July 19

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering."

—HBB. x. 23.

LET us hold fast. Let us bestir and encourage ourselves to hold fast, for there are many adversaries.

My own temperament and disposition may be a foe to steadfast endurance. I am stern and exacting, it may be, and I find it hard to comprehend a Saviour so patient with sinners. Or I am easy-going and tolerant, and I pronounce Christ too exclusive and too severe. Or I am sanguine, and I marvel at the slowness of His movements. Or I like certainty, and I resent the many mysteries which encircle Him and His ways.

My pains and tribulations may tempt me to apostatise. Why should waters of a full cup be wrung out to me, while this world's sons and daughters walk on the sunny side of the hedge? Why should I be beset round with misunderstandings and dislikes? Why should obscurity and a lowly place be allotted me, when I long for conspicuous employment? It is very strange and very sore. It makes me question whether I do well to continue loyal to a Lord who tries me so.

My second-hand and indirect knowledge of Christ may cause me to doubt Him. I read about Him in books, but books often make mistakes. I listen to what the Churches say, but the Churches are frequently drawn aside from the Master to subordinate issues. I give heed to teachers and friends, but their errors and blemishes may dim His lustre and diminish His loveworthiness. I ought to cultivate a closer intimacy with Him myself.

Lord, enable me to persevere to the end. Lord, strengthen me to hold fast.