December 23

At the commandment of the Lord the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the Lord they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.—NUMBERS ix, 18.

Oh, give Thy servant patience to be still, And bear Thy will;

Courage to venture wholly on the arm That will not harm;

The wisdom that will never let me stray Out of my way;

The love that now afflicting, knoweth best When I should rest.

J. M. NEALE.

There is no time lost while we are waiting God's time. It is as acceptable a piece of submission to the will of God to sit still contentedly when our lot requires it, as to work for Him when we are called to it. When the cloud was taken up, they removed, how comfortably soever they were encamped. The people being thus kept at a constant uncertainty, and having no time fixed for their stays and their removes, were obliged to hold themselves in constant readiness to march at a moment's warning. For the same reason we are kept uncertain as to the time of "putting off our earthly tabernacle," that we may be always ready to remove. As long and as far as the cloud moved, so long and so far they marched; and where it abode, they pitched their tents about it, and God's tent under it. It is uncomfortable staying when God is departed; but very safe and pleasant going when we see God before us, and resting where He appoints to rest.

M. HENRY.