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   Q [ R £ S [ T [ U [ V £ W E X U Y [ Z [ |MÆ     ç5.ç5@ç53| x    Z  Ý
 ƒ   ! ÝÝ    ÝÔ €  XV X  X X   ÔÌÓ    ÓòòOur€Daily€HomilyóóÐ   	 ˆØ    ÐÌBYÌF.€B.€MEYER,€D.D.,ÌÌAUTHOR€OFÌ"Peter:€Fisherman,€Disciple,€Apostle."ÌETC.,€ETC.ÌÌ1€SAMUEL€-€JOB.ÌÌMARSHALL,€MORGAN€&€SCOTT,€LTD.,ÌLONDON€&€EDINBURGH.ÌÓ   ;    ÓÌ"WELL€--€What€are€ages€and€the€lapse€of€timeÌMatch'd€against€truths,€as€lasting€as€sublime?ÌCan€length€of€years€on€God€Himself€exact?ÌOr€make€that€fiction,€which€was€once€a€fact?ÌNo€--€marble€and€recording€brass€decay,ÌAnd,€like€the€graver's€memory,€pass€away;ÌThe€works€of€man€inherit,€as€is€just,ÌTheir€author's€frailty,€and€return€to€dust;ÌBut€Truth€divine€for€ever€stands€secure,ÌIts€head€is€guarded€as€its€base€is€sure;ÌFix'd€in€the€rolling€flood€of€endless€years,ÌThe€pillar€of€the€eternal€plan€appears,ÌThe€raving€storm€and€dashing€wave€defies,ÌBuilt€by€that€Architect€who€built€the€skies."Ì€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€COWPERÌÌÓ    ÓOUR€DAILY€HOMILY.Ì_____ÌÌòòI€have€poured€out€my€soul€before€the€Lord.óó1€Sam.€i.€15.Ð   	 g!·"   ÐÓ   ¢   ÓÌHANNAH'S€soul€was€fall€of€complaint€and€grief,€which€flowed€overÏinto€her€face€and€made€it€sorrowful.€But€when€she€had€poured€outÏher€soul€before€the€Lord,€emptying€out€all€its€bitterness,€theÏpeace€of€God€took€the€place€of€her€soul-anguish,€she€went€herÏway,€and€did€eat,€and€her€countenance€was€no€more€sad.€What€aÏglad€exchange!€How€great€the€contrast!€How€much€the€better€forÏherself,€and€for€her€home!ÌIs€your€face€darkened€by€the€bitterness€of€your€soul?€Perhaps€theÏenemy€has€been€vexing€you€sorely;€or€there€is€an€unrealized€hope,Ïan€unfulfilled€purpose.€in€your€life;€or,€perchance,€the€LordÏseems€to€have€forgotten€you.€Poor€sufferer,€there€is€nothing€forÏit€but€to€pour€out€your€soul€before€the€Lord.€Empty€out€itsÏcontents€in€confession€and€prayer.€God€knows€it€all;€yet€tellÐ   	 >-Ž(0   ÐHim,€as€if€He€knew€nothing.€"Ye€people,€pour€out€your€heartsÏbefore€Him.€God€is€a€refuge€for€us."€"In€everything,€by€prayerÏand€supplication€make€your€requests€known€unto€God."ÌAs€we€pour€out€our€bitterness,€God€pours€in€his€peace.€WeepingÏgoes€out€of€one€door€whilst€joy€enters€at€another.€We€transmitÏthe€cup€of€tears€to€the€Man€of€Sorrows,€and€He€hands€it€back€toÏus€filled€with€the€blessings€of€the€new€covenant.€Some€day€youÏwill€come€to€the€spot€where€you€wept€and€prayed,€bringing€yourÏoffering€of€praise€and€thanksgiving.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòHis€mother€made€him€a€little€coat.óó1€Sam.€ii.€19.Ð   	 øH	   ÐÓ   f	   ÓÌWHAT€happy€work€it€was!€Those€nimble€fingers€flew€along€theÏseams,€because€love€inspired€them.€All€her€woman's€art€and€witÏwere€put€into€the€garment,€her€one€idea€and€ambition€being€toÏmake€something€which€should€be€not€only€useful,€but€becoming.€NotÏmothers€only,€but€fathers,€are€always€making€little€coats€forÏtheir€children,€which€they€wear€Iong€years€after€a€materialÏfabric€would€have€become€worn€out.€How€many€men€and€women€areÏwearing€today€the€coats€which€their€parents€cut€out€and€made€forÏthem€long€years€ago!ÌHabits€are€the€vesture€of€the€soul.€The€Apostle€bade€his€convertsÏput€off€the€old€man,€"which€is€corrupt,€according€to€theÏdeceitful€lusts,"€and€to€put€on€the€new€man,€"which€after€God€isÏcreated€in€righteousness€and€true€holiness";€to€put€off€anger,Ïwrath,€and€malice,€whilst€they€put€on€mercy,€humility,€andÏmeekness.€What€words€could€better€establish€the€fact€that€habitsÏare€(as€the€name€indicates)€the€clothing€of€the€inner€life!€WhereÏand€how€are€habits€formed?€Not€in€the€mid-passage€of€life,€but€atÏits€dawn;€not€in€great€crises,€but€in€daily€circumstances;€not€inÏlife's€arena,€but€in€the€home,€amid€the€surroundings€of€earliestÏchildhood.€Oh€that€the€spotless€robe€of€Christ's€righteousnessÏmay€ever€be€exhibited€before€those€with€whom€we€daily€come€inÏcontact!ÌBy€their€behaviour€to€each€other€and€to€their€children;€by€theÏordering€of€the€home-life;€by€their€actions,€more€than€by€theirÏwords;€by€the€way€in€which€they€speak,€and€spend€their€leisureÏhours,€and€pray€--€men€and€women€are€making€the€little€coatsÏwhich,€for€better€or€worse,€their€children€wear€ever€after,€andÏperhaps€pass€down€to€after€generations.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAnd€the€Lord€came,€and€stood,€and€called€as€at€other€times,Ð   	 ÿ(O$+   ÐSamuel,€Samuel!óó€1€Sam.€iii.€10.Ð   	 Þ).%,   ÐÓ   @   ÓÌSEE€the€urgency€of€God!€Four€times€He€came,€and€òòstoodóó,€andÐ   	 •+å&.   Ðcalled.€Mark€how€He€òòstandsóó€at€the€door€to€knock.€At€first€He€wasÐ   	 m,½'/   Ðcontent€to€call€the€lad€once€by€name;€but€after€threeÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðunsuccessful€attempts€to€attract€him€to€Himself,€He€uttered€theÏname€twice,€with€strong€urgency€in€the€appeal,€Samuel!€Samuel!ÏThis€has€been€called€God's€double€knock.€There€are€seven€or€eightÏof€these€double€knocks€in€Scripture:€Simon,€Simon;€Saul,€Saul;ÏAbraham,€Abraham.ÌHow€may€we€be€sure€of€a€Divine€call?ÌòòWe€may€know€God's€call€when€it€grows€in€intensity.óó€--€If€anÐ   	 À	   Ðimpression€comes€into€your€soul,€and€you€are€not€quite€sure€ofÏits€origin,€pray€over€it;€above€all,€act€on€it€so€far€asÏpossible,€follow€in€the€direction€in€which€it€leads€--€and€as€youÏlift€up€your€soul€before€God,€it€will€wax€or€wane.€If€it€wanes€atÏall,€abandon€it.€If€it€waxes€follow€it,€though€all€hell€attemptÏto€stay€you.ÌòòWe€may€test€God's€call€by€the€assistance€of€godly€friends.óó€--€TheÐ   	 ¨ø
   Ðaged€Eli€perceived€that€the€Lord€had€called€the€child,€and€gaveÏhim€good€advice€as€to€the€manner€in€which€he€should€respond€toÏit.€Our€special€gifts€and€the€drift€of€our€circumstances€willÏalso€assuredly€concur€in€one€of€God's€calls.ÌòòWe€may€test€God's€call€by€its€effect€on€us.óó€--€Does€it€lead€toÐ   	 à0   Ðself-denial?€Does€it€induce€us€to€leave€the€comfortable€bed€andÏstep€into€the€cold?€Does€it€drive€us€forth€to€minister€to€others?ÏDoes€it€make€us€more€unseIfish,€loving,€tender,€modest,€humble!ÏWhatever€is€to€the€humbling€of€our€pride,€and€the€glory€of€God,Ïmay€be€truly€deemed€God's€call.€Be€quick€to€respond,€andÏfearlessly€deliver€the€message€the€Lord€has€given€you.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòLet€us€fetch€the€Ark€of€the€Covenant€of€the€Lord.óó€1€Sam.€iv.€3.Ð   	 xÈ   ÐÓ   Ê   ÓÌISRAEL€had€been€defeated€with€great€loss.€Their€only€hope€ofÏbeing€able€to€hold€their€own€against€the€Philistines€and€theÏpeople€of€the€land€was€in€the€protection€and€help€vouchsafed€toÏthem€by€God.€They€knew€this,€and€thought€that€they€would€beÏsecured,€if€only€the€Ark€of€the€covenant€were€on€the€field.€TheyÏforgot€that€it€was€only€the€material€symbol€of€a€spiritualÏrelationship;€that€it€was€useless€unless€that€relationship€was€inÏliving€force;€and€that€the€bending€forms€of€the€cherubim,Ïemblematic€of€the€Divine€protection,€would€not€avail€if€theirÏfellowship€with€the€God€of€the€cherubim€had€been€ruptured€byÏbacksliding.ÌThere€is€a€sense€in€which€we€are€always€sending€for€the€Ark.€TheÏreliance€on€outward€rites,€such€as€Baptism€and€the€Lord's€Supper,Ïon€the€part€of€those€who€are€alienated€from€the€life€of€God€;€theÏmaintenance€of€the€forms€of€prayer€and€Scripture-reading,€whichÏno€longer€express€the€passionate€love€of€the€soul;€the€habit€ofÏchurchgoing,€which€so€many€practise,€not€because€they€love€God,Ïbut€because€they€think€that€it€will€in€some€way€secure€hisÏalliance€in€life's€battle€--€all€these€are€forms€in€which€weÏstill€fetch€the€Ark€of€the€covenant,€whilst€our€hearts€are€wrongÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðwith€the€God€of€the€covenant.ÌIt€should€never€be€forgotten€that€nothing€can€afford€to€usÏprotection€and€succour€but€vital€union€with€Christ.€We€must€hideÏin€his€secret€place€if€we€would€abide€under€his€shadow.€We€mustÏdwell€in€the€most€holy€place€if€we€would€be€shadowed€by€the€wingsÏof€the€Shekinah.€There€must€be€nothing€between€us€and€God,€if€weÏare€to€walk€together,€and€enjoy€fellowship€with€the€Father€andÏwith€his€Son,€Jesus€Christ.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòDagon€was€fallen€upon€his€face€to€the€earthÐ   	  p
   Ðbefore€the€Ark€of€the€Lord.óó€1€Sam.€v.€3.Ð   	 ÿO	   ÐÓ   Ã   ÓÌTHE€idols€of€the€heathen€represent€demons€who€are€their€acceptedÏgods,€just€as€the€Ark€was€the€symbol€of€the€presence€of€Jehovah.ÏIn€the€one€case€there€was€a€material€representation€of€the€demon;Ïbut€in€the€case€of€the€Ark€there€was€only€a€throne,€the€MercyÏSeat;€and€no€attempt€was€made€to€represent€the€appearance€of€theÏGod€of€Israel.€When€placed€in€the€Holy€of€Holies,€the€ShekinahÏshone€between€the€cherubim;€this€alone€spoke€of€the€Divine€SpiritÏwho€filled€the€apparently€vacant€throne.€When€the€effigy€of€theÏfish-god€was€confronted€by€the€Sacred€Ark,€it€was€as€though€theÏdemon€spirit€and€the€Divine€Spirit€had€come€into€contact,€withÏthe€inevitable€result€that€the€inferiority€of€the€one€ensured€theÏcrash€of€its€effigy€to€the€ground.ÌWhat€a€lesson€this€must€have€been€to€the€Philistines€--€similarÏto€that€given€Pharaoh€in€the€plagues€of€Egypt,€and€with€the€sameÏobject€of€leading€them€to€see€the€superior€greatness€of€Jehovah!ÏHow€great€the€encouragement€to€Israel€--€to€know€that€God€couldÏdefend€his€superiority!€And€how€striking€the€prognostication€forÏthe€future,€when€all€the€Dagons€of€the€world€shall€be€brokenÏbefore€the€symbol€of€Divine€power€and€love!ÌBring€the€Ark€of€God€into€your€life.€Set€it€down€in€your€heart,Ïand€forthwith€the€Dagons€which€have€held€sway€for€so€long€willÏone€after€another€succumb.€"The€idols€He€will€utterly€abolish."ÏLet€Christ€in€--€that€is€the€one€need€of€the€soul;€and€let€HimÏtake€full€possession€of€you.€Then€He€will€do€his€own€work.ÏDarkness€cannot€abide€light;€nor€the€defilement€of€the€AugeanÏstable€the€turning€in€of€the€water€of€the€river.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAnd€the€kine€went€along€the€highway,Ð   	 V'¦")   Ðlowing€as€they€went.óó€1€Sam.€vi.€12.Ð   	 5(…#*   ÐÓ   ¡%   ÓÌTHAT€two€milch€kine€which€had€never€borne€the€yoke€should€moveÏquietly€along€the€high€road,€turning€neither€to€the€right€nor€toÏthe€left,€and€lowing€for€the€calves€they€had€left€behind,€clearlyÏindicated€that€they€were€possessed€and€guided€by€some€mysteriousÏpower,€which€we€know€to€have€been€God's.€And€if€He€were€able€thusÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðto€overpower€the€instincts€of€their€nature,€and€to€compel€them€toÏdo€his€will,€may€we€not€infer€that€all€circumstances,€and€allÏmen,€however€unwittingly,€and€against€their€natural€instinct,€areÏsubserving€the€purposes€of€his€will,€and€bearing€on€the€Ark?€TheÏfish€yields€the€tribute€money;€the€colt€of€the€ass€waits€whereÏtwo€ways€meet€to€bear€the€Redeemer;€the€man€with€the€waterpotÏleads€to€the€upper€room;€the€Roman€soldiers€enable€Paul€to€fulfilÏthe€mission€of€his€life,€in€preaching€the€Gospel€withoutÏhindrance€in€the€very€heart€of€Rome.ÌAs€we€go€forth€into€the€world,€let€us€believe€that€the€movementÏof€all€things€is€towards€the€accomplishment€of€God's€purpose.ÏHerein€is€a€fulfilment€of€the€Psalmist's€prediction€about€man,Ïwhich€can€only€be€perfectly€fulfilled€in€Jesus€Christ,€the€secondÏAdam€--€that€all€things€are€under€his€feet,€all€sheep€and€oxen,Ïyea,€and€the€beasts€of€the€field.€Everything€serves€Christ,€andÏthose€who€serve€Christ.€In€a€true€sense€all€things€are€ours;€theyÏminister€to€us,€even€as€Christ€to€God.ÌAnd€against€our€natural€inclinations€let€us€always€regard€theÏclaims€of€God€as€paramount;€and€dare€to€go€his€way,€though€ourÏheart€pines€for€those€we€leave€behind.€"He€that€loveth€father€orÏmother,€son€or€daughter,€more€than€Me,€is€not€worthy€of€Me."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòCease€not€to€cry€unto€the€Lord€our€God.óó€1€Sam.€vii,€8.Ð   	 h   ÐÓ   “,   ÓÌSAMUEL€was€famous€for€his€prayers.€They€are€repeatedly€referredÏto€in€the€brief€record€of€his€life.€In€the€Psalms€he€is€spoken€ofÏas€the€one€"who€called€upon€God's€name."€Indeed,€he€fought€andÏwon€Israel's€battles€by€his€strong€intercessions.€Mary€of€ScotsÏsaid€that€she€dreaded€the€prayers€of€John€Knox€more€than€theÏbattalions€of€the€King€of€France.€So€his€people€were€accustomedÏto€think€that€if€the€prophet's€hands€were€held€out€in€importunateÏprayer,€their€foes€must€be€restrained.ÌIn€the€Life€of€Mr.€Reginald€Radcliffe,€one€who€contributes€aÏreminiscence€interjects€a€remark€which€deserves€to€be€carefullyÏpondered:€--€"The€great€secret€of€the€blessing€which€came€fromÏGod€to€the€awakening€of€whole€districts,€the€quickening€ofÏChristians,€and€the€salvation€of€multitudes,€was€prayer,Ïcontinued,€fervent,€believing,€expectant.€There€was€neverÏanything€striking€in€the€addresses;€but€through€communion€withÏthe€living€Christ,€the€word€came€forth€with€living€andÏlife-giving€power.€Often€would€the€forenoon€be€spent€inÏcontinuous€prayer."€This€may€well€convict€some€of€us€of€the€causeÏof€our€failure.€We€have€expected€the€Lord€to€thunder€andÏdiscomfort€our€Philistines,€and€with€a€great€deliverance€;€but€weÏhave€ceased€to€cry€unto€the€Lord.ÌYe€that€are€the€Lord's€remembrancers,€cease€not€to€cry€unto€Him.ÏIf€the€judge€avenged€the€unfortunate€widow,€shall€not€God€avengeÏhis€own€elect,€who€cry€day€and€night?€It€is€recorded€of€our€LordÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðthat€He€prayed€early€and€late,€and€all€night.€He€prayed€when€HeÏwas€about€to€be€transfigured;€for€his€disciples;€in€the€Garden€ofÏGethsemane;€and€for€his€murderers.€How€much€more€do€we€need€toÏ"pray€without€ceasing"!ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòBut€the€thing€displeased€Samuel....Ð   	 À	   ÐAnd€Samuel€prayed€unto€the€Lord.óó€1€Sam.€viii.€6.Ð   	 Ÿ
ï   ÐÓ   ‘3   ÓÌA€LITTLE€further€down€in€the€chapter€we€learn€that€SamuelÏrehearsed€the€words€of€the€people€unto€the€Lord.€His€prayer,€to€aÏlarge€extent,€was€a€rehearsal€of€all€the€strong€and€unkind€thingsÏthat€the€people€had€said€to€him;€and€in€this€way€he€passed€themÏoff€his€mind,€and€found€relief.€There€is€a€suggestion€of€closeÏcommunion€with€God€in€the€expression,€"He€rehearsed€them€in€theÏears€of€theÌLord."€It€had€been€the€habit€of€his€life€to€be€on€intimate€termsÏwith€his€God.ÌThings€do€not€always€turn€out€as€we€had€hoped,€and€we€getÏdispleased€for€our€own€sakes€and€God's.€We€had€planned€in€oneÏdirection,€but€events€have€issued€in€another;€and€the€resultsÏhave€threatened€to€become€disastrous.€There€is€but€one€resource.ÏIf€we€allow€vexations€to€eat€into€our€heart,€they€will€corrodeÏand€injure€it.€We€must€rehearse€them€to€God€--€spreading€theÏletter€before€Him,€as€Hezekiah€did;€making€request€like€Paul;Ïcrying€like€Samuel.ÌSurely€it€is€the€mistake€of€our€life,€that€we€carry€our€burdensÏinstead€of€handing€them€over;€that€we€worry€instead€of€trusting;Ïthat€we€pray€so€little.€The€grass€grows€thick€on€the€pathway€toÏour€oratory;€the€cobwebs€hang€across€the€doorway.€The€time€weÏspend€in€prayer€is€perhaps€better€spent€than€in€any€other€way.€ItÏwas€whilst€Samuel€prayed€thus,€that€he€saw€the€Divine€programmeÏfor€Israel:ÌÌ€€€€"And€he€who€at€the€sixth€hour€soughtÌ€€€€€€€The€lone€house-top€to€pray,Ì€€€€€There€gained€a€sight€beyond€his€thought€--Ì€€€€€€€The€dawn€of€Gentile€day.Ì€€€€€Then€reckon€not,€when€perils€lour,Ì€€€€€€€The€time€of€prayer€mis-spent;Ì€€€€€Nor€meanest€chance,€nor€place,€nor€hour,Ì€€€€€€€Without€its€heavenward€bent."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòBehold,€there€is€in€this€city€a€man€of€God.óó€Sam.€ix.€6.Ð   	 Þ).%,   ÐÓ   š:   ÓÌTHERE€is€a€street€in€London,€near€St.€Paul's,€which€I€neverÏtraverse€without€very€peculiar€feelings.€It€is€Godliman€Street.ÏEvidently€the€name€is€a€corruption€of€òògodly€manóó.€Did€some€saintÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðof€God€once€live€here,€whose€life€was€so€holy€as€to€give€a€sweetÏsavour€to€the€very€street€in€which€he€dwelt?€Were€the€neighboursÏwho€knew€him€best,€the€most€sure€of€his€godliness?€Would€that€ourÏpiety€might€leave€its€mark€on€our€neighbourhoods,€and€the€memoryÏlinger€long€after€we€have€passed€away!ÌA€generation€or€two€ago€in€the€Highlands,€there€were€earnest€andÏholy€men€who€were€known€by€the€significant€title€of€òòthe€menóó.€NoÐ   	 À	   Ðgreat€religious€gathering€was€deemed€complete€without€them.€TheirÏprayers€and€exhortations€were€accompanied€by€an€especial€unction.ÌIn€such€manner€Samuel's€godliness€was€recognised€far€and€wide.ÏThe€fragrance€of€his€character€could€not€be€concealed.€And€thisÏgave€men€confidence€in€him.€They€said,€"He€is€an€honourable€man;Ïall€that€he€saith€cometh€surely€to€pass."€How€much€creditÏredounds€to€godliness,€when€it€is€combined€with€trustworthinessÏand€high€credit€amongst€our€fellows!ÌLet€us€seek€to€be€God's€men€and€women.€Let€us€live€not€onlyÏsoberly€and€righteously,€but€òògodlyóó,€in€this€present€world.€Let€usÐ   	 0€   Ðremember€that€God€hath€set€apart€the€godly€for€Himself.€The€godlyÏare€the€godlike.€They€become€so€by€cultivating€the€fellowship€andÏfriendship€of€God.€Their€faces€become€enlightened€with€hisÏbeauty;€their€words€are€weighty€with€his€truth.€After€being€for€aÏlittle€in€their€company,€you€detect€the€gravity,€serenity,Ïgentleness,€beauty€of€holiness,€which€are€the€court€manners€ofÏheaven.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThou€shalt€do€as€occasion€serve€thee.óó€1€Sam.€x.€7.Ð   	  ð   ÐÓ   ¦A   ÓÌTHIS€is€an€example€of€how€God€demands€of€us€the€use€of€ourÏsanctified€common-sense.€Samuel€sketches€to€Saul€the€course€ofÏevents€during€the€next€few€days;€showing€how€clearly€our€livesÏlie€naked€and€open€to€the€eyes€of€God,€and€how€easily€He€canÏreveal€them€when€necessary.€But€whilst€the€various€incidents€areÏtold,€the€prophet€does€not€feel€it€incumbent€to€tell€this€goodlyÏyoung€man€how€he€should€behave€in€any€given€instance.€"When€theseÏsigns€are€come€upon€thee,€thou€shalt€do€as€occasion€serve€thee."ÌWe€are€reminded€of€a€parallel€in€the€life€of€Peter.€The€angel€ofÏGod€unbarred€the€prison-doors,€and€led€him€forth,€because€nothingÏshort€of€Divine€power€would€avail.€He€led€the€dazed€ApostleÏthrough€one€street,€because€he€was€too€bewildered€to€realize€whatÏhad€happened.€But,€as€soon€as€the€night-air€had€brought€him€toÏhis€senses,€the€angel€left€him€"to€consider€the€meitter"€--€toÏuse€his€own€judgment.€The€result€of€which€was,€that€he€went€toÏthe€house€of€Mary.ÌOne€of€the€divinest€of€our€faculties€is€the€judgment,€beforeÏwhich€the€reasons€for€and€against€a€certain€course€of€action€mustÏbe€adduced,€but€with€which€the€ultimate€decision€lies.€It€is€aÏtendency€with€some€to€depreciate€the€use€of€this€wonderful€power,Ïby€looking€for€signs€and€visions€to€point€their€path.€This€is€aÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðprofound€mistake.€God€will€give€these€when€there€areÏcomplications€in€which€the€exercise€of€judgment€might€be€atÏfault;€but€not€where€it€is€sufficient.€Where€no€sign€is€given,Ïcarefully€divest€yourself€of€selfish€considerations,€weigh€theÏpros€and€cons,€ask€for€guidance,€dare€to€act;€and€having€acted€inÏfaith,€never€look€back€or€doubt.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòCome€let€us€go€to€Gilgal,€and€renewÐ   	 pÀ   Ðthe€Kingdom€thereóó.€1€Sam.€xi.€14.Ð   	 OŸ	   ÐÓ   „H   ÓÌIT€is€good€to€have€days€and€occasions€for€renewing€the€kingdom.ÏAlready€Saul€had€been€anointed€king.€It€was€a€recognised€matterÏthat€he€should€inaugurate€the€days€of€the€kings,€as€distinguishedÏfrom€those€of€the€judges.€But€his€great€victory€at€Jabesh-GileadÏseems€to€have€wrought€the€enthusiasm€of€the€people€to€the€highestÏpitch,€and€to€have€presented€a€great€opportunity€for€renewing€theÏkingdom.€They€went€to€Gilgal€to€do€this,€because€there,€on€theÏfirst€entrance€into€Canaan,€Israel€had€rolled€away€the€reproachÏof€uncircumcision,€which€symbolised€their€lack€of€separation.ÌJesus€is€our€King.€The€Father€hath€anointed€Him,€and€set€Him€onÏhis€holy€hill;€and€we€have€gladly€assented€to€the€appointment,Ïand€made€Him€King.€But€sometimes€our€sense€of€loyalty€andÏdevotion€wanes.€Insensibly€we€drift€from€our€strenuous€endeavourÏto€act€always€as€his€devoted€subjects.€Therefore€we€need,€fromÏtime€to€time,€to€renew€the€kingdom,€and€reverently€make€Him€KingÏbefore€the€Lord.ÌGo€over€the€old€solemn€form€of€dedication;€turn€to€the€yellowÏleaves€of€the€diary;€bring€under€his€sceptre€any€new€provinces€ofÏinfluence€that€have€been€acquired;€tell€Him€how€glad€and€thankfulÏyou€are€to€live€only€for€Him.€Let€this€be€done€at€Gilgal,€theÏplace€of€circumcision€and€separation,€with€the€Jordan€of€deathÏflowing€behind,€and€the€Land€of€Promise€beckoning€in€front.€ThereÏis€a€sense€in€which€we€can€consecrate€ourselves€only€once;€but€weÏcan€renew€our€vows€often.ÌÌ€€€€"Blessings€abound€where'er€He€reigns;Ì€€€€€The€prisoner€leaps€to€burst€his€chains;Ì€€€€€The€weary€find€eternal€rest,Ì€€€€€And€all€the€sons€of€want€are€blest"ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€Lord€will€not€forsake€his€peopleÐ   	 .(~#*   Ðfor€his€great€Name's€sake.óó€1€Sam.€xii.€22.Ð   	 )]$+   ÐÓ   fO   ÓÌTHE€certainty€of€our€salvation€rests€on€the€character€of€God.ÏMoses,€years€before,€had€pleaded€that€God€could€not€afford€toÏdestroy€or€forsake€Israel,€lest€the€Egyptians€and€others€shouldÏhave€some€ground€for€saying€that€He€was€not€able€to€carry€out€hisÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðpurpose,€or€that€He€was€fickle€and€changeable.€"What€wilt€Thou€doÏfor€thy€great€Name?"€Samuel€uses€the€same€argument.€We€also€mayÏavail€ourselves€of€it€for€our€great€comfort.ÌGod€knew€what€we€should€be€--€how€weak€and€frail€and€changeful€--Ïbefore€He€arrested€us€and€brought€us€to€Himself.€Speaking€afterÏthe€manner€of€men,€we€might€say€He€counted€the€cost.€He€computedÏwhether€his€resources€were€sufficient€to€secure€us€from€our€foes,Ïkeep€us€from€falling,€and€present€us€faultless€before€theÏpresence€of€his€glory€with€exceeding€joy.€He€foreknew€how€muchÏforbearance,€pity,€consolation,€and€tenderness,€we€shouldÏrequire.€And€yet€it€pleased€Him€to€make€us€his€people.€He€cannot,Ïtherefore,€now€run€back€from€his€purpose;€otherwise€it€would€seemÏthat€difficulties€had€arisen€which€either€He€had€not€anticipated,Ïor€was€not€so€well€able€to€combat€as€He€had€thought.€What€anÏabsurd€suggestion!€In€the€former€case€there€would€be€a€slur€onÏhis€omniscience;€on€the€other,€upon€his€omnipotence.Ì"What€if€God€should€cast€you€into€hell?"€was€asked€of€an€oldÏScotchwoman.€Ì'Well,"€she€answered,€"If€He€do,€all€I€can€say€is,€He€will€loseÏmair€than€I€will."ÌThe€gracious€promise€given€to€Joshua€may€be€appropriated€by€everyÏtrembling€saint€of€God:€"I€will€never€leave€thee€nor€forsakeÏthee."€To€the€poor€and€needy€He€says,€"I€the€God€of€Israel€willÏnot€forsake€them."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòI€forced€myself,€therefore,€and€offeredÐ   	  ð   Ða€burnt-offering.óó€Sam.€xiii.€12.Ð   	 Ï   ÐÓ   cV   ÓÌTHIS€was€wholly€outside€Saul's€province.€Samuel€had€engaged€toÏarrive€within€the€seven€days:€they€had€nearly€expired,€and€stillÏthere€were€no€signs€of€the€prophet;€and€Saul,€yielding€to€theÏpromptings€of€his€impetuous€nature,€took€the€matter€into€his€ownÏhand,€and€rashly€assumed€an€office€to€which€he€had€no€right.€HeÏprotested€that€he€had€been€very€unwilling€to€add€the€function€ofÏpriest€to€that€of€king.€But€this€was€notoriously€contrary€to€theÏtruth.€For€some€time€he€had€chafed€against€Samuel's€prerogative,Ïand€now€sought€to€supersede€the€Divine€order.ÌIt€seemed€but€a€small€act,€and,€to€superficial€judgment,€notÏenough€to€warrant€the€loss€of€his€kingdom;€but€it€was€symptomaticÏof€a€great€moral€deficiency.€He€had€not€learned€to€obey€theÏcommandment€of€the€Lord:€how€could€he€rule?€He€could€not€controlÏthe€hasty€suggestions€of€his€own€nature,€in€favour€of€theÏdeliberate€movement€of€the€Divine€order:€how€could€he€be€God'sÏchosen€agent?€He€acted€on€the€showings€of€expediency,€rather€thanÏof€faith:€how€could€he€be€a€man€after€God's€own€heart?€TheÏrestlessness€and€haste€which€characterize€the€present€age€mustÏnot€be€allowed€to€affect€our€service€for€God;€for€thereby€theÏprogress€of€the€Gospel€will€be€hindered€rather€than€helped.Ð   	 >-Ž(0   ÐWe€must€learn€to€wait€for€God.€He€may€not€come€till€the€allottedÏtime€has€almost€passed;€but€He€will€come.€He€waits€for€the€exactÏmoment€in€which€He€can€best€succour€you.€Not€till€patience€hasÏbeen€exercised,€but€before€it€has€given€out.€In€the€meanwhile,€beÏsure€that€your€safety€is€secured;€He€will€see€to€it€that€theÏPhilistines€shall€not€come€down€to€overwhelm€you.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòHis€eyes€were€enlightened.óó€1€Sam.€xiv.€27.Ð   	 pÀ   ÐÓ   Z]   ÓÌTHE€Philistines€were€in€full€flight.€The€Israelites€followed€hardÏat€their€heels€through€the€wood.€It€was€there€that€the€honeyÏdropped€in€rich€abundance€on€the€ground,€and€there€JonathanÏtasted€a€little,€dipping€the€end€of€his€rod€into€it.€It€made€allÏthe€difference€to€him,€warding€off€the€excessive€exhaustion€whichÏparalysed€the€rest€of€the€army.ÌòòThe€Word€of€God€is€sweeter€than€the€honeycomb.óó€--€Luscious€to€theÐ   	 7‡   Ðsanctified€taste;€enlightening€to€the€dimming€eyes;Ïstrength-giving€to€the€weary.€It€drops€in€abundance€to€theÏground,€as€though€inviting€the€hand€of€the€Christian€warrior€orÏwayfarer€to€take€it€freely.€If€there€is€no€taste€for€the€òòwrittenóóÐ   	 —ç   ÐWord,€it€may€be€assumed€that€the€òòlivingóó€Word€has€not€beenÐ   	 o¿   Ðenthroned€in€the€heart;€for€where€He€reigns€supreme,€there€is€aÏlonging€for€the€food€which€alone€can€fit€us€for€the€ChristianÏlife.ÌòòWhere€we€cannot€take€much,€let€us€take€some.óó€--€There€was€notÐ   	 Ï   Ðtime€for€Jonathan€to€sit€down€and€take€his€fill.€He€could€onlyÏcatch€up€some€as€he€hastily€passed€through€the€forest-glade;€butÏthat€little€made€all€the€difference€to€him.€So,€in€the€earlyÏmorning,€or€at€mid-day,€if€we€cannot€fill€our€hearts€withÏScripture,€we€may€catch€up€a€morsel,€which€will€minister€untoldÏrefreshment,€and€clear€our€spiritual€vision.ÌòòWe€specially€need€to€do€this€when€flushed€with€success.óó€--€TooÐ   	 ·    Ðoften,€when€we€have€had€success€in€the€battles€of€the€Lord€--€aÏgood€time€in€preaching€or€teaching€--€we€are€apt€to€congratulateÏourselves,€and€suppose€that€we€can€live€on€the€emotions€excited.