Living In The Light

September 25, The Remedy Of Doing Good

“Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily.”
—Isaiah 58:8 LL 283.1

When hearts sympathize with hearts burdened with discouragement and grief, when the hand dispenses to the needy, when the naked are clothed, the stranger made welcome to a seat in your parlor and a place in your heart, angels are coming very near, and an answering strain is responded to in heaven. When you succor the poor, sympathize with the afflicted and oppressed, and befriend the orphan, you bring yourselves into a closer relationship with Jesus. LL 283.2

If you are not willing to do this, when you shall feel that you need a habitation in the heavens, none will be awarded you. For Christ declares, “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me” (Matthew 25:45). . . . LL 283.3

You who are suffering with poor health, there is a remedy for you. If thou clothe the naked, and bring the poor that are cast out, to thy house, and deal thy bread to the hungry, “then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily” (Isaiah 58:8). Doing good is an excellent remedy for disease. LL 283.4

This is the special work now before us. All our praying and abstinence from food will avail nothing, unless we resolutely lay hold of this work. The fast which God can accept is described in Isaiah 58. It is to deal thy bread to the hungry and to bring the poor which are cast out to thy house. LL 283.5

Wait not for them to come to you. The labor rests not on them to hunt you up and entreat of you a home for themselves. You are to search for them and bring them to your house. You are to draw out your soul after them. You are with one hand to reach up and by faith take hold of the mighty arm which brings salvation, while with the other hand of love you reach the oppressed and relieve them. It is impossible for you to fasten upon the arm of God with one hand, while the other is employed in ministering to your own pleasure. LL 283.6

It is not the abundance of your meetings that God accepts. It is not the numerous prayers, but the rightdoing, doing the right thing and at the right time. Our souls must expand. Then God will make them like a watered garden, whose waters fail not.— Manuscript 47, 1912. LL 283.7

Further Reflection: : Read Isaiah 58. Are you serving others as God prescribed? LL 283.8