To wait and watch for the Lord is what we are called to. The two words do not carry quite the same thought, and I cannot better explain the difference than by giving an illustration which suggested itself to me when speaking to a company of fishermen.
The fleet had all gone to the fishing grounds, when a furious and long-continued westerly hurricane burst upon them. Rapidly pulling in their nets, they have to fly before the strong wind. Each day it lasts, takes them farther and farther from home, where now great anxiety prevails as to their safety. At length the gale spends itself, and the wind veering to the southeast, the boats make for home.
On their way, they manage to get a telegram flung ashore and transmitted,
“All safe. Coming home,” and the good news spreads like wildfire through the village, bringing joy to many a troubled heart. They came at a good pace, having a fair wind and a flowing tide. The old skipper of the leading craft had a telescope, and as he comes within sight of the pier-head, he uses it. After a good, long look, he said to the crew,
“The whole village is out on the pier watching for us.”
As the smack draws near, the telescope is again used, and this time the skipper is heard to say, half under his breath,
“God bless her, the dear old soul,” while a tear rolls down his weather-beaten cheek.
“Who do you see?” says Jim, the mate,
“I see my wife standing at the very pier-end, watching for me,” and another tear or two fell on the deck.
“Do you see my wife?”
“No, Jim, I cannot see her; maybe she’s there, but she’s not visible.”
By this time the staunch sail boat had neared the harbor, and loving salutations passed between the old couple.
No special greeting has awaited Jim, who, rather dejected, trudges up to the back of the village where is his home. Peeping in at the window, he sees his wife sitting at the fire, deep in a book. Jim opens the door. She hears the latch, and looking up, says,
“O, Jim, my dear, I’m glad to see you back; I was waiting for you.”
“Very likely, but the skipper’s wife was watching for him at the pierhead.”
May God give you and me to be true watchers for the return of His Son, our blessed Lord.
What is service? It is having part in Christ’s ministry of love.