TEHILLIM 41-80

60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

THERE is a time to be prompt, and things in which nothing but promptness is wise. There are certain matters, in which calmness and maturity of judgment are involved, that require long deliberation. They need to be swung around on the hinges of thought, and looked at carefully on every side.

But questions of religious duty that have been settled for us in God's Word have only two sides—the right and the wrong one. And where God has settled for us clearly what is the right course, we cannot be too prompt in our obedience.

The Bible is a time-saving, labour-saving book: it does not condescend to give God's reason; it only gives us God's decisions and commandments.

The Bible also enjoins haste in the performance of duty.

The Christadelphian, Mar 1888

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

Tribulation is multifarious in its cause and effect. It may come through our own folly, or through someone else's. Let us never rage or fret because of tribulation. It is an essential feature in the divine method of preparing the sinful and mortal sons of Adam for a sinless and immortal existence. It is, as Paul declares, the path to the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).

...As children are benefited, yea, in many instances, saved from absolute ruin by parental chastisement, so by God's chastisement are men and women saved who are called to eternal life. People who have it all their own way in regard to this life are failures—they are useless alike to themselves and others. But it requires faith to discern God's hand in our affliction, and this comes wholly and solely through continual acquaintance with the divine writings.

If this sounds strange to any it is a sign of unbelief and alienation from God, and the outward sign of this unbelief is perpetual grumbling and resentment at tribulation. Let us take the right view, and we shall be, as Paul was, patient and even cheerful under tribulation.

If friends are likely to lead us astray, is it not better that God should remove them? If money is likely to drown us in perdition, is it not desirable for God to give it wings to fly away?

"Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."

Bro AT Jannaway

The Christadelphian, April 1900