THE PATH

^[p. 472] THE PATH

He leads in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Study to be prepared before the trials or the worldly influences of the day begin. Be like the water-fowl who oil their feathers before they go into water. The land fowl cannot do so. The more energy we have of mind or body, the more necessary it is for us to have a worthy object to concentrate it. This prevents tangents or hasty efforts to reach the desired end.

The heart of a believer owns Christ as necessary to him a long time before Christ is his full Object. When He is your Object, you are controlled and concentrated. Your heart works in a circle, and if there is undue haste you find that you have diverged from your centre; this is painful and condemning, and your only resource is the throne of grace. Do not let your ardour exceed your ability, and do not be too eager to accomplish, or to make your circle larger.

“Prepare thy work ... in the field, and afterwards build thine house” (Proverbs 24: 27). If you wait for the tide or the sunrise, or the grace before you act, you will be qualified for the path as you enter on it. When we know the grace we require we may surely count upon it. Doing little things carefully and well indicates a mind under good and wise control.

Like the love of God, nothing is hid from the heat thereof. He expresses His care for us by saying: “the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10: 30); this minuteness is very touching, for no one could do that for himself.

While the Lord is the resource and refuge of your heart, difficulties and trials will not overwhelm or discourage you. They will rather make you the more assured before Him of His succour and support.