THE SERVICE

 

NOVEMBER 11

 

THE SERVICE
 
"Therefore are they before the throne of God, and
  serve him day and night in his temple: and
  he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them."
                                                     Revelation 7:15
 
It will be temple-service in "THE BETTER LAND,"
  becoming the dignity and purity of our priestly character.
 
Here we serve God;  but how imperfectly, how fitfully,
  how unfitting his dignity and glory!
 
Our weakness is so great, our interruptions are so many, and
  the sin that easily besets us is so powerful, 
  that we feel ashamed of our best services.
 
 
In looking back upon life, now we are arrived

 at its evening,
   how little we have done for God, and
  how imperfect is all that we have done.
 
We feel ashamed of it; we are sorry that we have done so little,
  and done that so badly.
 
And now, compassed with infirmities,
  waiting for our dismissal, what can we do?
 
Satan whispers, "You are too old to be useful." 
 
But not so, we may do something still.
 
We may speak for Jesus to those who visit us;
  we may write a line occasionally to those who do not,
  with a view to honor his dear name.
We can suffer patiently, in order to glorify Jesus.
We may seek grace, that by our pains and weakness,
  by our prayers and praises,
  by our patience and perseverance,
  by our watching and waiting,
     we may glorify him.
 
And soon, very soon, we shall be raised,
  where we shall serve him with gladness and great joy,
  without weariness or interruption,
    without infirmity or defect!
 
 
How delightful is the thought,
  that we shall still serve our God,
  that we shall still be employed by and for Jesus!
 
Much of our happiness here on earth,
  has arisen from our service,
  for we have found that
 "in keeping his commandments there is a great reward;" and
much of our happiness above,
  will doubtless arise from our holy service.
As to the nature of that service, we are not informed,
  nor is it necessary for us to know;
  for we shall be willing to do anything, or be anything, for Jesus.
 
 
"And there shall be no more curse: 

  but the throne of God and 

  of the Lamb shall be in it; and 

  his servants shall serve him." 

                               Revelation 22:3
 
 
 JAMES SMITH 1869