Article August 29, 1908 Issue

THE FULFILLED DESIRE

REV. ARTHUR REEVES VOSBURGH.

The promises of the Bible take to themselves new meaning and new certainty, in the light of Christian Science, because Science brings the declaration and demonstration that all God's work is done according to law, and that the unfailing good which flows from the divine source does not come as the manifestation of personal favor, but of changeless divine Principle. So every promise that the Scriptures record is not the assurance of a divine favor to be attained, but the declaration of a divine law to be fulfilled; and the conditions that are involved in receiving the fulfillment of these promises are not arbitrary demands, but natural requirements. The psalmist writes, "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." This promise has found renewed fulfilment in the experience of multitudes who have verified its truth in the unfolding experience and understanding of Christian Science. It will verify itself to every one who meets it condition.

Doubtless the underlying, elemental desire of the human heart is to find the peace of sin forgiven, the rest of knowing that God's goodness is ever-present and all-availing; but the promise means more than this,—it covers the whole scope of human aim and desire. For this is what takes place as human consciousness receives the illumination and awakening of the spiritual idea, every factor of native ability is quickened and every abnormal element of limitation begins to disappear. The false adjustments that have been brought about, which have precluded the mortal from doing the things he most dearly desires to do, and reaching the longed-for ideals, are found to be only conditions of human belief.

As one comes into the normal, right relation of delighting himself in the Lord, he comes into right relations with everything in the divine creation. Then it will appear that the deep-lying desires have come from the prompting of innate capabilities, and the ideals that have seemed unattainable have been visions of divine possibilities; then, under the quickening endowment that is given in the unfoldment of the spiritual idea, these native capabilities find their true opportunity and development, and the lofty ideals are found to be present, tangible realities. And all this is the unfolding of the eternal fitness of things, in a scientific fulfillment of the purpose of infinite Love, as the one Principle and law.

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