HE who is an apt scholar in the school of his God has acquired some degree in meekness and in patience. These acquirements are of inestimable value and are also of the utmost importance.
So important is meekness that the Master Himself has patterned it to the scholars, and indeed, so precious is it that it is not to be gained by mere book learning. "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me," He says; "for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
When He laid aside His garments, and girded Himself and washed the feet of His disciples, He was an excellent example of perfect meekness. He was among them as He that served, and He left in the act a sample of service, so that His own should do one to another even as He had done to them.
Nor has He in this only become our example, but since meekness after His pattern is not natural to us, He, like a careful gardener, gently bends the wayward shoots to incline in the direction which best pleases His wisdom. This means constant care on His part over each one of His people. Suffering is sent, checks and disappointments, to lead the scholar into meekness. What the world might at first sight be inclined to regard as weakness and as loss of strength, is spiritual growth, and worth much in the eyes of the Master.
Patience is also acquired in the school. "Ye have heard of the patience of Job," says St. James, and he leads us to the consideration of that patriarch and the prophets of old for examples. Job was sore buffeted of Satan, but his trials so graciously endured earned him “a good degree," and made him a pattern for multitudes. However long the trial may be, there is always "the end of the Lord” (Jas. 5:1111Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. (James 5:11)), for faith's view, and since "the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy" His end must be good. Oftentimes "we know not what we should pray for as we ought," but in our most constrained moments, "we know that all things work together for good to them that love God." (Rom. 8:26, 2826Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26)
28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28).) And in this knowledge patience increases.
Perhaps, of all others, the suffering and the afflicted, who bear with meekness and in patience the things appointed to them, do most glorify God on the earth.