ÏBut,€probably,€there€is€no€time€when€we€need€more€absolutely€toÏturn€to€the€Word€of€God.€In€victory,€as€in€defeat,€we€must€be€fedÏand€nourished.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòTo€obey€is€better€than€sacrifice,€and€toÐ   	 O'Ÿ")   Ðhearken€than€the€fat€of€rams.óó€1€Sam.€xv.€22.Ð   	 .(~#*   ÐÓ   Âd   ÓÌTHIS€is€a€great€principle,€which€is€repeatedly€enforcedÏthroughout€the€Bible.€Men€have€always€been€apt€to€divorceÏreligion€and€morality,€and€to€suppose€that€a€certain€tribute€ofÏsacrifice€to€God€will€be€sufficient€compensation€for€notoriousÏevil-doing.€But€in€every€age€God's€servants€have€protestedÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðagainst€the€notion,€and€have€insisted,€as€Samuel€did€with€Saul,Ïthat€it€were€better€to€obey,€although€there€should€be€no€spoilÏfrom€which€to€select€victims€for€sacrifice.€This€was€Christ'sÏperpetual€protest€against€the€Pharisees.ÌòòLet€the€Ritualist€beware.óó€--€There€is€a€grave€fear€lest€extremeÐ   	 `   Ðattention€to€the€outward€rite€may€be€accompanied€by€carelessnessÏto€the€inward€temper.€Where€the€outward€observance€is€theÏexpression€of€the€attitude€of€the€soul,€it€is€to€be€respectedÏeven€by€those€of€us€who€feel€that€excessive€symbolism€is€hostileÏto€the€devout€life;€but€where€the€rite€takes€the€place€of€theÏsoul's€devotion,€or€condones€a€lax€morality,€it€cannot€be€tooÏsternly€deprecated.€Though€all€the€Levitical€rites€should€beÏobserved€without€flaw,€they€could€not€compensate€for€theÏpersistent€neglect€of€the€least€item€of€the€decalogue.€"God€is€aÏSpirit;€and€they€that€worship€Him€must€worship€Him€in€spirit€andÏin€truth."ÌòòLet€us€all€beware.óó€--€We€are€apt€to€make€sacrifices€of€time€andÐ   	 0€   Ðmoney€and€energy€for€God,€and€to€comfort€ourselves€with€theÏreflection€that€such€as€we€are€may€be€excused€if€in€small€lapsesÏof€temper,€or€disposition,€we€come€short€of€the€Divine€standard.ÏNo;€it€cannot€pass€muster.€One€sin€mastered,€one€temptationÏresisted,€one€duty€performed,€is€dearer€to€God€than€the€mostÏcostly€sacrifices€that€were€ever€piled€upon€the€altar.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€Spirit€of€the€Lord€came€uponÐ   	 È   ÐDavid€from€that€day€forward.óó€1€Sam.€xvi.€13.Ð   	 §÷   ÐÓ   &l   ÓÌWHAT€may€not€a€day€bring€forth!€Here€was€a€shepherd€lad,€summonedÏhastily€from€his€sheep,€and€anointed€king.€But€an€even€greaterÏblessing€came€into€his€life€that€day,€for€he€was€mightily€enduedÏwith€the€Holy€Spirit.€Without€doubt,€during€his€early€years€theÏSpirit€of€God€had€dwelt€within€him,€moulding€his€character,Ïinditing€his€songs;€but,€henceforth,€the€Spirit€was€to€abide€onÏhim,€as€a€Divine€unction.ÌWhy€should€not€this€day€witness€a€similar€transformation€for€òòyouóó;Ð   	 F"–#   Ðnot€in€the€change€of€earthly€position,€but€in€your€reception€ofÏthe€"power€from€on€high€"€through€a€renewed€enduement?€Why€shouldÏnot€the€Spirit€of€the€Lord€come€mightily€upon€you€from€this€holyÏhour,€even€as€your€eyes€glance€down€this€page?€Though€it€is€quiteÏpossible€that€you€have€been€empowered€once,€there€is€no€finalityÏin€God's€bestowals;€the€apostles€were€filled€and€filled€againÏ(Acts€ii.€and€iv.).ÌThe€age€of€Pentecost€in€which€we€live€is€distinctly€one€of€DivineÏanointing.€It€awaits€all€who€will€separate€themselves€to€God,€andÏreceive€it€for€his€glory.€The€characteristic€preposition€of€thisÏage€is€on.€If€you€have€not€received€power,€seek€it;€he€thatÏseeketh€findeth;€nay,€receive€it€--€to€ask€is€to€get.€If€theÏMaster,€though€begotten€of€the€Holy€Spirit,€forebore€to€preachÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðthe€Gospel,€and€bind€up€broken€hearts,€till€He€had€been€anointedÏas€the€Christ€by€the€Spirit,€who€descended€on€Him€at€his€baptism;Ïhow€foolish€it€is€for€us,€who€were€born€in€sin,€to€attemptÏsimilar€work,€apart€from€similar€enduement!€The€promise€to€eachÏchild€of€God€is:€"Ye€shall€receive€power€after€that€the€HolyÏGhost€is€come€upon€you;€and€ye€shall€be€witnesses€unto€Me"€(ActsÏi.€8).ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€armies€of€the€living€God.óó€1€Sam.€xvii.€26,€36.Ð   	 H˜	   ÐÓ   as   ÓÌTHIS€made€all€the€difference€between€David€and€the€rest€of€theÏcamp.€To€Saul€and€his€soldiers€God€was€an€absentee€--€a€name,€butÏlittle€else.€They€believed€that€He€had€done€great€things€for€hisÏpeople€in€the€past,€and€that€at€some€future€time,€in€the€days€ofÏthe€Messiah,€He€might€be€expected€to€do€great€things€again;€butÏno€one€thought€of€Him€as€present.€Keenly€sensitive€to€theÏdefiance€of€the€Philistine,€and€grieved€by€the€apathy€of€hisÏpeople,€David,€on€the€other€hand,€felt€that€God€was€alive.€He€hadÏlived€alone€with€Him€in€the€solitude€of€the€hills,€till€God€hadÏbecome€one€of€-the€greatest€and€most€real€facts€of€his€youngÏexistence;€and€as€the€lad€went€to€and€fro€among€the€armedÏwarriors,€he€was€sublimely€conscious€of€the€presence€of€theÏliving€God€amid€the€clang€of€the€camp.ÌThis€is€what€we€need.€To€live€so€much€with€God,€that€when€we€comeÏamongst€men,€whether€in€the€bazaars€of€India€or€the€market-placeÏof€an€English€town,€we€may€be€more€aware€of€his€over-shadowingÏpresence€than€of€the€presence€or€absence€of€any€one.€Lo,€God€isÏhere!€This€place€is€hallowed€ground!€But€none€can€realize€this€byÏthe€act€of€the€will.€We€can€only€find€God€everywhere€when€weÏcarry€Him€everywhere.€The€miner€sees€by€the€candle€he€carries€onÏhis€forehead.ÌEach€of€us€is€opposed€by€difficulties,€privations,€and€trials€ofÏdifferent€sorts.€But€the€one€answer€to€them€all€is€faith's€visionÏof€the€Living€God.€We€can€face€the€mightiest€foe€in€his€name.€IfÏour€faith€can€but€make€Him€a€passage,€along€which€He€shall€come,Ïthere€is€no€Goliath€He€will€not€quell;€no€question€He€will€notÏanswer;€no€need€He€will€not€meetÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòDavid€behaved€himself€wisely.óó€1€Sam,€xviii.€5,€14,€15,€30.Ð   	 w&Ç!(   ÐÓ   z   ÓÌTHERE€must€be€some€strong€reason€for€the€four-fold€repetition€ofÏthis€phrase€in€so€short€a€space.€It€is€as€though€the€Holy€GhostÏwould€lay€very€distinct€stress€on€the€Divine€prudence€andÏcircumspection,€which€must€characterise€the€man€whose€life€is€hidÏin€God.€Let€us€walk€with€God,€abiding€in€Him,€subjecting€ourÏthoughts€and€plans€to€his,€communing€about€all€things€with€Him,Ïtalking€over€our€lives€with€Him,€before€we€go€out€to€live€them€inÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðthe€presence€of€our€fellows.€Then€we€too€shall€have€this€graciousÏwisdom,€which€is€more€moral€than€intellectual€--€the€product€ofÏthe€grace€of€God€rather€than€of€human€culture.ÌòòOur€life€shall€commend€itself€to€menóó€(5).€--€David's€was€good€inÐ   	 8ˆ   Ðthe€sight€of€all€the€people,€and€more€wonderful€still,€in€theÏsight€of€Saul's€servants,€who€might€have€been€jealous.€A€lifeÏlived€in€God€disarms€jealousy€and€envy.€He€who,€as€a€boy,€did€hisÏFather's€business€increased€in€wisdom,€and€in€favour€with€God€andÏmen.ÌòòOur€life€shall€rebuke€and€awe€our€foesóó€(15).€--€Saul€stood€in€aweÐ   	 H˜	   Ðof€him.€When€traps€and€snares€are€laid€for€us€we€shall€be€enabledÏto€thread€our€way€through€them€all,€as€Jesus€did€when€they€triedÏto€entangle€Him€in€his€talk.€We€shall€have€a€wisdom€which€all€ourÏfoes€together€shall€not€be€able€to€gainsay€or€resist.ÌòòOur€name€will€be€preciousóó€(30).€--€People€loved€to€dwell€on€theÐ   	 €Ð   Ðname€of€David;€it€was€much€set€by;€they€noticed€and€wereÏimpressed€with€the€beauty€and€nobility€of€his€character.€We€mustÏalways€view€our€lives,€amusements,€and€undertakings,€in€the€lightÏof€the€result€which€will€accrue€to€Him€whose€name€it€is€ourÏprivilege€to€bear.ÌÌÓ    ÓÌòòAnd€Saul€hearkened€unto€the€voice€of€Jonathan.óó€1€Sam.€xix,€6.Ð   	 @   ÐÓ   (   ÓÌIT€was€a€noble€act€of€Jonathan.€He€might€have€withdrawn€from€hisÏfriendship€with€David€when€it€threatened€his€relations€with€hisÏfather;€but,€instead,€be€stopped€into€the€breach,€and€pleaded€forÏhis€friend,€endeavouring€to€eradicate€the€false€ind€ungenerousÏconceptions€of€which€Saul€had€become€possessed.€It€is€an€exampleÏwe€do€well€to€study€and€copy.€For€his€love's€sake,€as€well€as€forÏhis€father's,€he€was€extremely€eager€to€effect€a€reconciliationÏbetween€him€to€whom€he€owed€allegiance€of€son€and€subject,€andÏthis€fair€shepherd-minstrel-warrior,€who€had€so€recently€cast€aÏsunny€gleam€upon€his€life.ÌMen€often€misconceive€of€one€another.€Jealousy€and€envy€distortÏbehaviour€and€actions€which€are€in€themselves€as€beautiful€asÏpossible.€Misrepresentation€will€blind€us€to€the€true€excellencesÏof€one€another's€characters.€Wrong€constructions€are€often€put€onÏthe€most€innocent€incidents.€We€cannot€help€these€things,€theyÏare€part€of€the€sad€heritage€of€the€Fall;€but€we€may€often€takeÏup€the€cause€of€a€misunderstood€man,€and€at€the€risk€of€losingÏour€own€reputation,€and€diverting€to€ourselves€some€of€the€odiumÏwhich€attaches€to€him,€we€may€stand€as€his€sponsors.ÌEven€if€we€dislike€another,€as€Saul€did€David,€let€us€give€scopeÏto€the€good€Spirit€to€plead€his€cause€at€the€bar€of€our€hearts,Ïas€Jonathan€did€for€his€friend.€Let€us€consider€all€the€kind€andÏloving€things€that€may€be€said€of€him;€let€us€put€ourselves€inÏhis€position;€let€us€be€willing€to€believe€and€hope€all€things.ÏLet€us€plead€for€others,€since€this€is€a€work€in€which€Christ'sÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðfollowers€most€closely€approximate€to€Him€who€ever€liveth€toÏintercede.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThou€shalt€be€missed,€because€thy€seatÐ   	 `   Ðwill€be€empty.óó€1€Sam,€xx.€18.Ð   	 ï?   ÐÓ   ˆ   ÓÌJONATHAN€and€David€had€entered€into€a€covenant,each€loving€theÏother€as€his€own€soul.€Anxious€to€shield€his€friend€from€theÏwrath€of€his€father,€Jonathan€discloses€to€David€the€plan€byÏwhich€he€shall€know€how€matters€fared€in€the€royal€palace.ÏDavid's€vacant€seat€suggests€a€lesson€for€us.ÌThere€are€a€good€many€empty€seats€in€our€houses.€Those€thatÏoccupied€them€can€never€do€so€again;€they€have€gone€never€toÏreturn€again,€and€we€miss€them€sorely.ÌLet€us€see€to€it€that€we€do€not€leave€our€seats€in€the€homeÏcircle€needlessly€vacant.€Let€not€the€mother€be€away€at€theÏdance,€or€even€at€the€religious€meeting,€when€she€should€be€atÏhome,€joining€in€her€children's€evening€prayers.€Let€the€fatherÏbe€very€sure€that€God€has€called€him€elsewhere,€before€heÏhabitually€vacates€his€place€in€the€evening€family€circle.€LetÏeach€of€us€avoid€giving€needless€pain€to€those€we€love€by€leavingÏempty€seats.€But€if€God€calls€us€away€to€his€service,€then€forÏthose€who€miss€us,€another€Form€shall€glide€in,€and€sit€in€theÏvacant€chair;€and€they€will€become€conscious€that€the€Master€isÏfilling€the€gap,€and€beguiling€the€weary€moments.ÌAbove€all,€let€not€your€seat€be€empty€in€the€house€of€God,€at€theÏordinary€service,€or€at€the€Lord's€Table.€We€are€too€prone€toÏallow€a€trifle€to€deter€us€from€joining€in€the€sacred€feasts.€AtÏsuch€times€we€are€missed,€our€empty€seat€witnesses€against€us;Ïthere€is€a€lack€in€the€song€and€prayer,€which€cries€out€againstÏus;€there€is€a€distinct€loss€to€the€power€of€the€service,€whichÏis€in€proportion€to€the€number€of€earnest€souls€present.€Oh€thatÏthere€may€be€no€empty€seats€at€the€marriage€supper,€vacatedÏthrough€our€unfaithfulness!ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThere€is€none€like€that;€give€it€me.óó€1€Sam.€xxi.€9.Ð   	 ö#F%   ÐÓ   !   ÓÌWHAT€David€said€of€the€sword€of€Goliath€we€may€say€of€HolyÏScripture€--€the€sword€of€the€Spirit€--€"There€is€none€likeÏthat."ÌòòThere€is€no€book€like€the€Bible€for€those€convinced€of€sin.óó€--Ð   	 5(…#*   ÐThe€Word€of€God€assures€the€sinner€of€God's€love€in€Christ,Ïwhilst€it€refuses€to€condone€a€single€sin,€or€excuse€oneÏshortcoming.€The€Bible€is€as€stern€as€conscience€herself€againstÏsin,€but€as€pitiful€as€the€heart€of€God€to€the€sinner.€It,Ïmoreover,€discloses€the€method€by€which€the€just€God€becomes€theÏjustifier€of€those€who€believe.Ð   	 E-•(0   ÐòòThere€is€no€book€like€the€Bible€for€the€sorrowful.óó€--€It€tells€ofÐ   	 °      Ðthe€Comforter;€it€reminds€us€that€in€all€our€sorrow€God€also€isÏsad;€it€points€to€the€perfect€plan€according€to€which€God€isÏworking€out€our€blessedness;€it€insists€that€all€things€areÏworking€together€for€good;€it€opens€the€vision€of€the€blessedÏfuture,€where€all€the€griefs€and€tears€of€men€shall€be€put€awayÏfor€ever.ÌòòThere€is€no€book€like€the€Bible€for€the€dying.óó€--€"Read€to€me,"Ð   	 ˜
è   Ðsaid€Sir€Walter€Scott,€on€his€dying€bed,€to€his€friend.€"WhatÏshall€l€read?"€"There€is€only€one€book€for€a€dying€man,"€was€theÏanswer;€"read€to€me€from€the€Bible."€The€Book€which€tells€of€theÏLord,€who€died€and€rose€again;€of€the€mansions€which€He€has€goneÏto€prepare;€of€the€reunion€of€the€saints;€of€the€fountains€ofÏwater€of€life€--€is€the€only€pillow€on€which€the€dying€head€canÏrest€softly.ÌIn€these€days€of€debate€and€doubt€there€is€no€such€evidence€forÏthe€Divine€authority€of€the€Bible€as€that€which€accrues€from€itsÏperpetual€use,€whether€in€our€own€life,€or€in€the€conviction€ofÏthe€ungodly.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòTill€I€know€what€God€will€do€for€me.óó€1€Sam.€xxii.€3.Ð   	 h¸   ÐÓ   –   ÓÌWE€shall€never€get€to€the€end€of€all€that€God€will€do€for€us,€ifÏonly€we€perfectly€give€ourselves€up€to€Him.€David€had€a€veryÏimperfect€vision€of€all€that€was€in€God's€plan€for€him;€he€had€anÏinkling,€but€that€was€all.€And€we€have€still€less.€Yet€let€usÏrecapitulate€some€of€the€things€which€God€will€do€for€us.ÌHe€waits€to€òògive€us€the€spirit€of€Sonshipóó:€so€that€we€may€ever€beÐ   	 W§   Ðconscious€of€his€Fatherhood,€and€look€up€into€his€face€in€theÏgarden€of€Gethsemane,€and€on€the€Mount€of€Transfiguration€alike,Ïcalling€Him€Abba,€Father.ÌHe€longs€to€òòlead€us€to€full€consecrationóó;€to€lead€us€into€suchÐ   	 ·    Ðclose€association€with€Jesus€in€his€redeeming€purpose,€that€weÏmay€become€his€willing€bond-servants,€with€no€other€purpose€andÏaim€in€life€than€his€service€and€glory.ÌHe€desires€to€òòdeliver€us€from€all€known€sinóó:€that€we€may€beÐ   	 #g$   Ðblameless€and€harmless,€his€children€without€rebuke€in€thisÏsinful€world,€who€walk€before€Him€in€holiness€and€righteousnessÏall€our€days.ÌHe€wants€to€òòanoint€us€with€the€Holy€Spiritóó:€so€that€our€ministryÐ   	 w&Ç!(   Ðto€men€may€have€more€of€the€savour€of€Christ;€may€plough€deeperÏfurrows€in€human€hearts;€may€have€more€abiding€results.ÌHe€desires€us€to€òòcome€into€partnershipóó€with€his€Son€--€here€inÐ   	 ÿ(O$+   Ðhis€redemptive€purpose,€yonder€in€his€throne.€To€this€indeed€HeÏcalls€us.ÌWho€can€know€all€that€God€waits€to€do,€not€here€only,€but€yonder,Ïwhen€life€has€entered€upon€its€eternal€stage!€"Now€are€weÏchildren€of€God;€and€it€is€not€yet€made€manifest€what€we€shallÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðbe"€(1€John€iii.€2,€R.V.).ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòHe€said€to€Abiathar€the€priest,Ð   	 8ˆ   ÐBring€hither€the€ephod.óó€1€Sam.€xxiii.€9.Ð   	 g   ÐÓ   ÷œ   ÓÌDAVID€was€passing€through€one€of€the€most€awful€experiences€ofÏhis€life,€when€his€men€spoke€of€-stoning€him€instead€of€taking€upÏhis€cause.€How€many€times€in€this€chapter€we€are€informed€thatÏDavid€inquired€of€the€Lord!€Some€three€or€four€times€the€appealÏfor€direction€was€renewed,€as€though€he€were€fearful€to€stir€oneÏstep€by€the€light€of€his€own€unaided€wisdom.€In€that€changefulÏlife€of€his,€it€must€have€been€extremely€difficult€to€set€theÏLord€always€before€him,€and€await€Divine€direction.€Many€a€timeÏhis€circumstances€might€seem€to€demand€immediate€action€ratherÏthan€prayer;€and€the€rude€soldiery€must€have€insisted€on€theirÏvoice€being€heard€rather€than€a€priest's;€but€David€was€notÏdeterred€by€one€or€the€other,€and€still€held€to€his€practice€ofÏconsulting€the€Urim€and€Thummim€stone,€set€in€the€ephod;€whichÏwas€probably€a€splendid€diamond,€flashing€with€God's€distinctÏ"Yes,"€or€growing€cloudy€and€dark€with€his€definite€"No."ÌLet€us€inquire€of€the€Lord.€The€answer€will€surely€come,€if€weÏwait€for€it.€If€we€are€not€sure€of€it,€let€us€still€wait,€for€itÏwill€come€--€not€so€early€as€to€save€us€from€using€our€faith,€notÏso€late€as€to€permit€us€to€be€overwhelmed.€Direction€will€come€inÏthe€growing€conviction€of€duty,€in€the€drift€of€circumstances,€inÏthe€advice€of€friends,€in€the€perceptions€of€a€sanctifiedÏjudgment.€None€that€wait€on€God€can€be€ashamed.€Whether€our€dutyÏbe€to€arise€and€pursue,€to€sit€still,€or€to€escape€--€"the€meekÏHe€will€guide€in€judgment;€the€meek€He€will€teach€his€way."€HeÏgives€us€a€white€stone€in€which€a€name€is€written,€which€onlyÏthey€know€who€receive.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAnd€David's€heart€smote€him.óó€1€Sam.€xxiv.€5.Ð   	 n!¾"   ÐÓ   Ñ£   ÓÌIT€is€well€to€have€a€tender€conscience,€and€to€obey€its€leastÏmonitions,€even€when€men€and€things€militate€against€it.€Here€wasÏan€opportunity€for€David€and€his€band€to€end€their€wanderings€andÏhardships€by€one€thrust€of€the€spear;€but€though€it€was€a€veryÏsmall€thing€that€he€had€done,€David€was€struck€with€remorse€forÏhaving€taken€advantage€of€Saul's€retirement€in€the€precincts€ofÏthe€cave,€where€his€men€and€he€were€hiding,€and€cut€off€a€pieceÏof€his€robe.ÌòòIt€was€a€trifling€matteróó,€and€yet€it€seemed€dishonouring€to€God'sÐ   	 å)5%,   Ðanointed€king;€and€as€such€it€hurt€David€to€have€done€it.€WeÏsometimes€in€conversation€and€criticism€cut€off€a€piece€of€aÏman's€character,€or€influence€for€good,€or€standing€in€the€esteemÏof€others.€Ought€not€our€heart€to€smite€us€for€such€thoughtlessÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðconduct?€Ought€we€not€to€make€confession€or€reparation?ÌòòCircumstances€seemed€to€favour€it.óó€--€Of€all€the€scores€of€cavesÐ   	 ˆØ    Ðin€the€neighbourhood,€the€king€had€happened€to€choose€the€veryÏone,€in€the€dark€recesses€of€which€David€and€his€men€wereÏsheltering.€What€more€natural€than€to€obtain€some€token€toÏconvince€the€king€how€absolutely€he€had€been€in€his€young€rival'sÏpower?€But€favouring€circumstances€do€not€justify€an€act€which€isÏnot€perfectly€healthy€and€right.€Opportunity€does€not€make€aÏwrong€thing€right.ÌòòHis€men€unanimously€approved€the€actóó,€nay,€they€wanted€him€to€goÐ   	 H˜	   Ðfurther.€Their€standard€was€a€very€low€one,€not€only€in€thisÏcase,€but€in€others.€How€wonderful€that€David€kept€such€a€highÏideal€amid€such€comrades!€We€shall€not€be€judged€hereafter€by€theÏstandard€which€obtained€among€our€comrades.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThis€shall€be€no€grief€unto€thee.óó€1€Sam.€xxv.€31.Ð   	 0€   ÐÓ   Ñª   ÓÌTHERE€was€an€inimitable€blending€of€woman's€wit€with€worldlyÏprudence€in€the€words€of€the€beautiful€Abigail.€Poor€woman,€sheÏbad€had€a€sorry€life€of€it,€mated€to€such€a€man€as€Nabal€was!€AnÏill-assorted€pair€certainly,€though€probably€she€had€had€no€handÏin€bringing€about€the€alliance.€Like€so€many€Eastern€women,€sheÏwas€the€creature€of€another's€act€and€choice.€But€she€succeededÏin€averting€the€blow€which€David€was€hasting€to€inflict,€byÏasserting€her€belief€that€the€time€was€not€far€distant€when€heÏwould€no€longer€be€a€fugitive€from€his€foes,€and€by€suggestingÏthat€when€that€happy€time€came€it€would€be€a€relief€to€feel€thatÏhe€had€not€allowed€himself€to€be€carried€to€all€lengths€by€hisÏhot€passion.ÌIt€was€very€salutary€advice.€Let€us€always€look€at€things€fromÏthe€view-point€of€the€future,€when€our€passion€shall€haveÏsubsided,€when€time€shall€have€cooled€us,€and€especially€when€weÏreview€the€present€from€the€verge€of€the€other€world€--€how€then?ÌWe€can€well€afford€to€do€this€since€God€is€with€us,€and€our€lifeÏis€bound€up€with€Him€in€the€bundle€of€life.€Abigail€remindedÏDavid€that€God€would€do€toÌhim€all€the€good€of€which€He€had€spoken,€and€would€sling€out€hisÏenemies€as€from€a€sling.€So€God€will€do€for€us;€not€one€goodÏthing€will€fail€of€all€that€He€hath€promised;€no€weapon€that€isÏformed€against€us€shall€prosper.€Within€a€little,€Nabal€was€dead,Ïand€David's€wrong€righted.€So€shall€the€evil€that€now€molests€usÏpass€away.€God€will€deal€with€it.€Let€us€leave€it€to€Him:€beforeÏHim€mountains€shall€melt€like€wax;€and€we€shall€have€nothing€toÏregret.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThen€said€Saul,€I€have€sinned.óó€1€Sam.€xxvi.€21.Ð   	 _,¯'/   ÐÓ   a±   ÓÐ   	 >-Ž(0   ÐTHE€Apostle€makes€a€great€distinction,€and€rightly,€between€theÏsorrow€of€the€world€and€the€sorrow€of€a€godly€repentance€whichÏneedeth€not€to€be€repented€of.€Certainly€Saul's€confession€of€sinÏbelonged€to€the€former;€whilst€the€cry€of€the€latter€comes€out€inÏPsalm€li.,€extorted€from€David€by€the€crimes€of€after€years.ÌThe€difference€between€the€two€may€be€briefly€summarized€in€this,Ïthat€the€one€counts€sin€a€folly€and€regrets€its€consequences;Ïwhilst€the€other€regards€sin€as€a€crime€done€against€the€mostÏHoly€God,€and€regrets€the€pain€given€to€Him.€"Against€Thee,€TheeÏonly,€have€I€sinned,€and€done€this€evil€in€thy€sight."ÌObviously€Saul's€confession€was€of€the€former€description,€"IÏhave€played€the€fool."€He€recognised€the€unkingliness€of€hisÏbehaviour,€and€the€futility€of€his€efforts€against€David.€But€heÏstayed€there,€stopping€short€of€a€faithful€recognition€of€hisÏposition€in€the€sight€of€God,€as€weighed€in€the€balances€ofÏeternal€justice.ÌMany€a€time€in€Scripture€do€we€meet€with€this€confession.€TheÏProdigal,€Judas,€Pharaoh,€David,€and€Saul,€uttered€it;€but€inÏwhat€differing€tones,€and€with€what€differing€motives!€We€need€toÏwinnow€our€words€before€God;€not€content€with€using€theÏexpressions€of€penitence,€unless€we€are€very€sure€that€they€bearÏthe€mint-mark€of€heaven,€and€deserve€the€master's€Beatitude,Ï"Blessed€are€they€that€mourn,€for€they€shall€be€comforted."ÌWhen€sin€is€humbly€confessed,€the€Saviour€assures€us:€"Thy€sins,Ïwhich€are€many,€are€forgiven€thee,€go€in€peace."€"lf€we€confessÏour€sins,€He€is€faithful€and€just€to€forgive€us€our€sins,€and€toÏcleanse€us€from€all€unrighteousness.€"ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAnd€David€said,€I€shall€now€perish€one€dayÐ   	 (x   Ðby€the€hand€of€Saul.óó€1€Sam.€xxvii.€1.Ð   	 W   ÐÓ   4¸   ÓÌWHAT€a€fit€of€despondency€and€unbelief€was€here!€We€can€hardlyÏbelieve€that€this€is€he€who€in€so€many€psalms€had€boasted€of€theÏshepherd€care€of€God,€who€had€so€often€insisted€on€the€safety€ofÏGod's€pavilion.€It€was€a€fainting€fit,€brought€on€by€the€bad€airÏhe€had€breathed€amid€the€evil€associations€of€Adullam's€cave.€HadÏnot€God€promised€to€take€care€of€him?€Was€not€his€future€alreadyÏguaranteed€by€the€promises€that€he€should€succeed€to€the€kingdom?ÏBut€nothing€availed€to€check€his€precipitate€flight€into€the€landÏof€the€Philistines.ÌBitterly€he€rued€this€mistake.€The€prevarication€and€deceit€toÏwhich€he€was€driven;€the€anguish€of€having€to€march€with€AchishÏagainst€his€own€people;€the€sack€and€burning€of€Ziklag€:€theseÏwere€the€price€he€had€to€pay€for€his€mistrust.€Unbelief€alwaysÏbrings€many€other€bitter€sorrows€in€its€train,€and€leads€the€soulÏto€cry,ÌÌ€€€€"How€long,€0€Lord?€Wilt€Thou€forget€me€for€ever?Ð   	 >-Ž(0   Ð€€€€€€How€long€wilt€Thou€hide€thy€face€from€me?"ÌÌLet€us€beware€of€losing€heart,€as€David€did.€Look€not€at€Saul,Ïbut€at€God,€who€is€omnipotent;€not€at€the€winds€and€waves,€but€atÏHim€who€walks€across€the€water;€not€at€what€may€come,€but€at€thatÏwhich€is€--€for€the€gIorious€Lord€is€round€about€thee€to€deliverÏthee.€He€shall€deliver€thy€soul€from€death,€thine€eyes€fromÏtears,€and€thy€feet€from€falling.€He€that€has€helped€will€help.ÏWhat€He€has€done,€He€will€do.€God€always€works€from€less€to€more,Ïnever€from€more€to€less.€Dost€thou€not€hear€--€hast€thou€notÏheard€--€his€voice€saying,€I€will€never€leave€thee,€nor€forsakeÏthee?€What,€then,€can€man€do€unto€thee?€Every€weapon€used€againstÏthee€shall€go€blunt€on€an€invisible€shield!ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòBecause€thou€obeyest€not€the€voiceÐ   	 X¨   Ðof€the€Lord,€therefore€.€.€.óó€1€Sam.€xxviii.€18.Ð   	 7‡   ÐÓ   _¿   ÓÌTHUS€unforgiven€sin€comes€back€to€a€man.€We€cannot€explain€theÏmysteries€that€lie€around€this€incident;€but€it€is€clear€that€inÏthat€supreme€hour€of€Saul's€fate,€that€early€sin,€which€had€neverÏbeen€confessed€and€put€away,€came€surging€back€on€the€mind€andÏheart€of€the€terror-stricken€monarch.€"Because€thou€obeyedst€notÏthe€voice€of€the€Lord,€and€didst€not€execute€his€fierce€wrathÏupon€Amalek,€therefore€hath€the€Lord€done€this€thing€unto€theeÏThis€day.€Moreover€the€Lord€will€deliver€Israel€also€with€theeÏinto€the€hands€of€the€Philistines"€(R.V.).€But€Saul€did€notÏrealize€that€even€then€the€gates€of€God's€love€stood€open€to€him,Ïif€only€he€would€pass€through€them€by€humble€penitence€and€faith.ÏIf€instead€of€applying€to€the€witch,€he€had€sought€God's€mercy,Ïlight€would€have€burst€on€his€darkened€path,€and€he€had€neverÏperished€by€his€own€hand€on€Mount€Gilboa.ÌIn€strong€contrast€with€this,€let€us€put€the€assurance€of€the€newÏcovenant:€"Their€sins€and€iniquities€will€I€remember€no€more."ÏWhen€God€forgives,€He€blots€out€from€the€book€of€his€remembrance.ÏThe€sin€is€gone€as€a€pebble€in€the€ocean;€as€a€cloud€in€the€blueÏof€a€summer's€sky.ÌSaul's€was€a€sin€of€omission.€The€question€was€not€what€evil€heÏhad€done,€but€the€good€be€had€failed€to€do.€Let€us€remember€thatÏwe€need€pardon€for€the€sad€lapses€and€failures€of€our€lives,Ïequally€as€for€the€positive€transgressions.€And€if€such€thingsÏare€not€forgiven,€they€will€lie€heavy€on€our€consciences€when€theÏshadows€of€death€begin€to€gather€around€us.€The€New€TestamentÏespecially€judges€those€who€knew€and€did€not€do€--€the€slothfulÏservant,€the€virgin€without€the€oil,€the€priest€that€passed€by€onÏthe€other€side.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòWhat€do€these€Hebrews€here?óó€1€Sam.€xxix.€3.Ð   	 >-Ž(0   ÐÓ   ‹Æ   ÓÌIT€was€a€very€natural€remark.€The€Philistines€were€going€intoÏbattle€with€the€Hebrew€king€and€his€troops,€and€it€was€veryÏanomalous€that€a€strong€body€of€Hebrews€should€be€forming€part€ofÏthe€Philistine€array.€They€had€no€business€to€be€there.€TheÏannoyance€of€the€chief€captains€and€lords€that€surrounded€AchishÏwas€natural€enough.€For€long,€probably,€it€had€been€smouldering;Ïnow€it€broke€out€into€flame.ÌIt€is€very€terrible€when€the€children€of€the€world€have€a€higherÏsense€of€Christian€propriety€and€fitness€than€ChristiansÏthemselves,€and€say€to€one€another,€"What€do€these€Hebrews€here?"ÏThe€word€"Hebrew"€means€one€that€has€passed€over€--€a€separatist.ÏThe€death€of€our€Lord€Jesus€was€intended€to€make€all€hisÏfollowers€separatists.€Through€Him€they€have€passed€from€deathÏunto€life;€they€have€been€delivered€out€of€the€power€of€darknessÏand€translated€into€the€kingdom€of€God's€dear€Son.€The€appeal€ofÏhis€cross€to€us€all€is,€"Come€out€from€among€them,€and€be€yeÏseparate."€Too€often,€however,€that€call€is€unheeded;€and,€forÏfear€of€man,€we€mingle€with€the€ranks€of€the€enemies€of€our€Lord.ÌIf€Christians€attend€the€theatre;€if€Sunday-school€teachers,Ïelders€or€deacons€of€a€church,€are€found€participating€in€theÏpleasures€of€the€ungodly;€if€the€young€Christian€man€is€foundÏloosely€consorting€with€the€card-players€of€the€smoking-room€ofÏan€ocean€steamer€--€may€not€the€sneer€go€round,€"What€do€theseÏHebrews€here?€"€"What€doest€thou€here,€Elijah!€"€is€theÏremonstrance€of€God.€"What€do€these€Hebrews€here?€"€that€of€theÏworld,€which€not€unfrequently€has€a€truer€sense€of€propriety€thanÏGod's€professing€followers.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòDavid€encouraged€himself€in€the€Lord€his€God.óó€1€Sam.€xxx.€6.Ð   	  P   ÐÓ   KÍ   ÓÌòòHISóó€God!€Doubtless€the€chronicler€heard€him€say€repeatedly,€as€heÐ   	 ·    Ðwas€so€fond€of€saying,€"My€God,€my€God.€"€"I€will€say€unto€God,Ïmy€rock,€why€hast€Thou€forsaken€me?"€Though€he€had€seriouslyÏcompromised€God's€cause,€by€the€failure€of€his€faith,€byÏconsorting€with€Achish€and€the€Philistines,€by€a€tortuous€andÏtreacherous€policy,€yet€God€was€still€his€God;€and,€in€theÏsupreme€crisis€which€had€overtaken€him,€he€naturally€betookÏhimself€to€the€covert€of€those€loving€wings.ÌòòHe€encouraged€himself.óó€--€He€would€go€back€on€promises€ofÐ   	 w&Ç!(   Ðforgiveness€and€succour,€which€had€so€often€cheered€him€inÏsimilar€straits.€He€would€recall€his€songs€in€former€nights€asÏblack€as€this,€and€therefore€would€have€hope.€He€would€rememberÏthat€he€had€been€brought€through€worse€trials;€and€surely€He€whoÏhad€helped€him€against€Goliath€and€Saul€would€not€fail€himÏagainst€the€Amalekites.€Besides,€he€had€probably€left€his€dearÏones€in€the€protection€of€the€encamping€angel;€and€though€hisÏfaith€might€be€tried,€it€could€not€be€entirely€disappointed.€InÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðthis€way€he€encouraged€himself.€All€around€was€tumult€and€fear;Ïbut€in€God€peace€and€rest€brooded,€as€swans€on€a€tranquil€lake.ÏHis€men€might€speak€of€stoning€him;€his€heart€be€greatlyÏdistressed€for€wives€and€children;€his€life€be€in€jeopardy:€butÏGod€was€a€very€present€help,€"Why€art€thou€cast€down,€andÏdisquieted,€0€my€soul?€Hope€thou€in€God."ÌIn€similar€circumstances,€let€us€have€resort€to€similar€sourcesÏof€comfort;€hide€in€God,€and€encourage€ourselves€in€Him.€It€wasÏin€this€spirit€that€John€Knox,€when€about€to€face€death,€said€toÏhis€wife,€"Read€to€me€where€I€first€cast€anchor."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAll€the€valiant€men€.€.€.óó€1€Sam.€xxxi.€11,€12.Ð   	 Ð 
