Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content. Four of us were one day climbing together a beautiful hill in Switzerland, and when we reached a bend in the road, we stopped to rest, and to enjoy the widespread prospect. "How charming is this clear fresh air, how lovely that green valley, and how graceful is that silver river winding all along!" But suddenly regarding my companions I noticed that not one of the three enjoyed the view at all. "The fact is," said the first, "I have had no pleasure in my walk; I have a thorn in my foot." And so is our passage through life hindered in enjoyment by one troubling sin, a conscience ill at ease, that makes each step a lame one. The next traveller was gazing, it is true, at the prospect, but not with pure enjoyment, for he said: "How I wish that house down there were mine! "He, too, lost the true delight of looking at fine scenery, being wholly absorbed in the wish for something that never could be his. As for my third companion, he seemed less happy even than the others, saying, as he looked into the sky with a face of anxious foreboding: "I'm afraid it's going to rain." Let us not mar the prospects of happiness by a halting walk, a greedy wish, or by undue fear of that evil which we cannot prevent. (Sunday at Home.) Parallel Verses KJV: Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.WEB: Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. |
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