Think of it! Thirty years at home with His brothers and sisters who did not believe in Him! We fix on the three years which were extraordinary, and forget altogether the thirty years of absolute submissiveness.

“An extraordinary exhibition of submissiveness! And the disciple is not above his master” (Matthew 10:24 KJV).

If God is putting you through a spell of submission, and you seem to be losing your individuality and everything else, it is because Jesus is making you one with Him.

Let Dr. A. J. Gossip, the great gifted Scottish preacher, tell us how once on a day in France, the bonniest of experiences befell him.

He had been for weeks amid the appalling desolation and sickening sights of the war front. Then they had gone back to rest where there were budding hedgerows, a shimmer of green on living trees, grass, and flowers—glorious flowers in the first splendor of spring. It seemed Heaven! Then came the order to return to Passchendaele and the battlefront.

“It reached us,” says Dr. Gossip, “on a perfect afternoon of sunshine; and with a heart grown hot and hard I turned down a little land with a brown burn wimpling beside it and a lush meadow—all brave sheets of purple and golden flowers—on either side. The earth was very beautiful, and life seemed very sweet, and it was hard to go back into the old purgatory and face death again. And, with that, through the gap in the hedge there came a shepherd laddie tending his flock of some two dozen sheep.

He was not driving them in our rough way, with two barking dogs. He went first, and they were following him; if one loitered he called it by name and it came running to him. So they moved on down the lane, up a little hill, up to the brow and over it, and so out of my life. I stood staring after them, hearing as if the words were spoken aloud, to me first, and to me only: “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them” (John 10:4 KJV).

Peter, outworn, And menaced by the sword, Shook off the dust of Rome; And, as he fled, Met one, with eager face, Hastening cityward, And, to his vast amaze, It was the Lord.

“Lord, whither goest Thou?” He cried, importunate; And Christ replied, “Peter, I suffer loss, I go to take thy place, To bear thy cross.”

Then Peter bowed his head, Discomforted; Then, at the Master’s feet, Found grace complete, And courage, and new faith, And turned, with Him To death.

JOHN OXENHAM

This is intensely difficult work for Him and us—it is difficult for us to go, but equally difficult for Him to cause us pain. Yet it must be done. It would not be in our best interest to always remain in one happy and comfortable location. Therefore He moves us forward. The shepherd leaves the fold so the sheep will move on to the vitalizing mountain slopes. In the same way, laborers must be driven out into the harvest, or else the golden grain would spoil.

But take heart! It could never be better to stay once He determines otherwise; if the loving hand of our Lord moves us forward, it must be best. Forward, in His name, to green pastures, quiet waters, and mountain heights (Psalm 23:2)! “He goes on ahead of [us].” So whatever awaits us is encountered first by Him, and the eye of faith can always discern His majestic presence out in front. When His presence cannot be seen, it is dangerous to move ahead. Comfort your heart with the fact that the Savior has Himself experienced all the trials He asks you to endure; He would not ask you to pass through them unless he was sure that the paths were not too difficult or strenuous for you.

This is the blessed life—not anxious to see far down the road nor overly concerned about the next step, not eager to choose the path nor weighted down with the heavy responsibilities of the future, but quietly following the Shepherd, one step at a time.

Dark is the sky! and veiled the unknown morrow! Dark is life’s way, for night is not yet o’er; The longed-for glimpse I may not meanwhile borrow; But, this I know and trust, he goes before.

Dangers are near! and fears my mind are shaking; Heart seems to dread what life may hold in store; But I am His—He knows the way I’m taking, More blessed even still—he goes before.

Doubts cast their weird, unwelcome shadows o’er me, Doubts that life’s best—life’s choicest things are o’er; What but His Word can strengthen, can restore me, And this blest fact; that still he goes before.

He goes before! Be this my consolation! He goes before! On this my heart would dwell! He goes before! This guarantees salvation! He goes before! And therefore all is well.

J. DANSON SMITH

The oriental shepherd always walked ahead of his sheep. He was always out in front. Any attack upon the sheep had to take him into account first. Now God is out in front. He is in our tomorrows, and it is tomorrow that fills people with fear. Yet God is already there. All the tomorrows of our life have to pass through Him before they can get to us. F. B. MEYER

God is in every tomorrow, Therefore I live for today, Certain of finding at sunrise, Guidance and strength for my way; Power for each moment of weakness, Hope for each moment of pain, Comfort for every sorrow, Sunshine and joy after rain.

Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by name: Thou art mine.—The sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name. And the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.—We have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God.

Thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord upon his two shoulders for a memorial.

And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment. And thou shalt set in it four rows of stones. And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, . . . and they shall be upon Aaron's heart when he goeth in before the Lord.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith.

He that is spiritual judgeth all things.

Take heed what ye hear.

I know thy works, . . . and how thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

He calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.