January 31

There is no want to them that fear him. — PSALM xxxiv. 9.

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. — JOHN vi. 27.

WE must do work to live now; we may so do it as to live forever. The body of Jesus was hungry for bread in the wilderness: but his soul was more hungry for that which came into his life through "every word of God." If we will, we may reap two harvests from every deed, -- one in time, one in eternity. God has put the best things of earth right beside the path of duty, which leads to heaven; so Jesus says, "Seek first the kingdom of God . . . and all these things shall be added to you." Not because of your work, but your childhood. The prodigal started home to get bread for his labor; but he got the embrace, kiss, shoes, best robe, fatted calf, and father's heart, -- not for his labor, but for his return to his father. As we lift life to God, we harmonize it with man. This wipes out "all inhumanity to man," reconciles all capital with labor, does away with all oppression, and makes "the kingdom come and the will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Thus the poorest task to human being given holds in it the possibility of an "heir of God, and joint heirship with Jesus Christ." The loneliest and most obscure lot in life can open into full fellowship with all the spirits of heaven.

Clifton Penick

Beneath the spreading heavens,

No creature but is fed;

And he who feeds the ravens

Will give his children bread.

COWPER.