   ÐÓ   `Ô   ÓÌTHIS€was€a€noble€and€generous€act.€At€the€beginning€of€his€reign,Ïin€the€early€dawn€of€youthful€promise€and€prowess,€when€he€wasÏthe€darling€of€the€nation,€Saul€had€interposed€to€deliver€theirÏbeleagured€city.€And€now,€as€the€awful€tidings€of€his€defeat€andÏsuicide€spread€like€fire€through€the€country,€the€men€whom€he€hadÏsuccoured€remembered€his€first€kingly€act,€and€showed€theirÏappreciation€for€his€kindness€by€doing€a€strong€and€chivalrousÏdeed€in€rescuing€his€remains€from€dishonour.€They€could€not€helpÏhim,€but€they€could€save€his€honour.€When€David€heard€of€thisÏact,€he€sent€messengers€to€the€men€of€Jabesh-Gilead,€thankingÏthem€for€their€chivalrous€devotion€to€the€memory€of€the€fallenÏking,€and€promising€to€requite€the€kindness€as€one€done€to€theÏentire€nation,€and€to€himselfÌAre€we€careful€enough€of€the€honour€and€name€of€our€dear€Lord?€HeÏhas€done€for€us€spiritually€all€that€Saul€did€for€Jabesh-Gilead,Ïand€more.€He€has€delivered€our€soul€from€death,€our€eyes€fromÏtears,€and€our€feet€from€falling.€Let€us€be€swift€to€maintain€theÏhonour€of€his€name€among€those€who€are€so€apt€at€making€it€theirÏscorn.ÌIt€was€well€that€these€men€did€not€wait€for€others€to€act.€HadÏthey€done€so,€the€body€of€Saul€might€have€rotted€piecemeal€on€theÏwalls€of€the€temple€at€Bethshan.€If€they€had€left€this€act€ofÏreparation€for€Abner,€or€Ish-bosheth,€it€would€never€have€beenÏdone.€There€is€no€order€of€precedence,€when€a€wrong€has€to€beÏrighted,€or€a€friend€vindicated.€The€man€who€is€next€must€act.ÏLet€us€strike€into€the€fray,€and€count€that€our€opportunity€isÏwarrant€enough.€He€who€can,€may.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòSaul€and€Jonathan€were€lovelyÐ   	 ÿ(O$+   Ðand€pleasant€in€their€lives.óó€2€Sam.€i.€23.Ð   	 Þ).%,   ÐÓ   Û   ÓÌIT€was€very€lovely€and€pleasant€of€David€to€say€so.€He€had€noÏhesitation,€of€course,€in€saying€this€of€his€beloved€Jonathan,Ïevery€memory€of€whom€was€very€pleasant,€like€a€sweet€strain€ofÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðmusic,€or€the€scent€of€the€spring€breeze;€but€he€might€have€beenÏexcused€for€omitting€Saul€from€the€graceful€and€generous€epithetsÏhe€heaped€on€the€kindred€soul€of€his€friend.€But€death€hadÏobliterated€the€sad,€dark€memories€of€recent€days,€and€hadÏtransported€the€Psalmist€across€the€dream€of€years€to€Saul€as€heÏwas€when€he€was€first€introduced€to€him.€All€that€could€be€saidÏin€praise€of€the€first€Hebrew€king€was€crowded€into€these€glowingÏlines€--€the€courage,€martial€prowess,€swiftness€to€aid€those€whoÏrequired€help,€his€pleasantness€and€courtesy€in€address.ÌThis€is€the€love€of€God,€which€He€breathes€into€the€hearts€of€hisÏchildren.€They€become€perfect€in€love,€as€He€is.€"God€commendethÏhis€love€towards€us,€in€that,€while€we€were€yet€sinners,€ChristÏdied€for€us."€It€is€God-like€for€his€children€to€love€theirÏenemies,€bless€those€who€curse€them,€and€pray€for€all€whoÏdespitefully€use€and€persecute€them.€Is€such€love€ours?€Do€weÏforbear€from€thinking€evil?€Do€we€look€on€the€virtues€more€oftenÏthan€the€failures€of€our€friends?€Do€we€cast€the€mantle€ofÏforgiveness€over€the€injuries€done€to€us,€and€dwell€tenderly€onÏthe€excellences€of€our€foes?€Such€is€the€love€which€never€fails,Ïbut€endures€when€faith€has€turned€to€fruition,€and€hope€hasÏrealized€its€dreams.ÌWe€need€most€of€all€a€baptism€of€love.€A€piece€of€clay€willÏbecome€fragrant€if€placed€in€contiguity€to€attar€of€roses.€Let€usÏlie€where€John€did,€on€the€bosom€of€incarnate€love,€till€we€beginÏto€love€as€he.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€men€of€Judah€came,€and€thereÐ   	 xÈ   Ðthey€annoited€David€king.óó€2€Sam.€ii.€4.Ð   	 W§   ÐÓ   7â   ÓÌTHUS€was€David€anointed€a€second€time.€Hitherto€he€had€been€theÏleader€of€a€troop;€now€he€became€king€of€his€own€tribe:€and€hisÏkingdom€clustered€around€the€ancient€city€of€Hebron.ÌòòTypicallyóó,€we€learn€that€our€blessed€Lord€will€be€acknowledgedÐ   	 – æ!   ÐKing€of€his€own€people,€the€Jews,€before€He€is€accepted€by€theÏworld€at€large.€Now,€his€kingdom€is€in€mystery€--€it€is€in€theÏAdullam€stage.€Men€are€gathering€to€Him€from€all€quarters;€but€asÏyet€the€world€does€not€recognise€it€in€their€politicalÏcalculations.€But€ere€long€the€Jews€will€recognise€Him€as€King,Ïand€then€we€may€begin€to€expect€his€enthronement€over€theÏpopulations€of€the€globe.€When€they€repent€and€are€converted,Ïtimes€of€repenting€will€come€to€all€the€world.ÌòòExperimentallyóó€we€are€taught,€that€as€each€new€department€of€ourÐ   	 .(~#*   Ðlife€unfolds,€we€should€give€Christ€a€fresh€coronation.€TheÏattitude€which€we€took€up€years€ago,€of€complete€consecration,Ïmust€be€applied€perpetually€to€each€fresh€development€ofÏexperience.€Each€new€step€should€be€characterised€by€a€definiteÏwaiting€on€God,€that€there€may€be€a€fresh€enduement€of€power,€aÏrecharging€of€the€spirit€with€his€might.€Was€He€King€in€the€cave,Ð   	 >-Ž(0   Ðthen€be€sure€to€acknowledge€Him€as€such,€now€that€you€are€calledÏfrom€obscurity€into€the€glare€of€noon.€Whenever€God€says,€by€theÏcircumstances€of€your€life,€Go€up;€always€kneel€at€the€feet€ofÏJesus,€saying,€"Lord,€in€the€very€little€I€found€my€joy€andÏstrength€in€serving€Thee€only;€and€now,€amid€the€greaterÏresponsibility€and€publicity€of€my€life,€I€desire€to€be€thyÏearnest,€simple-minded,€whole-hearted€follower."ÌHave€you€anointed€Jesus€as€your€King?€Do€not€fail.€Remember€howÏnear€of€kin€He€is.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòDavid€wared€stronger€and€stronger,Ð   	 øH	   Ðand€the€house€of€Saul€wared€weaker.óó€2€Sam.€iii.€1.Ð   	 ×'
   ÐÓ   ”é   ÓÌTHE€war€between€the€flesh€and€the€Spirit€is€Iong,€but€the€end€isÏsure.€As€the€Baptist€said€of€Jesus,€so€must€the€flesh€say€of€theÏSpirit,€He€must€increase;€I€must€decrease.€Sometimes,€in€the€longÏstrain€of€the€war,€our€spirit€dies€down.€Will€the€bugle€neverÏcease€to€ring€out€its€alarm?€Will€the€assaults€never€come,€to€anÏend?€When€shall€we€be€able€to€lay€aside€sword€and€breastplate,Ïand€to€enter€the€land€of€rest?€Oh€to€be€able€to€say€with€theÏApostle,€"I€have€fought€the€good€fight,€I€have€finished€myÏcourse,€I€have€kept€the€faith"!ÌYet€take€heart.€The€assaults€diminish€in€frequency€and€strengthÏin€proportion€as€they€are€faithfully€resisted.€Each€time€youÏresist€successfully€you€will€find€it€easier€to€resist.€TheÏstrength€of€the€vanquished€foe€enters€the€vanquisher.ÌMoreover,€ultimate€victory€is€secured.€"€Whatsoever€is€born€ofÏGod€overcometh€the€world;€and€this€is€the€victory€that€overcomethÏthe€world,€even€our€faith.€Who€is€he€that€overcometh€the€world,Ïbut€he€that€believeth€that€Jesus€is€the€Son€of€God?€"€(1€John€v.Ï4,€5).€It€makes€a€great€difference€to€the€soldier,€when€heÏbelongs€to€an€All-Victorious€Legion,€and€serves€under€a€CaptainÏthat€never€lost€a€fight.€And€there€can€be€no€doubt€as€to€theÏissue€in€your€heart€or€mine.€"He€must€reign€till€He€has€put€allÏenemies€under€his€feet."ÌAt€any€moment€we€may€look€for€the€sudden€collapse€of€a€greatÏportion€of€the€confederacy€of€evil,€which€has€so€long€menaced€us;Ïas€when€Abner€suddenly€came€to€Hebron€to€give€in€his€adhesion€toÏDavid.€What€a€hugh€piece€of€cliff€fell€that€day€into€the€sea!ÏExpect€the€sudden€collapse€of€evils€which€have€long€troubled€you.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAs€the€Lord€liveth,€who€hath€redeemed€my€soulÐ   	 )V$+   Ðout€of€all€adversity.óó€2€Sam.€iv.€9.Ð   	 å)5%,   ÐÓ   ’ð   ÓÌIT€was€the€mid-day€of€David's€life,€and,€looking€back,€he€saw€howÏgood€the€Lord€had€been€to€him.€Step€by€step€God€had€brought€himÏup€out€of€a€horrible€pit,€and€from€the€miry€clay,€setting€himÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðupon€a€rock,€and€establishing€his€goings.€What€need€was€there,Ïthen,€that€men€should€interfere€to€hasten€the€unfolding€of€theÏDivine€purposes?€It€had€been€his€lifelong€habit€to€wait.€WhateverÏhe€needed€he€looked€to€God€to€supply.€Whatever€difficultiesÏblocked€his€path,€he€looked€to€God€to€remove.€Whatever€men€stoodÏin€his€way,€he€looked€to€God€to€deal€with€them.€Twice€in€theÏwilderness€he€refused€to€take€Saul's€life.€He€had€executed€theÏAmalekite€because€he€claimed€to€have€slain€Saul€on€Gilboa.€And,Ïin€pursuance€of€the€same€policy,€he€could€have€no€complicity€inÏthe€act€of€the€murderers€of€Ishbosheth,€even€though€they€made€hisÏway€clear€to€the€throne€of€Israel.ÌLet€God€redeem€thee€out€of€all€thine€adversities.€Do€not€loseÏheart€or€hope.€Do€not€put€forth€thy€hand€to€snatch€at€anyÏposition€or€deliverance€by€an€act€which€might€afterwards€causeÏthee€shame€or€sorrow.€"Trust€in€the€Lord,€and€do€good.€Roll€thyÏway€upon€the€Lord.€Trust€also€in€Him,€and€He€shall€bring€it€toÏpass.€Rest€in€the€Lord,€and€wait€patiently€for€Him€"€(Psa.Ïxxxvii.€3-7,€R.V.).€He€who€turns€glaciers€to€rivers€that€passÏaway,€will€remove€all€thy€difficulties€and€perplexities.€He€shallÏcause€thee€to€inherit€the€land.€He€will€promote€thee€in€due€time,Ïand€give€thee€to€see€thy€desire€upon€thine€enemies.He€whoÏredeemed€thy€soul€by€his€most€precious€blood€cannot€fail€thee,Ïhowever€long€He€may€tarry.Remember€that€He€ever€liveth,€andÏloveth,€and€reignethÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAnd€David€took€him€more€wives€out€of€Jerusalem.óó€2€Sam.€v.€I3.Ð   	  ð   ÐÓ    ÷   ÓÌTHIS€is€terribly€disappointing!€According€to€the€ideas€of€theÏsurrounding€nations,€the€greatness€of€a€monarch€was€gauged€by€theÏextent€of€his€harem.€But€the€law€of€Moses€put€severe€restraint€onÏthe€multiplication€of€wives,€"that€his€heart€turn€not€away€"Ï(Deut.€xvii.€17).€It€seems€as€though€the€soul€of€David€sank€intoÏsensual€indulgence€and€luxuriance.€It€lost€much€of€its€earlyÏhardihood€and€strength€in€consequence;€and€at€this€period€of€hisÏlife€those€seeds€were€sown,€which€in€after€years€brought€forthÏsuch€a€plentiful€and€terrible€harvest€of€anguish,€murder,€andÏimpurity,€in€his€family.ÌFew€of€us€realize€how€much€our€character€owes€to€the€sternÏdiscipline€to€which€God€subjects€us.€The€only€way€to€keep€usÏhealthy€and€vigorous€is€to€send€us€many€a€nipping€frost,€many€aÏkeen€northern€blast.€The€bleak€hillside€breeds€stronger€naturesÏthan€the€warm€sheltered€valley.€The€difference€betweenÏAnglo-Saxon€and€Negro€is€largely€wrought€by€temperature€and€soil.ÏThe€campaign,€with€its€strain€on€every€power€of€endurance,€trainsÏbetter€soldiers€than€the€barracks.€As€David€was€a€stronger,Ïbetter€man,€when€hunted€like€a€coney€in€the€rocks€of€Engedi,€soÏare€we€braced€to€a€nobler€life,€when€all€things€seem€against€us.ÌFew€of€us€can€be€trusted€with€unbroken€happiness.€God€isÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðcompelled€to€withhold€what€the€flesh€craves.€But€where€prosperityÏhas€shone€on€your€path,€be€very€careful€not€to€abuse€it.€ConsiderÏit€as€indicating€God's€loving€trust€in€you.€He€would€ratherÏconvey€his€lesson€in€sunshine€than€in€storm.€But€walk€carefullyÏand€humbly,€looking€to€Him€constantly€for€daily€grace,€and€neverÏrelaxing€the€girdle€about€the€loin.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThey€set€the€Ark€of€God€upon€a€new€cart.óó€2€Sam.€vi.€3.Ð   	 pÀ   ÐÓ   þ   ÓÌTHIS€was€their€mistake.€The€Divine€directions€were€explicit€thatÏthe€Ark€of€the€living€God€must€be€carried€on€the€shoulders€ofÏliving€men.€There€would€have€been€no€stumbling€of€oxen,€noÏswaying€of€the€Ark€to€falling,€no€need€for€Uzzah€to€reach€out€hisÏhand,€if€only€this€simple€direction€had€been€obeyed.€ThisÏbreaking€forth€of€God€was€to€recall€men€to€simple€absoluteÏobedience€to€the€rules€and€regulations€that€had€been€soÏexplicitly€laid€down€in€the€Levitical€code.€It€could€not€fallÏinto€disuse€without€grave€loss€to€the€entire€people.€Better€thatÏone€life€should€be€sacrificed€for€disobedience€than€that€theÏwhole€nation€should€be€impoverished€for€the€relaxation€of€thatÏancient€law.ÌWe€are€fond€of€bringing€new€carts€to€God.€At€every€birthday€weÏbuild€the€new€cart€of€good€resolution,€and€place€thereon€the€ArkÏof€God.€We€will€be€different,€and€on€our€fresh€endeavours€theÏLord€of€Hosts€shall€ride;€but€we€must€drive,€and€if€needs€be,Ïsteady€the€Ark.€Ah!€it€is€not€long€before€the€oxen€stumble,€andÏUzzah€who€drives€is€smitten€to€the€dust€of€death.ÌGod€wants,€not€new€carts,€but€the€living€shoulders€of€consecratedÏmen.€We€must€live€for€Him,€surrendering€ourselves€to€his€service;Ïnot€driving,€but€being€driven;€not€conducting,€but€beingÏimpelled;€not€imposing€our€thoughts€on€Him,€but€being€willing€toÏsubmit€ourselves€absolutely€to€Him.€There€is€no€need€to€fear€God,Ïif€only€we€will€obey€Him,€and€in€obedience€discover€the€laws€byÏwhich€we€may€approach€and€serve€Him.€Then€the€power€whichÏotherwise€flames€forth€to€destroy€will€become€the€useful€servantÏof€our€faith,€and€we€shall€be€able€to€undertake€great€things€forÏGod.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòDo€as€Thou€hast€said.óó€2€Sam.€vii.€25.Ð   	 w&Ç!(   ÐÓ   ]  ÓÌTHIS€is€the€voice€of€a€childlike€faith.ÌòòNote€what€led€to€these€words.óó€--€Nathan€had€just€unfolded€to€theÐ   	 )V$+   Ðking€all€the€purposes€of€God's€heart€towards€him.€That€He€wouldÏestablish€his€throne,€deliver€him€from€his€enemies,€and€set€upÏhis€dynasty€to€succeed€him€--€this€and€much€else.€David's€heartÏwas€full€of€joy€and€gladness€--€he€knew€that€God€would€not€runÏback€from€his€word;€but€he€felt€none€the€less€the€duty€ofÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðclaiming€the€fulfilments€of€these€guarantees.€So€it€is€with€allÏthe€promises€of€God;€though€they€are€Yea€and€Amen€in€Christ,€itÏis€requisite€for€us€to€put€our€hand€on€them;€plead€them€beforeÏGod;€and€claim€their€fulfilment€with€appropriating€faith.ÌòòNotice€the€attitude€in€which€David€uttered€these€words.óó€--€"HeÐ   	 `   Ðsat€before€the€Lord."€Was€not€this€the€position€of€rest€andÏtrust?€On€another€occasion,€he€lay€all€night€upon€the€earth€(xii.Ï16),€in€an€agony€of€prayer,€because€not€sure€of€God's€purpose,Ïand€hoping€to€turn€God€by€the€extremity€of€his€anguish.€But€thereÏis€a€marvellous€alteration€in€the€tone€of€our€prayer,€so€soon€asÏwe€can€base€it€on€the€declared€purposes€of€God.€We€enter€into€hisÏrest;€we€put€ourselves€in€the€current€of€his€purposes;€we€sitÏbefore€the€Lord.ÌòòMark€the€blessedness€of€communion€with€God.óó€--€It€is€as€a€manÐ   	 ¨ø
   Ðtalks€with€his€friend.€We€are€not€retired€always€to€kneel€when€weÏpray,€or€to€con€over€a€certain€form€of€words;€we€can€sit€and€talkÏwith€God,€catching€up€his€words€as€they€fall€on€our€hearts,€andÏreflecting€them€back€on€Him€in€praise,€and€prayer,€and€happyÏconverse.€All€true€prayer€originates€in€the€declarations€of€God'sÏlove,€to€each€of€which€we€answer,€òòDo€as€Thou€hast€saidóó.Ð   	 ¸   ÐÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€silver€and€gold€he€had€dedicatedÐ   	 @   Ðof€all€nations€which€he€subdued.óó€2€Sam.€viii.€11.Ð   	 o   ÐÓ   ›  ÓÌDAVID€might€not€build€the€temple,€but€he€was€bent€on€makingÏprovision€for€it.€Indeed,€Solomon€had€never€been€able€to€do€as€heÏdid,€unless€his€father€had€gathered€these€stores€of€gold€andÏsilver.€Thus€other€men€labour,€and€we€enter€into€their€labours;Ïbut€the€accomplished€building€is€credited€by€God€to€each.€He€doesÏnot€forget€David€when€Solomon's€temple€stands€complete.€TheÏreward€is€proportioned€to€each€man's€service,€according€to€hisÏshare.ÌIt€is€a€glorious€thing€when€we€not€only€defeat€our€foes,€but€getÏspoils€out€of€their€overthrow€which€we€can€use€for€the€service€ofÏGod€and€man.€It€is€as€possible€for€us€as€for€David.€Out€of€ourÏfailures,€temptations,€mistakes,€let€us€get€the€power€of€helpingÏand€directing€others.€In€death€Jesus€won€the€keys€of€death€andÏHades,€and€the€power€to€become€a€merciful€and€faithful€HighÏPriest;€and€now€He€ever€liveth€to€make€intercession€for€hisÏpeople€(Heb.€vii.€25).ÌBut€the€main€lesson€of€this€chapter€is€the€foreshadowing€of€God'sÏpurpose,€that€Gentiles€should€contribute€to€the€building€of€hisÏTemple.€What€was€literally€true€in€the€case€of€the€temple€ofÏSolomon,€is€spiritually€true€of€the€heavenly€Temple,€the€Church.ÏFrom€every€nation,€and€kindred,€people€and€tongue,€souls€areÏbeing€gathered,€who€form€a€spiritual€house,€a€holy€Temple€in€theÏLord.€The€whole€world€is€destined€to€contribute€to€thatÏstructure,€which€is€being€prepared€secretly€and€mystically,€butÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðshall€ere€long€be€manifested€in€its€full€glory.€It€is€veryÏinteresting€to€get€this€suggestion€from€the€chronicles€of€aÏnation€so€exclusive€and€haughty€as€the€Jews.€"They€shall€comeÏfrom€the€East€and€West€.€.€.€.€"ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThou€shalt€eat€bread€at€my€table€continually.óó€2€Sam.€ix.€7.Ð   	 À	   ÐÓ   ¯  ÓÌFOUR€times€in€this€chapter€we€are€told€of€the€lame€man€eatingÏbread€at€the€royal€table.€But€what€are€these€facts€recorded€andÏrepeated€for,€save€to€accentuate€the€infinite€blessings€whichÏcome€to€us€through€the€Divine€love!ÌMephibosheth€had€done€nothing€to€merit€the€royal€favour.€Not€aÏword€is€said€of€his€being€well-Ìfavoured€and€attractive.€So€far€from€that,€he€was€lame€on€bothÏhis€feet,€and€probably€a€sickly€invalid.€In€his€own€judgment€heÏwas€worthless€as€a€dead€dog.€His€state€was€impoverished;€no€deedÏof€prowess€could€win€David's€notice;€he€was€almost€entirely€atÏthe€mercy€of€his€servant,€Ziba.€In€these€respects€there€are€manyÏanalogies€to€our€own€condition€in€the€sight€of€God.€We€are€lameÏindeed;€and,€so€far€as€we€are€concerned,€it€is€quite€impossibleÏthat€we€should€ever€win€the€Divine€regard,€or€sit€at€his€tableÏamong€his€sons.ÌBut€between€David€and€Jonathan€a€covenant€had€been€struck,€whichÏhad€provided€for€the€children€of€the€ill-fated€Jonathan€(1€Sam.Ïxx.€14-16).€It€was€because€of€this€sacred€obligation€thatÏMephibosheth€fared€as€he€did.€Look€away,€child€of€God,€to€theÏcovenant€struck€between€God€and€thy€representative,€the€Son€ofÏhis€love.€It€is€idle€of€thee€to€seek€to€propitiate€the€DivineÏfavour,€or€earn€a€seat€at€his€table;€but€if€thou€art€willing€toÏidentify€thyself€with€thy€Lord,€and€to€shelter€thyself€in€Him€byÏthe€living€union€of€faith;€if€thou€canst€base€thy€plea€on€theÏBlood€of€the€everlasting€covenant€--€then€the€provisions€of€thatÏcovenant€between€Father€and€Son€shall€be€extended€to€thee:€andÏbecause€of€God's€love€to€Jesus€thou€shalt€sit€at€the€DivineÏtable,€and€be€regarded€as€one€of€the€heirs€of€the€great€King.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€Lord€do€that€which€seemeth€Him€good.óó€2€Sam.€x.€12.Ð   	 Ç$ &   ÐÓ   ¡  ÓÌISRAEL€was€arrayed€against€overwhelming€odds.€To€human€sight€itÏmust€have€appeared€very€improbable€that€Joab€would€be€able€toÏhold€his€own.€However,€he€made€the€best€arrangements€he€could;Ïexhorted€his€men€to€be€of€good€courage€and€do€their€utmost;€andÏthen€piously€left€the€issue€to€the€God€of€battles.ÌThere€are€times€in€all€lives€when€the€case€seems€desperate.€HowÏcan€we€meet€with€ten€thousand€him€who€cometh€against€us€withÏtwenty€thousand!€Heart€and€flesh€fail.€What€resource€is€there,Ïthen€save€in€òòthe€flight€of€the€lonely€man€to€the€only€God?óó€It€isÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðfor€God€to€act,€since€the€help€of€man€is€vain.ÌòòIn€your€personal€straits.óó€--€When€patience€is€exhausted;€when€theÐ   	 ˆØ    Ðlast€handful€is€taken€from€the€barrel;€when€complicated€trialsÏmeet€and€hem€you€in;€when€the€iron€gate€and€the€keepers€beforeÏthe€door€appear€to€render€escape€impossible€--€then€look€up,€GodÏis€marching€with€reinforcements€to€your€aid.ÌòòIn€your€work€and€war€for€God€in€the€world.óó€--€We€too€often€actÐ   	 À	   Ðand€speak€as€if€success€were€to€be€won€by€the€forces€that€we€mayÏbe€able€to€bring€into€the€field,€whereas€God€asks€us€for€nothingÏmore€than€fidelity€and€the€right€disposition€of€such€forces€as€weÏcan€command;€He€will€do€all€the€rest.ÌòòIn€your€outlook€on€the€conflict€between€good€and€evil.óó€--€It€isÐ   	 øH	   Ðquite€true€that€there€appears€to€be€an€infinite€disparity€betweenÏthe€one€and€the€other.€But€there€are€other€forces€in€the€fieldÏthan€appear.€There€is€another€host€of€which€God€Himself€isÏcaptain.€When€the€enemy€comes€in€like€a€flood,€the€Spirit€of€theÏLord€lifts€up€the€standard.€"There€is€none€like€unto€the€God€ofÏJeshurun,€who€rideth€upon€the€heaven€to€thy€help."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòDavid€tarried€still€at€Jerusalem.óó€2€Sam.€xi.€1.Ð   	 à   ÐÓ   Ü!  ÓÌAH!€fatal€dalliance€in€the€arms€of€sensual€ease!€It€led€toÏDavid's€undoing.€It€was€the€time€of€the€year€when€kings€generallyÏwent€forth€to€the€fight;€and€in€earlier€days€David€would€neverÏhave€thought€of€leaving€to€Joab€or€others€the€strain€and€stressÏof€conflict€when€there€were€hard€knocks€to€give€and€take.€Indeed,Ïon€more.€than€one€occasion€his€followers€had€remonstrated€againstÏhis€exposing€the€Light€of€Israel€to€the€risks€of€the€battlefield.ÏBut€now€he€sends€Joab€and€his€mighty€men€to€fight€against€Ammon,Ïwhile€he€tarries€securely€at€Jerusalem.In€this€fatal€lethargy€heÏbetrays€the€deterioration€of€his€soul.€Already€the€walls€wereÏbroken€down,€and€entrance€into€the€citadel€was€easy.€We€are€notÏsurprised€to€learn€that€as€he€sauntered€lazily€on€his€palace€roofÏin€the€sultry€afternoon€he€was€swept€away€before€the€rush€ofÏsudden€passion,€and€took€the€poor€man's€ewe€lamb€to€satisfy€theÏva-rant,€hungry€impulse€which€suddenly€came€to€him.ÌBeware€of€hours€of€ease!€Rest€is€necessary;€times€of€recruitingÏand€renewal€must€come€to€us€all;€nature€positively€demandsÏre-creation;€but€there€must€be€no€neglect€of€known€duty,€noÏhanding€over€to€others€of€what€we€might€and€could€do€ourselves,Ïno€tarrying€behind€the€march€of€the€troops€when€we€should€goÏforth€with€them€to€the€battle.€Watch€and€pray,€that€ye€enter€notÏinto€temptation.€Be€most€on€guard€when€not€actively€engagedÏagainst€the€enemy.€One€unlocked€gate€may€admit€the€foe€to€theÏcitadel€of€the€life,€and€rob€you€of€peace€for€all€after-days.€TheÏluxury€of€the€plains€of€Capua€was€more€fatal€to€the€soldiers€ofÏHannibal€than€the€passage€of€the€Alps.ÌÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ð‡Ó    ÓòòAnd€David€went€to€Rabboh,€and€foughtÐ   	 °      Ðagainst€it,€and€took€it.óó€2€Sam.€xii.€29.Ð   	 ß    ÐÓ   ¦(  ÓÌVICTORY€might€seem€to€have€been€for€ever€forfeited€after€so€greatÏa€fall.€We€could€not€have€been€surprised€had€we€been€told€thatÏfrom€this€time€onward€the€course€of€David's€conquests€had€stayed.ÏAnd€yet€this€thought€would€be€a€misconception€of€God's€dealingsÏwith€the€penitent.€Where€there€is€true€contrition,€confession,Ïand€faith,€He€not€only€forgives,€but€restores;€He€not€onlyÏrestores€to€the€enjoyment€of€his€favour,€but€reinstates€inÏopportunities€of€usefulness.€So€Jesus€not€only€met€the€apostleÏwho€had€denied€Him,€and€put€him€back€into€the€old€position€ofÏhappy€fellowship,€but€gave€him€a€commission€to€feed€his€sheep€andÏlambs.ÌWe€have€sometimes€met€backsliders€who€have€doubted€theÏpossibility€of€their€forgiveness;€or,€if€they€have€realized€this,Ïthey€have€never€dared€to€hope€that€they€could€ever€be€what€theyÏhad€been.€And€so€long€as€faith€refuses€to€believe€in€the€perfectÏwork€of€God's€love,€it€must€inevitably€take€a€back€seat.€Let€usÏseek€for€such€an€entire€faith€in€God's€forgiving€and€restoringÏlove€as€to€dare€to€believe€that€we€are€put€again€into€the€oldÏplace,€and€allowed€to€anticipate€the€same€victories€as€aforetime.