The Black Spot

A certain man was asked to talk to a company of business men about the depression. He tacked up a big sheet of white paper. Then he made a black spot on the paper with his lead pencil, and asked a man in the front row what he saw. The man replied promptly, “A black spot”.

The speaker asked every man the same question and each replied, “A black spot”. That was what he had expected. Then with calm and deliberate emphasis the speaker said: “Yes, there is a little black spot but none of you saw the big sheet of white paper. That’s my speech.”

What do we see? Of course there is a “black spot”. But do we see the big sheet of white paper, which represents our opportunities, our blessings, and the challenge of today and tomorrow? Matthew Arnold wrote of Wordsworth that he “saw life steadily and saw it whole.” That inspiring phrase expresses wisely and well the comprehensive conception of life which we all need. We see the spots. We see the obstacles, the clouds and the depressions. But do we see enough? Do we see the heights and the lights in God’s firmaments?

Things the Wicked Are Like

Grass that soon perishes

Psalms 37:2 

For like the grass they will soon wither like green plants they will soon die away.

Memorize the Word of God – Daily

Colossians 3:16 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Old Age

Psalms 92:14 

They will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green,