The Bent-Knee Time

These daily bits are meant to be little wedges for the Quiet Corner, to get things started.

A life of victory and power hinges on three things: an Act, a Purpose, and a Habit; an initial act, a rock-rooted purpose, and a daily habit; the act of surrender to Jesus as Master of one’s person and life, the simple, steady purpose in everything to do as he would wish, the daily habit of getting a bit of time every day off alone with the Master, with door shut, the Book open, the knee bent, and the will bent afresh.

The daily habit needs much emphasis because it puts new life-blood daily into the act and the purpose. After these other two are fixed in where they belong this is the hinge on which the whole life swings.

These little bits are meant to be distinctly secondary to the Book itself. They are simply to start one’s thoughts a-going, and to help fit the Book into one’s own daily life. The chiefest thing always is the fresh touch faceto-face with Jesus. And he always meets one at the bent-knee time to give that fresh touch. You can count on that. S. D. G.

Sunday. Mark 1:1-11.

This is the thing, to prepare the way for Jesus. John did it. Jesus needed it. He needs it. We can do it. By purity of life, earnestness of purpose, gentleness of spirit we can open the way for Jesus into hearts and homes. We may; it is our privilege. We can; it is in our power. We must; Jesus’ love in the heart drives us to it. Surely we will; this shall be our glad, set purpose.

Monday. Isa. 40: 3-5; Mai. 3:1-6.

Everyone’s life is foreplanned. It seems hard for us to take this in as really so. But that’s the kind of a God our God is. A simple shepherd lad, years ago, tending sheep, found out that all the plan for his life was written down in a book beforehand, God’s own record book, Ps. 139: 16. We may find this out, too. God will foretell us his plan. May we not fail God, nor his plan!

Tuesday. Luke 1:8-17.

God never forgets. He never loses count of prayers nor of time. Prayers may seem unanswered. But, when the heart’s in right touch, there’s always thoughtful love in the delay. The waiting-time is a training-time for us. More is being planned for by God than had been prayed for by us. Hannah found this out with Samuel, and Zacharias with John. Lcfs keep fii it h’s fire burning even through long waits and heavy rains.

Wednesday. John 1:19-30.

John pointed to Jesus. He did it so wholeheartedly that people forgot the pointer, and looked at Jesus. Every question brought a “not” about himself, which emphasized the word about Jesus. The voice spoke so distinctly and self-forgetfully that men were c aught only by what was said. Each of us may be an index-Jingcr pointing to Jesus. The home-life, the controlling spirit, the daily touch with others, may make others think of him.

Thursday. John 3: 26-36.

John did the thing he was asked to do. He began, and kept on, and he finished it up. He tied a knot on the end of a thread. It’s good to begin; it’s better to keep undiscourageably going; it’s best to stick it out to the end, regardless of difficulties. Starters are plenty, but stickers are scarce, and finishers are scarcer. Let’s stick it out on the thing we are doing for Jesus, prayerfully and singingly.

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