Ï"If€we€confess€our€sins,€He€is€faithful€and€just€to€forgive€usÏour€sins,€and€to€cleanse€us€from€all€unrighteousness"€(1€John€i.Ï9).ÌDirectly€David€said,€"I€have€sinned,"€in€the€dash€of€a€momentÏNathan€said,€"The€Lord€hath€put€away€thy€sin";€and€when€Joab€sentÏtidings€that€Rabbah€was€about€to€fall,€David€was€permitted€theÏhonour€of€its€final€capture,€though€it€had€been€associated€soÏclosely€with€Uriah's€death.€Where€sin€abounds€grace€superabounds,Ïand€reigns€through€righteousness.€Dare€to€believe€this.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThen€the€king€arose,€and€tare€his€garments,Ð   	 – æ!   Ðand€lay€on€the€earth.óó€2€Sam,€xiii.€31.Ð   	 u!Å"   ÐÓ   ³/  ÓÌTHROUGHOUT€the€incidents€of€this€chapter,€the€soul€of€DavidÏtouched€the€bottom€of€the€sea€of€anguish€and€remorse.€TheÏcircumstances€narrated€were€in€themselves€sad€enough;€but€thereÏwas€a€more€bitter€element€in€them€for€David,€because€he€knew€thatÏthey€were€the€harvest€of€which€his€own€sin€was€the€seed.€HereÏbegan€to€be€fulfilled€the€sentence€of€God€through€Nathan,€"TheÏsword€shall€never€depart€from€thine€house."ÌHe€had€broken€up€the€peace€of€another's€home,€and€peace€hadÏquitted€his€home,€never€to€return.€He€had€defiled€the€purity€ofÏUriah's€wife,€and€the€purity€of€his€own€daughter€had€beenÏtrampled€under€foot.€He€had€smitten€Uriah,€and€now€Absalom€hadÏmurdered€Amnon.€Through€those€awful€hours€when€the€entire€fate€ofÏthe€whole€of€his€family€seemed€trembling€in€the€balance,€he€drankÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðto€the€dregs€the€cup€of€bitterness.€Oh,€how€true€are€theÏapostle's€words:€"Whatsoever€a€man€soweth,€that€shall€he€alsoÏreap.€For€he€that€soweth€to€his€flesh€shall€of€the€flesh€reapÏcorruption;€but€he€that€soweth€to€the€Spirit€shall€of€the€SpiritÏreap€life€everlasting."ÌSin€resembles€the€Australian€weed,€which€when€once€it€is€sown€inÏthe€waters€will€spread€with€such€rapidity€as€to€spoil€theirÏbeauty,€and€choke€their€flow.€We€must€distinguish€between€theÏpenal€and€natural€results.€The€penal€were€borne€by€Christ€for€usÏall,€and€are€remitted€for€evermore;€but€the€natural€remain€evenÏto€forgiven€penitents,€as€they€did€to€David.€Still,€God's€graceÏmay€transmute€them€into€blessings,€and€cause€pearls€to€grow€whereÏbefore€there€had€been€gaping€wounds.€Ask€God€to€take€in€hand€theÏnatural€consequences€of€your€sins,€and€make€them€means€of€graceÏand€ennoblement.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòYet€doth€He€devise€means€that€hisÐ   	 X   Ðbanished€be€not€expelled€from€Him.óó€2€Sam.€xiv.€14.Ð   	 ç7   ÐÓ   ß6  ÓÌTHE€means€that€David€devised€were€really€inadequate.€He€allowedÏhis€heart€to€dictate€to€his€royal€sense€of€justice€and€rectitude,Ïand€permitted€Absalom€to€return€to€his€country€and€home€withoutÏone€word€of€confession,€one€symptom€of€penitence.€The€king€wasÏovermastered€by€the€father;€and€the€result€was€disastrous.€ItÏshook€the€respect€of€his€people,€undermined€the€foundations€ofÏjust€government,€slackened€the€bands€of€every€family€in€the€land,Ïand€confirmed€Absalom€in€his€wilful€and€obstinate€career.€"What!"Ïsaid€he€to€himself,€"does€my€father€bid€me€come€back€withoutÏconditions?€Does€he€demand€no€confession€or€reparation?€Then€heÏcondones€my€sin."ÌLot€parents€be€warned.€If€your€children€disobey,€and€violate€theÏrules€of€your€home,€you€have€no€right€to€treat€them€as€you€didÏbefore,€until€they€have€owned€their€sin.€You€must€insist€onÏpenitence,€confession,€and€reparation,€though€it€take€hours€orÏdays€or€even€weeks€of€suffering€and€pleading€to€bring€it€about.ÌInto€what€relief€does€David's€mistake€throw€God's€way€ofÏforgiveness€and€salvation!€Had€he€acted€as€David,€and€as€so€manyÏwish€us€to€believe,€He€would€have€reinstated€the€human€family€inÏthe€Paradise€of€his€love€without€waiting€for€the€work€of€theÏMediator,€or€the€confession€of€the€prodigal.€By€the€arbitraryÏexercise€of€his€sovereign€will€He€might€have€wiped€out€the€recordÏof€our€sins€%without€our€concurrence.€But€it€would€have€been€toÏthe€irreparable€undoing€of€man.€Hence€it€behoved€Christ€toÏsuffer,€by€his€blood€making€an€atonement€for€our€sins,€and€by€hisÏSpirit€bringing€us€to€penitence€and€confession.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòHere€am€I,€let€Him€do€to€me€asÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðseemth€good€unto€Him.óó€2€Sam.€xv.€26.Ð   	 °      ÐÓ   ²=  ÓÌTHERE€is€the€patience€of€hope.€We€love€to€gird€ourselves€in€theÏvehemence€of€our€self-will,€to€go€where€we€choose,€to€rule€theÏlives€of€others;€but€as€the€years€pass€and€our€pride€is€humbled,Ïthe€sinews€of€our€strength€slackened,€and€the€radiance€of€earlyÏprospects€overcast,€we€are€willing€to€hand€ourselves€over€to€ourÏFather,€saying,€"Behold,€here€am€I;€let€Him€do€to€me€as€seemethÏgood€unto€Him."ÌIt€was€thus€that€Isaac€was€passive€in€the€hands€of€Abraham.€ItÏwas€thus€that€Jesus€spoke€to€his€Father,€"I€come€to€do€thy€will,Ï0€my€God."€It€was€thus€that€the€maiden€who€was€blessed€aboveÏwomen,€answered€the€angel's€message.€It€was€thus€that€Paul,€whenÏurged€not€to€go€up€to€Jerusalem,€avowed€his€willingness€to€liveÏor€die,€as€the€Lord€might€choose.ÌGod€is€ever€working€upon€us€through€circumstances;€and,€as€in€theÏpresent€case,€sometimes€He€overrules€the€plottings€of€wicked€menÏto€fulfil€his€Divine€purpose.€His€will€is€sometimes€brought€to€usÏin€a€cup€which€a€Judas€holds€to€our€lips.€How€blessed€to€be€ableÏto€say,€as€we€go€forth€to€meet€our€Father's€will,€Behold,€here€amÏI!€and€to€look€beyond€the€plottings€and€machinations€of€ourÏenemies€to€One€who€loves€us€infinitely.€Whatever€He€permits€mustÏbe€good.€Good,€if€driven€as€an€exile€from€our€home;€good,€ifÏexposed€to€the€revilings€of€a€Shimei;€good,€if€the€heart€breaksÏin€bitter€tears.€All€must€be€good€which€the€good€Lord€permits€orÏappoints.€Many€were€the€afflictions€of€David,€but€out€of€them€allÏhe€was€delivered.€When€he€had€learnt€the€lesson,€the€rod€wasÏstayed.€God€did€not€take€away€his€mercy€from€him.€Thou€too€art€inÏhis€hands,€and€He€will€certainly€bring€thee€again,€and€show€theeÏthe€city€and€his€habitation.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€king€and€all€the€people€came€weary,Ð   	 ·    Ðand€refreshed€themselves€there.óó€2€Sam.€xvi.€14.Ð   	 – æ!   ÐÓ   ÖD  ÓÌA€GREAT€weariness€falls€often€on€our€souls.€We€are€weariedÏbecause€of€the€greatness€of€our€way,€and€inclined€to€say€there€isÏno€hope.€Memory€tires€us,€perpetually€casting€up€the€record€ofÏpast€unfaithfulness€and€transgression.€The€bitter€way€of€theÏnatural€consequences€of€sin€is€toilsome€and€difficult€to€theÏfeet.€We€faint€before€the€averted€eve€of€former€friends€and€theÏpitiless€criticism€of€foes.€Longings€for€a€vanished€past,€forÏlife€and€love,€for€purity€and€peace,€grind€heavily€in€the€soul.ÏOur€King€has€known€something€of€human€weariness,€though€not€fromÏall€the€sources€that€cause€it€in€his€subjects.ÌBut€amid€the€presence€of€our€weariness€the€voice€of€God€may€beÏheard€saying,€"This€is€the€rest€wherewith€ye€may€cause€the€wearyÏto€rest,€and€this€is€the€refreshing."€There€is€rest€for€wearyÏsouls€beneath€the€shadow€of€the€cross,€in€the€sight€of€which€theÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðburden€rolls€away.€There€is€rest€and€refreshment€as€we€sit€in€theÏbanqueting€house€of€Christ's€manifested€and€realized€affection.ÏThere€is€refreshment€as€we€eat€of€his€flesh€and€drink€of€hisÏblood;€as€we€yield€our€will€to€his;€as€we€sit€with€Him€inÏheavenly€places.€We€assuredly€find€Him€to€be€"a€hiding€place€fromÏthe€wind,€and€a€covert€from€the€tempest;€as€rivers€of€water€in€aÏdry€place,€as€the€shadow€of€a€great€rock€in€a€weary€land"€(Isa.Ïxxxii.€2).ÌThere€is€no€hill€Difficulty€without€its€arbour;€no€desert€withoutÏits€oasis;€no€sultry€heat€without€its€shadow€of€a€great€rock;€noÏweariness€without€its€pillow€;€no€intolerable€sorrow€without€itsÏsolace;€no€weariness€without€its€refreshment;€no€failure€of€manÏwithout€a€very€present€help€in€God.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòArise,€and€pass€quickly€over€the€water.óó€2€Sam.€xvii.€21.Ð   	 X¨   ÐÓ   áK  ÓÌTHE€water€of€Jordan€may€serve€as€an€illustration€for€ourÏposition.€Our€David€has€passed€over€the€waters€of€death€and€inÏdoing€so€has€taken€us€with€Him.€There€is€a€sense€in€which€in€theÏmorning€light€of€Easter€Day€all€who€believed€passed€over€withÏHim,€so€that€"by€the€morning€light€there€lacked€not€one€of€themÏthat€was€not€gone€over€Jordan."ÌWe€all€hold€the€doctrine€of€òòSubstitutionóó.€Do€we€sufficientlyÐ   	 o   Ðrealize€that€of€òòIdentificationóó?€Not€only€did€Jesus€die€for€us,Ð   	 ÷G   Ðbut€we€died€with€and€in€Him.€In€Him,€as€the€true€Noah's€Ark,€theÏwhole€Church€passed€over€the€Jordan€of€death€from€the€old€worldÏto€the€new.€There€are€some€who€do€not€understand€that€in€theÏpurpose€of€God€we€are€already€standing€on€resurrection€ground.ÏAcross€the€water€we€can€hear€the€murmur€of€the€world,€and€detectÏits€corruption;€but€we€are€the€inheritors€of€the€world€in€whichÏthere€is€no€death€nor€corruption€nor€the€dominion€of€sin.€When€aÏman€realizes€this€he€no€longer€braces€himself€up€to€meet€death,Ïbecause€he€knows€that€in€the€person€of€Christ€he€has€left€itÏbehind€for€ever.ÌWhat€is€true,€however,€in€God's€purpose€should€be€the€aim€andÏgoal€of€our€daily€striving.€To€us€there€comes€the€unceasing€call,Ï"Arise,€and€go€over€Jordan."€There€is€always€a€thither€and€aÏhither€side€for€every€experience€and€act.€We€may€always€do€as€theÏworld€does;€this€is€to€stay€on€the€death€side.€We€may€always€doÏas€Christ€does;€this€is€to€pass€over€to€the€risen€and€livingÏside.€Reckon€that€you€have€died,€and€mortify€the€deeds€of€yourÏbody.€"And€if€Christ€be€in€you,€the€body€is€dead€because€of€sin;Ïbut€the€spirit€is€life€because€of€righteousness.€"ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòWherefore€wilt€thou€run?€.€.€.€Come€what€may,€said€he,Ð   	 ‡+×&.   ÐI€will€run.óó€2€Sam.€xviii.€22,€23€(R.V.).Ð   	 f,¶'/   ÐÓ   ÖR  ÓÐ   	 E-•(0   ÐMOAB€did€not€love€David,€as€Ahimaaz€did,€and€could€not€understandÏwhat€made€the€young€man€so€eager€to€carry€the€tidings.€DoubtlessÏAhimaaz€and€Cushi€entirely€misinterpreted€the€heart€of€David,€andÏthought€that€he€would€be€glad€to€hear€that€the€rebellion€wasÏstamped€out,€and€Absalom€was€dead.€And€it€was€because€of€theÏpleasure€which€he€thought€to€give€his€king€that€the€swift-footedÏson€of€Zadok€pleaded€for€permission€to€run.€What€though€thereÏwould€be€no€reward,€or€that€it€would€fall€to€the€lot€of€Cushi,Ïwho€had€already€started€at€Joab's€command€--€that€mattered€not,Ïthe€love€of€David€constrained€him.ÌHow€often€that€question€of€reward€is€thrown€at€the€servants€ofÏGod!€It€is€one€of€the€favourite€taunts€of€the€world;€as€SatanÏsaid€of€Job,€that€we€do€as€we€do€because€we€are€paid.€"Doth€JobÏserve€God€for€nought?"€And€nothing€so€startles€men€asÏdisinterested€service.€They€cannot€account€for€it;€but€it€winsÏtheir€respect.€"Reward€or€no€reward;€recompense€or€none;€smilesÏor€tears,€come€what€may,€let€me€run."€That€is€the€spirit€thatÏbecomes€a€Christian,€and€convinces€the€world.€"The€love,€ofÏChrist€constraineth€us."ÌAhimaaz€outran€Cushi.€The€one€was€a€volunteer€for€love's€dearÏsake;€the€other,€a€bond-servant,€doing€as€he€was€told.€Love€lentÏwings€to€his€feet,€and€speeding€past€his€fellow€bore€him€firstÏinto€David's€presence.€So€God's€will€is€done€in€heaven:€"TheÏcherubim€ran€and€returned€like€a€flash€of€lighting."€So€God'sÏwill€is€done€on€earth:€"They€departed€quickly€from€the€tomb€withÏfear€and€great€joy,€and€ran€to€bring€his€disciples€word.€AndÏbehold,€Jesus€met€them,€saying,€All€hail!"ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€King€is€near€of€kin€to€us.óó€€2€Sam.€xix.€42.Ð   	 (x   ÐÓ   ÞY  ÓÌTHERE€are€two€derivations€for€the€word€òòkingóó:€one€from€the€wordÐ   	 ß/   Ðòòcanóó€--€the€king€is€the€man€that€can€do€things;€the€other€from€theÐ   	 ·    Ðword€òòkinóó€--€the€king€is€closely€related€to€us,€of€our€kith€andÐ   	  ß!   Ðkin.€In€either€case,€there€is€a€beautiful€meaning,€as€touchingÏour€Lord€and€Saviour.€He€is€King,€because€He€has€overcome€ourÏenemies,€and€can€overcome.€He€is€King,€because€He€has€taken€onÏHimself€our€flesh€and€blood,€and€has€for€ever€made€us€one€withÏHimself.€The€King€is€our€kinsman.€Our€kinsman€is€King.ÌIt€is€very€comforting€to€know€how€really€our€Lord€has€identifiedÏHimself€with€us.€The€Gospels€are€full€of€the€wonderful€story.€HisÏkinship€was€manifested€in€--€ÌòòHis€Prayersóó.€--€He€bade€us€speak€to€God€as€our€Father;€in€thatÐ   	 '(w#*   Ðmarvellous€possessive€pronoun,€not€only€Iinking€us€all€to€oneÏanother,€but€including€Himself€in€our€petitions,€save€when€we€askÏfor€forgiveness.ÌòòHis€Infirmitiesóó.€--€"We€have€not€a€high€priest€who€cannot€beÐ   	 ‡+×&.   Ðtouched€with€the€feeling€of€our€infirmities."€His€hunger€andÏthirst;€his€weariness€and€exhaustion;€his€suffering€unto€death€--Ð   	 7-‡(0   Ðall€accentuate€the€closeness€of€the€tie€between€us.ÌòòHis€Temptationóó.€--€"In€all€points€tempted€like€as€we€are,€yetÐ   	 ˆØ    Ðwithout€sin."€The€avenues€through€which€the€tempter€couldÏapproach€Him€were€those€by€which€He€assails€us€also.€NoÏtemptation€took€Him,€but€such€as€is€common€to€man.€So€to€everyÏlonely€soldier€of€his€He€draws€near,€saying,€"Be€of€good€cheer;€IÏhave€passed€through€it€all.€I€am€your€brother€in€the€fight;€IÏfeel€for€you€with€a€quick€sympathy;€the€glories€of€my€throne€doÏnot€alter€my€true-hearted€love."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€men€of€Judah€clave€unto€their€King.óó€2€Sam.€xx.€2.Ð   	 øH	   ÐÓ   a  ÓÌWE€are€reminded€of€the€exhortation€of€the€good€Barnabas,€thatÏwith€purpose€of€heart€the€converts€of€Antioch€should€cleave€untoÏthe€Lord.€This€is€the€test€of€a€true€faith.€We€often€come€to€theÏdividing€of€the€paths.€We€stand€on€the€watershed€of€the€hills:Ïthat€way€leads€back€to€Moab€with€its€fascinations;€this€on€toÏCanaan€with€its€spiritual€attractions.€Orpah€and€Ruth€mustÏchoose.€Each€is€equally€profuse€in€speeches€and€tears;€but€theÏultimate€test€of€love€is€whether€they€will€stay€or€go.€Which€willÏcleave€to€the€widowed€Naomi?€She€is€the€truest€lover;€herÏfidelity€will€attest€the€fervour€and€strength€of€her€affection.ÏOrpah€kissed€her€mother-in-law,€and€returned€to€her€people€andÏher€gods,€while€Ruth€"clave€unto€her."ÌWe€must€cleave€to€Jesus,òò€in€spite€of€the€derision€of€theÐ   	 Ï   Ðmultitudeóó.€We€must€be€prepared€to€stand€with€Him€when€He€standsÐ   	 §÷   Ðalone,€or€goes€forth€alone€to€die.€We€must€be€willing€to€stem€theÏmighty€tide€of€the€world€which€has€left€Him€and€pours€past€us.ÏThough€all€forsake€Him,€yet€we€must€cleave.ÌWe€must€cleave€to€Jesus,€òòin€spite€of€the€rebellion€of€the€fleshóó.Ð   	 W   ÐOur€whole€nature€may€sometimes€rise€in€insurrection,€demandingÏsome€forbidden€fruit.€It€is€no€child's€play€then€for€the€lonelyÏwill€to€stand€by€itself€in€unshaken€fidelity€and€loyalty;€but€itÏmust.ÌWe€must€cleave€to€Jesus€òòwhen€He€seems€to€rebuff€usóó.€Only€thoseÐ   	 ?"#   Ðwho€can€stand€so€sharp€an€ordeal,€are€exposed€to€it.€ButÏsometimes€we€are€called€to€pass€through€it€as€Job,€that€angelsÏmay€learn€how€Christ's€lovers€cling€to€Him,€not€for€his€gifts,Ïbut€for€Himself.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòBecause€he€slew€the€Gibeonites.óó€€2€Sam,€xxi.€1.Ð   	 '(w#*   ÐÓ   øg  ÓÌTHE€Gibeonites€were€under€the€protection€of€a€special€covenant,Ïwhich€had€been€entered€into€between€them€and€Joshua.€ThatÏcovenant€was€the€outcome€of€a€ruse€on€their€part.€But€since€itÏhad€been€most€solemnly€made€by€the€leaders€of€Israel,€it€heldÏgood.€The€fact€of€their€deceit€and€chicanery€could€not€absolveÐ   	 >-Ž(0   ÐIsrael€from€the€oath€which€had€been€passed€for€their€safety.€ForÏcenturies€the€provisions€of€this€covenant€had€been€observed,€tillÏSaul€invaded€them,€and€slew€the€Gibeonites.€This€was€a€grievousÏsin,€which,€according€to€the€religious€light€of€the€time,€seemedÏto€demand€blood;€and€David€proposed€to€atone€for€blood€by€blood.ÏNothing€but€blood€could€atone€for€sin€so€black€and€dark.ÌWe€are€also€protected€by€a€covenant,€into€which€the€Father€hasÏentered€with€the€Son,€not€for€our€worthiness€or€merit,€but€onlyÏbecause€He€would.€The€provisions€of€that€covenant€engage€to€takeÏus€to€be€his€people,€to€remember€our€sins€no€more,€and€to€makeÏthe€Divine€law€the€object€of€our€love€(Heb.€viii.).€And€theÏargument€is€irresistible,€that€if€man€is€so€mindful€of€a€covenantÏas€to€feel€that€its€infraction€is€a€sin€which€can€only€beÏexpiated€by€blood-shedding,€it€is€impossible€to€suppose€that€GodÏwill€ever€run€back€from€his.Ì0€my€soul,€thou€mayest€rest€secure€in€this:€here€is€anÏeverlasting€rock;€this€foundation€shall€suffice€thee€forÏevermore.€Thou€art€in€the€Son€of€his€love.€Though€thou€art€sinfulÏand€evil,€yet€thou€art€included€in€the€covenant€which€is€moreÏlasting€than€that€of€day€and€night.€Jesus€has€met€its€conditionsÏon€thy€behalf,€and€has€undertaken€to€secure€thy€obedience€andÏholiness.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThy€gentleness€hath€made€me€great.óó€€2€Sam.€xxii.€36.Ð   	 ð@   ÐÓ   ·n  ÓÌTHE€triumph€of€God's€gentle€goodness€will€be€our€song€for€ever.ÏIn€those€far€distant€ages,€when€we€look€back€on€our€earthlyÏcourse,€as€a€grown€man€on€his€boyhood,€and€when€the€words€of€thisÏPsalm€shall€express€our€glad€emotions,€we€shall€recognise€thatÏthe€Hand€which€brought€us€thither€was€as€gentle€as€our€mother's;Ïand€that€the€things€we€craved,€but€faileth€to€receive,€wereÏwithheld€by€his€gentle€goodness.€Our€history€tells€whatÏgentleness€will€do.ÌThe€Apostle€besought€the€Corinthian€converts€by€the€gentleness€ofÏChrist€(2€Cor.€x.€1).€Though€there€were€abuses€amongst€them€thatÏseemed€to€call€for€stringent€dealing,€he€felt€that€they€could€beÏbest€removed€by€the€gentle€love€which€he€had€learned€from€theÏheart€of€Christ.€The€wisdom€which€is€from€above€is€gentle€as€wellÏas€pure;€and€in€dealing€with€the€sin€that€chokes€our€growth,€itÏis€probable€that€gentleness€will€do€more€than€severity.€TheÏgentleness€of€the€nurse€that€cherishes€her€children;€of€the€loverÏto€her€whom€he€cherishes€above€himself;€of€the€infinite€loveÏwhich€bears€and€endures€to€the€uttermost€--€is€the€furnace€beforeÏwhich€the€foul€ingredients€of€our€hearts€are€driven€never€toÏreturn.€We€might€brave€the€lion;€we€are€vanquished€by€the€Lamb.ÏWe€could€withstand€the€scathing€look€of€scorn;€but€when€theÏgentle€Lord€casts€on€us€the€look€of€ineffable€tenderness,€we€goÏout€to€weep€bitterly.Ð   	 7-‡(0   ÐThat€He€has€borne€with€us€so€lovingly;€that€He€has€filled€ourÏlives€with€mercy€even€when€compelled€to€correct;€that€He€hasÏnever€altered€in€his€tender€behaviour€towards€us;€that€He€hasÏreturned€our€rebuffs€and€slights€with€meekness€and€forbearance;Ïthat€He€has€never€wearied€of€us€--€this€is€an€everlasting€tributeÏto€the€gentleness€that€makes€great.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAs€the€light€of€the€morning€when€the€sun€riseth,Ð   	 pÀ   Ða€morning€without€clouds.óó€2€Sam.€xxiii.€4.Ð   	 OŸ	   ÐÓ   îu  ÓÌTHE€dealings€of€God€with€man€are€compared€to€morning€light,€andÏthe€sprouting€of€tender€grass€in€the€sunshine€that€follows€rain.ÏThe€one€may€refer€to€youth,€and€the€other€to€age.€In€each€thereÏis€sunlight:€in€the€one€case€it€is€before€the€clouds€haveÏgathered;€in€the€other€after€they€have€dispersed.ÌòòCloudsóó.€--€There€are€many€different€sorts:€the€cirrus,€likeÐ   	 >Ž   Ðplatines€in€the€sky;€the€cumulus,€in€heaps,€like€the€summits€ofÏdistant€mountains;€the€strata,€or€long€bars;€the€nimbus,€heavyÏwith€shower.€There€is€a€counterpart€for€each€in€human€life,Ïwithout€which€we€should€miss€much€of€those€experiences€of€lightÏand€shade€that€so€frequently€reveal€the€nature€of€the€light.€WeÏshould€not€know€God's€comfort€and€very€present€help,€if€it€wereÏnot€for€the€clouds€which€are€born€in€the€marsh-lands€of€trouble.ÏWho€does€not€prefer€the€changeful€beauty€of€an€English€spring€toÏthe€unclouded€blue€of€Italian€skies?ÌòòThe€Light€of€the€Morningóó.€--€The€love€of€God€steals€over€heartsÐ   	 ®þ   Ðas€the€dawn.€He€is€the€Rock;€but€his€advent€breaks€gently€asÏlight.€So€God's€love€came€to€Lydia,€whose€heart€opened€as€aÏflower€its€petals.€This€makes€it€difficult€for€some€of€us€toÏdecide€the€moment€of€our€regeneration;€only€we€know€that,€onceÏdarkness,€we€are€now€light€in€the€Lord.ÌòòClear€Shining€after€Rainóó.€--€We€all€know€something€of€cloud€andÐ   	 ¾    Ðrain.€If€we€did€not,€our€lives€would€be€arid€as€a€desert.€Rain€isÏnecessary€to€fructify€the€seeds€that€lie€buried€in€the€soil€butÏclear€shining€is€needed€too.€Times€of€joy€are€needed€equally€asÏthose€of€sorrow.€The€tender€grass€is€the€child€of€rain€and€sun.ÏHast€thou€had€tears,€thou€shalt€have€smiles!€Hast€thou€had€cloudsÏand€rain,€thou€shalt€have€clear€shining!ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòNeither€will€I€offer€burnt€offerings€.€.€.€of€that€Ð   	 V'¦")   Ðwhich€doth€cost€me€nothing.óó€2€Sam.€xxiv.€24.Ð   	 5(…#*   ÐÓ   z}  ÓÌGOD'S€love€to€us€òòcost€Him€somethingóó.€He€spared€not€his€own€Son,Ð   	 ì)<%,   Ðand€that€Son€spared€not€his€blood.€But€how€little€our€love€to€HimÏcosts€us!€Let€us€understand€that€where€there€is€true,€strong€loveÏto€Jesus,€it€will€cost€us€something.€Love€is€the€costliest€of€allÏundertakings.Ð   	 L-œ(0   ÐIt€will€cost€us€òòSelf-denialóó.€Christ€and€self€are€perfectlyÐ   	 °      Ðincompatible;€to€have€the€one€we€must€be€prepared€to€surrenderÏthe€other.€The€heart€subtly€schemes€to€hold€both;€but€it€does€notÏdeceive€Christ.€He€knows€in€a€moment€when€we€have€preferred€toÏspare€ourselves€and€to€sacrifice€Him,€or€to€obey€Him€andÏsacrifice€ourselves.€We€know€it€also.€At€first€we€may€find€it€anÏeffort€to€count€all€things€but€loss€for€Him;€but€as€we€go€onÏdoing€it,€and€drink€in€the€fresh€air€that€breathes€about€theÏmountains€of€self-denial€--€above€all,€as€we€see€the€smile€ofÏpleasure€on€his€face€--€our€hearts€leap€with€joy,€and€we€love€toÏgive€Him€everything,€not€thinking€of€the€cost,€any€more€than€MaryÏdid€when€she€broke€the€alabaster€box€of€very€precious€ointment.ÏAfter€all,€it€is€but€fitting€that€we€offer€our€bodies€"a€livingÏsacrifice,€holy,€acceptable€unto€God."ÌIt€will€cost€us€òòCompanionshipsóó.€Those€who€knew€us€will€pass€usÐ   	 €Ð   Ðwith€averted€faces.€It€will€cost€us€òòhard-earned€moneyóó;€for€weÐ   	 X¨   Ðshall€realize€that€we€have€no€property€in€anything€that€weÏpossess.€It€will€cost€us€òòhigh€reputeóó€amongst€our€fellows.€ButÐ   	 X   Ðwhat€shall€we€mind€if€we€gain€Christ?€You€cannot€give€up€for€HimÏwithout€regaining€everything€you€have€renounced,€but€purified€andÏtransfigured.€Did€not€the€Lord€say€so?€And€did€He€not€add€òòaÐ   	 à   Ðhundredfold,€with€persecutionóó.€Let€us€heartily€respond,€"Lord,Ð   	 h¸   ÐThou€knowest€all€things:€Thou€knowest€that€I€love€Thee!€"ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAs€the€Lord€liveth,€that€hath€redeemed€my€soulÐ   	 È   Ðout€of€all€distress.óó€1€Kings€i.€29.Ð   	 §÷   ÐÓ   ……  ÓÌ"IN€my€distress€I€called€on€the€Lord,€and€cried€to€my€God."€NeverÏlet€there€be€distress€without€its€cry.€He€will€hear€your€voiceÏout€of€his€temple,€and€your€cry€will€come€before€Him€even€intoÏhis€ears.€He€will€answer,€and€set€you€in€a€large€place.€There€isÏeven€a€gain€to€be€won€from€distress,€because€it€brings€out€newÏphases€of€Christ's€redemptive€help.ÌGod€redeemed€David€from€òòthe€calumny€of€those€who€maligned€himóóÐ   	 n!¾"   Ðwithout€cause.€In€so€many€of€his€psalms€he€refers€to€the€unjustÏand€cruel€hatred€which€misrepresented€him€and€his€doings.€ButÏGod,€to€whom€he€committed€his€cause,€vindicated€him,€so€that€hisÏrighteousness€shone€as€the€light,€and€his€judgment€as€theÏnoonday.€So€He€will€do€for€you.€Those€who€now€lay€all€manner€ofÏunkind€charges€to€your€door,€will€be€compelled€to€admit€yourÏinnocence.€Only€leave€your€cause€with€God,€and€be€still.ÌGod€redeemed€David€from€all€òòthe€afflictions€that€shadowed€hisÐ   	 .(~#*   Ðearly€daysóó:€from€his€wanderings€in€the€wilderness;€from€hisÐ   	 )V$+   Ðhairbreadth€escapes€in€the€eaves;€from€meeting€his€death€on€manyÏa€terrible€battlefield.€We€hardly€realize,€just€now,€how€much€weÏowe€to€the€Angel€of€God's€redemption,€who€is€ever€beside€us,Ïenvironing€us€with€careful€love,€so€that€no€evil€may€approach€us,Ïor€snare€take€our€feet.€Our€pathway€is€thick€with€shares€andÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðdangers,€as€the€pilgrims€found€it€when€journeying€through€theÏvalley€of€the€shadow;€but€there€is€a€way€out,€and€in€the€morningÏwe€shall€marvel€to€see€how€we€escaped.ÌGod€redeemed€David's€òòlife€from€destructionóó.€This€was€the€greatestÐ   	 8ˆ   Ðmiracle€of€all,€when€we€consider€the€strong€passions€thatÏslumbered€within€him,€breaking€out€whenever€he€broke€loose€fromÏGod's€grace.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThat€the€Lord€may€continue€his€word.óó€1€Kings€ii.€4.Ð   	 H˜	   ÐÓ     ÓÌHOW€strongly€David€held€to€God's€promise!€It€was€deeply€graven€inÏhis€soul.€How€could€he€forget€the€word€which€guaranteed€theÏsuccession€of€his€race€upon€the€throne€of€Israel!€At€the€sameÏtime€be€distinctly€recognised€that€the€fulfilment€wasÏconditional.€There€was€an€òòifóó€in€it.€It€was€only€in€so€far€as€hisÐ   	 _¯   Ðchildren€took€heed€to€walk€before€God€in€truth€that€God€was€boundÏto€place€them€on€the€throne€of€Israel;€therefore€he€urged€SolomonÏto€keep€the€charge€of€the€Lord,€that€the€Lord€might€continue€hisÏword.€We€also€must€obey€the€threefold€condition€if€we€would€enjoyÏa€continuance€of€God's€helpful€care.Ì1.€òòBe€thou€strongóó.€--€The€strength€which€is€in€Jesus€Christ€waitsÐ   	 o¿   Ðto€make€us€strong.€In€the€Lion€of€the€tribe€of€Judah€there€is€theÏboldness€which€will€not€swerve€in€the€face€of€the€foe.€TimidÏwomen€and€little€children€in€the€days€of€persecution€have€waxedÏvaliant€in€the€fight,€and€have€not€flinched€from€death,€becauseÏJesus€was€beside€them.Ì2.€òòKeep€the€charge€of€the€Lord€thy€Godóó.€--€He€has€committed€toÐ   	 Ï   Ðour€care€many€a€sacred€deposit,€in€return€for€our€deposit€withÏHim€(2€Tim.€i.€12,€14;€R.V.,€òòmargóó.).€They€are€his€holy€Gospel,Ð   	 /   Ðthe€Rest€Day,€the€doctrines€of€the€Evangelical€Faith,€and€theÏInspired€Word.€Let€us€watch€them€until€we€see€them€weighed€out€inÏthe€temple€as€were€the€sacred€vessels€which€Ezra€committed€to€theÏpriests€for€transport€across€the€desert€(Ezra€viii.€33).Ì3.€òòKeep€his€statutes€and€commandmentsóó.€--€We€must€obey€withÐ   	 g!·"   Ðreverent€care€the€one€great€law€of€love,€which€includes€all€theÏrest.€Acting€thus,€we€shall€put€ourselves€in€the€way€of€enjoyingÏa€continuance€of€that€favour€which€God€has€promised.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòI€have€also€given€thee€that€whichÐ   	 w&Ç!(   Ðthou€hast€not€asked.óó€€1€Kings€iii.€13.Ð   	 V'¦")   ÐÓ   c”  ÓÌTHE€understanding€heart€was€Solomon's€supreme€request,€and€it€wasÏgiven€him€before€the€morning€light€had€broken€over€Jerusalem.€ButÏGod€did€exceeding€abundantly€beyond€what€he€asked€or€thought.ÏRiches€and€honour,€victory€and€long€life,€were€thrown€in€as€partÏof€the€Divine€gift;€as€paper€and€string€are€given€by€theÏtradesmen€with€the€goods€we€purchase.€It€seems€as€though€ourÐ   	 E-•(0   ÐLord's€words€were€anticipated,€"Seek€first€the€kingdom€of€God€andÏhis€righteousness,€and€all€these€things€shall€be€added€unto€you."ÌòòPut€first€things€firstóó.€--€One€of€the€most€important€lessons€ofÐ   	 `°   Ðlife€is€to€discern€the€relative€value€of€theÌobjects€within€our€reach.€The€child€will€take€the€handful€ofÏglass€beads,€and€leave€the€heap€of€diamonds€in€the€rough.€It€isÏthe€terrible€mistake€of€men€that,€perplexed€by€earth'sÏcross-lights,€they€put€evil€for€good€and€good€for€evil;€they€makeÏearth€rather€than€heaven€their€centre;€time€rather€than€eternityÏtheir€measurement.ÌòòSeek€God€and€all€things€in€Him.óó€--€Things€without€God€cannotÐ   	  p
