September 6th

How to Attain our End
One thing I do; forgetting the things that are behind and stretching forth myself to those that are before, I press towards the mark. (Philipp. iii. 13, 14.)


Every one desires to succeed in life. A man who desired ultimate failure would justly be regarded as a lunatic. If I am to carry out my desire, I must look around me and see what sort of men succeed.

When I look at successful men, I find, in them three characteristics:

(1) A spirit of cheerfulness and confidence. They know how to look at everything from its best side. They are always hopeful about the future and confident of success. This it is that brings success. Hence I must pray for confidence.

(2) A spirit of perseverance. They are not discouraged by failures. They recover themselves without delay. What a lesson for me not to lose heart, but to say : "When I fall I will rise again, and that promptly."

(3) A spirit of single-mindedness. They keep the end in view steadily before them. If I am to achieve the purpose of my life, to succeed in coming to God at last, I must keep Him always before me.


What can make my life so happy as this-- to know that I am drawing nearer to God? Yet there will be dark times and days of despondency. Still, beneath the surface, there will be hope and peace, even amid the darkness.

Pray for cheerfulness and an earnest purpose to live for God.