[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":4},["ShallowReactive",2],{"reading-0211":3},"FEBRUARY 11\r\nAs soon as the soles of the feet of the priests ... shall rest In the waters ... the shall be cut off (Joshua 3:13).\r\nThe people were not to wait in their camps until the way was\r\nopened, they were to walk by faith. They were to break camp, pack up their goods, form in line to march, and move down to the very\r\nbanks before the river would be opened.\r\nIf they had come down to the edge of the river and then had stopped\r\nfor the stream to divide before they stepped into it they would\r\nhave waited in vain. They must take one step into the water before the river would be cut off.\r\nWe must learn to take God at His Word, and go straight on in duty,    although we see no way in which we can go forward. The reason we are so often balked by difficulties is that we expect to see them\r\nremoved before we try to pass through them.\r\nIf we would move straight on in faith, the path would be opened for us. We stand still, waiting for the obstacle to be removed, when we\r\nought to go forward as if there were no obstacles. --Evening Thoughts.\r\nWhat a lesson Columbus gave to the world of perseverance In the face of tremendous difficulties!\r\n\r\nBehind him lay the gray Azores,\r\nBehind the gates of Hercules;\r\nBefore him not the ghost of shores, Before him only shoreless seas,\r\nThe good Mate said: \"Now we must pray, For lo! the very stars are gone.\r\nBrave Admiral, speak, what shall I say?\" Why, say, 'Sail on! sail on! and on!\"\r\n\"My men grow mutinous day by day;\r\nMy men grow ghastly wan and weak!\"\r\nThe stout Mate thought of home; a spray Of salt wave washed his swarthy cheek.  \"What shall I say, brave Admiral, say,\r\nIf we sight naught but seas at dawn?\" \"Why, you shall say at break of day,    'Sail on! sail on! sail on! and on!\"\r\nThey sailed. They sailed. Then spake the Mate: \"This mad sea shows its teeth tonight.\r\nHe curls his lip, he lies in wait, With lifted teeth, as if to bite!\r\nBrave Admiral, say but one good word; What shall we do when hope is gone?\" The words leapt like a leaping sword:    \"Sail on! sail on! sail on! and on!\"\r\nThen, pale and worn, he kept his deck\r\nAnd peered through darkness. Ah! that night Of all dark nights! And then a speck-\r\nA light! A light! A light! A light!\r\nIt grew, a starlit flag unfurled!\r\nIt grew to be Time's burst of dawn.\r\nHe gained a world; he gave that world Its grandest lesson: \"On! sail on!\"\r\n--Joaquin Miller.\r\nFaith that goes forward triumphs.",1783499792049]