"YE SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS." In the Lord Jesus we are one family, not by our own contriving, but because God has called. No man can be a loser by adhering to God's holy word, for he is promised a hundredfold in the present life, and in the world to come life everlasting. God's children belong to the heavenly kingdom. They no longer belong to the world. The world must be forsaken. Christ and the world will not unite. Carnality and spirituality cannot be reconciled. Our God says, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate; touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you." What better words can we find to encourage and confirm our resolve? Men may reject me, despise me and persecute me, but God will receive me. If they injure me and try to starve me, God will be a Father to me. He will care for me, protect me, comfort me, supply me, and fill a Father's place. I cannot be friendless. I should not be fearful. Beloved, God says, "Prove me." Are you called upon to forsake friends, to break off connexions, or endure persecutions? Fear not, look to God, and He will receive you and be a Father unto you.

For Meditation:
And wilt Thou, Lord, a Father be,
To those who leave the world for Thee?
Wilt Thou provide for every want,
And tokens of Thy favour grant?
Then, Lord, I bid the world farewell;
And in Thy house contented dwell.