on waiting.

Springs in the Valley: 

February 24

"After he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them." [Acts 16:10]

There is a simplicity about God in working out His plans, yet a resourcefulness equal to any difficulty, an unswerving faithfulness to His trusting child, and an unforgetting steadiness in holding to His purpose. Through a fellow-prisoner, then a dream, He lifts Joseph from a prison to a premiership. And the length of stay in the prison prevents dizziness in the premier.

It's safe to trust God's methods, and to go by His clock.

--The Bent Knee Time, by S.D. Gordon.

The path was veiled! The Master's will was hidden,

And further progress for the time was stayed;

But in good time he would again be bidden

And, waiting meantime, he was unafraid.

Then came that night when, maybe, softly sleeping,

The vision came-- the clarion call to move;

And once again, with all in God's good keeping,

He could step forth, God's faithfulness to prove.

No human voice conveyed the word of leading;

No human hand was sent, his way to guide;

No human heart full knew his depth of needing,

Or could assist him to his steps decide.

And so, without to other minds appealing,

"Assuredly" he "gathered" now God's will,

Yet-- to his inner soul there came revealing--

He started forth, God's purpose to fulfill.

Perhaps, O soul, thou waitest for His leading,

Thy longing heart His further will would'st know;

Rest thou in God: His ear hath heard thy pleading,

The "further steps" He yet to thee will shew.

Keep looking Himwards-- He alone can lead thee;

Nor count from choicest friends thy way to glean;

He knoweth best where He Himself doth need thee,

And He can lead thee on by means unseen.

"Assuredly" thy longing heart shall "gather"

The guidance thou dost long for; therefore wait;

Fret not thyself! Ah, no! But learn this rather--

God's guidance never comes to us too late.

--J. Danson Smith.