   Ðsatisfy€the€craving€of€the€soul.€To€know€God,€and€to€be€known€byÏHim,€is€to€possess€all€things.€All€that€is€lovely,€strong,€orÏright,€in€any€human€being€was€in€the€Creator€before€it€enteredÏthe€creature;€having€God,€you€possess€all€things€in€Him.ÌòòBe€more€careful€of€what€you€are€than€what€you€haveóó.€--€A€man'sÐ   	 X¨   Ðlife€consisteth€not€in€the€abundance€of€things€that€heÏpossesseth;€but€in€his€purity,€truth,€tenderness,€and€theÏproperties€of€his€soul.€The€fruit€of€the€Spirit€must€ever€beÏmanifest€in€the€life€of€the€believer€--€"Love,€joy,€peace,Ïlong-suffering,€gentleness,€goodness,€faith,€meekness,Ïtemperance."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòLargeness€of€heart.óó€1€Kings€iv.€29.Ð   	 ð@   ÐÓ   ¯›  ÓÌWE€must€all€admit€that€our€soul€is€too€narrow.€It€holds€tooÏlittle,€knows€too€little,€is€deficient€in€willpower,€and,€aboveÏall,€in€capacity€of€love;€and€when€we€are€called€to€run€in€theÏway€of€God's€commandments,€we€break€down€in€despair,€and€cry,€"IfÏI€am€to€be€a€runner,€Thou€must€first€enlarge€my€heart."ÌHow€little€we€know€of€the€experience€which€Madame€Guyon€describesÏwhen€she€says:€"This€vastness€or€enlargedness,€which€is€notÏbounded€by€anything,€increases€every€day;€so€that€my€soul€inÏpartaking€of€the€qualities€of€her€Spouse€seems€also€to€partake€ofÏhis€immensity."Ì"There€is,"€remarks€one€of€the€old€Puritans,€"a€straitness,Ïslavery,€and€narrowness,€in€all€sin;€sin€crumples€up€our€souls;Ïwhich,€if€they€were€freely€spread€abroad,€would€be€as€large€andÏwide€as€the€whole€universe.€No€man€is€truly€free;€but€be€thatÏhath€his€will€enlarged€to€the€extent€of€God's€will,€by€lovingÏwhatsoever€God€loves,€and€nothing€else,€he€enjoys€boundlessÏliberty,€and€a€boundless€sweetness."€God's€love€embraces€theÏuniverse.€He€"so€loved€the€world€that€He€gave€his€only-begottenÏSon."€We€who€have€partaken€of€the€Divine€nature€must€also€love€asÏHe€does.ÌThomas€a€Kempis€says,€finally:€"He€who€desires€glory€in€thingsÏoutside€of€God,€or€to€take€pleasure€in€some€private€good,€shallÏmany€ways€be€encumbered€and€straitened;€but€if€heavenly€graceÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðenter€in,€and€true€charity,€there€will€be€no€envy,€neitherÏnarrowness€of€heart,€neither€will€self-love€busy€itself,€forÏDivine€charity€overcometh€all€things,€and€enlargeth€all€theÏpowers€of€the€soul."€Give€unto€us,€0€God,€this€largeness€ofÏheart,€even€as€the€sand€that€is€on€the€sea-shore€IÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòNow€the€Lord€my€God€hath€given€meÐ   	 ˜
è   Ðrest€on€every€side.óó€1€Kings€v.€4.Ð   	 wÇ   ÐÓ   ~¢  ÓÌGOD€is€the€Rest-Giver,€When€He€surrounds€us€on€every€side€withÏhis€protecting€care,€so€that€our€life€resembles€one€of€the€citiesÏof€the€Netherlands€in€the€great€war€--€inaccessible€to€the€foeÏbecause€surrounded€by€the€waters€of€the€sea,€admitted€through€theÏsluice€--€then€neither€adversary€nor€evil€occurrent€can€break€in,Ïand€we€are€kept€in€perfect€peace,€our€minds€being€stayed€on€God.Ì"Hidden€in€the€hollow€of€his€blessed€hand,ÌNever€foe€can€enter,€never€traitor€stand.ÌHave€you€experienced€the€rest€which€comes€by€putting€God€roundÏabout€you,€on€every€side€--€like€the€light€which€burns€brightlyÏon€a€windy€night€because€surrounded€by€its€four€panes€of€clearÏglass!€Ah!€what€a€contrast€between€the€third€and€fourth€verse:ÏWars€on€every€side;€Rest€on€every€side.€And€yet€the€two€areÏcompatible,€because€the€wars€expend€themselves€on€God,€as€theÏwaves€on€the€shingle;€and€there€are€far€reaches€of€rest€within,Ïlike€orchards€and€meadows€and€pasture-lands€beyond€the€reach€ofÏthe€devastating€water.ÌOut€of€such€rest€should€come€the€best€work.€We€are€not€surprisedÏto€find€Solomon€announcing€his€purpose€to€build€a€house€unto€theÏname€of€the€Lord.€Mary,€who€sat€at€the€feet€of€Jesus,€anointedÏHim.€Out€of€quiet€hearts€arise€the€greatest€resolves;€just€asÏfrom€the€seclusion€of€country€hamlets€have€come€the€greatestÏwarriors,€statesmen,€and€patriots.€Men€think,€foolishly,€that€theÏactive,€ever-moving€souls€are€the€strongest.€It€is€not€so,Ïhowever.€They€expend€themselves€before€the€day€of€trial€comes.ÏGive€me€those€who€have€the€power€to€restrain€themselves€and€wait;Ïthese€are€they€that€can€act€with€the€greatest€momentum€in€theÏhour€of€crisis.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThere€was€neither€hammer,€nor€axe,Ð   	 ~&Î!(   Ðnor€any€tool€of€iron€heard.óó€€1€Kings€vi,€7.Ð   	 ]'­")   ÐÓ   ©  ÓÌIN€absolute€silence,€like€the€growth€of€a€palm€in€the€desert,Ïthat€noble€building€arose€in€the€symmetry€of€its€fairÏproportions.€But€there€was€plenty€of€quarrying€and€hammering€andÏchiselling€before€the€materials€were€brought€to€the€site.ÌThe€absolute€silence€with€which€the€Temple€rose€is€a€meet€emblemÏof€the€progress€of€the€Church,€from€its€foundations€laid€in€theÐ   	 L-œ(0   ÐApostolate€towards€the€top€stone,€which€before€very€long€will€beÏlaid€upon€the€completed€structure.€Amid€the€rise€and€fall€ofÏdynasties€and€empires,€the€Church€is€being€built.€Soul€afterÏsoul,€as€so€many€added€bricks,€is€being€quietly€placed€upon€theÏwalls.€Some€day€the€world€will€be€amazed€when€it€sees€the€NewÏJerusalem€descend€out€of€heaven€from€God.€The€mightiest€works€ofÏGod€are€the€fruit€of€silence.ÌYou€and€I€are€now€in€the€quarry,€hewn,€chipped,€chiselled:€or€weÏare€in€the€saw-pit,€being€sawn,€planed,€pierced€by€nails.€Be€ofÏgood€cheer!€It€will€not€be€long,€the€preparatory€work€will€beÏover,€and€we€shall€become€part€of€the€eternal€structure.€IntoÏheaven€there€can€enter€neither€hammer,€nor€axe,€nor€any€tool€ofÏiron.€The€trial€will€have€done€its€work.€Sorrow€and€crying€willÏflee€away.€The€apostle€Paul,€who€knew€more€than€any€man€whatÏtrial€and€pain€meant,€could€confidently€declare:€"I€reckon€thatÏthe€sufferings€of€this€present€time€are€not€worthy€to€be€comparedÏwith€the€glory€which€shall€be€revealed€in€us."€Then€shall€theÏcity€of€God€shine€forth€in€completed€beauty,€her€walls€SalvationÏand€her€gates€Praise;€and€the€triumphant€song€of€the€redeemedÏshall€ring€forth:€"Blessing,€and€honour,€and€glory,€and€power,€beÏunto€Him€that€sitteth€upon€the€throne€and€unto€the€Lamb€for€everÏand€ever."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòIn€the€plain€of€Jordan€didÐ   	 ð@   Ðthe€king€cast€them.óó€1€Kings€vii.€46.Ð   	 Ï   ÐÓ   ¾°  ÓÌTHE€Apostle€tells€us€to€obey€from€the€heart€that€mould€or€form€ofÏdoctrine€to€which€we€were€delivered€(Rom.€vi.€17).€What€a€mouldÏis€to€the€metal€which€is€wrought€into€various€forms€of€utensils,Ïthat€the€form€of€sound€doctrine€is€to€believers€who€desire€toÏresemble€Christ.€When€our€hearts,€melted€in€contrition€andÏpenitence,€are€poured€into€the€teaching€of€the€Apostles,€toÏponder€it€in€memory,€and€to€carry€it€out€in€life,€they€are,€so€toÏspeak,€cast€into€the€pattern€of€Jesus€Christ,€which€they€wear€forÏevermore.€Thus€we€are€conformed€to€the€image€of€his€Son.ÌWe€differ€as€widely€as€the€vessels€named€here.€Some€are€lavers,Ïand€some€bases;€some€shovels,€and€some€basons.€It€matters€littleÏwhat€shape€we€bear;€so€long€as€we€are€cleansed€and€meet€for€theÏMaster's€use.€Each€vessel€in€Solomon's€temple€filled€its€ownÏniche.€The€machinery€of€the€whole€would€have€been€hindered€if€oneÏhad€been€missing.€Be€content€with€the€shape€which€the€GreatÏDesigner€hath€intended€for€thee.€Yield€to€it.€Dare€to€pourÏthyself€into€the€dark€passages€of€the€mould.€Do€not€ask€theÏintention€of€this€or€that.€Obey€from€the€heart,€otherwise€thouÏmayest€have€to€be€broken€up,€and€put€back€again€into€the€furnaceÏto€go€through€the€process€once€more.€This€is€the€Plain€of€theÏJordan€for€us,€the€place€of€death;€but€soon€we€shall€be€remittedÏto€the€Palace€and€Temple€of€God.Ð   	 >-Ž(0   ÐThere€is€no€clue€to€the€understanding€of€the€mysteries€of€ourÏmortal€life,€save€the€hypothesis,€that€we€are€being€prepared€forÏthe€position€which€has€been€prepared€for€us€in€the€eternal€world.Ï"And€we€know€that€all€things€work€together€for€good€to€them€thatÏlove€God."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThat€he€maintain€the€cause€of€his€servant,Ð   	 ˜
è   Ðas€every€day€shall€require.óó€1€Kings€viii.€59€(R.V.).Ð   	 wÇ   ÐÓ   ´·  ÓÌTHE€marginal€(R.€V.)€reading€is,€"The€thing€of€a€day€in€its€day."ÏWhat€rest€would€come€into€our€lives,€if€we€really€believed€thatÏGod€maintained€the€cause€of€his€servants!€Men€hate€you,€and€sayÏunkind€or€untrue€things€about€you;€on€your€part,€though€you€areÏquite€prepared€to€admit€that€you€have€made€mistakes,€yet€you€knowÏthat€you€desire€above€all€things€to€act€as€God's€servant€should,Ïthat€your€motives€are€sincere,€and€your€hands€clean€--€be€of€goodÏcourage€then:€God€will€maintain€your€cause,€as€every€day€mayÏrequire.ÌOr,€you€are€beset€by€strong€competition;€and,€in€order€to€holdÏyour€own,€you€have€been€tempted€to€do€what€is€not€perfectly€theÏbest€--€to€spice€your€teaching€with€a€little€heterodoxy,€puffÏyour€wares€with€misleading€titles,€to€adulterate€your€goods.€ButÏthere€is€no€need€to€do€this;€if€only€you€are€faithful€to€God,€HeÏwill€maintain€your€cause,€as€every€day€may€require.ÌOr,€you€are€tempted€almost€beyond€endurance,€and€think€that€youÏmust€yield.€The€seductions€are€so€insidious,€the€pitfalls€soÏcarefully€concealed,€the€charm€of€evil€so€subtle.€But,€if€youÏwill€only€look€away€to€God,€you€will€find€Him€a€very€present€helpÏto€maintain€your€cause.€Oh,€trust€Him;€for€none€of€them€that€doÏso€can€be€desolate.€Daily€strength€for€daily€need;€daily€mannaÏfor€daily€hunger;€daily€maintenance€for€daily€temptation.€TheseÏare€assured.ÌAs€we€stand€on€the€hill-top€in€the€morning€and€look€across€theÏvalley€of€the€coming€day,€its€scenes€are€too€closely€veiled€inÏheavy-hanging€mists€for€us€to€specify€all€our€requests.€We€canÏbreathe€the€comprehensive€petition,€"Give€us€this€day€our€dailyÏbread."€And€God€will€suit€his€help€to€each€requirement.€As€theÏmoment€arrives€"the€thing"€will€be€there.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòI€have€hallowed€this€houseÐ   	 V'¦")   Ðwhich€thou€hast€built.óó€1€Kings€ix.€3.Ð   	 5(…#*   ÐÓ   ¿  ÓÌMAN€builds;€God€hallows.€This€co-operation€between€man€and€GodÏpervades€all€life.€Man€performs€the€outward€and€mechanical;€GodÏthe€inward€and€spiritual.€Paul€plants,€Apollos€waters;€but€GodÏgives€the€increase.€We€elaborate€our€sermons€and€addresses,Ïbuilding€them€up€with€careful,€eager€thought;€but€God€must€workÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðin€and€through€them€for€his€own€glory€in€the€salvation€andÏupbuilding€of€souls.€We€must€be€careful€to€do€our€part€withÏreverence€and€godly€fear,€remembering€that€God€must€work€inÏrealms€we€cannot€touch,€and€to€issues€we€cannot€reach,€before€ourÏpoor€exertions€can€avail.ÌMay€we€not€apply€this€especially€to€the€education€of€a€child'sÏlife?€Many€who€read€these€lines€are€engaged€in€buildingÏstructures€which€will€outlive€the€Pyramids.€The€body€is€only€theÏscaffolding,€behind€and€through€which€the€building€of€the€soul€isÏbeing€upreared.€The€materials€with€which€we€build€may€be€theÏgold,€silver,€and€precious€stones,€of€our€example,€precept,Ïcareful€watching,€and€discipline;€but€God€must€come€in€to€hallow.ÏOur€strenuous€endeavour€must€be€supplemented€by€the€incoming€ofÏthe€Holy€Spirit.ÌGod€hallows€by€his€indwelling.€Holiness€is€the€result€of€hisÏputting€his€Name€into€a€place,€a€day,€a€human€soul;€for€his€NameÏis€his€nature,€Himself.€Each€day€may€be€a€building,€rearedÏbetween€sunrise€and€sunset,€with€our€activities;€but€it€were€vainÏto€hope€to€realize€our€ideal€unless€the€structure€become€a€TempleÏfilled€with€God.€Build€what€you€will;€but€never€be€satisfiedÏunless€God€sets€his€eyes€and€heart€upon€your€life,€hallowing€andÏsanctifying€each€day€and€act€to€Himself.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòBlessed€be€the€Lord€thy€God,Ð   	 ð@   Ðwhich€delighted€in€thee.óó€1€Kings€x.€9.Ð   	 Ï   ÐÓ   åÅ  ÓÌTHERE€were€two€reasons€why€Solomon€was€on€the€throne.€First,Ïbecause€of€God's€love€to€him;€secondly,€because€of€God's€love€toÏIsrael.€May€we€not€address€our€Saviour€with€similar€expressionsÏof€gladness€as€those€which€the€queen€addressed€to€a€less€than€He?ÌHow€well€it€is,€now€and€again,€to€let€ourselves€go€in€exuberantÏadoration!€Prayer€is€good,€but€it€may€revolve€too€largely€aboutÏour€own€needs€and€desires:€thanks€are€right,€when€we€haveÏreceived€great€benefits€at€his€hands;€but€praise€is€best,€becauseÏthe€heart€forgets€itself€and€earth€and€time,€in€enlargedÏconceptions€of€its€adorable€Lover€and€Saviour.ÌWe€are€reminded€in€this€connection€of€a€noble€hymn€by€old€JohnÏRyland:€--€ÌÌ€€€€"Thou€Son€of€God,€and€Son€of€Man,Ì€€€€€€€Beloved,€adored€Emmanuel,Ì€€€€€Who€didst,€before€all€time€began,Ì€€€€€€€in€glory€with€thy€Father€dwell:ÌÌ€€€€"We€sing€thy€love,€who€didst€in€time,Ì€€€€€€€For€us,€humanity€assume,Ì€€€€€To€answer€for€the€sinner's€crime,Ì€€€€€€€To€suffer€in€the€sinner's€room.Ð   	 >-Ž(0   Ð‡€€€€"The€ransomed€Church€thy€glory€sings,Ì€€€€€€€The€hosts€of€heaven€thy€will€obey;Ì€€€€€And,€Lord€of€lords,€and€King€of€kings,Ì€€€€€€€We€celebrate€thy€blessed€away."ÌÌWe€can€never€praise€Him€enough.€Our€furthest€thoughts€fall€shortÏof€the€reality.€His€wisdom€and€prosperity€exceed€his€fame.€NoÏquestion€He€cannot€answer;€no€desire€He€cannot€gratify;€noÏmunificence€He€cannot€excel.€Happy€are€they€who€stand€continuallyÏbefore€Him.€Let€us€see€that€this€is€our€happy€privilege;€notÏcontent€to€pay€Him€a€transient€visit,€returning€to€our€own€land,Ïbut€communing€with€Him€always€of€that€wh)ich€is€in€our€heart.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòHis€wives€turned€away€his€heart.óó€1€Kings€xi,€4.Ð   	 €Ð   ÐÓ   ÉÌ  ÓÌEVERY€man€is€vulnerable€at€one€point€of€his€character.€StrongÏeverywhere€else,€and€armour-plated,€he€is€weak€there;€and€ourÏgreat€enemy€knows€just€where€to€strike€home.€It€would€have€beenÏuseless€to€argue€with€Solomon€for€the€claims€of€idols.€He€couldÏat€once,€by€his€wisdom,€have€annihilated€all€infidel€arguments,Ïand€have€established€the€existence€and€unity€of€God.€But,€step€byÏstep,€he€was€led€by€silken€cords,€a€captive,€to€the€worship€ofÏother€gods.€It€is€a€solemn€warning;€and€Nehemiah€was€perfectlyÏjustified€when,€in€his€contention€with€the€Jews€who€had€marriedÏwives€of€Ashdod,€of€Ammon,€and€of€Moab,€he€said,€"Did€notÏSolomon,€king€of€Israel,€sin€by€these€things!€Yet€among€manyÏnations€there€was€no€king€like€him€who€was€beloved€of€his€God.€"ÌLet€young€people€beware€where€they€let€their€hearts€go€forth€inÏlove.€Whom€we€love€we€resemble;€and€in€the€marriage€tie€it€isÏalmost€inevitable€that€seductions€to€the€lower€will€overcome€theÏdrawings€to€the€higher.€When€a€Christian€disobeys€God's€distinctÏcommand€against€intermarriage€with€the€ungodly,€he€begins€to€sinkÏto€the€level€of€his€ungodly€partner€whom€he€had€thought€to€raiseÏto€his€own€religious€standing.ÌOur€associates€determine€the€drift€and€current€of€our€life.€It€isÏso€easy€to€launch€upon€the€current€that€flows€past€our€feet;€itÏseems€impossible€that€the€laughing,€enticing€water€should€everÏcarry€us€against€sharp,€splintering€rocks,€or€over€breakingÏcataracts.€When€we€are€compelled€to€associate€with€the€ungodly,Ïlet€us€maintain€a€strict€self-watch,€and€pray€that€the€breath€ofÏthe€heavenward€gale€may€more€than€counteract€the€tendency€of€theÏearthward€current.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€month€which€he€had€devisedÐ   	 ¯*ÿ%-   Ðof€his€own€heart.óó€1€Kings€xii.€33.Ð   	 Ž+Þ&.   ÐÓ   šÓ  ÓÌJEROBOAM€acted€on€expediency.€It€did€seem€reasonable€to€argueÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðthat€the€constant€going€up€to€Jerusalem€to€worship€might€alienateÏthe€people€from€his€throne,€and€awaken€a€desire€for€the€oldÏnational€unity;€and€without€doubt€a€mere€worldly€wisdom€extolledÏhis€setting-up€of€idol-gods€at€Bethel€and€Dan;€but€his€policy€inÏthis€respect€led€to€the€downfall€of€his€kingdom.€Had€he€trustedÏGod's€promise,€made€through€the€prophet€Ahijah,€the€DivineÏpurpose€would€have€ensured€the€continuance€of€his€rule;€but€theÏprompting€of€expediency€resulted€in€ultimate€disaster€(ch.€xiv).ÌHow€prone€we€all€are€to€devise€out€of€our€own€hearts!€We€takeÏcounsel€with€ourselves,€and€do€what€seems€prudent€and€far-seeing,Ïwith€the€inevitable€result€of€being€betrayed€into€courses€ofÏaction€that€God€cannot€approve,€and€of€which€we€have€reason€toÏrepent€bitterly.€It€is€infinitely€better€to€wait€on€God€till€HeÏdevelop€his€plan,€as€He€most€certainly€will,€when€the€predestinedÏhour€strikes.€He€who€trusts€in€his€own€heart,€and€takes€his€ownÏway,€is€a€fool.€To€run€before€God€is€to€sink€knee-deep€into€theÏswamp.€We€must€make€all€things€after€the€pattern€shown€us€on€theÏMount,€and€take€our€time€from€God's€almanack.€What€a€contrast€toÏthe€course€of€Jeroboam€was€that€of€the€Son€of€man!€He€would€doÏnothing€of€Himself.€His€eye€was€always€on€His€Father'sÏdial-plate,€and€thus€He€knew€when€his€time€was€not€yet€fulfilled.ÏHe€was€always€consulting€the€movement€of€his€Father's€will,€andÏdid€only€those€things€which€He€saw€his€Father€doing.€SimilarlyÏmake€God's€will€and€way€thy€Pole-star.€Oh€to€be€able€to€say€withÏour€blessed€Lord,€"I€seek€not€mine€own€will,€but€the€will€of€HimÏthat€sent€Me€"!ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòForasmuch€as€thou€hast€been€disobedient,€.€.€.Ð   	 P    Ðbut€camest€back.óó€1€Kings€xiii.€21,€22€(R.V.).Ð   	 /   ÐÓ   ÀÚ  ÓÌWE€are€inclined€at€first€sight€to€pity€this€unknown€prophet,€andÏto€justify€his€return;€but€as€we€look€closer€into€the€story,€weÏnot€only€discover€the€reason€for€the€severe€penalty€that€overtookÏhim,€but€we€are€warned€lest€we€make€a€similar€mistake.€When€weÏhave€received€a€direct€command€fresh€from€the€lips€of€Christ,€weÏmust€act€on€it,€and€not€be€turned€aside€by€a€differentÏsuggestion,€made€to€us€through€the€lips€of€professing€Christians.ÏGod€does€not€vacillate€or€alter€in€the€thing€which€proceeds€fromÏhis€mouth.€When€we€know€we€are€in€the€line€of€his€purpose,€weÏmust€not€allow€ourselves€to€be€diverted€by€any€appeal€or€threat,Ïfrom€whomsoever€it€may€emanate.€Deal€with€God€at€first-hand.ÌThe€rule€for€determining€the€true€worth€of€the€advice€which€ourÏfriends€proffer€us,€is€to€ask,€first,€whether€it€conflicts€withÏour€own€deep-seated€conviction€of€God's€will;€and,€secondly,Ïwhether€it€tends€to€the€ease€and€satisfaction€of€the€flesh,€asÏthe€old€prophet's€suggestion€certainly€did.€Beware€of€any€one€whoÏallures€you€with€the€bread€and€water€that€are€to€break€your€fast.ÏThat€bait€is€likely€enough€to€disturb€the€balance€of€yourÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðjudgment.€When€a€voice€says€spare€thyself,€be€on€the€alert;€itÏsavours€the€things€that€be€of€man,€not€of€those€that€be€of€God.ÌLearn€to€deal€with€God€at€first-hand.€Do€not€run€hither€andÏthither€to€human€teachers,€or€to€the€Church.€Be€still€before€God,Ïand€what€He€says€in€the€depths€of€thy€soul,€do.€His€Holy€SpiritÏshall€guide€you€into€all€truth;€and€when€once€his€way€has€beenÏrevealed€to€thee,€go€straight€on,€listening€to€no€other€voice,Ïhowever€much€it€professes€Divine€inspiration.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòI€am€sent€to€thee€with€heavy€tidings.óó€1€Kings€xiv.€5.Ð   	  p
   ÐÓ   Úá  ÓÌHOW€foolish!€Jeroboam€thought€that€the€old€prophet€couldÏpenetrate€the€vail€that€hid€the€future,€but€not€the€disguise€inÏwhich€his€wife€wished€to€conceal€herself.€As€we€might€haveÏexpected,€the€aged€prophet's€inner€sight€read€her€heart.€From€GodÏno€secrets€are€hid.€Immediately€on€his€accosting€her€by€her€nameÏthere€came€the€dread€announcement€of€inevitable€disaster.ÌWe€must€not€hesitate€to€unfold€all€the€consequences€of€sin.€AsÏwatchmen€on€the€walls,€we€are€bound€to€tell€men€of€the€certainÏfearful€looking€for€of€fiery€indignation€which€shall€devour€theÏtransgressors.€None€of€us€should€flinch€from€declaring€the€wholeÏcounsel€of€God.€We€should€specially€insist€on€the€òòguilt€sideóó€ofÐ   	 G—   Ðsin.€Not€only€that€it€is€a€misfortune,€a€mistake,€an€error,€aÏdisease,€a€tyranny;€but€a€crime.€The€sinner€is€a€criminal,€whoÏhas€incurred€the€just€wrath€and€anger€of€a€holy€God:€for€which€heÏmust€suffer€a€due€recompense.ÌOh€for€more€tenderness€that€we€may€with€tears€warn€men€of€theirÏdoom!€We€are€so€self-possessed,€so€stolid€;€we€need€to€ask€thatÏour€eyes,€like€Jeremiah's,€should€be€fountains€of€tears,€that€weÏmight€weep€day€and€night.€If€the€tidings€are€heavy,€let€us€firstÏfeel€their€pressure€on€our€own€hearts;€let€us€bend€over€theÏregions€of€despair€and€darkness,€and€hear€the€bitter€weeping,Ïwailing,€and€gnashing€of€teeth,€and€come€back€to€warn€ourÏbrethren,€lest€they€also€come€to€that€place€of€torment.€Though€itÏwas€with€fear€and€much€trembling€that€Paul€preached€the€Gospel,Ïyet€he€did€not€shun€to€declare€the€whole€counsel€of€God.€AndÏwhile€we€go€to€men€with€the€good€tidings€of€salvation,€we€mustÏnot€withhold€the€heavy€tidings€from€those€who€persist€in€unbeliefÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAsa€did€.€.€.€right€in€the€eyesÐ   	 O'Ÿ")   Ðof€the€Lord,€as€did€David€his€father.óó€1€Kings€xv.€11.Ð   	 .(~#*   ÐÓ   æè  ÓÌIT€is€a€great€thing€to€have€such€a€testimony€as€this.€We€may€doÏright€in€our€own€eyes;€yet€the€eye€of€the€Lord€may€detect€evilÏwhich€neither€our€associates€nor€we€have€seen.€We€may€deceiveÏourselves,€we€may€deceive€others;€but€we€cannot€deceive€God.€InÏthe€home€or€business,€in€situation€or€factory,€let€us€live€asÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðunder€the€searching€gaze€of€God.ÌAsa's€life€was€one€of€religious€activity:€he€destroyed€the€idolsÏof€his€father,€and€even€deposed€his€queen-mother,€"because€sheÏmade€an€idol€in€a€grove."€It€needs€Divine€courage€so€to€live€forÏGod€that€at€home€or€afield€men€shall€take€knowledge€of€us€that€weÏhave€been€with€Jesus.€This€is€what€the€world€is€languishing€forÏ--€òòrealityóó,€consistency€under€all€circumstances,€and€before€allÐ   	 À	   Ðmen.ÌThere€are,€however,€two€clouds€overhanging€this€otherwise€brightÏlife.€"The€high€places€were€not€removed€"€(14).€Though€idols€wereÏdestroyed,€the€groves€in€which€they€were€erected€remained.€TheyÏwere€no€snare€to€him;€and€he€took€care€that€during€his€life€theyÏshould€not€ensnare€others;€but€after€his€death,€in€the€reign€ofÏJehoshaphat€his€son,€"the€people€offered€and€burnt€incense"€inÏthem€(xxii.€43).€We€must€not€only€cleanse€our€way€before€theÏLord,€but€remove€any€evil€thing€which€may€cause€others€toÏstumble.ÌThe€other€cloud€is€indicated€in€2€Chron.€xvi.€12:€"He€wasÏdiseased€in€his€feet..€.€.€Yet€in€his€disease€he€sought€not€toÏthe€Lord,€but€to€the€physicians."€Strange€that€in€affliction€heÏshould€not€have€turned€to€the€Great€Physician.€The€enemy€of€soulsÏis€ever€on€the€watch.€Pray€that€amid€the€pains€of€death€you€mayÏnot€act€unworthily.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAhab€did€more€to€provoke€the€LordÐ   	 È   Ðto€anger€than€all€the€kings.óó€1Kings€xvi.€33.Ð   	 §÷   ÐÓ   íï  ÓÌHIS€sin€was€very€aggravated,€largely€through€the€influence€ofÏJezebel,€his€young€and€beautiful€wife,€who€introduced€theÏabominations€of€Phoenician€idol-worship.€This€is€why€he€is€saidÏto€have€exceeded€his€predecessors€in€wickedness.€òòTheyóó€broke€theÐ   	 æ6   Ðsecond€commandment,€and€worshipped€Jehovah€under€the€form€of€aÏcalf.€òòAhab€and€Jezebelóó€broke€the€first,€and€chose€other€gods€--Ð   	 – æ!   ÐBaal,€the€sun,€and€Ashtoreth,€the€moon.€The€inveterate€love€forÏthis€idolatry€was€connected€with€licentious€rites€with€whichÏthese€deities€were€served.€What€wonder€that€the€land€becameÏcorrupt€when€the€fountains€of€its€religious€life€were€polluted€atÏthe€source?ÌThe€connection€between€the€indulgence€of€impurity€and€theÏdeclension€of€the€spiritual€life,€is€very€close.€As€the€apostleÏPaul€tells€its€in€Romans€i.,€the€men€that€refuse€to€retain€God€inÏtheir€knowledge€are€given€up€to€the€working€of€passion;€and€asÏthey€yield€to€passion€they€lose€the€sweet,€clear€impression€ofÏthe€truth€and€nearness€of€the€Christ.€The€first,€second,€andÏthird€thing€to€be€said€to€young€people€on€venturing€out€into€theÏworld,€corrupt€through€many€deceitful€lusts,€is,€Be€pure.€WearÏthe€white€flower€of€a€blameless€life.€If€you€cannot€be€faultless,Ïbe€blameless.€If€you€cannot€realize€all€the€good€you€know,€atÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðleast€refrain€from€all€the€evil.€Keep€your€robes€unspotted€fromÏthe€world.€Then€through€purity€of€heart€and€obedience€in€life,Ïyou€shall€see€God.€As€the€living€Christ€enters€the€heart,€He€willÏdrive€before€Him€the€brute€forms€of€evil,€overthrow€the€tables€ofÏthe€money-changers,€and€will€sit€to€teach€of€God.€Give€yourselfÏunreservedly€into€his€keeping,€that€He€may€govern€and€controlÏevery€avenue€of€your€life.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòI€have€commanded€the€ravens€.€.€.Ð   	 H˜	   Ða€widow€women€.€.€.€there.óó€1€Kings€xvii.€4,€9.Ð   	 'w
   ÐÓ   b÷  ÓÌòòWE€must€be€where€God€desires.óó€--€Elijah€spoke€of€himself€asÐ   	 Þ.
