Watch And Pray And Wait

Watch, for the enemy ceaseth not night nor day,
Laying his traps and snares for thy feet unawares.
'Isms of every kind, blinding the heart and mind,
Meet thee on every side like a devouring tide
Wrought by mere human mind, borne upon every wind
Hid 'neath enticing smiles:-thus Satan works his wiles.

Pray, for the atmosphere filleth the heart with fear-
Lest some loved child of God fall 'neath this fearful rod :
Pray, lest thy heart grow cold, and the sweet things of old
Losing their charm for thee, thou mayest fall easily.
Think of His cross and shame, think of His glorious name,
Once 'twas the drunkard's song, and I fear 'tis not long,
Ere men with oath and curse, use that blest name far worse.
Now they would bring it low, say that they do not owe
Aught to this glorious One-that He is not God's Son.
Man is the God men seek; Jesus, the God-man meek,
Suits not the critic's mind, Him they've left far behind-
So say wise men to-day; but we're more wise than they.

Wait, He is coming soon, whether midnight or noon ;
Only be patient still, He must His word fulfil.
Yea, while you suffer wait, soon He will ope' the gate
Into His blessed home, saying "beloved come;"
Wait tho' the eyes grow dim, pray while you wait for Him,
Each look of faith, each cry pierceth the very sky.

Courage, each waiting saint! let not the heart grow faint
Just as the night is o'er, just as we near the shore.
Look for the morning star shineth-I'm sure, not far;
And its effulgent ray soon will declare the day.
Dark hath the shadow been over this world of sin,
Cast by His heavy cross-thank God, not over us.
We're on the glory side, there ever more to abide
Watching for Him to come, waiting to be caught home :
When that bright morning breaks, each sleeping saint awakes,
We shall be changed, and they, caught by the Lord away,
To our eternal home, no more on earth to roam.

Come! blessed Lord we pray; hasten that glorious day,
When the last gathered one turneth to Christ Thy Son.
Then we shall see Him crowned, then we shall hear Him
owned-
Jesus, the glorified, who once was crucified. H. McD.

READINGS ON THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS