The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-09-24

GOLDEN OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES exalteth
nation; but sin is a reproach to any people,
Proverbs 14:34.
What makes nation great? Gods
dealings with Israel answer that
question. The history which we
have briefly touched upon in our
study Of the first four books of the
Bible is reviewed in Deuteronomy.
Moses, realizing that the end was
at hand for him and that a new
generation was about to 60 into the
promised land, reviewed the history
of the people, restated their laws,
and renewed the appeal of God
for their loyal obedience. This rec
ord is found in the Book of Deuteron-
omy, from which our lesson is taken.
We find here that the nation which
is truly great
I. Worships the True God wv.
13-15).
There is a fundamental factor
which must underlie all real nation
al greatness-love Of God. This has
an inseparable corollary-serving
Him with all your heart, and all
your soul."
Says the wise man Of Proverbs
(14:34), righteousness exalteth a
nation; but sin is a reproach to any
people," We have well-nigh forgot
ten that fact. We need to be remind
ed Of it again in Gods word to
Israel.
What is the result? The blessing
Of God upon the land, the giving Of
abundant harvest, in fact, the open
handed generosity of God.
II. Heeds Gods Warning (vv. 16,
~.
This is the negative side. God
dealt with Israel through promises
if they were faithful, and the threat
Of judgment if they forgot Him.
One is as important as the other
in the leading Of a nation-and in
the rearing of children. We, like
our heavenly Father, should faith
fully keep every promise; but we
should just as surely fulfill every
warning Of coming judgment.
America has seen the handwriting
of God in warning concerning its
waywardness and sin. Will it heed
and avoid further judgment?
iii. Honors Gods Word wv. IS,
1917.
Loving God and His Word is not
a matter for theological speculation
or for sanctimonious discussion in
some dark cloister. Thank God the
Christian faith is at its best in the
ordinary affairs of life. It finds its
proper place in the tender relation
ship of parent and child. It's teach
lngs are pure, delightful, simple
and entirely appropriate to any &C.
casion, whether one sits or rises,
walks or lies down. Gods words
are the words to be laid up in the
heart and in the soul, to be taught
to our children, to be the constant
and normal subject of conversation.
Nv. Testifies for God wv. 20, Ply.
Here again we have the home be-
fore us. And it is, of course, the
home which makes the nation. If the
home speaks for God, the nation will
do so, inevitably and effectively.
We may not, as did the pious
Jew, fasten little container bear
ing Gods Word on our doorpost, but
we may make the home itself and
the life Of its inhabitants an effec-
tive testimony for God before our
neighbors.
1t is obvious that the home either
speaks for or against God. A pro-
fession Of faith in Him, an outward
reputation for adherence to religious
principles which does not vitality
touch our dealings with one another
and with the community in which
we live---these clearly testify not for
God but against Him. On the other
hand, who can estimate the value
Of q sweet and orderly Christian
home? Whether it be on a dusty
city street, or on a quiet country
lane, it is light that cannot be hid.
v. Counts ON God for Victory wv.
22-25).
God promised that If Israel dill
gently kept His commandments,
loved Him and walked in His ways,
they would be a nation that would
overcome and dispossess their enc
mics, and prosper in every good
purpose.
God desires the nation which hon.
ors His name to stand before the
other nations of the earth victorious
and prosperous.
The purpose Of the Lord for Is
rael was a far greater one than
they ever achieved, because they
fell into sin and drew back in I'M
belief. The limits of the land which
He proposed to give them, as stated
in verse "a, far exceed that which
they did possess in Palestine.
Gods plans are large plans. His
promises to US, like those to Israel,
are stupendous. We need to learn