The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1904-09-10

MVi \ understanding o.
ANN the deep things Of
WT~@~ God, Of his JOY in
tlTe and his sweet trust and confidence
IN the face of every danger and every
difficulty and every experience, is dis.
In this bit of autobiography
which he here gives us. In another
place the Psalmist declares: my voice
shalt Thou hear in the morning, O
Lord: In the morning will l direct my
prayer unto Thee. and will look up"
Or. as the revised version puts 1t,
"WM keep watch" The morning
watch with prayer as the ladder by
which the soul may climb to the Divine
presence and there obtain the needed
strength and grace and guidance for
the duties of the day. The noontide
rest with prayer as the calm, peaceful,
refreshing breath of God coming to the
soul in the fever and struggle of the
daily conflict and giving new hope n
new vigor and new purpose to the life.
The evening quiet with prayer as the
gentle. soothing influence stealing over
Nv oOuA AZ L IL IL away
things of time to the things or
eternity, and causing it to rest in SIM
pie trust in the Fathers care. Eve
ming, and morning. and at noon" David
would withdraw himself from the &C
tive, busy scenes of life and alone with
his God he would hold sweet and rest
full and helpful fellowship with Him.
THINK you this thrice daily bending
4 of the knee and the lifting OF the
heart to God was the perfunctory
obedience to duty's stern call? Think
you that the early morning watch and
the noontide rest and the evening quiet
with God alone were seasons trying and
unenjoyable? The traveller over the
dreary desert waste Of sand, with burn
ing heat and binding light, looks for
ward with joy to the refreshing under
the sheltering shade Of the palms and
by the cool, gushing spring which is to
be found just ahead on that bit of
green and verdant oasis. The children
of Israel r~ejoiced with exceeding great
10y when, after the weary marches
over the WaterlesS and t~reelesS and
rocky desert, they came to Elm where
were wells of water and inviting shade
and luscious fruits. Think you that
the traveller breads the oasis rest and
refreshing? Think you that Israels
hosts found the hours at Elm too long
and tedious and undressing? Nay,
verify. for the oasis and Elm were
places Of refreshing. of rest, of joy and
blessing, and the places of preparation
for the onward journey, and the GASES
and Films Of prayer are the places of
refreshing, and rest, and encourage
ment and preparation for the duties of
life.
T7HE Christian cannot prosper and
- make progress toward the prom
Ised land which God has given as a her
to His children, unless the soul
comes to these places of refreshing, to
these GASES of prayer. They should be
set in the journey Of the everyday life,
so that the shades of the evening hour,
they draw down and shut the light
Of day from view, will find the soul
encamped by the side of the reviving
quickening springs of water of
Gods presence. There the soul may
'est in safety until another day calls
he pilgrim to take up his journey.
Then the morning watch may be set.
Then the soul may drink deep and long
It the well of prayer, and gain strength
tnc encouragement and guidance for
he journey of the day. And at noon
he soul should turn aside from the
,ustle and strife and struggle Of life
md seek out the oasis of prayer. There,
nowhere else, it may meet it's God,
nay tell Him its hopes, it's trials, its fail
may unburden itself, and may OBJ
ain new inspiration and strength and
for the afternoons duties l
nd cares and responsibilities. Daniel
With the multitude Of responsibilities
# statecraft resting upon him, with the l
'roblems of the great Babylonian king
lom demanding his attention, found
three times a day, with his win !
lows opel towards Jerusalem, to seek
lis God in prayer. Nay, rather, it was I
privilege and necessity, this thrice .
communion with God, if Daniel
to continue the wise and successful
tatesman and governor that he had {
royed himself under the leading and I
ERECTION and blessing of God. !
row full the Scriptures are or pre- :
4 cept and example, enforcing the :
and necessity of a :
every great event and epoch re- D.,
Orded In sacred history has come as :
nswer to prayer. OF the Cody line of !
eth it is testified that they began ito =
all upon the name of the Lord" And .
yer since that day there have been =
.od-fearing men and women who have !
nown and believed God, and who have :
revailed in prayer with Him. Abra- :
am. Isaac and Jacob, having received ;
Re promise of God of a posterity and a T
alton. obtained that promise through 4
18th, and through prayer, which was .
\ evidence and expression of that +.
9Th. Jacob in prayer prevails and is
lied a. prince of God. because He n
- tho nravA., nf faith and hold nm VI