Norwich bulletin., 1922-11-11
SUNDAY MORNING TALK
A GLORIOUS PROMISE.

will be as the dew unto Israel, he | shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his 1 roots as Lebanon. His branches shall | spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, Hosea 14.5, 6. We find here one of Gods richest promises to those who repent and turn to Him. We also have beautiful picture of those who have been restored to His favor. First God promises to ''he as the dew'' unto those who cease their Wanderings and some to Him. The dew falls so copious- ly in the East it looks like a small show CT in the morning, and supplies the want of rain in those warm countries. Under
 it's reyiving influence vegetation flour
 ishes and new life is imparted to that which otherwise would die. Thus God
 promises His soft, life-giving influence
 shall be poured out upon them with new life. Then growth will be seen, He shall grow as the lily" There is no plant
 more productive than the lily. one bulb
 will produce an abundance of bulbs in
 short while. The margin says blos- ingly beautiful in it's various shapes, and
 multiplicity of colors. from the beautiful white, the emblems of purity, to the hamming red. Solomon in all his glory,
 could not vie with the rainment' of the | lily, for it comes in all the varied tints
 of the rainbow.
 Although the lily grows and possess | es unrivaled loveliness, it soon fades
 therefore the promise extends further and fsays: ''He shall cast forth his roots | like Lebanon" The cedar is a large,
 Reble evergreen, the roots of which are not only spread out in all directions, but
 deep down, so it cannot be plucked up, We are told Ey a great tree grower that the roots of a tree, as general thing, extend outward and downward as long and deep as the tree is high. Then yoI .4n perceive the impossibi1ity of it's be ing pp-reoted and the inmpyableness ei the Christian who is firmly rooted ir God. No outside pressure affects him
 for he draws from tAe love of God grace for every time of need Again This branches shall spread;" !" his good iBflu
 fence will be felt afar.
 'l The cedar of Lebanon has, in all ages
 been spoken of as an sobject of upriv
 ed grandeur and beauty. Its lofty neigh and wide spreading branches afford spa eieus shade. God is anxious we shoult . draw an Him So that our influence ma! extend widely. Still more His beaut! shall be as the olive tree.P What eepli have been given as more beausifu . emblem of holy life2 The olive i
 an evergreen, the sides of it's leSves |. very white, beautiful indeed in appear aRce, it was one of the special bleSsing
 of the promised land. It has a solid, cree
 stem the branches of which are GOV cred with a grayish black; it attains 1th height of twenty feet, it's flowers ar : herne in beautiful clusters.
 . How lovely the holy life; 2 thing t ? be coveted by al1i Iris our glorioas priv ] ilege and more still, if, like these trees we shall be very useful. The cedar, wit M it's majestic form towering heaEenWaFf : it's luxuriant branches spreading in al 5 directions, gives rest to the weary tray : eler, invigerating his fatigued body. Tn el Christian, bE his influence of leEe, ma I help some tired one.,
 T The weed is very useful, and said t ? be incorruptible, owing to it's bitter tast, g which prevents theS attacks of worm. n So may we he inyulnerable to the attempt g of satan if we are permeated with tn love of Ged, and fortified by His Wort g for satan cannot stand the taste of q e is written Thus, to abide in Christ an r, be filled with His wonderful keeping frol f being affected by the rough winds " D have ts endure.