truth, quickening his sympathies contrary to his nature, contrary to his former education. The "Light, which lighteth every man every man that cometh into the world," is shining in his soul; and this Light, if heeded, will guide his feet to the kingdom of God. 20 The prophet Micah said: "When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. He will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold His right Heaven's plan of salvation is broad enough to embrace the whole world. God longs to breathe into 30 John 1: 9. 81 Micah 7: 8, 9. prostrate humanity the breath of life. And He will not permit any soul to be disappointed who is sincere in his longing for something higher and nobler than anything the world can offer. Constantly He is sending His angels to those who, while surrounded by circumstances the most discouraging, pray in faith for some power higher than themselves to take possession of them, and bring deliverance and peace. In various ways God will reveal Himself to them, and will place them in touch with providences that will establish their confidence in the One who has given Himself a ransom for all, "that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments." " "Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?” "Thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered." "They shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods. 23 9934 35 36 "Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God!" "Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope!" Unto all the honest in heart in heathen lands-"the upright" in the sight of Heaven"there ariseth light in the darkness."". God hath spoken: "I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. 9 9 38 32 Ps. 78: 7. 33 Isa. 49: 24, 25. 30 Zech. 9:12. 34 Isa. 42: 17. 37 Ps. 112: 4. SPs. 146: 5. 38 Isa. 42: 16. MANASSEH AND JOSIAH-32 THE kingdom of Judah, prosperous throughout the times of Hezekiah, was once more brought low during the long years of Manasseh's wicked reign, when paganism was revived, and many of the people were led into idolatry, "Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen.” The glorious light of former generations was followed by the darkness of superstition and error. Gross evils sprang up and flourished,tyranny, oppression, hatred of all that is good. Justice was perverted; violence prevailed. Yet those evil times were not without witnesses for God and the right. The trying experiences through which Judah had safely passed during Hezekiah's reign had developed, in the hearts of many, a sturdiness of character that now served as a bulwark against the prevailing iniquity. Their testimony in behalf of truth and righteousness aroused the anger of Manasseh and his associates in authority, who en 12 Chron. 33: 9. |