January 20

2 Thessalonians 3:5—The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

"Direct" might be rendered "make straight." It is used of the apostle’s own coming to these beloved converts in 1 Thessalonians 3:11. It is as though he asked that their hearts might travel easily and swiftly along the road which leads into the love of God, and the patience which, untiring, waits for Christ.

The love of God.—We urgently need, for many reasons, to be brought into the love of God. Only so can our selfishness be conquered and expelled; only so can we become like God in our daily life and conversation; only this is the complete evidence to the world that our holy religion is true; only thus shall we have power to influence the lost and fallen; only so can we know God, "for he that loveth not, knoweth not God." But how can we learn to love? God alone can teach us and guide our way into this sacred art. His Holy Spirit must fill our hearts with his love; we must ever claim and receive it as our power for daily self-sacrifice, and we must be prepared to take every opportunity of sharing the love of God in unselfishness and thoughtfulness for those with whom we come in contact.

The Patience of Christ.—Thus the original might be rendered; and the beloved disciple confesses himself a brother and companion in the patience of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:9). We all know something of this. Longing for answers to prayers that are still lelayed; yearning for the realization of hopes and ideals of which God’s Spirit has spoken to us; waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. May we be led into something of that sublime faith and patience with which Jesus sits, until all things are put under Him, and He is satisfied.