Full of years

Help me to train my heart each day,
That it will only sweetness hold;
And as the days and years roll on,
May I keep sweet, as I grow old.

Author unknown

The Lonely Olive Mill

O child of God, are you being crushed
`Neath trial, pain or woe?
No eye to pity, no ear to hear,
No voice to whisper low?

Alone in your Gethsemane,
Christ watches with you there.
He will not suffer one ounce of weight
More than your strength can bear.

He chasteneth but to purify;
He crusheth but to raise;
In love he worketh his blessed will
To his glory’s endless praise.

In our affliction, afflicted still
He leaveth us not alone;
He will not forget, he will not forsake,
He is mindful of his own.

Annie Johnson Flint
(part of the whole poem)

How beautiful the character of our Saviour! Those He loved could not watch with Him one single hour, leaving Him alone in His Gethsemane. But He now watches with His loved ones all the time through their place of oil-press, never leaving them alone.

Give me oil in my lamp...

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. - Matt 25:3-4

Here lies the difference between the wise virgins and the foolish virgins. Not only that one group had oil and the other did not, but the difference also lies in the emphasis.

The lamp speaks of the outward profession of one who claims to be a Christian. The foolish took their lamps and took no oil. They remembered the lamp but forgot the oil. Some build on the outward so much that they forget that it's what's inside that matters more. We may emphasise attendance at meetings, good works, Bible knowledge and even fluent prayer but all this may still be manifested by one who is empty inside. The wise took oil...with their lamps. The emphasis this time was spot on. The oil first and then the lamp! True spirituality is measured from inward growth and not the externals. However, inward growth will be clearly seen from the externals. Oh that the balance may be found in me!