   Ðalways€standing€before€the€Lord€God€of€Israel.€He€deemed€himselfÏas€much€a€courtier€in€the€royal€palace€as€Gabriel€(Luke€i.€19).ÏAnd€he€could€as€distinctly€stand€before€God€when€hiding€besideÏCherith,€or€sheltering€in€the€widow's€house€at€Zarephath,€as€whenÏhe€stood€erect€on€Carmel,€or€listened€to€the€voice€of€God€atÏHoreb.€Wherever€you€go,€and€whatever€ministry€you€are€called€toÏundertake,€glory€in€this,€that€you€never€go€to€any€greaterÏdistance€from€God.ÌIf€we€are€where€God€wants€us€to€be,€òòHe€will€see€to€the€supply€ofÐ   	 vÆ   Ðour€needóó.€It€is€as€easy€for€Him€to€feed€us€by€the€ravens€as€byÐ   	 Nž   Ðthe€widow€woman.€As€long€as€God€says,€Stay€here,€or€there,€beÏsure€that€He€is€pledged€to€provide€for€you.€Though€you€resemble€aÏlonely€sentinel€in€some€distant€post€of€missionary€service,€GodÏwill€see€to€you.€The€ravens€are€not€less€amenable€to€his€commandÏthan€of€old:€and€out€of€the€stores€of€widow€women€He€is€as€ableÏto€supply€your€need€as€He€did€Elijah's,€at€Zarephath.ÌHow€often€òòGod€teaches€best€in€seclusion€and€solitude!óó€It€is€byÐ   	 6†   Ðthe€murmuring€brooks€of€nature€that€we€have€our€deepest€lessons.ÏIt€is€in€the€homes€of€the€poor€that€we€are€fitted€for€ourÏgreatest€tasks.€It€is€beside€couches€where€children€suffer€andÏdie,€that€we€receive€those€preparations€of€the€heart€which€availÏus€when€the€bugle€note€summons€us€to€some€difficult€post.ÌòòGod€leads€through€death€to€life.óó€--€It€was€needful€that€the€childÐ   	 F"–#   Ðshould€die,€that€sin€might€be€remembered€and€dealt€with;€butÏthrough€Death's€portal€the€trio€entered€a€richer,€fuller€life.ÏFear€not€that€gateway!ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòSo€Ahab€went€up€to€eat€and€drink.€And€ElijahÐ   	 V'¦")   Ðwent€up€to€the€top€of€Carmel.óó€1€Kings€xviii.€42.Ð   	 5(…#*   ÐÓ   Åþ  ÓÌSUCH€differences€obtain€still.€The€children€of€this€world€and€theÏchildren€of€light€are€manifest.€What€though€the€bodies€of€fourÏhundred€and€fifty€prophets€lay€slain€in€the€gorge€of€the€Kishon;Ïor€that€by€one€great€act€Elijah€had€hewn€down€the€upas€tree,€theÏdeadly€influence€of€which€had€corrupted€Palestine;€or€that€theÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðlong-expected€rain€was€in€the€air€--€yet€Ahab€must€eat€and€drink.ÏThese€are€the€things€which€the€children€of€the€world€seek€after.ÏWatch€and€pray,€lest€you€enter€into€this€temptation.€Let€appetiteÏbe€kept€well€in€hand€--€your€servant,€not€your€master;€and€see€toÏit€that€you€are€capable€of€such€profound€and€absorbing€interestÏin€the€things€of€the€Kingdom€of€God,€as€to€count€theÏgratification€of€physical€desire€unworthy€to€be€compared€with€theÏhigh€delights€of€service,€prayer,€and€communion€with€the€unseen.ÌThough€he€must€have€been€exhausted€with€the€excitements€andÏefforts€of€the€day,€Elijah€must€spend€the€evening€hour€with€God.ÏThough€he€knew€that€the€rain€was€near,€he€felt€that€his€prayersÏwere€a€needful€condition€for€its€bestowment.€Though€any€part€ofÏCarmel€might€have€become€his€oratory,€he€sought€the€lonelyÏsolitudes€of€the€summit€with€the€outspread€sea€before€him,€thatÏhis€soul€might€hold€undisturbed€vigil,€and€that€he€might€see€overÏthe€wide€expanse€of€the€ocean€the€first€tokens€of€the€comingÏanswer.€His€attitude€denoted€his€humility.€His€repeatedÏinjunction€to€the€lad,€his€perseverance.€His€success€approved€hisÏfaith.ÌStand,€0€suppliant€soul,€on€the€highest€point€of€expectant€hope;Ïsee€the€hurrying€answer,€which€was€being€prepared€from€pools€andÏlakes€and€seas,€long€ere€thy€prayer€began.€"Before€they€call,€IÏwill€answer."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòBehold,€an€angel€touched€him.óó€1€Kings€xix.€5.Ð   	 È   ÐÓ     ÓÌIN€all€probability€the€angels€often€touch€us€when€danger€is€near,Ïthreatening€our€health€and€life,€or€when€foul€fiends€step€up€toÏus€with€hideous€temptation.€They€find€us€out,€especially€when,Ïlike€Elijah,€we€are€alone€and€depressed;€when€nervous€depressionÏhas€crept€about€our€hearts;€when€we€seem€to€have€failed€in€theÏconflict€against€evil,€and€long€for€death€to€end€our€long€andÏweary€strife.€It€was€the€lament€of€a€holy€soul€on€the€verge€ofÏeternity,€that€he€had€made€so€little€of€the€ministry€of€God'sÏholy€and€tender€angels.ÌIt€was€very€gracious€for€God€to€deal€thus€with€his€servant.€WeÏmight€have€expected€rebuke€or€remonstrance,€chiding€orÏchastisement;€but€we€would€hardly€have€expected€such€loving,Ïgentle€treatment€as€this.€Is€this€the€man€who€defied€Ahab€and€allÏhis€priests?€He€is€as€frail€and€impotent€as€any!€Nay,€but€GodÏlooked€beneath€the€surface€depression,€and€detected€the€strongÏfountains€of€courage€and€devotion€that€lay€beneath,€only€capableÏof€being€called€again€into€intense€manifestation.€He€knew€hisÏservant's€frame,€and€recognised€that€he€was€dust.€He€knew€how€toÏdistinguish€between€the€passing€overstrain€of€the€body€and€theÏheroic€temper€of€the€spirit.€So,€he€understands€us€in€our€fits€ofÏdepression€and€despair.ÌWhenever€these€angel-fingers€touch€you,€whether€directly€orÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðthrough€the€medium€of€loving€mortal€hands,€you€will€always€findÏthe€cake€and€the€cruse€of€water.€God€never€awakens€to€disappoint.ÏIt€is€an€infinite€pleasure€to€Him€to€awaken€his€loved€ones€toÏgood€things,€which€they€had€neither€asked€nor€thought.€Will€notÏdying€be€something€like€this?€The€angel€of€life€will€touch€us,Ïand€we€shall€awake€to€see€what€love€has€prepared.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAs€thy€servant€was€busy€hereÐ   	 pÀ   Ðand€there,€he€was€gone.óó€€1€Kings€xx.€40.Ð   	 OŸ	   ÐÓ     ÓÌTHIS€was€likely€enough€to€happen€on€a€battlefield.€It€would€notÏbe€possible€to€hold€your€prisoner,€and€to€busy€yourself€aboutÏother€things€at€the€same€time.€This€man,€in€the€prophet'sÏparable,€made€a€great€mistake€to€concern€himself€about€a€numberÏof€trifles,€when€so€serious€a€matter€as€his€own€life€depended€onÏgiving€all€his€attention€to€the€custodianship€of€the€prisonerÏentrusted€to€his€care.€But€is€it€not€thus€that€men€miss€the€mainÏend€of€life?ÌòòBusy€here€and€there,€and€life€is€gone.óó€--€Many€spend€their€daysÐ   	 Æ   Ðin€mere€trivialities.€Like€children€they€dig€in€the€sand;€likeÏthe€butterfly,€they€flit€from€flower€to€flower.€A€round€ofÏvisits,€a€few€novels,€a€good€many€hours€of€light€gaiety;€vanity,Ïfashion,€and€amusement€--€these€fill€their€hours,€the€days€flashÏby,€and€life€is€gone.€They€have€nothing€to€show€for€it.ÌòòBusy€here€and€there,€and€the€chance€of€saving€others€is€gone.óó€--Ð   	 Ö&   ÐLives€touch€lives,€for€the€chief€pur-pose€that€one€shouldÏinfluence€the€other.€But€too€often€we€deal€only€withÏsuperficialities,€busying€ourselves€in€the€slightest€interests,Ïbut€not€seeking€the€salvation€of€those€with€whom€we€associate.ÏThe€dance,€the€game,€the€business€relationship,€monopolise€ourÏthought,€and€our€friends€are€swept€from€us€in€the€eddying€whirlÏof€life's€battle,€and€are€gone.ÌòòBusy€here€and€there,€and€the€knowledge€of€God€is€gone.óó€--Ð   	 – æ!   ÐRemember€how€the€birds€caught€away€the€seed€of€the€Kingdom;€andÏbe€sure€that,€in€the€same€way,€the€cares€and€riches€of€thisÏworld,€and€the€lusts€of€other€things€may€enter€in,€and€destroyÏthe€impression€made€on€the€heart.€The€ephemeral€interests€of€lifeÏpress€hard€on€its€real€interests.€Like€boys,€we€squander€inÏtrifling€the€hours€given€to€prepare€for€an€examination€on€whichÏall€the€future€must€turn.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAnd€Ahab€said€to€Elijah,€hast€thou€found€me,Ð   	 )V$+   ÐO€mine€enemy?óó€€1€Kings€xxi.€20.Ð   	 å)5%,   ÐÓ   É  ÓÌAHAB€got€his€garden€of€herbs,€but€he€had€Elijah€withal,€who€stoodÏat€the€gate€like€an€incarnate€conscience.€Men€may€get€the€prizeÏon€which€they€have€set€their€heart;€but€if€they€have€obtained€itÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðwrongfully,€the€conscience€of€the€wrong€done€will€haunt€them,€andÏtake€away€the€pleasure€on€which€they€counted,€and€ultimatelyÏbring€them€like€a€quarry€to€the€ground.ÌWe€turn€our€best€friends€into€enemies,€as€Ahab€did€Elijah.€TheÏcloud€that€lights€Israel€is€darkness€to€Pharaoh;€the€angel€thatÏprotects€Jerusalem,€slays€the€host€of€Sennacherib;€the€gentleÏlove€which€anoints€the€Saviour,€instigates€in€Judas€a€jealousyÏwhich€ends€in€murder.€The€God€who€shows€Himself€merciful€to€theÏmerciful€is€froward€to€the€froward.€The€cause€of€the€alterationÏis€to€be€sought€within€ourselves.€The€sun€that€melts€wax€hardensÏclay,€but€the€difference€is€in€the€clay.€To€the€widow€ofÏZarephath€Elijah€was€an€angel€of€light;€whilst€to€Ahab€he€was€anÏenemy.€The€difference€lay€in€their€hearts;€the€one€being€holy€andÏloving,€the€other€dark€and€turbid.€What€you€are,€determinesÏwhether€Elijah€will€be€your€friend€or€your€enemy.ÌThis€word€"sold€thyself"€is€very€awful.€It€underlies€Goethe'sÏtragedy€of€Faust,€in€which€the€soul€sells€itself€to€the€devil€forÏso€many€years€of€worldly€pleasure.€A€few€promises€which€are€neverÏkept;€a€mirage€that€is€dissipated€in€thin€air€when€we€approachÏit;€a€bribe€of€gold€or€silver€that€burns€the€hands€which€receiveÏit€--€such€are€the€price€for€which€men€sell€themselves.€"TheyÏsell€themselves€for€nought."€Truly€the€devil€drives€a€hardÏbargain.€When€he€gets€the€soul€into€his€power,€he€laughs€at€hisÏformer€promises,€and€pays€as€wages,€òòdeathóó.Ð   	 h   ÐÌÌÓ    ÓòòA€certain€man€.€.€smote€the€king€of€IsraelÐ   	  ð   Ðbetween€the€joints€of€the€harness.óó€1€Kings€xxii.€34.Ð   	 Ï   ÐÓ     ÓÌEVERY€man€we€meet€is€clothed€in€armour;€in€other€words,€we€allÏcover€ourselves€with€plates€on€which€to€receive€the€thrust€ofÏaccusation€and€reproach.€"I€only€do€as€others."€"I€do€not€see€anyÏspecial€harm€in€it."€"My€father€did€it€before€me."€"I€cannot€helpÏit."€Such€are€some€of€the€plates€in€the€armour€of€the€soul;€andÏour€work€as€Christian€workers€becomes€abortive€in€so€manyÏinstances,€because€we€are€content€to€belabour€the€plates,€insteadÏof€striking€home€to€the€one€place€where€the€armour€joints€are.ÏSuccessful€soul-winning€depends€on€discovering€the€vulnerableÏpart€of€a€man,€and€striking€there.€But€all€this€demands€a€veryÏspecial€discernment€of€spirits,€and€anointing€of€the€Holy€Ghost.ÏOnly€so€can€we€detect€where€best€to€bring€about€conviction,€andÏmake€men€know€their€need€of€the€Gospel€of€God's€grace.€The€greatÏneed€of€the€present€day€is€a€sharper€and€more€searching€analysisÏof€sin.€Men€need€to€be€shown€how€they€are€violating€the€laws€ofÏGod.€They€assent€generally€to€the€Scriptural€statements€of€whatÏGod€requires,€but€fail€to€realize€how€greatly€òòtheyóó€have€comeÐ   	 ¶*&-   Ðshort.€You€are€almost€sure€to€hit,€if€you€begin€to€show€theÏvarious€ways€in€which€respectably-living€people€are€coming€underÏthe€Divine€sentence.Ð   	 >-Ž(0   ÐBut€several€conditions€must€be€fulfilled.€(1)€òòStudy€well€your€ownÐ   	 °      Ðheartóó.€(2)€òòBe€a€deep€student€of€the€biographies€of€Scriptureóó;Ð   	 ˆØ    Ðbecause€every€type€of€human€character€is€delineated€in€Holy€Writ.Ï(3)€òòOpen€your€heart€to€the€Holy€Ghostóó,€through€whom€alone€you€canÐ   	 8ˆ   Ðdiscern€spirits.€He€is€a€discerner€of€the€thoughts€of€the€heart,Ïand€will€teach€you€to€cut€to€the€dividing€asunder€of€the€soul€andÏspirit,€and€of€the€joints€and€marrow.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThou€man€of€God!óó€€2€Kings€i.€9,€11,€13.Ð   	 H˜	   ÐÓ   ©#  ÓÌOH€that€thou€and€I€might€so€live€before€God€and€men,€that€theyÏshould€recognise€us€as€men€of€God,€as€God's€men!€See€how€theseÏungodly€captains€at€once€recognised€this,€in€the€case€of€Elijah.ÏThey€fretted€and€chafed€against€his€holiness;€but€they€wereÏforced€to€admit€it.€They€tried€to€impose€their€orders,€or€thoseÏof€their€king;€but€they€realized€that€Elijah€was€the€servant€ofÏHim€whom€they€set€at€nought,€so€far€as€their€own€lives€wereÏconcerned.ÌIf€we€are€really€men€of€God,€we€shall€be€the€last€to€assume€theÏtitle.€Notice€that€Elijah€puts€an€òòifóó€before€the€title€with€whichÐ   	 —ç   Ðhe€was€saluted:€"òòIfóó€I€be€a€man€of€God."€Paul€counted€himself€theÐ   	 o¿   Ðleast€of€all€saints.€ÌòòWe€must€be€of€God.óó€--€All€our€goodness€must€originate€in€Him.€WeÐ   	 o   Ðcan€no€more€boast€of€goodness€than€a€chamber€can€boast€of€theÏlight€which€irradiates€each€corner€of€its€space.€The€faith€thatÏtakes€his€grace,€as€well€as€the€grace€it€takes,€is€his.€We€areÏabsolutely€his€debtors;€and€happy€are€they€who€love€to€have€itÏso,€and€lie€always€at€the€Beautiful€Gate€of€God's€heart,Ïexpecting€to€receive€alms€at€his€hand.ÌòòWe€must€be€for€God.óó€--€This€is€the€only€cure€forÐ   	 W   Ðself-consciousness,€for€that€perpetual€obtrusion€of€the€self-lifeÏwhich€is€our€bane€and€curse.€Ask€that€the€Holy€Spirit€may€fillÏyou€with€so€absorbing€a€passion€for€the€glory€of€Jesus,€thatÏthere€may€be€no€room€to€think€of€your€own€reputation€orÏemolument.ÌòòWe€must€be€in€God,€and€God€in€us.óó€--€This€is€possible,€when€weÐ   	 #g$   Ðlove€perfectly.€He€that€dwelleth€in€love,€dwelleth€in€God,€andÏGod€in€him.€Oh,€sea€of€light,€may€we€lie€spread€out€in€thyÏtranslucent€waves,€as€the€sponges€in€southern€sapphire€seas,€tillÏevery€fibre€of€our€being€be€permeated€and€infilled!ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòElisha,€tarry€here,€I€pray€thee.óó€2€Kings€ii.€2,€4,€6.Ð   	 ÿ(O$+   ÐÓ   $+  ÓÌTHRICE€Elijah€spoke€thus€to€his€friend€and€disciple,€to€test€him.ÏPerseverance,€tenacity€of€purpose,€a€refusal€to€be€content€withÏanything€short€of€the€best,€are€indispensable€conditions€for€theÏattainment€of€the€highest€possibilities€of€experience€andÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðservice.€And€perpetually€in€our€life's€discipline€these€wordsÏcome€back€on€us,€Tarry€here!€Not€that€God€desires€us€to€tarry,Ïbut€because€He€desires€each€onward€step€to€be€the€choice€and€actÏof€our€own€will.ÌòòTarry€here€in€Consecration.óó€--€"You€have€given€so€much;€is€it€notÐ   	 `   Ðtime€that€you€refrained€from€further€sacrifices?€Ungird€yourÏloins,€sit€down€and€rest,€forbear€from€this€strenuous€followingÏafter.€Spare€thyself;€this€shall€not€come€to€thee."ÌòòTarry€here€in€the€Life€of€Prayer.óó€--€"It€is€waste€time€to€spendÐ   	 pÀ   Ðso€much€time€at€the€footstool€of€God.€You€have€done€more€thanÏmost,€desist€from€further€intercession€and€supplication."ÌòòTarry€here€in€the€attainment€of€the€likeness€of€Christ.óó€--€"ItÐ   	 øH	   Ðwill€cost€you€so€much,€if€all€that€is€not€Christ-like€is€to€passÏaway€from€your€life."ÌSuch€voices€are€perpetually€speaking€to€us€all.€And€if€we€heedÏthem,€we€are€at€once€shut€out€of€that€crossing€the€Jordan,€thatÏrapturous€intercourse€with€heaven,€that€reception€of€the€doubleÏportion€of€the€Spirit,€which€await€those€who€have€successfullyÏstood€the€test.€The€law€of€the€Christian€life€is€always€Advance;Ïalways€leaving€that€which€is€behind;€always€reckoning€that€youÏhave€not€attained;€always€following€on€to€know€the€Lord,€growingÏin€grace€and€in€the€knowledge€of€the€blessed€Saviour,€and€sayingÏto€the€Spirit€of€God,€as€Elisha€to€Elijah,€òòI€will€not€leave€theeóó.Ð   	 @   ÐÌÌÓ    ÓòòYe€shall€not€see€wind,€neither€shall€ye€see€rain;Ð   	 È   Ðyet€that€valley€shall€be€filled.óó€2€Kings€iii.€17.Ð   	 §÷   ÐÓ   ^2  ÓÌTHIS€is€God's€way€of€fulfilling€the€desire€of€them€that€fear€Him.ÏWe€like€to€see€the€clouds€blown€forward€through€the€sky,€and€hearÏthe€moan€of€the€rising€wind;€in€other€words,€we€like€to€see€God'sÏgifts€on€their€way,€or€to€have€the€sensible€emotion€of€receivingÏthem.€Sometimes€we€have€symptoms€and€signs€that€fill€us€withÏrapture;€at€other€times,€these€are€lacking,€and€we€surrenderÏourselves€to€despair.€Yet€when€we€see€neither€wind€nor€rain,€GodÏmay€be€most€mightily€at€work.ÌòòIt€is€so€in€Church€work.óó€--€How€often€we€make€our€valleys€full€ofÐ   	 #n$   Ðditches!€Our€machinery€is€complicated€and€perfect;€we€have€sparedÏneither€pains€nor€care.€Then€we€ardently€desire€the€signs€of€aÏpowerful€revival,€and€break€our€hearts€if€they€are€not€apparent;Ïwhile,€all€the€time,€if€we€only€knew€it,€the€Divine€blessing€isÏwelling€up€in€the€ditches,€doing€more€than€would€be€the€case€ifÏour€highest€wishes€were€gratified.Here€and€there€tears€areÏfailing€silently,€hearts€are€being€cleansed,€lives€are€becomingÏyielded€to€God.ÌòòIt€is€so€in€Christian€experience.óó€--€We€expect€to€have€ourÐ   	 ¶*&-   ÐPentecost€as€the€early€Church€received€hers.€We€desire€to€seeÏwind€and€rain,€and€to€know€that€God€is€baptizing€us;€but€this€isÏnot€granted.€There€is€no€footfall€of€hurrying€clouds,€no€coronetÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðof€flame,€no€gift€of€tongues.€But,€deep€down,€the€ditches€areÏbeing€filled€up,€yearnings€are€being€satisfied,€the€capacity€forÏGod€within€us€is€being€met,€though€it€grows€apace.€God€be€praisedÏthat€the€success€of€his€work€is€not€gauged€by€outward€signs!ÌA€well€may€be€filled€as€completely€by€the€percolation€of€water,€aÏdrop€at€a€time,€as€by€turning€a€river€into€it.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAnd€the€oil€stayed.óó€2€Kings€iv.€6.Ð   	 pÀ   ÐÓ   °9  ÓÌWHAT€a€sorrowful€confession!€There€was€no€reason€why€it€shouldÏstay.€There€was€as€much€oil€as€ever,€and€the€power€which€had€madeÏso€much€could€have€gone€on€without€limit€or€exhaustion.€The€onlyÏreason€for€the€ceasing€of€the€oil€was€in€the€failure€of€theÏvessels.€The€widow€and€her€sons€had€secured€only€a€limited€numberÏof€vessels,€and€therefore€there€was€only€a€limited€supply€of€theÏprecious€oil.ÌòòThis€is€why€so€many€of€God's€promises€are€unfulfilled€in€yourÐ   	 _   Ðexperience.óó€--€In€former€days€you€kept€claiming€their€fulfilment;Ð   	 ç7   Ðfrequently€you€brought€God's€promises€to€Him€and€said,€"Do€asÏThou€hast€said."€Vessel€after€vessel€of€need€was€brought€emptyÏand€taken€away€full.€But€of€late€years€you€have€refrained,€youÏhave€rested€on€your€oars,€you€have€ceased€to€bring€the€vessels€ofÏyour€need.€Hence€the€dwindling€supply.ÌòòThis€is€why€your€life€is€not€so€productive€of€blessing€as€itÐ   	 ÷G   Ðmight€be.óó€--€You€do€not€bring€vessels€enough.€You€think€that€GodÐ   	 Ï   Ðhas€wrought€as€much€through€you€as€He€can€or€will.€You€do€notÏexpect€Him€to€fill€the€latter€years€of€your€life€as€He€did€theÏformer.€You€can€trust€Him€for€two€sermons€a€week,€but€not€forÏfive€or€six.ÌòòThis€is€why€the€blessing€of€a€revival€stays€in€its€course.óó€--€AsÐ   	 W   Ðlong€as€the€missioner€remains€with€us,€we€call€look€for€theÏcontinuance€of€blessing.€But€after€awhile€we€say,€Let€theÏservices€stop;€they€have€run€their€course,€and€fulfilled€theirÏend.€And€forthwith€the€blessing€stops€in€mid-flow.€Let€us€go€onÏpleading€with€the€unsaved,€and€bringing€the€empty€vessels€of€ourÏpoor€effort€for€God€to€fill€them€up€to€the€full€measure€of€theirÏcapacity.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòLike€unto€the€flesh€of€a€little€child.óó€2€Kings€v.€14.Ð   	 w&Ç!(   ÐÓ   ¾@  ÓÌIS€there€any€fabric€woven€on€the€loom€of€time€to€be€compared€inÏperfect€beauty€to€the€flesh€of€a€little€child,€on€which,€as€yet,Ïno€scar€or€blemish€can€be€traced?€So€sweet,€so€pure,€so€clean.€ItÏwas€a€wonderful€combination,€that€the€strong€muscles€and€make€ofÏthe€mighty€man€of€war€should€blend€with€the€flesh€of€a€child.€ButÏthis€may€be€ours€also,€if€we€will€let€the€hand€of€Jesus€pass€overÏour€leprous-smitten€souls.€At€this€moment,€if€you€let€Hin,€HeÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðwill€touch€you€and€say,€"Be€clean,"€and€immediately€the€leprosyÏwill€depart,€and€you€will€return€to€the€days€of€your€youth€--€notÏforgiven€only,€but€cleansed;€not€pardoned€only,€but€clad€in€theÏbeauty€of€the€Lord€your€God,€which€He€will€put€on€you.ÌWe€do€not€count€a€little€child€to€be€free€from€the€taint€of€sin.ÏIt€is€conceived€in€sin,€and€inherits€the€evil€tendencies€of€ourÏfallen€race.€Its€innocence€of€evil€is€not€holiness.€Jesus€givesÏus€more€than€innocence,€He€makes€us€pure€and€holy.€But€there€areÏother€childlike€qualities€which€our€Saviour€gives.€The€òòhumilityóóÐ   	 pÀ   Ðof€a€little€child,€who€is€unconscious€of€itself,€and€who€is€notÏperpetually€looking€for€admiration.€The€òòunselfishnessóó€of€a€littleÐ   	  p
   Ðchild,€who€seeks€its€companion€to€share€its€luxuries€and€games.ÏThe€òòtrustóó€of€a€little€child,€which€so€naturally€clings€to€aÐ   	 Ð 
   Ðstrong€and€loving€heart,€willing€to€follow€anywhere,€to€believeÏin€anything.€The€òòloveóó€of€a€little€child,€who€responds€to€everyÐ   	 €Ð   Ðendearment€with€sunny€laughter€and€soft€caresses.ÌThere€is€a€great€difference€between€òòchildishóó€and€òòchildlikeóó.€TheÐ   	 0€   Ðformer€is€put€away,€as€we€grow€up€into€Christ:€the€latter€we€growÏinto,€as€we€become€more€like€our€Lord.€The€oldest€angels€are€theÏyoungest:€the€ripest€saints€are€the€most€childlike.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòBehold,€the€mountain€was€full€of€horses€andÐ   	 @   Ðchariots€of€fire€round€about€Elisha.óó€2€Kings€vi.€17.Ð   	 o   ÐÓ   pH  ÓÌSO€it€is€with€each€of€God's€saints.€We€cannot€see,€because€of€theÏimperfection€of€mortal€vision,€the€harnessed€squadrons€of€fireÏand€light;€but€the€Angel€of€the€Lord€encampeth€round€about€themÏthat€fear€Him,€and€delivereth€them.€If€our€eyes€were€opened,€weÏshould€see€the€angel-hosts€as€an€encircling€fence€of€fire;€butÏwhether€we€see€them€or€not,€they€are€certainly€there.ÌòòGod€is€between€us€and€temptation.óó€--€However€strong€the€foe,€GodÐ   	 æ6   Ðis€stronger.€However€swift€the€descending€blow,€God€is€swifter€toÏcatch€and€ward€off.€However€weak€we€are,€through€long€habits€ofÏyielding,€God€is€greater€than€our€hearts,€and€can€keep€in€perfectÏpeace.€"Trust€ye€in€the€Lord€forever;€for€in€the€Lord€Jehovah€isÏthe€Rock€of€Ages."ÌòòGod€is€between€us€and€the€hate€of€man.óó€--€Dare€to€believe€thatÐ   	 ö#F%   Ðthere€is€an€invisible€wall€of€protection€between€you€and€all€thatÏmen€devise€against€you.€What€though€the€heathen€rage,€and€theÏpeople€imagine€a€vain€thing!€No€weapon€that€is€formed€against€youÏshall€prosper,€and€every€tongue€that€shall€rise€in€judgment€shallÏbe€condemned.ÌòòGod€is€between€you€and€the€deluge€of€care.óó€--€What€thousands€areÐ   	 )V$+   Ðbeset€with€that€dark€spectre!€They€have€no€rest€or€peace€eitherÏday€or€night,€saying,€"Where€will€the€next€rent,€the€next€meal,Ïcome€from?€"€How€different€the€life€of€birds,€and€flowers,€ofÏchildren,€of€Jesus,€and€all€holy€souls.€Oh,€rest€in€the€Lord,€andÏput€Him€between€you€and€black€care.Ð   	 >-Ž(0   ÐòòGod€is€between€you€and€the€pursuit€of€your€past.óó€--€He€is€yourÐ   	 °      Ðreward;€and€as€He€intercepted€the€pursuit€of€Pharaoh,€so€HeÏstands€at€Calvary€between€your€past€and€you.€The€assayer€ofÏretribution€is€arrested€by€that€Divine€Victim€--€what€more€can€weÏask!ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThis€day€is€a€day€of€good€tidings.óó€2€Kings€vii.€9.Ð   	 ˜
è   ÐÓ   P  ÓÌIT€was€indeed.€The€enemy€that€bad€so€long€hemmed€them€in€hadÏdispersed,€leaving€a€great€spoil€behind.€The€famine€which€hadÏdriven€the€people€to€awful€straits€was€at€an€end,€and€there€wasÏnow€plenty€of€everything.€It€was€inhuman€for€these€four€lepers€toÏbe€content€with€eating€and€drinking,€and€sharing€out€the€spoil,Ïwhen€hard€by€a€city€was€in€agony.€Common€humanity€bade€them€giveÏinformation€of€what€had€happened.ÌLet€us€take€care€lest€some€mischief€befall€us,€if€we€withhold€theÏblessed€Gospel€from€a€dying€world.€We€know€that€Jesus€has€diedÏand€risen€again,€and€that€his€unsearchable€riches€wait€forÏappropriation.€We€have€availed€ourselves€of€the€offer;€but€let€usÏsee€to€it€that€so€far€as€we€can,€we€are€making€known€that€theÏwine€and€milk€may€be€obtained€without€money€and€without€price.ÌMischief€always€overtakes€a€selfish€policy;€whereas€those€whoÏdare€to€share€with€others€what€they€have€received,€not€only€keepÏwhat€they€have,€but€find€the€fragments€enough€for€many€daysÏafterwards.ÌLet€us€tell€men€that€the€Saviour€has€overcome€our€foes,€and€hasÏopened€the€kingdom€of€heaven€to€all€who€believe.€Let€us€speakÏfrom€a€full€heart€of€all€that€He€has€proved€to€be.€Let€us€inviteÏmen€to€share€with€us€the€grace€which€hath€neither€shore€norÏbound.ÌOne€ounce€of€testimony€is€worth€a€ton€weight€of€argument,€andÏoverpowers€all€objection.€The€Lord,€on€whom€the€king€leaned,Ïderided€the€possibility€of€the€prophet's€prediction;€and€no€doubtÏhad€plenty€of€adherents.€But€the€leper's€report€swept€all€hisÏwords€to€the€winds.€They€had€known,€tasted,€and€handled.€Let€usÏremember€that€we€are€called€to€be€witnesses€of€what€God€hath€doneÏfor€us.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAnd€the€Man€of€God€wept.óó€2€Kings€viii€11.Ð   	 w&Ç!(   ÐÓ   òV  ÓÌELISHA€foresaw€all€the€evil€that€Hazael€would€inflict€on€Israel,Ïand€it€moved€him€to€tears.€Though€he€was€a€strong€man,€able€toÏmove€kingdoms€by€his€message€and€prayer,€yet€he€was€of€a€tenderÏand€compassionate€disposition.€This€was€he€who€one€momentÏupbraided€the€king€of€Israel€for€his€crimes,€and€the€next€calledÏfor€a€minstrel€to€calm€his€perturbed€spirit€with€strains€ofÏmusic.€The€men€that€can€move€others€are€themselves€veryÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðsusceptible€and€easily€moved.ÌThe€nearer€we€live€to€God,€the€more€we€deserve€to€be€known€as€menÏand€women€of€God,€the€more€will€our€tears€flow€for€the€slain€ofÏthe€daughters€of€our€people.€Consider€the€ravages€that€drink,€andÏimpurity,€and€gambling,€are€making€among€our€people;€enumerateÏthe€homes€that€are€desolate,€the€young€life€that€is€wrecked€as€itÏis€leaving€the€harbour,€the€awful€dishonour€done€to€woman;€andÏsurely€there€must€come€times€when€tears€well€up€for€veryÏhumanity's€sake,€to€say€nothing€of€the€pity€which€they€acquireÏwho€look€at€things€from€God's€standpoint.ÌJesus€beheld€the€city€and€wept€over€it.€Give€us€this€day,€0€SonÏof€Man,€thy€compassion,€thy€love,€thy€tears,€that€we€may€speak€ofÏthy€grace€graciously,€of€thy€love€tenderly,€and€even€of€thyÏjudgments€with€brimming,€eyes.ÌÌ€€€€"A€broken€heart,€a€fount€of€tears:Ì€€€€€Ask,€and€it€shall€not€be€denied.'ÌÌWouldst€thou€avert€such€issues;€begin€with€the€cradled€babes€ofÏyour€homes.€Win€them€for€God;€teach€them€how€to€curb€passion€andÏsubdue€themselves.€Tenderness€and€wisdom€may€arrest€the€making€ofÏBen-hadads.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòIs€it€peace,€Jehu?€And€he€answered,Ð   	 ð@   ÐWhat€peace?óó€2€Kings€ix.€22.Ð   	 Ï   ÐÓ   X]  ÓÌWE€all€want€peace.€Of€every€telegraph€messenger,€as€he€puts€theÏbuff-coloured€envelope€into€our€hands,€we€ask€almostÏinstinctively,€Is€it€peace?€If€there€is€a€rumour€of€war,€aÏdepression€in€trade,€a€bad€harvest,€a€sudden€calamity€in€ourÏneighbourhood,€we€instantly€consider€the€effect€it€may€have€onÏthe€tranquillity€and€prosperity€of€our€life.ÌBy€peace€we€too€often€mean€the€absence€of€the€disagreeable,€theÏunbroken€routine€of€outward€prosperity,€the€serene€passage€of€theÏyears:€not€always€eager€for€anything€deeper.€And€if€other€andÏprofounder€questions€intrude€themselves,€we€instantly€stifle€orÏevade€them.€Like€Herod,€we€shut€up€the€Baptist€in€the€dungeon.ÏLike€the€Roman€general,€we€make€a€desert€and€call€it€peace.€MenÏwill€flee€from€a€Gospel€ministry€which€pursues€them€into€closeÏquarters,€and€arouses€unwelcome€questions€that€break€the€peace.ÌThere€cannot€be€true€peace€so€long€as€we€permit€the€infidelitiesÏand€charms€of€some€Jezebel€of€the€soul-life€to€attract€and€affectÏus.€Jezebel€may€stand€for€the€painted€world,€with€its€wiles€andÏsnares,€or€for€the€flesh,€or€for€some€unholy€association€of€theÏpast€life,€like€that€which€clung€to€Augustine.€But€there€must€beÏno€quarter€given€to€the€unhallowed€rival€of€our€Lord.€WhateverÏits€charms,€it€must€be€flung€out€of€the€window€before€we€can€beÏat€peace.Ð   	 >-Ž(0   Ð‡€€€€"Then,€and€not€till€then,€we€shall€see€Thee€as€Thou€art;Ì€€€€€Then,€and€not€till€then,€in€thy€glory€bear€a€part;Ì€€€€€Then,€and€not€till€then,€Thou€wilt€satisfy€each€heart."ÌÌIf€you€are€entirely€surrendered€to€the€Lord,€"the€peace€of€God,Ïwhich€passeth€all€understanding,€shall€guard€your€hearts€and€yourÏthoughts€in€Christ€Jesus."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòJehu€took€no€heed€to€walk€in€the€law€of€theÐ   	 H˜	   ÐLord€God€of€Israelóó.€€2€Kings€x.€31.Ð   	 'w
   ÐÓ   nd  ÓÌJEHU€was€the€Cromwell€of€his€time.€He€swept€away€the€symbols€ofÏidolatry€with€ruthless€destruction.€Nothing€could€withstand€hisÏiconoclastic€enthusiasm.€But€he€failed€to€keep€his€own€heart,€andÏtherefore€his€dynasty€lasted€for€but€one€generation.€It€is€a€deepÏlesson€for€us€all.ÌWe€may€keep€other€people's€vineyards,€and€neglect€our€own.€We€mayÏgive€good€advice€to€our€friends,€but€into€the€very€faults€againstÏwhich€we€warn€them.€We€may€pose€as€infallible€guides,€but€fallÏinto€the€crevasses€and€precipices€from€which€we€had€carefullyÏwarned€our€companions.€Jehu€avenged€the€idolatries€of€Ahab,€butÏhe€departed€not€from€Jeroboam's€calves.ÌBefore€you€rebuke€another,€be€sure€that€you€are€free€from€theÏfaults€that€you€detect€in€him.€When€you€hear€of€the€failings€ofÏsome€erring€brother,€ask€yourself€whether€you€are€perfectly€freeÏfrom€them.€And€never€attempt€to€cast€out€the€mote€from€yourÏneighbour's€eye€till€you€are€sure€that€the€beam€has€been€takenÏfrom€your€own.ÌTake€heed€to€your€heart.€Its€complexion€colours€all€the€issues€ofÏlife.€Do€not€be€content€to€be€strong€against€evil;€be€eagerlyÏambitious€of€good.€It€is€easier€to€be€vehement€against€theÏabominations€of€others€than€to€judge€and€put€away€your€own€secretÏsins.€But€while€we€keep€our€heart€with€all€diligence,€we€cannotÏafford€to€be€independent€of€the€keeping€power€of€God.€We€mustÏyield€ourselves€to€Him,€reserving€nothing.€The€King€must€haveÏall.€The€light€of€his€face€must€fill€every€nook€and€corner€of€theÏsoul.€And€every€power€that€opposes€itself€to€his€dominion,€mustÏbe€dragged€beyond€the€barriers€and€ruthlessly€slain.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThey€made€him€king,€and€anointed€him.óó€2€Kings€xi.€12.Ð   	 V'¦")   ÐÓ   Dk  ÓÌTHIS€dexterous€overthrow€of€Athaliah€by€the€bringing€of€theÏyouthful€king,€who€had€been€hidden€in€the€secret€chambers€of€theÏTemple,€accommodates€itself€so€obviously€to€a€reference€to€theÏinner€life,€that€we€must€be€pardoned€for€making€it.ÌIs€not€the€spiritual€condition€of€too€many€children€of€GodÏrepresented€by€the€condition€of€the€Temple,€during€the€earlyÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðyears€of€the€life€of€Joash?€The€king€was€within€its€precincts,Ïthe€rightful€heir€of€the€crown€and€defender€of€the€worship€ofÏJehovah:€but,€as€a€matter€of€fact,€the€crown€was€on€the€head€ofÏthe€usurper€Athaliah,€who€was€exercising€a€cruel€and€sanguinaryÏtyranny.€The€king€was€limited€to€a€chamber,€and€the€majority€ofÏthe€priests,€with€all€the€people,€had€not€even€heard€of€hisÏexistence.€So,€unless€we€are€reprobates,€Jesus€is€within€theÏspirit,€which€has€been€regenerated€by€the€Holy€Ghost;€but€in€tooÏmany€cases€He€is€limited€to€a€very€small€corner€of€our€nature,Ïand€exercises€but€a€limited€power€over€our€life.ÌThere€needs€to€be€an€anointing,€an€enthroning,€a€determinationÏthat€He€shall€exercise€his€power€over€the€entire€Temple€of€ourÏBeing;€the€òòspiritóó,€which€stands€for€the€Holy€of€Holies;€the€òòsoulóó,Ð   	 Ð 
