Your urgent plea regarding the train and your working schedule has been heard, and I understand the distress which presses upon your spirit when time seems so narrow and the eye of an employer seems so near.
This anxiety of which you speak is a common disease even among the people of God, and the Lord Himself so often says to His children, Fear not. You are troubled lest you be late and lest you incur displeasure, but remember the word, The fear of man bringeth a snare. No man shall be faithful to God if he is fearful of man. Our chief concern should be to see that our own soul is right in the sight of God and to keep our heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.
It is right that you should be diligent in your labor and desire to be faithful in the duties appointed to you. The fear which makes us watch our every footstep lest we should in any way fail in obedience is a holy fear, but that slavish fear which leads us to apprehend that some evil will certainly happen, and which dishonors Christ and disquiets the heart, we must labor to get rid of as much as possible. The prophet says, Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel, I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. And again the Lord says, Fear thou not, for I am with thee, be not dismayed, for I am thy God, I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Therefore I would counsel you to cast this burden upon the Lord. Pray not only for the train to be held or hastened according to your desire, but pray that you may be kept in perfect peace, trusting in Him, and that you may walk honestly before all men. It is far better to be open and truthful before your principal than to seek to be hidden, for the Lord loves integrity and He will honor those who honor Him. If lateness should come though you have done what you could with diligence, stand still and see the salvation of God, and leave your reputation in His hands.
Let us pray together for you.
O Lord our God, Thou knowest the anxiety of Thy servant concerning this journey and this work. Thou orderest all things according to Thy wise providence, and not a train nor a moment moves without Thy permission. We ask Thee to grant favor and to order the way before this Thy servant, and if it be Thy will, to grant a timely arrival. Yet more we ask that Thou wouldst calm the troubled heart, take away the tormenting fear, and give a holy trust in Thy goodness. Help Thy servant to be diligent and faithful in duty, to fear Thee above all, and to find strength in Thy promise that Thou wilt help and uphold. Keep this one from doubtful mind and from dishonor, and let all be done to Thy glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Be of good courage. Play the man and let your faith overcome your fear, looking often through the telescope of faith to that better country where no fear shall intrude, and resting now upon Him who has promised never to leave nor forsake His own.