From the Editor’s Notebook
God In Everything
Many years ago I received from a friend in St. Louis, Missouri, a hundred or so copies of an attractive four-page leaflet entitled, “God in Everything.” Who the author was I do not know, since only the initials “A.F.” appear on the cover and again at the close of his comments. I was both blessed and spiritually refreshed when I read this leaflet, and for a few years carefully gave copies away, often having enclosed one in my correspondence with Christian friends and acquaintances. I have just one copy left and would like to share its message with you. Its full title is, “Job 23:14, or God in Everything.” It reads as follows:
“In everything.” This we have proved is the secret of a happy life.
Nothing can come into the life of a child of God without His Father’s permission. Our text (i.e., Job 23:14) is one of many which makes this fact plain, “He performeth the thing that is appointed for me.”
What a change it makes in the life of those who believe it.
How differently we look upon the many things that tend to irritate us.
How we go through the many duties of the day always rejoicing.
How differently we act toward those who ill-treat and misrepresent us.
How gladly we submit to “overwork” when asked, and rest content “whatever lot we see.”
How willingly we answer all inquiries, no matter how busy we may be. How is it? Because “God is in everything.” He permits it ALL to be so.
It matters not what comes. “It’s all right.” All His appointment. All the VERY BEST.
Beloved, this is how He makes us into “the vessels of honour meet for His use.”
Dear child of God, whatever your feelings or circumstances may be, rest on His Word. “He performeth the thing that is appointed FOR YOU,” and “we know that ALL THINGS work together for good to them that love God.”
Could anything be sweeter. Think of it — the Almighty so looking after us, that He just performs the very thing that is appointed for us. Should there be any disappointments then? Surely never, when all are His appointments.
Believe it! Live on it!
“Underneath are the everlasting arms.”
Lean hard! Lie still! Rest!
“So we learn to know Him better,
So we come to trust Him quite,
When in praise and peaceful patience
We just say, ‘Yes, Lord, all right!’ “
Expressive Words
What would you suggest as the seven most expressive words in the English language? Dr. Wilfred Funk, lexicographer and dictionary publisher, has listed his choice as follows:
1. The most revered word is “mother.”
2. The most beautiful is “love.”
3. The most tragic is “death.”
4. The warmest word is “friendship.”
5. The coldest is “no.”
6. The most bitter is “alone.”
7. The saddest word is “forgotten.”
Not all, of course, will agree with Dr. Funk’s selection. Yet all will surely agree that words are important and that “the pen is mightier than the sword.”
What about your words and mine? Are they always what they should be in the light of God’s Word? Daily we would do well to pray: “Let the words of my mouth … be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). Paul’s exhortation, in Colossians 4:6, also comes to mind: “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
Let us above all center our thoughts on the Lord Jesus Christ, whose very words are “spirit…and life” (John 6:63), remembering that “all bore witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth” (Luke 4:22). And keep in mind that it was He who said to the hard-hearted, unbelieving Pharisees “that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account of it in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36).
60 Years
It is with much pleasure that I commend a little book by August Van Ryn which has recently been published by Christian Missions Press of Waynesboro, Georgia. It is entitled, 60 Years in His Service. Our esteemed and beloved brother in Christ needs little or no introduction to the Lord’s people gathered to His name throughout the United States and Canada. One of the “highlights” of my own ministry, at least to me personally, was to have been a co-speaker with brother Van Ryn at a conference several years ago at Greenwood Hills, Pennsylvania.
As our brother states in the introduction to his brief book:
“The chief purpose in writing this sketch of my life as a servant of our Lord Jesus Christ is that it may furnish an encouragement, a challenge and a cheer to other servants of Christ. During my sixty years of experience in the ministry of God’s precious Word very many varied experiences have occurred and (I trust) valuable lessons learned, which can be of real value to other believers, whom the Lord has called to devote their lives to teach and/or, to preach the great truths of Scripture.
“Some of the experiences related herein give evidence of the tender care of and faithfulness to those whom He has sent forth in His field and vineyard. We feel much of this can be of real spiritual help and uplift to other preachers; especially to younger men whose lives still largely stretch before them (as far, of course, as we can know), while mine is very near its end. I do believe this has not been in vain, but can benefit other dear servants of our blessed Lord. For us, praise God, the glory draws near.”
Having recently read this little book of 64 pages, I can readily attest as a younger servant of Christ to having been genuinely encouraged and helped by its contents. And as we could expect, at least those of us who in any measure know brother Van Ryn personally, there are delightful touches of humor interspersed throughout the chapters of the book.
Copies of 60 Years in His Service are obtainable at .95 cents each from Christian Missions Press, Box 675, Waynesboro, Georgia 30830.
On Worship
William Temple said it: “Worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness; the nourishment of mind with His truth; the purifying of imagination by His beauty; the opening of heart to His love; the surrender of will to His purpose.”