EXTRACTS

But there were other circumstances that gave a cloud on the position, and these circumstances were peculiarly Joseph’s, and Joseph is equal to the apparent reproach. There was no reproach to the eye of faith; that is clear to faith, but God does not give account of His matters, judicially He may order something to be beclouded so that He may test me. If everything was as clear as noonday then we would all see things, but when there is something that is beclouded, can I follow the line of righteousness through a maze of circumstances?

That is what tests me. I am tested by that and Joseph was tested and about to fail too, but God will never allow the righteous to get into darkness. The angel appears to Joseph and the whole matter is solved; Joseph is as clear as noonday about it. Matthew makes much more of Joseph than any of the other evangelists, not only because he is the reputed father of the Messiah, but because he is a righteous man. A righteous man is personally of great interest to heaven, and heaven takes account of it and sees to it that his soul is clear in the matter.

I am saying all this, dear brethren, so that we may see that it is obligatory upon us to be clear—to see through things—to get the light of right and wrong and to discern between good and evil. If we do not, we have to charge ourselves with it, not anyone else. Charge yourself with that obligation, whatever you think of this one or that one, you do what is right. The apostle says, ‘This is your matter’, and heaven will not let you off if you do not, the government of God will not let you off. You see that you do what is right and follow the line of righteousness.

J. Taylor (Vol. 85, p.402)

When God reveals His own thought He begins with what is in His own mind, but in man’s apprehension and experience we have to begin with the kingdom. The idea in the kingdom is that you have a point of security, like the child who feels secure with its father. I know it as 86

well as possible; there is a point where no adverse power can touch me; so that the kingdom means salvation. You have to confess Christ as Lord and keep your eye there, and there is not a single thing upon earth that can hurt you. If in any matter you only have your eye on Christ, you may be perfectly sure you will be guided aright. It is deplorable to see how in church troubles people run about like a lot of sheep without a shepherd, reading pamphlets, and everything else except going to the Lord. It is a wonder that they are kept right at all.

F. E. Raven (Vol. 12, p.29)

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