   Ðfor€the€Holy€Place€;€the€òòbodyóó,€for€the€outer€court.Ð   	 ¨ø
   ÐHoliness€or€Sanctification€is€Dot€a€quality€or€attribute€whichÏcan€be€attributed€to€us€apart€from€the€indwelling€of€the€HolyÏOne.€If€we€would€be€holy,€we€must€be€indwelt€by€Him€who€is€holy.ÏIf€we€would€have€holiness,€we€must€be€infilled€by€the€Holy€One.ÏBut€there€must€be€no€limiting€of€his€power,€no€barrier€to€hisÏcontrol,€no€veiling€or€curtaining€of€his€light.€The€veil,€if€suchÏthere€be,€must€be€rent€in€twain€from€the€top€to€the€bottom.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€money€that€cometh€into€any€man's€heart€toÐ   	 h   Ðbring€into€the€house€of€the€Lord.óó€2€Kings€xii.€4.Ð   	 ÷G   ÐÓ   ~r  ÓÌTHE€margin€suggests€that€the€thought€of€giving€for€God's€houseÏwould€ascend€in€a€man's€heart,€till€it€became€the€royal€andÏpredominant€thought,€swaying€the€whole€man€to€obedience.€It€is€aÏbeautiful€conception€!ÌFor€the€reconstruction€of€the€Temple€there€were€two€classes€ofÏrevenue:€the€tribute€money€which€each€Israelite€was€bound€toÏgive,€and€the€money€which€a€man€might€feel€prompted€to€give.ÏSurely€the€latter€was€the€more€precious€in€the€eye€of€God.ÌDoes€it€ever€come€into€your€heart€to€bring€some€money€into€theÏhouse€of€God?€Perhaps€the€sug-gestion€comes,€but€you€put€it€away,Ïand€refuse€to€consider€it.€The€thought€begins€to€ascend€in€yourÏheart,€but€you€thrust€it€down€and€back,€saying,€Why€should€I€partÏwith€what€has€cost€me€so€much€to€get!€Beware€of€stifling€theseÏgenerous€promptings.€To€yield€to€them€would€bring€untold€blessingÏinto€heart€and€life.€Besides,€the€money€is€only€yours€as€aÏstewardship;€and€the€thought€to€give€it€to€God€is€only€theÏMaster's€request€for€his€own.ÌThe€great€mistake€with€us€all€is,€that€we€do€not€hold€all€ourÏproperty€at€God's€disposal,€seeking€his€directions€for€itsÏadministration;€and€that€we€forget€how€freely€we€have€receivedÏthat€we€may€resemble€our€Father€in€heaven,€and€freely€give.€TooÏmany,€alas!€are€anxious€to€hoard€up€and€keep€for€themselves€thatÏwhich€God€has€given€them,€instead€of€counting€themselves€and€allÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðthey€have€as€purchased€property,€and€using€all€things€as€hisÏrepresentatives€and€trustees.€Let€us€make€a€complete€surrender€toÏour€Lord,€and€from€the€heart€sing,ÌÌ€€€€"Take€my€silver€and€my€gold,Ì€€€€€Not€a€mite€would€I€withhold.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòHe€smote€thrice€and€stayed.óó€2€Kings€xiii.€18.Ð   	 pÀ   ÐÓ   ~y  ÓÌA€STRIKING€spectacle.€The€dying€prophet,€with€his€thin€hands€onÏthe€muscular€hands€of€the€young€king,€as€he€shoots€his€arrowÏthrough€the€eastern€window;€the€exhortation€to€smite€theÏremaining€arrows€on€the€ground;€the€bitter€chiding€that€the€kingÏhad€struck€thrice€only,€instead€of€five€or€six€times.€WhatÏlessons€are€here!€The€Lord€Jesus€put€his€hands€upon€ours.€Here€isÏthe€reverse€to€the€incident€referred€to.€Ours€are€weak,€his€areÏstrong;€ours€would€miss€the€mark,€his€will€direct€the€arrows,€ifÏonly€we€will€allow€Him,€with€unerring€precision.€We€shoot,€butÏthe€Lord€directs€the€arrow's€flight€to€the€heart€of€his€foes.ÌOur€success€is€commensurate€with€our€faith.€If€we€strike€butÏthrice,€we€conquer€but€thrice.€If€we€strike€seven€times,€weÏattain€a€perfect€victory€over€the€adversary.€Is€not€this€theÏcause€of€comparative€failure€in€Gospel€effort?€Souls€are€notÏsaved€because€we€do€not€expect€them€to€be€saved.€A€few€are€saved,Ïbecause€we€only€believe€for€a€few.€It€is€one€of€the€most€radicalÏlaws€in€the€universe€of€God,€and€one€which€our€Lord€repeatedlyÏemphasized,€that€our€faith€determines€the€less€or€more€in€our€ownÏgrowth,€and€in€the€victories€we€win€for€Christ.€Do€not€stay,€0Ïsoul-winner,€but€smite€again€and€yet€again€in€the€secret€of€thyÏchamber,€that€thou€mayest€smite€Satan,€and€compel€him€toÏacknowledge€thy€might.ÌLet€us€not€stay,€though€the€energy€of€earlier€days€may€be€ebbingÏfast.€The€sanctified€spirit€waxes€only€stronger€and€more€heroic,Ïas€Elisha's€and€Paul's€did,€amid€the€decay€of€mortal€power.€TheÏLord€will€say€to€us,€as€He€did€to€Paul,€"My€grace€is€sufficientÏfor€thee:€for€my€strength€is€made€perfect€in€weakness."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòEvery€man€shall€be€put€to€deathÐ   	 Ÿ%ï '   Ðfor€his€own€sin.óó€2€Kings€xiv.€6.Ð   	 ~&Î!(   ÐÓ   W€  ÓÌSO€ran€the€law€of€Moses.€It€forbade€the€imposition€of€punishmentÏon€the€relatives€of€the€wrong-doer,€but€it€had€no€mercy€on€him.Ï"The€soul€that€sinneth,€it€shall€die,"€was€the€succinct€andÏconclusive€verdict€of€the€older€law,€in€this€reflecting€theÏspirit€and€letter€of€one€yet€older,€which€ran,€"The€day€that€thouÏeatest€thereof€thou€shalt€surely€die."ÌòòFirst,€we€were€dead€in€our€sins.óó€--€Eph.€ii.€5€puts€this€beyondÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðall€doubt.€In€the€sight€of€God,€all€who€walk€according€to€theÏcourse€of€this€world,€and€obey€the€prince€that€now€worketh€in€theÏchildren€of€this€world,€are€dead€in€trespasses€and€sins.€HoweverÏmuch€they€may€be€alive€as€to€their€souls,€they€are€dead€as€toÏtheir€spirits,€entirely€destitute€of€the€life€of€God.ÌòòSecond,€we€have€died€for€our€sins.óó€--€2€Cor.€v.€14,€15€(R.V.)Ð   	 è8   Ðestablishes€this€fact,€and€shows€that€in€Jesus,€we€who€believe€inÏHim,€are€reckoned€to€have€died€in€Him€when€He€bore€our€sins€inÏhis€own€body€on€the€tree.€In€God's€estimate,€his€death€is€imputedÏto€us;€so€that€we€are€reckoned€as€having€satisfied,€in€Jesus,€theÏdemands€of€a€broken€law.€It€has€no€more€to€ask.ÌòòThird,€we€must€die€to€our€sin.óó--€Rom.€vi.€11.€Reckon€that€youÐ   	 øH	   Ðhave€died,€and€whenever€sin€arises,€to€menace€or€allure€you,Ïpoint€back€to€the€grave,€and€argue€that€since€you€died€in€Christ,Ïyou€have€passed€altogether€beyond€its€jurisdiction,€for€you€haveÏyielded€your€members€as€weapons€of€righteousness€unto€God.€AndÏhaving€been€crucified€with€Christ,€you€now€no€longer€live,€butÏChrist€liveth€in€you.€Let€it€become€your€daily€habit€to€place€theÏgrave€of€Jesus€between€yourself€and€all€allurements€of€the€world,Ïthe€flesh,€and€the€devil.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€sins€of€Jeroboam,€the€son€of€Nebat,Ð   	 @   Ðwho€made€Israel€to€sin.óó€2€Kings€xv.€9,€18,€24,€28.Ð   	 o   ÐÓ   —‡  ÓÌTHIS€chapter€anticipates€the€final€overthrow€of€the€kingdom€ofÏthe€tribes.€It€describes€the€corruption€and€disorganization€ofÏthe€people€which€made€them€the€easy€prey€of€Assyria.€OneÏpuppet-king€after€another€was€set€upon€the€throne€to€fall€after€aÏbrief€space€of€rule,€and€four€times€over€it€is€said€that€theyÏfollowed€in€the€steps€of€Jeroboam,€"who€made€Israel€to€sin."€TheÏseed€sown€two€hundred€years€before€had€at€last€come€to€maturity,Ïissuing€in€the€ruin€of€the€nation.€'What€a€comment€on€theÏinspired€words,€"Sin,€when€it€is€finished,€bridgeth€forth€death."ÌTwelve€times€in€the€story€of€the€kingdom€of€Israel€we€are€toldÏthat€Jeroboam,€the€son€of€Nebat,€made€Israel€to€sin.€TheÏinstitution€of€the€calves€on€his€part€seemed€to€be€a€piece€ofÏpolitical€wisdom,€but€it€was€an€infraction€of€the€Divine€law;€andÏwhat€is€morally€wrong€can€never€be€politically€right.€The€houseÏcannot€stand€unless€the€foundation€can€bear€the€test€of€theÏDivine€plummet.€The€kingdom€of€Israel€fell,€to€prove€to€allÏafter-time€that€the€disregard€of€God's€law€is€a€foundation€ofÏsand,€which€can€never€resist€the€test€of€time.ÌWhy€is€Jeroboam€so€frequently€called€"the€son€of€Nebat"?€WhyÏshould€the€father€be€for€ever€pilloried€with€the€son,€except€thatÏhe€was€in€some€way€responsible€for,€and€implicated€in,€his€sins?ÏThere€was€a€time€when€perhaps€Nebat€might€have€restrained€theÏgrowing€boy,€or€led€him€to€the€true€worship€of€God;€or€perhapsÏhis€parental€influence€and€example€were€deadly€in€their€effect.Ð   	 >-Ž(0   ÐHow€important€that€parents€should€leave€no€stone€unturned€toÏpromote€the€godliness€of€their€children,€bringing€them€up€in€theÏnurture€and€admonition€of€the€Lord.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòKing€Ahaz€sent€to€Urijah€the€fashion€of€theÐ   	 è8   Ðalter€and€the€pattern€of€it.óó€2€Kings€xvi.€10.Ð   	 Ç	   ÐÓ   ÄŽ  ÓÌTHE€fashion€of€this€world€passeth€away€like€a€fleeting€dream;€orÏlike€the€panorama€of€clouds€that€constitutes€a€pavilion€of€theÏsetting€sun,€but€which,€whilst€we€gaze,€tumbles€into€a€mass€ofÏred€ruin.€And€yet€we€are€always€so€prone€to€imitate€King€Ahaz,Ïand€visit€Damascus€with€the€intention€of€procuring€the€latestÏdesign,€and€introducing€it,€even€into€the€service€of€theÏsanctuary.ÌMan€naturally€imitates.€He€must€get€the€pattern€of€his€work€fromÏabove,€or€beneath;€from€God€or€the€devil:€hence,€the€repeatedÏinjunction€to€us€all,€to€make€all€things€after€the€pattern€shownÏon€the€mount.€lf€we€would€be€rid€of€the€influence€of€worldlyÏfashion,€we€must€conform€ourselves€to€the€heavenly€and€divine.ÏThe€pattern€of€the€Body€of€Christ€--€of€the€position€of€eachÏindividual€believer€among€its€members,€and€of€the€work€which€eachÏshould€accomplish€--€was€fixed€before€the€worlds€were€made.€TheÏbest€cure€for€worldliness€is€not€unworldliness,€butÏother-worldliness.€The€best€way€of€resisting€the€trend€of€peopleÏaround€us€is€to€cultivate€the€speech,€thought,€and€behaviour€ofÏthat€celestial€world€to€which€we€are€bound€by€the€most€sacredÏties,€and€whither€we€are€travelling€at€every€heart-throb.ÌThis€introduction€of€the€altar€of€a€heathen€shrine€into€the€holyÏtemple€of€Jerusalem,€reminds€us€of€the€many€rites€in€modernÏreligious€observances€which€have€been€borrowed€from€paganism,€andÏwarns€us€that€the€Church€has€no€right€to€go€to€the€world€for€itsÏmethods€and€principles.€Let€the€world€do€as€it€may€in€itsÏdiscussions€about€truth,€its€efforts€to€attract€attention,€andÏits€organizations;€our€course€is€clear€--€not€to€build€altarsÏafter€its€fashion,€nor€model€our€life€on€its€maxims.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThese€nations€feared€the€Lord,€and€served€theirÐ   	 Î$ &   Ðgraven€images.óó€2€Kings€xvii.€41.Ð   	 ­%ý '   ÐÓ   ÿ•  ÓÌIT€was€a€curious€mixture.€These€people€had€come€from€Babylon,ÏHamath,€and€Sepharvaim,€and€were€settled€in€the€land€from€whichÏIsrael€was€deported.€In€their€desire€to€propitiate€the€God€of€theÏcountry,€they€added€his€worship€to€that€of€their€own€gods€(ver.Ï32),€though€they€did€not€really€fear€Him€(ver.€34).€There€was€anÏoutward€recognition€of€the€God€of€Israel,€which€was€worse€thanÏuseless.€Are€you€sure€this€is€not€a€true€description€of€your€ownÏposition?€You€pay€an€outward€deference€to€God€by€attending€hisÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðhouse,€and€acknowledging€his€day,€whilst€you€are€reallyÏprostrating€yourself€before€other€shrines.€The€one€originates€inÏa€superstitious€fear,€a€desire€to€stand€well€with€your€fellows;Ïbut€it€is€in€the€direction€of€the€other€that€your€heart€reallyÏgoes.€You€come€as€his€people€come,€sit€as€his€people€sit,€kneelÏas€his€people€kneel;€but€your€heart€is€far€apart,€and€you€only€doÏas€you€do€that€you€may€follow€your€own€evil€ways€with€less€fearÏof€discovery.ÌWith€all€of€us€there€is€too€much€of€this€double€worship;€but€letÏit€be€clearly€understood€that€it€is€only€apparent,€not€real.€NoÏman€ever€really€serves€two€masters,€or€worships€two€gods.ÏWhatever€conflicts€with€God€in€heart€or€life€is€our€chosen€god.ÏWhatever€appears€to€share€our€heart€with€God€really€holds€ourÏheart.€God€will€never€be€in€competition€with€another.€He€mustÏeither€be€all€or€none.ÌThe€soul€that€endeavours€to€divide€its€service€between€Jehovah€onÏthe€first€day,€and€its€graven€images€all€the€other€days€of€theÏweek,€might€as€well€discontinue€its€religious€observances,€forÏthey€count€for€nothing:€except€to€blind€it€to€its€true€condition.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòNow€on€whom€dost€thou€trust?óó€2€Kings€xviii.€20.Ð   	 h¸   ÐÓ   	  ÓÌIT€was€no€small€thing€for€Hezekiah€to€rebel€against€the€proudÏking€of€Assyria.€Hamath€and€Arpad,€Samaria€and€Sepharvaim,€HenaÏand€Ivah,€reduced€to€heaps€of€stones,€were€sufficient€proofs€ofÏthe€might€of€his€ruthless€soldiers.€How€could€Jerusalem€hope€toÏwithstand?€Rabshakeh€could€not€comprehend€the€secret€source€ofÏHezekiah's€confidence.€It€was€of€no€use€for€him€to€turn€to€Egypt.ÏPharaoh€was€a€bruised€reed.€And€as€for€Jehovah!€Was€there€anyÏlikelihood€that€He€could€do€for€Israel€more,€than€the€gods€of€theÏother€nations€had€done€for€them?€Not€infrequently€does€theÏpuzzled€world€ask€the€Church,€"In€whom€dost€thou€trust?€"ÌOur€life€must€to€a€large€extent€be€a€mystery,€our€peace€passÏunderstanding,€and€our€motives€be€hidden.€The€sources€of€ourÏsupply,€the€ground€of€our€confidence,€the€reasons€for€ourÏactions,€must€evade€the€most€searching€scrutiny€of€those€whoÏstand€outside€the€charmed€circle€of€the€face€of€God;€€as€it€isÏwritten,€"Eye€hath€not€seen,€nor€ear€heard€what€God€hathÏprepared."ÌWe€all€ought€to€have€the€secrets€which€the€world€cannotÏpenetrate.€Doubt€your€religion€if€it€all€lies€on€the€surface,€andÏif€men€are€able€to€calculate€to€a€nicety€the€considerations€byÏwhich€you€are€actuated.€We€must€be€prepared€to€be€misunderstoodÏand€criticised,€because€our€behaviour€is€determined€by€factsÏwhich€the€princes€of€this€world€know€not.€We€do€not€look€up€toÏthe€hills,€because€we€look€beyond€them€to€God;€we€do€not€trust€inÏsilver€or€gold,€or€human€resource,€because€God€is€our€confidence.ÏWe€cannot€but€seem€eccentric€to€this€world,€because€we€have€foundÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðanother€centre,€and€are€concentric€with€the€Eternal€Throne.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAnd€Hezekiah€spread€it€before€the€Lord.óó€2€Kings€xix.€14.Ð   	 8ˆ   ÐÓ   å£  ÓÌAMID€the€panic€that€reigned€in€Jerusalem,€the€king€and€theÏprophet€alone€kept€level€heads,€for€they€alone€had€quiet,Ïtrustful€hearts.€We€hardly€realize€the€crisis€unless€we€compareÏit€with€the€march€of€200,000€Kurds€or€Turkish€soldiers€upon€someÏpeaceful€Armenian€community.€Israel€had€no€earthly€allies.€HerÏonly€reinforcements€could€reach€her€from€heaven,€and€it€was€theÏcare€of€these€two€saintly€men€to€implicate€their€cause€with€thatÏof€the€living€God€(ver.€4).€This€is€the€faith€that€overcomes€theÏworld,€which€realizes€that€God€lives€here€and€now€in€our€home€andÏlife€and€circumstances.€His€cause€is€implicated€in€ourÏdeliverance;€his€name€will€be€disgraced€if€we€are€overwhelmed,Ïand€honoured,€if€preserved.€He€is€our€Judge,€Lawgiver,€and€King,Ïand€is€therefore€bound€by€the€most€solemn€obligations€to€save€us,Ïor€his€name€will€be€tarnished.ÌWhen€therefore€letters€come€to€you,€anonymous€or€otherwise,€fullÏof€bitter€reproach;€when€unkind€and€malignant€stories€are€set€onÏfoot€with€respect€to€you;€when€all€hope€from€man€has€perished,Ïthen€take€your€complaint€--€the€letter,€the€article,€the€speech,Ïthe€rumour€--€and€lay€it€before€God.€Let€your€requests€be€madeÏknown€unto€Him.€Tell€Him€how€absolutely€you€trust.€Then€maliceÏand€fear€will€pass€from€your€heart,€whilst€peace€and€love€willÏtake€their€place:€and€presently€there€will€come€a€swift€messageÏof€comfort,€like€that€which€Isaiah,€the€son€of€Amoz,€sent€toÏHezekiah,€saying€on€the€behalf€of€God,€"That€which€thou€hastÏprayed€to€Me,€I€have€heard."ÌGod€knew€the€contents€of€the€missive€before€you€did;€but€He€likesÏto€read€it€again€in€the€company€of€his€child.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòLet€the€shadow€return€backward€ten€degrees.óó€2€Kings€xx.€10.Ð   	 g!·"   ÐÓ   ®ª  ÓÌIT€is€impossible€for€us€to€understand€how€this€could€be.€TheÏshadow€of€the€declining€day€waxes€ever€longer,€and€only€a€miracleÏcould€change€its€appearance€on€the€dial.€It€may€suggest€someÏsignificant€thoughts€about€shadows€that€may€still€go€back.ÌòòThe€shadow€of€a€wasted€life.óó€--€Of€course,€there€is€a€sense€inÐ   	 ~&Î!(   Ðwhich€the€wasted€years€will€never€come€again;€they€have€passedÏbeyond€recall.€But€the€shadow€may€go€back€on€the€dial€of€our€lifeÏwhen€we€truly€repent,€and€turn€again€to€God,€for€He€hathÏpromised:€"I€will€never€leave€thee,€neither€forsake€thee."€And€"IÏwill€give€back€the€years€that€the€canker€worm€and€caterpillarÏhave€eaten."ÌòòThe€shadow€of€happier€days.óó€--€These€seem€to€have€gone.€For€longÐ   	 f,¶'/   Ðyou€have€noticed€the€growing€twilight,€and€it€has€seemedÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðimpossible€ever€again€to€have€the€lightsomeness€and€spring€of€oneÏor€two€decades€back.€But€be€of€good€cheer,€for€when€a€man€comesÏinto€that€fellowship€with€God€which€sorrow€and€temptation€teach,Ïwhen€with€growing€years€he€attains€added€grace,€we€are€told€thatÏhe€shall€return€to€the€days€of€his€youth.ÌòòThe€shadow€of€early€affection.óó€--€Have€you€lost€loved€ones,€soÐ   	 è8   Ðthat€your€life€is€like€a€house€the€windows€of€which,€one€afterÏanother,€have€become€shuttered€and€dark?€But€love€is€notÏforfeited€for€ever.€Those€who€forsake€all€for€Christ's€sake€shallÏget€all€back€again€in€Him.€His€love€comprehends€all€human€love.ÏThe€relationships€of€his€kingdom€surpass€in€tenderness€andÏtenacity€those€of€the€warmest€earthly€ties.€Thy€brother€shallÏrise€again,€and€thou€shalt€hear€him€call€thy€name,€and€shalt€sitÏwith€him€in€the€Home€of€Life.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAnd€his€mother's€name€was€Hephzi-bah.óó€€2€Kings€xxi.€1.Ð   	 0€   ÐÓ   »±  ÓÌHEPHZI-BAH€means,€"My€delight€is€in€her"€(Isa.€Ixii.€4).€HowÏstrange,€supposing€that€her€name€was€any€indication€of€herÏcharacter,€that€such€a€woman€should€have€borne€such€a€son;€forÏ"Manasseh€did€wickedly€above€all€the€Amorites€did€which€wereÏbefore€him."€A€godly€ancestry,€however,€does€not€guarantee€a€holyÏseed.€Hezekiahs€and€Hephzi-bahs€may€be€the€parents€of€manassehs.ÏThat€this€may€not€be€so:€--€ÌòòLet€us€guard€against€the€inconsistencies€of€our€private€life.óó€--Ð   	 Ï   ÐThe€child€of€religious€parents€becomes€habituated€to€their€use€ofÏexpressions€in€public€which€betoken€the€highest€degree€ofÏholiness,€and€is€therefore€quicker€to€notice€any€inconsistency€inÏtemper€or€walk.€Is€there€not€a€subtle€temptation€also€for€thoseÏwho€work€much€for€God€in€public€to€feel€that€a€certain€laxity€isÏpermissible€in€the€home?€Will€not€late€after-meetings€at€nightÏcompensate€for€indolence€in€the€morning;€and€will€not€protractedÏservices€be€the€equivalent€for€private€prayer?€May€notÏirritability€to€servants€or€children€be€accounted€for€by€theÏoverstrain€of€our€great€work?€Hence,€inconsistency€and€failure€toÏrealize€our€lofty€aims,€which€are€quickly€noticed,€beget€distasteÏfor€our€religion.ÌòòLet€us€guard€against€absorption€in€public€religious€duty€to€theÐ   	 Ç$ &   Ðneglect€of€the€home.óó€--€Does€it€never€happen€that€the€children€ofÐ   	 Ÿ%ï '   Ðreligious€parents€are€put€to€bed€by€nurses€who€are€heedless€ofÏtheir€prayers,€because€their€mothers€have€undertaken€a€mission?ÏDo€not€boys€sometimes€grow€up€without€the€correcting€influence€ofÏthe€father's€character,€because€he,€good€man,€is€so€taken€up€withÏcommittees?ÌòòLet€us€guard€against€an€austerity€of€manner,€which€prevents€usÐ   	 ¯*ÿ%-   Ðbeing€the€companions,€play-fellows,€and€associates€of€ourÏchildren.óóÐ   	 _,¯'/   ÐÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ð‡Ó    ÓòòThou€shalt€be€gathered€intoÐ   	 °      Ðthy€grave€in€peace.óó€2€Kings€xxii.€20.Ð   	 ß    ÐÓ   g¹  ÓÌAS€a€matter€of€fact,€Josiah's€death€was€not€a€peaceful€one.€HeÏpersisted€in€going€into€conflict€with€Pharaoh-necho,€king€ofÏEgypt,€against€the€latter's€earnest€remonstrance€(see€2€Chron.Ïxxxv.€20-22);€and,€in€consequence€of€his€hardihood,€met€hisÏdeath.€His€servants€carried€him€in€a€chariot€dead€from€MegiddoÏ(ch.€xxiii.€30).€Is€there,€then,€any€real€contradiction€betweenÏthe€prophet's€prediction€and€this€sad€event?ÌCertainly€not!€The€one€tells€us€what€God€was€prepared€to€do€forÏhis€servant;€the€other€what€he€brought€on€himself€by€his€ownÏfolly.€There€are€many€instances€of€this€change€of€purpose€in€theÏWord€of€God.€One€of€them€is€known€as€"his€breach€of€promise,"€orÏ"altering€of€purpose€"€(Num.€xiv.€34,€marg.).€He€would€have€savedÏhis€people€from€the€forty€years'€wandering€in€the€wilderness,€butÏthey€made€Him€to€serve€with€their€sins,€and€wearied€Him€withÏtheir€iniquities.€He€would€have€gathered€Jerusalem€as€a€henÏgathers€her€brood,€but€she€would€not.ÌLet€us€beware€lest,€a€promise€being€left€us,€we€should€seem€toÏcome€short€of€it;€lest€there€be€in€any€of€us€an€evil€heart€ofÏunbelief€in€departing€from€the€living€God,€and€frustrating€someÏblessed€purpose€of€his€heart.€"Eye€hath€not€seen,€nor€ear€heard,Ïneither€have€entered€into€the€heart€of€man€the€things€which€GodÏhath€prepared€for€them€that€love€Him€";€but€we€may€limit€the€HolyÏOne€of€Israel,€and€so€restrain€Him€by€our€unbelief€as€to€stay€theÏmighty€works€which€are€in€his€plan€for€us.€He€may€desire€for€us€aÏprosperous€life€and€a€peaceful€death;€but€we€may€close€our€dyingÏeyes€amid€disaster€and€defeat,€because€we€wilfully€chose€our€ownÏway.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòLike€unto€Josiah€was€thereÐ   	 ¾    Ðno€king€before€him.óó€2€Kings€xxiii.€25.Ð   	  í!   ÐÓ   FÀ  ÓÌTHIS€chapter€is€a€marvellous€record€of€cleansing€and€purging.€WeÏare€led€from€one€item€to€another€of€drastic€reform.€Nothing€wasÏspared€that€savoured€of€idolatry.€Priests€and€altars,€buildingsÏand€groves,€came€under€the€searching€scrutiny€of€thisÏtrue-hearted€monarch;€and,€as€the€result,€it€was€possible€to€keepÏsuch€a€Passover€as€had€not€been€observed€during€the€days€of€theÏjudges€or€the€kings€(ver.€22).ÌHow€much€our€enjoyment€of€the€solemn€feast€depends€upon€ourÏprevious€efforts€to€put€away€from€our€lives€all€that€isÏinconsistent€with€the€law€of€God.€We€hardly€realize€howÏinsidiously€evils€creep€in.€Before€we€are€aware,€we€have€fallenÏbeneath€God's€ideal,€and€adopted€the€customs€of€our€neighbours,Ïor€of€those€with€whom€we€come€into€daily€contact.€All€suchÏdeclension€hinders€our€joy€in€keeping€the€Passover.€It€isÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðneedful,€therefore,€that€there€should€be€times€when€we€turn€toÏGod€with€fresh€devotion,€and€in€the€light€of€his€holy€truth€passÏthe€various€departments€of€our€life€under€review,€testingÏeverything€by€the€Book€of€the€Law.€In€Josiah's€case,€the€sacredÏvolume€was€recovered€from€long€neglect;€in€our€case€it€needs€toÏbe€re-read€in€the€light€of€higher€resolves.€This€would€be€like€aÏnew€discovery.€Our€ultimate€rule€must€always€be€the€will€of€God,Ïappreciated€with€growing€clearness,€and€used€as€a€standard€byÏwhich€to€judge€the€habits€and€tenets€of€our€life.€We€read€theÏBible€for€purposes€of€a€truer€knowledge€of€God€and€his€ways,€andÏfor€spiritual€quickening;€but€let€us€also€use€it€more€frequentlyÏas€the€bath€of€the€spirit.€Let€us€bathe€in€it.€Let€us€revel€in€itÏas€the€grimy€children€of€the€slums€in€the€laughing€wavelets€ofÏriver€and€sea.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòHe€carried€out€thence€all€the€treasuresÐ   	 0€   Ðof€the€House€of€the€Lord.óó€€2€Kings€xxiv.€13.Ð   	 _   ÐÓ   lÇ  ÓÌAMONGST€these€deported€treasures€must€have€been€much€of€theÏsacred€furniture€of€the€Temple,€and€the€holy€vessels;€because,€inÏthe€days€of€Belshazzar,€find€them€brought€out€to€grace€the€royalÏbanquet.€BeIshazzar€drank€wine€from€them€with€his€lords,€wives,Ïand€concubines,€whilst€they€praised€the€gods€of€Babylon,€who€hadÏgiven€them€victory€over€their€foes.€Amongst€the€rest€was€theÏgolden€candlestick,€whose€flame€afterwards€illuminated€theÏinscription€of€doom,€written€by€God's€hand€upon€the€palace€wall.ÏBy€the€command€of€Cyrus€these€precious€vessels€were€finallyÏrestored€(Ezra€v.€14),€and€carried€back€to€Jerusalem,€by€aÏfaithful€band€of€priests€(viii.€33).ÌòòThe€whole€story€of€the€captivity€is€full€of€solemn€lessons.óó€--Ð   	 ^   ÐThe€Church€of€God€must€make€her€choice€between€one€of€twoÏcourses:€either€she€must€keep€from€all€entangling€alliances,€andÏfrom€vieing€for€temporal€power;€or€she€must€face€the€liability€ofÏbeing€brought€under€the€power€with€which€she€would€fainÏassimilate.€Israel€wanted€to€be€as€the€other€nations€around€her,Ïimitating€their€organization,€and€allying€herself€now€with€one,Ïand€then€with€another;€in€consequence€she€was€swept€intoÏcaptivity€to€the€very€nation€whose€fashions€she€most€affectedÏ(Isa.€xxxviii.).ÌòòHave€we€never€tasted€the€bitters€of€captivity?óó€--€Borne€away€fromÐ   	 ~&Î!(   Ðour€happy€early€homes€to€live€among€strangers,€set€to€repugnantÏtasks,€removed€from€all€that€made€life€worth€living,€we€haveÏknown€the€exile's€lot.€Alas!€if€it€be€so;€yet,€even€in€ourÏcaptivity,€where€the€Lord's€song€is€silenced,€and€our€harps€hangÏfrom€the€willows,€if€we€repent,€and€put€away€our€sins,€and€turnÏagain€to€the€Lord,€He€will€not€only€have€mercy,€but€abundantlyÏpardon,€and€bring€us€again€that€we€may€be€as€we€were€in€timesÏpast.Ð   	 >-Ž(0   Ð‡ÌÓ    ÓòòEvery€day€a€portion,€all€the€daysÐ   	 ˆØ    Ðof€his€life€2€Kings€xxv.óó€30€(R.V.).Ð   	 g·   ÐÓ   &Ï  ÓÌIS€it€to€be€supposed€that€the€king€of€Babylon€took€more€care€ofÏJehoiachin€than€God€will€take€of€us?€Jehoiachin€had€resisted€hisÏsuzerain,€and€cost€him€a€great€expenditure€of€men€and€treasure;Ïbut€nothing€which€had€transpired€in€the€past€hindered€thisÏprovision€of€a€daily€supply.€Will€God€do€less€for€you,€his€child?ÏWould€it€not€come€as€a€relief€if€you€were€to€be€told€that,€fromÏthis€moment€till€you€die,€you€could€always€have€a€sufficientÏprovision€of€all€the€necessaries€of€life?€But€if€you€are€a€childÏof€God,€that€promise€has€already€been€made!€Do€not€be€anxious.Ïbut€believe€that€God's€word€is€at€least€as€sure€and€as€efficientÏas€man's.ÌòòThe€allowance€was€continual.óó€--€It€did€not€begin€with€plenty,€andÐ   	 f¶   Ðgradually€dwindle€to€scraps.€The€supply€was€maintained€year€afterÏyear.€Will€God€drop€off€your€supplies,€think€you,€because€HeÏforgets,€or€because€his€power€is€exhausted?€You€know€that€eachÏsupposition€is€alike€untenable.€What€He€has€done,€He€will€do.€TheÏstorehouses€of€nature€open€to€his€key.€His€are€the€cattle€on€aÏthousand€hills.ÌòòEvery€day€a€portion.óó€--€Jehoiachin€had€not€the€provisions€of€aÐ   	 Nž   Ðyear€or€a€month€put€down€at€his€door;€but€as€each€day€broke€heÏwas€sure€of€the€day's€portion.€It€may€be€that€God€is€dealing€thusÏwith€you.€Only€manna€for€the€day:€daily€strength€for€daily€need.ÌòòAll€the€days€of€his€life.óó€--€Jesus€is€with€us€"all€the€days";€andÐ   	 ®þ   ÐHe€is€the€Bread€of€God,€in€whom€is€every€property€necessary€forÏlife.€All€the€days€are€included€in€God's€care€for€us,€of€birthÏand€death,€of€sunshine€and€shadow.€Surely€goodness€and€mercyÏshall€follow€you€all€the€days€of€your€life,€and€you€shall€dwellÏin€the€House€of€the€Lord€for€ever.ÌÌÓ    ÓòòAdam,€Sheth,€Enosh.óó€1€Chron.€i.€1.Ð   	 – æ!   ÐÓ   Ö  ÓÌTHIS€is€an€ancient€graveyard.€The€names€of€past€generations€whoÏwere€born€and€died,€who€loved€and€suffered,€who€stormed€andÏfought€through€the€world,€are€engraven€on€these€solid€slabs.€ButÏthere€is€no€inscription€to€record€their€worth€or€demerit.€JustÏnames,€and€nothing€more.ÌHow€strange€to€think€that€if€Christ€tarry,€our€names€will€beÏtreated€with€the€same€apathy€as€these!€So€far€as€this€world€isÏconcerned,€we€and€all€our€generation€shall€pass€away.€As€theÏflowers€of€the€field,€so€we€shall€perish€from€the€earth.ÌBut€each€of€these€lives€fulfilled€a€necessary€part€in€theÏprogress€of€the€race.€Each€was€in€turn€father€and€son;€eachÏpassed€on€the€torch€of€life;€each€contributed€something€to€theÏfabric€of€humanity€rising€like€a€coral€island€from€unknownÏdepths.€The€hill-tops€would€not€be€possible€but€for€their€lowerÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðcourses€which€touch€the€valleys.€We€could€not€have€the€somebodiesÏwithout€an€immense€number€of€nobodies.€The€flowers€of€the€raceÏwere€prepared€for€by€the€slow€progress€of€the€plant€through€yearsÏof€growth.ÌBut€each€was€the€object€of€the€love€of€God.€Each€was€included€inÏthe€redemptive€purpose€of€our€Lord;€each€contributed€some€minuteÏparticle€to€his€nature;€ach€is€living€yet€somewhere;€each€willÏhave€to€stand€before€the€judgment-bar€of€God;€each€is€predestinedÏto€live€in€the€unknown€world€that€lies€on€the€other€side.€It€is€aÏstupendous€thought€to€imagine€the€whole€race,€rooted€in€Adam,Ïlike€one€vast€far-spreading€tree.€Ah,€reader,€be€sure€that€thouÏart€taken€out€of€the€first€Adam,€and€grafted€into€the€second€--Ïthe€Lord€Jesus;€and€abiding€in€him,€see€'that€thou€bring€forthÏmuch€fruit€to€his€glory.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThese€are€the€sons€of€Israel.óó€1€Chron.€ii.€1.Ð   	 0€   ÐÓ   OÝ  ÓÌIT€is€noticeable€how€irrevocable€the€Divine€sentence€is€on€aÏhuman€life.