that overcomes?

"Who is he that overcometh the world, but _he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of G.o.d_?" 1 John 5:5.

4. Through what, then, is the victory gained in the work of overcoming?

"And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even _our faith_."

Verse 4. last part.

5. Through whom do we obtain the victory?

"But thanks be to G.o.d, which giveth us the victory _through our Lord Jesus Christ_." 1 Cor. 15:57. "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors _through Him that loved us_." Rom. 8:37.

6. How did Christ overcome when tempted?

By the Word of G.o.d. See Matt. 4:1-11.

7. How do the Scriptures say the saints overcame the enemy?

"And they overcame him _by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony_; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Rev. 12:11.

8. With what does the apostle Paul tell us to overcome evil?

"Be not overcome of evil, but _overcome evil with good_." Rom. 12:21.

9. Why was Jacob's name changed to Israel?

"And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: _for as a prince hast thou power with G.o.d and with men, and hast prevailed_." Gen.

32:28.

Exceeding Great And Precious Promises

"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of G.o.d." Rev. 2:7.

"He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." Verse 11.

"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna." Verse 17.

"He that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations." Verse 26.

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels." Rev. 3:5.

"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My G.o.d." Verse 12.

"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne." Verse 21.

"He that overcometh shall inherit _all things_; and I will be his G.o.d, and he shall be My son." Rev. 21:7.

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Jacob Wrestling With The Angel. "And he said, I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.... And He blessed him there." Gen. 32:26-28.

The Ministry Of Sorrow

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Gethsemane. "He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men." Lam. 3:33.