Whenever God gives a vision to a saint, He puts him, as it were, in the shadow of His hand, and the saint's duty is to be still and listen.

There is a darkness which comes from excess of light, and then is the time to listen.

Genesis 16 is an illustration of listening to good advice when it is dark instead of waiting for God to send the light.

When God gives a vision and darkness follows, wait.

God will make you in accordance with the vision He has given if you will wait His time.

Never try and help God fulfil His word.

Abraham went through thirteen years of silence, but in those years all self-sufficiency was destroyed; there was no possibility left of relying on common-sense ways.

Those years of silence were a time of discipline, not of displeasure.

Never pump up joy and confidence, but stay upon God (cf. Isaiah 1:10,11).

Have I any confidence in the flesh? Or have I got beyond all confidence in myself and in men and women of God; in books and prayers and ecstasies; and is my confidence placed now in God Himself, not in His blessings?

"I am the Almighty God" - El-Shaddai, the Father-Mother God.

The one thing for which we are all being disciplined is to know that God is real.

As soon as God becomes real, other people become shadows.

Nothing that other saints do or say can ever perturb the one who is built on God.

The coming of the Comforter is a holy thing, a solemn act, and must be preceded by an intelligent and solemn covenant between the soul and God.

It is the marriage of the soul to the Redeemer, and it is not a “trial marriage.” No true marriage is rushed into carelessly. It is carefully considered, and it is based upon complete separation and consecration and the most solemn pledges and vows.

So, if the Comforter is come to abide, to be with us and in us evermore, we must come out and be separate for Him, we must consecrate ourselves to Jesus fully and forever, and we must covenant to be the Lord’s “for better or for worse,” and we must trust Him.

The soul that thus truly and solemnly dedicates itself to Him becomes His, and He will come to that soul to abide forever, to be its “shield, and . . . exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1 KJV).

Take not back the gift you have voluntarily laid on the altar.

Jesus, Thy life is mine! Dwell evermore in me; And let me see That nothing can untwine Thy life from mine. Thy life in me be shown! Lord, I would henceforth seek To think and speak Thy thoughts, Thy words alone, No more my own. Thy fullest gift, O Lord, Now at Thy word I claim, Through Thy dear Name, And touch the rapturous chord Of praise forth-poured. Jesus, my life is Thine, And evermore shall be Hidden in Thee! For nothing can untwine Thy life from mine. FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL

“Thou shalt abide [live] for me many days . . . thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee” (Hosea 3:3).

Thou shalt have treasure in heaven: . . . come and follow me.—I am . . . thy exceeding great reward.

Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.—They shall reign for ever and ever.

Ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.—The crown of life.—A crown of righteousness.—An incorruptible crown.

Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou has given me.—So shall we ever be with the Lord.

I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.