| The Golden Gate of Prayer |
Chapter 9 |
Page 5 |
God’s will is not only holy, it is also good. We may be sure therefore that whenever it leads us into any way of suffering, it is because that is the way of blessing. We need never be afraid to accept God’s will, however it may break into our cherished plans and take from us our dearest joys; we may follow our Master confidently, and he will bring us our into the light and the glory.
The standard set in this petition for the doing of God’s will on earth is remarkable — “as it is done in heaven.” We know that there is not disobedience, even in thought of feeling, in heaven. The will of God is done there perfectly. It is also done cheerfully, without repining, though it be hard. It is done unquestioningly, without any doubt of its goodness and its wisdom. It is done without regard to the quality of the service, as gladly when it is the lowliest task that is assigned, as when it is the highest.
We may learn of Christ himself how to do God’s will on earth as it is done in heaven. We know how patient he was. It was not easy for him to love on the earth. Even his truest friends hurt his heart ofttimes by their dullness, or by their unbelief, or by their failure in friendship. But we know how sweetly he kept on his way of love with them. We know with what self-forgetfulness he served others, going at last to a cross for them. We know how quietly he turned away from his active ministry, when the time came, and set his face to go the Jerusalem to die. Christ himself was our great Teacher. He showed us how God’s will is done in heaven and how we should try to do it on earth.
“The hands that do God’s work are patient hands,
And quick for toil, though folded oft in prayer:
They do the unseen work they understand
And find—no matter where.
“The feet that follow his must be swift feet,
For time is all too short, the way too long;
Perchance they may be bruised, but falter not,
For love shall make them strong”
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