You desire to appear on a Christian talk show on national television before the year’s end, that you might glorify God and the works He has done. Set that request now before the Lord with honest heart-searching, for the first business of every soul is to be right with God who made you. If you do not come to close grips with God and humble yourself before Him, you know not, as yet, what spiritual life really means. The Christian finds the summit of his joy not in a public platform, but in fellowship with his God. To get near to God is the great passion of our spirit. Have you declared your ways to Him alone, and in secret made your case known, not with any view to vain-glory, but only that you might glorify Him? For the man of God alone with God speaks first to his Father’s face, and hears His voice in return, and then he is taught what to speak to others.
Yet it is true that we are born to talk, and we must talk of the wondrous works of God in ordinary, common, everyday conversation. If the Lord should open a door for you to speak in a larger sphere, see that your aim is not to please men, but to please God. Many a church and many a witness has been brought low through seeking after that which puffs up rather than that which edifies in love. Do not run after new things as if that which is new could be a god, but let your talk be of Him who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. The knowledge that is worth spreading is Christward knowledge, not a Christless Theism. Show forth the light of the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ, and remember that your first duty is to live that light before those nearest to you, if a servant has an unconverted master, let him labor with double diligence to glorify God that he may win his master; so in all domestic companionship, let the love of God be hallowed at your own table before you seek a national one.
Be importunate in prayer, for importunity is very prevalent with God. Yet check your spirit: the Christian never asks for vengeance, but for the privilege to possess what his God gave him. If this desire is of the Lord, He will fulfill it in His time; if it be withheld, then surely it is that you might learn to trust Him in the low-spirited times. Do not give up your hope in Him, nor run from God, but fly to Him. Whatever your circumstances, let them drive you to God. If you think He has forsaken your longing, still pray, still cry, “My God, my God,” and be more earnest than ever. The godly in their anguish turn to the hand which smites them. Live nearer to God, that whether on television or in the quiet corner, your sole business may be to please Him who has redeemed you. Rest not till you know the truth of that redemption by being reconciled to God through the death of His Son. For this is the Christian circumcision, the heart renewed, the body of sin put off, and then, waking up your heart, tune your tongue to compete with angels before the throne, in whatever place Providence appoints you.