"And he shall be as the light of the morning when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds, as the tender grass springeth out of the earth by clear shining after rain." (2 Sam. 23. 4).

How eagerly and longingly the watchers of the morning are waiting for the coming or manifestation of the Lord ‑ the Sun of Righteousness. How and when does He come, we often ask ourselves. In the beautiful text quoted above we have a very clear indication of the way in which He comes ‑ even as our Lord himself stated, that it would be in a clear and unmistakable way. "As the lightning shineth from the east even unto the west, even so shall the coming of the Son of Man be." Men will doubt no longer. "Every eye shall see him."

One by one the years slip by and hearts grow weary with the strain of waiting and watching for the signs of his appearing. Yet God grant that we are found ready and with oil in our lamps when the cry goes forth "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh".

Paul exhorted his disciples again and again to "be patient". He knew that the period of waiting would be very trying; so trying that many would fail to be ready and some would even be smiting others who were not quite in accord with their own views.

"Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord." (Jas.5.7,8). How hard it is to be patient in times of anxious waiting we all know well. How our imagination runs riot and fills us with foreboding or fears until we find the strain well nigh intolerable. When, on the other hand, some great joy awaits us, how eagerly we look forward, counting each day, and then, when the watched for day arrives, watching the clock. This is what we are told to do in these days of waiting ‑ "watch". Not to grow weary, not to lose patience, not to doubt that the time will come at last. Oh yes, it sounds easy to talk, but as weary year succeeds weary year, and the hopes begin to grow fainter, the stoutest and most eager hearted watcher begins to sigh and groan for the longed for time. To some of us more impulsive natures, this is a hard testing time. How, then, are we to keep our hopes high and our confidence steady? Merely, brethren, by calling upon him who alone is able to keep us from falling, and trusting in him implicitly, for "He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the working of his mighty power". Let us ever remember that the "Everlasting Arms" are always nigh, and the overshadowing wings ever ready to cover us, and that those who put their trust in him shall never be ashamed.

Soon, soon, the ever growing light of this cloudless morning shall dispel the darkness. The things which have seemed so shadowy and obscure shall be clearly defined and all shall be bright and warm, as the cold morning mists give way to the glowing beams of the glorious Millennial sunrise. Then shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings. The darkness will be past and the glad day arrived at last.

Take heart, weary watchers, and keep those lamps alight with the oil of love, for though "the love of many shall wax cold" in these days of abounding iniquity, He Who is our Guardian is also the Lord of Love, and can fill our hearts through the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, melting down the hardness and keeping them "hearts of flesh". Ah, how soon the chill winds of adversity, ingratitude and unkindness can make that poor, weak flame, flicker and, alas, even die out. Let us call upon him to keep our hearts filled with oil of love, therefore, that when He shall appear, our lamps will be lighted, and we may go out to meet the Bridegroom. He alone can give us this oil, through the plenitude of his Holy Spirit.

Praise God, that in the glorious morning that awaits us "many nations shall be turned to the Lord", and many unbelievers shall be converted unto him "whom they had pierced". Many shall then outgrow the old 'earthy' nature, and 'spring forth' into the 'new birth' even as the tender grass springing out of the earth by the clear shining of the Sun of Righteousness after the refreshing rains of his Presence. Thus, in the "Times of Refreshing" which shall come from the Presence of the Lord, shall many weary wanderers turn their steps to him who has said

"Come unto me, ye weary, and I will give you rest".

"He shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth,
And love, joy, hope, like flowers, Spring in his path to birth."

"Then shall the earth yield her increase, and God even our God shall bless us."

TH(Reprint BSM 1953)