[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":4},["ShallowReactive",2],{"reading-0618":3},"JUNE 18\r\nWherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be\r\nturned out of the way; but let it rather be healed (Heb. 12:12,13).\r\nThis is God's word of encouragement to us to lift up the hands of faith, and confirm the knees of prayer. Often our faith grows\r\ntired, languid, and relaxed, and our prayers lose their force and effectiveness.\r\nThe figure used here is a very striking one. The idea seems to be that we become discouraged and so timid that a little obstacle\r\ndepresses and frightens us, and we are tempted to walk around it, and not face it: to take the easier way.\r\nPerhaps it is some physical trouble that God is ready to heal, but  the exertion is hard, or it is easier to secure some human help, or walk around in some other way.\r\nThere are many ways of walking around emergencies instead of going straight through them. How often we come up against something that   appalls us, and we want to evade the issue with the excuse:\r\n\"I am not quite ready for that now.\" Some sacrifice is to be made,\r\nsome obedience demanded, some Jericho to be taken, some soul that we have not the courage to claim and carry through, some prayer\r\nthat is hanging fire, or perhaps some physical trouble that is half healed and we are walking around it.\r\nGod says, \"Lift up the hands that hang down.\" March straight\r\nthrough the flood, and lo, the waters will divide, the Red Sea win open, the Jordan will part and the Lord will lead you through to    victory.\r\nDon't let your feet \"be turned out of the way,\" but let your body\r\n\"be healed,\" your faith strengthened. Go right ahead and leave no\r\nJericho behind you unconquered and no place where Satan can say that he was too much for you. This is a profitable lesson and an\r\nintensely practical one. How often have we been in that place.\r\nPerhaps you are there today. --A. B. Simpson.\r\nPay as little attention to discouragement as possible. Plough ahead as a steamer does, rough or smooth-rain or shine. To carry your\r\ncargo and make your port is the point.\r\n--Maltbie D. Babcock",1783499793128]