If more were good for me
(George Mylne, "Lessons for the Christian's Daily Walk" 1859)
of what is available to one] than the cravings
of wandering desire. This is also vanity
(emptiness, meaninglessness, and futility)
and a striving after the wind and a feeding on it!"
Ecclesiastes 6:9
It is a bitter disappointment for a man
to long for what he has not--
for what he cannot have. That is,
to sigh for plenty--in the midst of poverty;
to aspire for luxury--
and have nothing but simple fare;
to have dreams of grandeur and ambition--
and yet to walk in humble life;
to aspire to eminence--
and then return to our mundane occupations.
All this is indeed lamentable to the heart!
Oh, how "desire" wanders, refusing
to be satisfied with present comforts!
Memory revels in the past;
and hope dwells upon the future.
The soul thus feeds on shadows--
and leaves reality behind.
There is bitterness in this,
more than the tongue can tell.
Philosophy says, "Do not repine
at your lot, but make the best of it."
This is cold comfort, after all.
Blind fate says, "Hush! it is
your destiny." Neither is this
a cure for wandering desire.
The Christian has a remedy which
never fails, when properly applied--
the SAVIOR'S presence. This . . .
turns poverty to riches;
invests the humblest meal with luxury;
makes crowded cities as pleasant as the mountain top;
imparts refreshment in the midst of labor;
fills voids with CHRIST'S fullness; and
gives us the presence of the best of friends.
(perpetually, uniformly, and on every
occasion)--to the very close and
consummation of the age!"
Matthew 28:20
Children of GOD!
your heavenly FATHER says,
(1 Corinthians 3:21)--
and so they are, in the degree and
manner that is good for me. All the gold
in the world is CHRIST'S, and as HIS child,
HE gives me just as much as suits my
best interest. If more were good for me--
would not my loving SAVIOR give me more--
money, or material things, or health, or friendship?
Come back, then, wandering desire!
Do not roam abroad over
that which is not yours--
that is forbidden ground.
What is your present lot? Scan it well;
look at it through the lens of faith--
and you will see a blessing in it.
You will find a FATHER'S love,
a SAVIOR'S presence, and
the SPIRIT'S comforts--
wrapped in the garb of present
things, and rays of glory coming
from them all.
Is not what I now have, better than
the cravings of wandering desire--
with such realities, better, far better,
than the shadows of wandering desire!
For GOD has said--I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you!" Hebrews 13:5
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