€Of€Er,€the€grave,€impartial€voice€of€Scripture€says,Ïhe€was€"wicked€in€the€sight€of€the€Lord";€of€Achan,€he€was€theÏ"troubler€of€Israel,€and€committed€a€trespass€in€the€devotedÏthing."€These€sentences€are€recorded€with€such€precision€as€toÏadmit€of€no€dispute,€no€appeal;€and€they€sum€up€the€life.ÌBut€was€there€not€much€else€in€each€of€these€men?€Were€there€notÏtender€or€chivalrous€moments?€Did€they€never€shine€for€a€momentÏin€some€transfiguring€ray?€Was€all€their€life€dyed€with€these€sadÏand€sombre€hues?€Ah,€it€may€have€been€so€--€still€the€one€thingÏthat€the€Scripture€tells€of€them€is€the€sin€in€which€all€theirÏlife€seemed€to€culminate€and€express€itself.€With€unerringÏaccuracy€God€can€distinguish€the€one€act€or€word€by€which€theÏcharacter€is€revealed.€He€may€forgive€it,€but€He€holds€it€up€asÏthe€epitome€or€summary€of€what€the€life€was.ÌLet€us€see€how€we€live,€walking€before€God€with€reverent€fear,Ïwatching€and€praying,€because€any€moment€may€give€birth€to€a€wordÏor€act€which€may€characterise€our€life€in€all€coming€time.€ItÏmust€be€remembered,€however,€that€all€these€things€emanate€fromÏthe€heart.€The€heart€is€deceitful€above€all€things,€andÏdesperately€wicked;€but€the€issues€of€life€proceed€thence:€itÏtherefore€must€be€watched€with€all€diligence€and€care.€What€a€manÏthinks,€that€he€is.€The€chance€word€or€act€is€a€true€indicationÏof€the€inner€life.€Therefore€it€is€preserved€for€all€after-timeÏby€the€voice€of€God.€See€that€your€heart€is€perfect€before€God.ÏThere€is€forgiveness;€but€then€is€also€the€unerring€verdict.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThese€were€the€sons€of€David.óó€1€Chron.€iii.€1.Ð   	 ‡+×&.   ÐÓ   ä  ÓÌBUT€how€different€they€were€to€the€Son€of€David!€Contrast€any€oneÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðof€these€with€our€blessed€Lord,€and€what€an€infinite€chasm€liesÏbetween€them!€Solomon€was€the€most€reputable€of€them,€but€aÏgreater€than€Solomon€was€born€in€Bethlehem,€and€cradled€in€aÏmanger.€Surely€the€least€earnest€must€be€struck€with€theÏdifference€in€these€sons€and€that€Son.€But€in€this€difference,€isÏthere€not€the€most€conspicuous€proof€of€his€miraculousÏconception?€Even€though€the€story€of€his€wondrous€birth€had€neverÏbeen€preserved€for€us€by€the€evangelists,€we€should€have€feltÏconvinced€that€something€like€it€must€have€happened,€in€virtue€ofÏwhich€He€should€be€the€Man€of€men,€the€one€absolutely€flawlessÏand€perfect€flower€on€the€stem€of€humanity.€With€new€emphasis€weÏread€the€familiar€words,€"The€Holy€Ghost€shall€come€upon€thee,Ïand€the€power€of€the€Highest€shall€overshadow€thee;€thereforeÏthat€Holy€thing€which€shall€be€born€of€thee€shall€be€called€theÏSon€of€GOD."ÌWe,€too,€who€have€been€born€once,€need€to€be€born€again.€To€beÏborn€of€a€David€does€not€ensure€perfectness€of€heart€and€life.ÏThough€born€of€parents,€who€were€after€God's€own€heart€and€areÏpassed€into€the€skies,€we€need€to€be€born€again,€or€we€may€repeatÏthe€sins€of€an€Ammon,€an€Adonijah,€an€Absalom.€It€is€a€seriousÏquestion€to€ask€whether,€like€David,€we€have€called€his€greaterÏSon€our€Lord.€This€is€the€true€mark€of€the€new€birth.€Those€whoÏare€born€of€the€Holy€Ghost€call€Jesus€Lord,€and€none€other€TheÏrecognition€of€the€supreme€lordship€of€Jesus€is€imperative€forÏthe€peace€and€right€ordering€of€the€heart€and€life,€So€we€pass€toÏour€true€stature€in€Jesus.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòBecause€I€bare€him€with€sorrow.óó€1€Chron.€iv.€9.Ð   	 P    ÐÓ   Óê  ÓÌTHE€products€of€sorrow€have€been€the€rarest€gifts€to€mankind.€TheÏbooks,€hymns,€discoveries,€deeds,€to€which€men€and€women€haveÏbeen€urged€by€sorrow,€or€which€have€been€born€into€the€world€amidÏheart-rending€soul-travail,€are€those€which€will€never€be€allowedÏto€die,€because€perennial€sources€of€inspiration€and€comfort.€ItÏwas€thus€with€the€child€of€whom€we€have€this€brief€record.€WeÏmight€becomingly€weave€the€four€petitions€of€the€prayer€of€JabezÏinto€the€supplications€of€each€new€morning€hour.ÌòòTo€be€blessed€indeed.óó€--€Not€the€lower€springs€only,€but€theÐ   	 Ç$ &   Ðupper€ones€also;€not€life€alone,€but€life€more€abundantly;€notÏthose€blessings€only€which€pertain€to€the€body€or€worldlyÏcircumstance,€but€those€spiritual€ones€of€the€heavenlies,€thatÏare€the€best€donation€man€can€receive€or€God€bestow.ÌòòA€larger€coast.óó€--€There€is€a€godly€ambition€which€may€beÐ   	 ÿ(O$+   Ðreverently€cherished€for€wider€influence€over€men,€not€for€itsÏown€sake,€but€for€the€Master's.€You€may€feel€that€you€haveÏfulfilled€the€measure€of€your€present€possibilities,€but€haveÏunexhausted€powers€and€talents.€Tell€God€so,€and€ask€for€a€widerÏextent€of€territory€to€bring€under€cultivation€for€Him.Ð   	 7-‡(0   ÐòòThine€hand€with€me.óó€--€The€father€puts€his€hand€on€the€boy's€handÐ   	 °      Ðas€he€draws€back€the€bowstring,€strengthening€the€thin€arms€ofÏyouth.€So€will€the€mighty€God€of€Jacob€do€for€you.ÌòòKeep€me€from€evil.óó€--€You€cannot€keep€your€heart€door€shut€when€aÐ   	 8ˆ   Ðtumult€of€temptation€or€care€assaults€it€from€without;€but€God'sÏpeace€and€grace,€like€angel€sentries,€can€avail€you.€ThoughÏtempted,€you€may€be€kept€in€the€temptation€and€delivered€from€theÏevil.€Thus€your€spirit,€and€the€Holy€Spirit€shall€be€ungrieved.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThey€cried€to€God€in€the€battle,Ð   	  p
   Ðand€He€was€entreated€of€them.óó€1€Chron.€v.€20.Ð   	 ÿO	   ÐÓ   7ò  ÓÌWHETHER€they€cried€to€God€before€they€went€into€the€battle€we€areÏnot€told;€but€probably€they€did,€because€we€read€that€the€war€wasÏof€God,€and€it€is€hardly€likely€that€they€would€have€prayed€toÏHim€in€the€midst€of€the€fight,€when€the€foemen's€blows€fell€likeÏhail€on€their€armour,€if€they€had€not€prayed€before€they€enteredÏthe€bloody€fray.€Men€often€excuse€themselves€for€neglecting€theirÏmorning€devotions€by€saying€that€they€will€surely€look€to€God,€asÏthey€may€require€his€gracious€help,€in€the€midst€of€the€day'sÏtemptations€and€needs;€but,€as€a€matter€of€fact,€when€once€theyÏare€plunged€into€its€war€they€forget€to€look€up.€You€must€directÏyour€prayer€in€the€morning,€and€look€up€whilst€the€early€shadowsÏlie€long€on€the€dewy€grass,€if€you€would€keep€looking€off€toÏJesus,€amid€the€din€of€the€fight.ÌIt€is€very€lovely€to€contract€and€preserve€this€habit€of€lookingÏupward,€and€crying€to€God€in€the€battle.€When€our€feet€areÏslipping,€when€the€foe€seems€about€to€overmaster,€when€heart€andÏflesh€fail€--€how€refreshing€and€strengthening€to€fling€one€eagerÏlook€or€cry€to€heaven,€and€say,€"I€am€thine,€save€me."€There€canÏbe€no€doubt€as€to€the€issue.€God€is€always€intreated€of€those€whoÏput€their€trust€in€Him.€Sooner€might€a€mother€forget€her€suckingÏchild€than€God€be€unmindful€of€one€sigh,€or€tear,€or€upwardÏglancing€look€from€his€own.€Oh,€child€of€God,€put€thou€thy€trustÏin€God,€and€go€through€this€tempestuous€world€as€one€who€isÏconfident€of€a€Divine€Ally.€At€any€moment€He€will€ride€on€theÏheavens€to€thy€help.€"Let€us€therefore€come€boldly€unto€theÏthrone€of€grace€that€we€may€obtain€mercy,€and€find€grace€to€helpÏin€time€of€need."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòHeman€the€singer.óó€1€Chron.€vi.€33.Ð   	 .(~#*   ÐÓ   Dù  ÓÌTHIS€is€a€very€brief€record€to€put€on€a€man's€grave,€but€a€veryÏexpressive€one.€To€decipher€that€epitaph€about€Heman€is€to€learnÏa€good€deal€about€him.€From€this€clue€we€might€almost€constructÏhis€entire€personality€and€character.€And€it€would€be€well€if€itÏcould€be€said€of€us€that€we€had€ministered€with€song€before€theÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðtabernacle€of€the€Lord.ÌWould€you€be€a€singer€--€not€on€Sundays€only,€but€always;€notÏwith€your€voice€only,€but€in€your€heart;€not€only€when€theÏsunshine€pours€into€the€open€casement€through€the€swaying€boughsÏof€honeysuckle,€but€when€the€shutters€tell€of€bereavement€andÏremoval€--€then€remember€these€rules:€--€(1st.)€God€must€put€theÏnew€song€into€your€mouth;€(2nd.)€You€must€be€fully€consecrated€toÏHim;€for€the€song€of€the€Lord€only€begins€when€the€burnt-offeringÏis€complete.€(3rd.)€You€must€not€go€into€a€strange€land,€for€itÏis€impossible€to€sing€the€Lord's€song€there.ÌSing€on,€dear€heart,€sing€on.€There€is€nothing€that€scares€offÏthe€devil€so€quickly€as€a€hymn.€Luther€said,€"Let€us€sing€a€hymn,Ïand€spite€the€devil."€There€is€nothing€that€so€well€beguiles€theÏpilgrim's€step,€and€quickens€his€pace,€when€the€miles€are€growingÏlong€and€weary.€There€is€nothing€that€brings€so€much€of€heavenÏinto€the€heart.€Singing€makes€every€movement€rhythmic,€everyÏservice€praise,€every€act€thanksgiving.€Sing€when€times€are€dark,Ïyou€will€make€them€bright;€sing€when€the€house€of€life€is€lonely,Ïit€will€become€peopled€with€unseen€choristers;€go€down€into€theÏvalley€of€shadow€with€a€song,€and€you€will€find€yourself€singingÏthe€new€song€of€Moses€and€the€Lamb€when€you€awake€on€the€otherÏside.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòIt€went€evil€with€his€house.óó€1€Chron.€vii.€23.Ð   	 ð@   ÐÓ      ÓÌIT€is€an€old-world€tale,€and€those€tears€have€long€since€beenÏwiped€away.€What€led€to€the€death€of€so€many€of€the€stalwart€sonsÏof€Ephraim€is€not€quite€clear;€but€apparently€they€made€a€raidÏfrom€the€hill-fastnesses€on€the€men€of€Gath€to€lift€their€cattle,Ïand€were€repelled€with€great€disaster.€At€any€rate,€they€wereÏslain€by€men€of€Gath,€that€were€born€in€the€land.€They€were€partÏof€the€early€nations€of€Canaan€that€should€have€been€destroyed.ÏThis€suggests€a€significant€train€of€thought.€We€must€beware€ofÏthe€tendencies€and€impulses€which€were€born€in€us,€which€we€haveÏinherited.ÌThey€are€strong€in€all€of€us.€Parents€transmit€to€an€awful€extentÏtheir€own€passions.€What€a€reason€this€is€for€carefully€curbingÏthem!€I€have€known€the€children€of€drunkards,€grown€toÏmiddle-life,€who€have€confessed€that€they€have€never€spent€a€dayÏwithout€the€conscious€craving€for€alcohol.€These€are€the€men€ofÏGath,€born€in€the€land,€who€will€slay€us€unless€we€are€on€ourÏguard.ÌThere€will€be€irremediable€sorrow€if€we€yield€to€them.€Many€daysÏof€mourning€will€not€avail€to€wipe€out€the€sad€and€bitter€memoryÏof€the€disaster,€when€once€they€have€wreaked€their€wild€will€onÏus.€If€permitted€within,€they€will,€like€traitors,€open€the€doorÏto€Satan€without.ÌBut€faith€is€the€victory.€He€that€believeth€that€Jesus€is€the€SonÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðof€God;€he€in€whom€Jesus€lives€by€the€Holy€Spirit;€he€who€knowsÏthe€Stronger€than€the€strong€man€armed,€shall€be€kept€fromÏfalling,€and€preserved€unto€God's€heavenly€kingdom.€"Walk€in€theÏSpirit,€and€ye€shall€not€fulfil€the€lust€of€the€flesh.€For€theÏflesh€lusteth€against€the€Spirit,€and€the€Spirit€against€theÏflesh."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòEsh-baal,€.€.€.€Merib-baal.óó€1€Chon.€viii.€33,€34.Ð   	 pÀ   ÐÓ   à  ÓÌBAAL€was€the€idol-god€of€Zidon€and€of€many€surrounding€nations.ÏThis€idol,€representing€the€sun€in€his€productive€force,€wasÏworshipped€with€impure€and€scandalous€rites.€The€introduction€ofÏthis€name€into€the€appellation€of€one€of€Saul's€sons€indicatesÏthe€secret€root€of€the€declension€and€consequent€misfortunes€ofÏthat€ill-fated€monarch.€In€the€earlier€part€of€his€reign€he€wasÏperfect€in€his€allegiance€to€Jehovah€--€òòJonathanóó€means€"Gift€ofÐ   	 7‡   ÐJehovah€"€--€but€as€the€years€went€on,€he€became€proud€andÏseIfsufficient;€he€turned€to€Baal,€the€Spirit€of€the€LordÏdeparted€from€him,€and€an€evil€spirit€rushed€in€to€take€HisÏplace,€as€wind€rushes€in€to€fill€a€vacuum.ÌThe€name€which€Jonathan€gave€his€son€had€another€significance.ÏMerib-baal€is€one€who€opposes€Baal.€It€is€as€though€he€wouldÏindelibly€stamp€upon€his€child€an€undying€hatred€and€oppositionÏto€that€idolatry€which€was€undoing€his€father's€character€andÏkingdom.€In€this€choice€of€his€child's€name€we€also€gather€theÏdeep-seated€piety€and€devotion€of€that€noble€soul,€whose€heartÏwas€true€to€God€amid€the€darkening€shadows€of€his€father's€reign.ÏIt€was€this€that€probably€drew€David€and€him€so€closely€inÏaffinity.ÌHow€absolutely€necessary€it€is€for€the€peace€of€a€household€thatÏthere€should€be€a€oneness€of€devotion€to€God!€Where€that€is€theÏfirst€consideration,€there€is€peace€and€blessedness;€and€that€itÏmay€be€so,€it€is€of€the€greatest€importance€that€the€parentsÏshould€be€constant€in€their€godly€allegiance.€The€ruin€of€Saul'sÏhome,€family,€and€realm,€began€in€his€personal€disloyalty€to€God;Ïand€how€far€he€influenced€the€nation€for€evil€it€is€difficult€toÏestimate.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòChosen€to€be€porters€.€.€appointed€over€the€furniture;€.€.Ð   	 w&Ç!(   Ðthe€singers.óó€1€Chron.€ix.€22,€29,€31,€33.Ð   	 V'¦")   ÐÓ   Ê  ÓÌWHAT€a€busy€scene€is€suggested€in€these€words!€When€the€morningÏbroke,€it€called€to€duty€first€the€porters€who€opened€the€HouseÏof€God;€and€then,€after€due€ablution,€each€band€of€white-robedÏLevites€been€its€special€service.€There€was€no€running€to€and€froÏin€disorder,€no€intrusion€on€one€another's€office,€no€clashing€inÏduty,€no€jealousy€of€each€other's€ministry.€It€was€enough€to€knowÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðthat€each€had€been€appointed€to€his€task,€and€was€asked€to€beÏfaithful€to€it.€The€right€ordering€of€the€whole€depended€on€theÏpunctuality,€fidelity,€and€conscientiousness€of€each.ÌSo€it€is€in€the€Church€of€Christ,€each€is€specially€gifted€forÏsome€post€to€which€he€has€been€set€apart.€One€to€see€to€theÏgates,€admitting€souls€to€the€kingdom;€one€to€the€baking€in€pans,Ïattending€to€the€feeding€of€the€household€of€God;€some€areÏappointed€to€the€furnishing€and€maintaining€of€the€House€ofÏPrayer;€others€to€the€psalmody,€as€the€hymn-writers€of€our€praiseÏand€holy€song.€How€beautiful€it€is€when€we€dwell€together€in€thisÏunity,€not€envying€one€another,€nor€interfering€in€each€other'sÏministry.€"He€gave€some,€apostles;€and€some,€prophets;€and€some,Ïevangelists;€and€some,€pastors€and€teachers:€for€the€perfectingÏof€the€saints,€for€the€work€of€the€ministry,€for€the€edifying€ofÏthe€body€of€Christ."€Whatever€is€successfully€done€by€the€ChurchÏis€accredited€by€Christ€to€each€faithful€servant,€just€as€theÏimpression€produced€on€the€audience€by€an€orchestra€is€the€resultÏof€each€instrument,€even€to€the€piccolo,€doing€its€part.€WhateverÏis€done€by€the€whole,€is€done€by€each€part€of€the€whole.€BeÏcontent€with€the€position€to€which€thy€Master€has€assigned€thee,Ïand€let€thine€eye€be€single€unto€Him.€So€shall€each€have€praiseÏof€God.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòSo€Saul€died€for€his€trespass.óó€1€Chron.€x.€13€(R.V.).Ð   	 ð@   ÐÓ   K  ÓÌIT€is€suggestive€to€ponder€the€threefold€analysis€of€Saul'sÏtrespass€as€given€here.€He€kept€not€the€word€of€the€Lord€--€thisÏprobably€refers€to€his€failure€to€execute€the€sentence€on€Amalck;Ïhe€asked€counsel€of€one€that€had€a€familiar€spirit€--€this€errandÏhad€taken€him€to€Endor€on€the€eve€of€the€battle;€he€enquired€notÏof€the€Lord€--€this€was€conspicuously€the€case€in€his€persecutionÏof€David.ÌDo€we€sufficiently€inquire€of€the€Lord?€We€ask€the€advice€of€ourÏfriends€and€religious€teachers;€we€sometimes€use€doubtful€methodsÏof€ascertaining€God's€will,€as€allowing€the€Bible€to€drop€open,Ïor€interpreting€some€coincidence€in€the€way€we€secretly€desire€toÏfollow;€besides€which€there€is€an€increasing€tendency€in€societyÏto€use€the€crystal,€to€consult€spiritualistic€mediums,€to€employÏpalmistry.€These€latter,€course,€repeat€the€sin€of€Saul,€in€goingÏto€Endor;€and€the€resort€to€them€on€the€part€of€children€of€thisÏworld€shows€that€the€heart€of€man€must€have€something€exterior€toÏitself€for€worship€and€trust;€if€it€has€Forsaken€God,€it€willÏdeal€with€the€devil€rather€than€drift€on€alone.€But€let€us€allÏcultivate€more€carefully€the€blessed€habit€of€waiting€on€God.€IfÏwe€ask€Him€for€guidance,€He€will€be€sure€to€impart€it;€only€weÏmust€put€aside€all€selfish€and€personal€ends,€desiring€to€knowÏhis€will,€with€a€single€purpose,€and€an€unalloyed€determinationÏto€follow€it€at€any€cost.Ð   	 7-‡(0   ÐChrist€has€told€us€that€willingness€to€do€his€will€is€the€sureÏorgan€of€spiritual€knowledge.€"He€that€wills€to€do€his€will,Ïshall€know."€Be€of€good€career,€beloved:€God€hath€chosen€theeÏthat€thou€shouldst€know€his€will,€and€see€that€Just€One,€andÏshouIdst€hear€the€voice€of€his€mouth.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòOh€that€one€would€give€me€drink€of€the€water€atÐ   	 ˜
è   Ðthe€well€of€Bethlehem!óó€1€Chron,€xi.€17.Ð   	 wÇ   ÐÓ   [  ÓÌDAVID€had€often€drunk€of€this€well.€As€a€boy€he€had€gone€with€hisÏmother€to€draw€its€clear,€cold€water.€It€was,€therefore,Ïassociated€with€the€happy€days€of€childhood€and€youth€that€layÏbehind€the€haze€of€the€years.€In€the€sultry€afternoon,€as,€fromÏthe€cave€in€which€be€was€hiding,€he€looked€across€the€valleyÏwhere€his€ancestress€Ruth€had€gleaned€in€the€fields€of€Boaz,€toÏthe€long€straggling€town€of€his€birth,€it€seemed€as€thoughÏnothing€could€stay€his€passionate€longing€for€a€draught€of€theÏwater€of€the€well€of€Bethlehem€that€was€at€the€gate.ÌSometimes€longings€like€his€take€possession€of€us.€We€desire€toÏdrink€again€the€waters€of€comparative€innocence,€of€child-likeÏtrust€and€joy;€to€drink€again€of€the€fountains€of€human€love;€toÏhave€the€bright,€fresh€rapture€in€God,€and€nature,€and€home.€ButÏit€is€a€mistake€to€look€back.€Here€and€now,€within€us,€Jesus€isÏwaiting€to€open€the€well€of€living€water€which€springs€up€toÏeternal€life,€of€which€if€we€drink€we€never€thirst.ÌPurity€is€better€than€innocence;€the€blessedness€which€comesÏthrough€suffering€is€richer€than€the€gladsomeness€of€childhood;Ïthe€peace€of€the€heart€is€more€than€peace€of€circumstances.€WeÏhave€solace€in€Jesus,€which€even€the€dear€love€of€home€could€notÏequal;€and€before€us€lies€the€reunion€with€the€blessed€dead.€HowÏshall€we€thank€Him€who,€at€the€cost€of€his€own€blood,€brokeÏthrough€the€hosts€of€our€foes,€and€won€for€us€the€river€of€life;Ïand€who€for€evermore€will€lead€us€to€the€fountains,€where€lifeÏrises€fresh€from€the€heart€of€God!€Listen€to€his€voice€as€He€bidsÏus€drink€abundantly:€"Let€him€that€is€athirst€come;€and€whosoeverÏwill,€let€him€take€the€water€of€life€freely."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAll€these€men€of€war,€that€could€keep€rank,€cameÐ   	 ¦%ö '   Ðto€make€David€king.óó€I€Chron.€xii.€38.Ð   	 …&Õ!(   ÐÓ   „#  ÓÌTHE€crowning€of€David€secured€the€unity€of€Israel.€Because€allÏthese€men€of€war€converged€on€the€chosen€king,€they€met€eachÏother,€and€became€one€great€nation.€The€enthroning€of€David€wasÏthe€uniting€of€the€kingdom.€Herein€is€the€secret€of€the€unity€ofÏthe€Church.€We€shall€never€secure€it€by€endeavouring€to€bringÏabout€an€unity€in€thought,€or€act,€or€organization.€It€is€as€eachÏindividual€heart€enthrones€the€Saviour€that€each€will€become€oneÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðwith€all€kindred€souls€in€the€everlasting€kingdom.ÌIs€your€heart€perfect€to€make€Christ€king?€We€read€in€verse€33€ofÏZebulon,€whose€warriors€were€not€of€a€double€heart;€the€marginÏsays€they€were€"without€a€heart€and€a€heart."€The€double-mindedÏman€is€unstable€in€all€his€ways;€he€is€not€to€be€relied€upon€inÏhis€loyalty€or€service€to€his€king.€The€only€blessed€life€is€thatÏof€the€man€whose€eye€is€single.€It€is€only€such€an€one€thatÏreceives€anything€from€the€Lord.€Let€us€ask€that€the€thoughts€ofÏour€hearts€may€be€cleansed€by€the€inspiration€of€God's€HolyÏSpirit,€that€our€hearts€may€be€perfect€towards€Him,€and€soÏperfect€to€all€who€hold€Jesus€as€King€and€Head,€though€theyÏdiffer€from€us€in€minor€points.€Different€regiments,€but€oneÏarmy,€one€movement,€one€king.ÌLet€us€learn€to€keep€rank,€shoulder€to€shoulder,€and€in€step,Ïwith€our€brethren.€Too€many€like€to€break€the€ranks,€and€do€God'sÏwork€independently.€Fifty€men€who€act€together€will€do€greaterÏexecution€than€five€hundred€acting€apart.€There€is€too€much€ofÏthis€guerilla€fighting.€Unity€is€strength;€and€in€their€effortsÏto€overthrow€the€kingdom€of€Satan€it€is€most€essential€that€theÏsoldiers€of€Christ€move€in€rank€and€keep€step.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAnd€David€was€afraid€of€God€that€day.óó€1€Chron.€xiii.€12.Ð   	 @   ÐÓ   ¨*  ÓÌTHERE€was€no€reason€for€David€to€be€afraid€of€God,€if€heÏconformed€to€the€rules€laid€down€in€Leviticus.€There€it€wasÏexpressly€ordained€that€the€Ark€should€be€carried€on€theÏshoulders€of€the€priests,€because€the€cause€of€God€must€proceedÏthrough€the€world€by€the€means€of€consecrated€men,€rather€than€byÏmechanical€instrumentality.€David€ignored€this€provision€when€heÏplaced€the€Ark€on€the€new€cart.€He€disobeyed€the€distinct€law€ofÏthe€Divine€procedure.€What€wonder€that€Uzza€was€struck€dead!€FireÏwill€burn€if€you€persist€in€violating€its€law.€Obed-edom,€on€theÏother€hand,€studiously€obeyed,€so€far€as€he€knew€them,€the€DivineÏregulations,€and€to€him€the€Ark€was€a€source€of€blessing;€just€asÏfire€will€toil€for€us€in€our€furnaces€and€grates,€and€be€theÏgreatest€possible€benediction€to€human€Iife,€if€only€we€carefullyÏconform€to€its€ascertained€and€immutable€law.ÌGod€is€to€us€what€we€are€to€Him.€To€Pharaoh,€blackness€andÏdarkness;€to€Israel,€light€and€help.€To€the€froward,€He€isÏfroward;€to€the€merciful€man,€merciful.To€one€of€the€thieves,€theÏcross€of€Christ€was€the€savour€of€death€unto€death,€because€hisÏheart€was€impenitent;€to€the€other,€the€savour€of€life€unto€life,Ïbecause€his€heart€was€soft€and€believing€You€need€not€fear€God€soÏlong€as€you€walk€in€his€ways€and€do€his€will.€He€is€to€be€fearedÏonly€by€those€who€violate€his€law.€God€is€a€consuming€fire.€HeÏwill€make€a€breach€on€those€who€disobey€Him.€He€will€consume€theÏevil€of€our€inner€life.€But€let€Him€be€welcomed€into€your€lifeÏand€home;€let€the€Ark,€which€is€the€symbol€of€his€presence,€dwellÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðwithin;€bring€up€your€children€to€minister€unto€Him;€and€you€willÏbe€blessed,€with€all€that€you€have.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThen€thou€shalt€go€out€to€battle;€for€God€isÐ   	 `   Ðgone€forth€before€thee.óó€1€Chron.€xiv.€15.Ð   	 ï?   ÐÓ   ¸1  ÓÌWHAT€was€this€"going"?€It€was€not€merely€a€fitful€breeze€stealingÏthrough€the€leaves;€it€was€not€the€going€of€the€wind;€but€ofÏangel€squadrons€who€were€proceeding€against€the€enemies€ofÏIsrael.€This€thought€often€occurs€in€Scripture€--€as€when€JacobÏmet€God's€host;€and€the€warrior-Saviour€told€Joshua€that€He€wasÏcaptain€of€a€host€whom€God€had€commissioned€to€take€Jericho;€soÏalso€the€horses€and€chariots€of€fire€surrounded€Elisha.€HearkenÏto€the€measured€footfall€of€God's€host,€beneath€which€theÏmulberry€trees€sway,€though€no€wind€stirs€the€sultry€air.ÌGod's€hosts€go€forth€against€his€foes€and€ours.€Perhaps€we€shouldÏfeel€less€oppressed€with€the€burden€of€the€fight€if€we€realizedÏthis.€The€battle€is€not€ours,€but€God's.€He€will€deliver€theÏPhilistines€to€us€so€that€we€shall€have€to€do€little€else€thanÏfight€and€spoil.€Oh,€believe€in€the€co-operation€of€the€HolyÏSpirit.€Lonely€missionary€in€some€distant€station€of€the€foreignÏfield,€listen€for€the€moving€in€the€tops€of€the€mulberry€trees!ÏGod€is€stirring€for€thy€succour.€Thou€art€a€co-worker€with€Him€inÏmaking€known€his€salvation;€and€He€will€prosper€thee.ÌLet€us€wait€for€our€instructions.€David€inquired€of€the€Lord;€letÏus€not€anticipate€Him.€It€is€useless€to€go€up€until€He€has€goneÏout€before€us.€We€may€as€well€save€ourselves€from€disappointmentÏby€quietly€waiting€for€the€salvation€of€our€God.€But€oh,€be€sureÏthat€those€who€wait€for€God€shall€not€be€long€before€the€God€forÏwhom€they€wait€shall€go€forth€before€them€to€smite€the€host,Ïwhether€it€be€the€hosts€of€temptation€that€oppress€the€innerÏlife,€or€the€hosts€of€spiritual€foes€that€oppose€the€progress€ofÏGod's€work.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAnd€Chenaniah,€chief€of€the€Levites,€was€forÐ   	 #n$   Ðsong.óó€1€Chron.€xv.€22.Ð   	 ý#M%   ÐÓ   Ê8  ÓÌTHE€carrying€of€the€Ark€to€its€right€place€was€associated€withÏevery€expression€of€gladness€on€the€part€of€king€and€people;€butÏthere€were€some€who€were€specially€set€apart€as€the€exponents€ofÏthe€general€joy.€In€the€old€time€such€were€David,€Heman,€Asaph,ÏChenaniah;€in€our€time,€Watts€and€Doddridge,€Wesley€and€Toplady,ÏKeble,€Havergal,€and€Bonar.ÌIt€is€good€to€be€for€song.€Many€a€heart€that€cannot€rank€as€aÏmusician€or€poet,€may€yet€be€susceptible€to€the€joy€of€the€Lord,Ïwhich€is€ever€passing€through€creation,€catching€it€up€so€as€toÏexpress€it.€As€the€Ark€of€the€Lord€comes€to€its€place€within€you,Ð   	 L-œ(0   Ðsing.ÌSong€is€harmony€with€the€life€of€God.€The€will€of€God€sometimesÏenters€life€as€a€sigh,€as€David's€first€attempt€to€move€the€Ark;Ïbut€afterwards€it€becomes€a€song,€as€in€the€second€attempt.ÏEnshrine€the€Ark€of€God€with€its€tables€of€stone,€its€mercy-seatÏof€fellowship,€its€worshipping€Cherubim€in€the€Holy€of€HoliesÏwithin;€and€you€will€find€sighs€turned€to€songs,€tears€to€thanks,Ïmourning€to€the€garment€of€praise.ÌWorship€the€will€of€God.€Conform€your€life€with€it.€Draw€on€theÏground€a€circle€to€represent€God's€will,€and€step€into€it,Ïresolving€never€to€step€out€of€its€blessed€precincts€again.€DareÏto€believe€and€confess€that€Paradise€lies€within,€though€it€mayÏbe€veiled€to€sight€and€sense.€According€to€your€faith€it€shall€beÏunto€you.€If€you€believe€that€heaven€is€there,€you€will€findÏheaven.€The€Ark€of€God€is€ever€a€provocative€of€song.€HisÏstatutes€seem€awful€in€the€distance;€but€so€soon€as€we€begin€toÏpractise€them,€they€turn€to€songsÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòTalk€ye€of€all€His€wondrous€works.óó€1€Chron.€xvi.€9.Ð   	 ¸   ÐÓ   Œ?  ÓÌWE€do€not€talk€sufficiently€about€God.€Why€it€is€so€may€not€beÏeasy€to€explain;€but€there€seems€a€too€great€reticence€amongÏChristian€people€about€the€best€things.€In€the€days€of€Malachi,Ï"they€that€feared€the€Lord€spake€often€one€to€another,€and€theÏLord€hearkened€and€heard."€We€talk€about€sermons,€details€ofÏworship€and€church€organization,€or€the€latest€phase€of€ScriptureÏcriticism;€we€discuss€men,€methods,€and€churches;€but€our€talk€inÏthe€home,€and€in€the€gatherings€of€Christians€for€socialÏpurposes,€is€too€seldom€about€the€wonderful€works€of€God.€BetterÏto€speak€less,€and€to€talk€more€of€Him.ÌBut€probably€the€real€cause€of€our€avoidance€of€this€best€ofÏtopics,€is€that€our€hearts€are€filled€with€so€much€which€is€notÏof€God,€and€they€speak€out€of€their€abundance.€You€may€judge€theÏcontents€of€a€shop€by€what€is€put€in€the€windows;€and€you€mayÏjudge€of€the€inner€life€of€too€many€Christians€by€the€subjectsÏwhich€are€most€familiar€to€their€lips.€The€heart€does€not€seekÏfor€God€and€his€strength,€nor€his€face€continually;€and€thereforeÏwe€find€it€hard€to€talk€of€all€his€wondrous€works.ÌBut€go€back€in€thought€to€the€day€of€Pentecost.€One€of€the€firstÏsigns€of€the€descent€of€the€blessed€Spirit€was€that€the€crowdÏheard€every€man€speaking€in€his€own€tongue€the€wonderful€works€ofÏGod.€What€God€has€done€in€the€past,€as€recorded€on€the€page€ofÏScripture;€what€He€is€doing€day€by€day€in€the€world€around,€andÏin€our€hearts;€what€He€has€promised€to€do€on€the€horizon€whereÏheaven€and€earth€shall€blend€in€the€Second€Advent€--€yield€fitÏthemes€on€which€his€children€may€beamingly€talk€to€each€other,Ïtill€He€goes€beside€and€talks€with€them€till€their€hearts€burn.ÌÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ð‡Ó    ÓòòDo€as€Thou€hast€said,€that€thy€name€may€beÐ   	 °      Ðmagnified€for€ever.óó€1€Chron.€xvii.€23,€24.Ð   	 ß    ÐÓ   —F  ÓÌTHIS€is€a€most€blessed€phase€of€true€prayer.€Many€a€time€we€askÏfor€things€which€are€not€absolutely€promised.€We€are€not€sureÏtherefore€until€we€have€persevered€for€some€time€whether€ourÏpetitions€are€in€the€line€of€God's€purpose€or€no.€There€are€otherÏoccasions,€and€in€the€life€of€David€this€was€one,€when€we€areÏfully€persuaded€that€what€we€ask€is€according€to€God's€will.€WeÏfeel€led€to€take€up€slid€plead€some€promise€from€the€page€ofÏScripture,€under€the€special€impression€that€it€contains€aÏmessage€for€us.ÌAt€such€times,€in€confident€faith,€we€say,€"Do€as€Thou€hastÏsaid."€There€is€hardly€any€position€more€utterly€beautiful,Ïstrong,€or€safe,€than€to€put€the€finger€upon€some€promise€of€theÏDivine€Word,€and€claim€it.€There€need€be€no€anguish,€or€struggle,Ïor€wrestling;€we€simply€present€the€cheque€and€ask€for€cash,Ïproduce€the€promise,€and€claim€its€fulfilment;€nor€can€there€beÏany€doubt€as€to€the€issue.€It€would€give€much€interest€to€prayer,Ïif€we€were€more€definite.€It€is€far€better€to€claim€a€few€thingsÏspecifically€than€a€score€vaguely.ÌDavid's€argument€was€not€simply€that€his€house€might€beÏestablished,€but€that€God's€name€might€be€magnified€for€ever.€ItÏis€good€when€we€can€lose€sight€of€our€personal€interests€in€ourÏkeen€desire€for€his€glory;€when€we€are€so€delivered€from€egotism,Ïthat€Christ€is€all€and€in€all.€Let€the€attitude€of€your€soul€beÏmore€towards€the€glory€of€God;€and€as€you€quote€promise€afterÏpromise€for€the€enthroning€of€Christ,€the€saving€of€men,€and€theÏsanctification€of€your€soul,€dare€in€humble€faith€to€say,€Do€asÏThou€hast€said,€that€thy€Name€may€be€magnified€for€ever.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòHe€put€garrisons€in€Edom;€and€all€the€EdomitesÐ   	 ¾    Ðbecame€servants€to€David.óó€1€Chron.€xviii.€73.Ð   	  í!   ÐÓ   ŽM  ÓÌEDOM€and€Israel€were€closely€related,€but€there€was€constantÏrivalry€and€war€between€the€two€peoples.€Sometimes€Israel€heldÏthe€upper-hand€for€a€little;€but€Edom€soon€broke€loose€again,€andÏresumed€the€old€independence,€with€the€border€forays€(2€Chron.Ïxxi.€10;€xxv.€11-14;€Psa.€cxxxvii.€7).€Now,€as€Edom€stands€forÏthe€flesh,€which€hungers€for€the€savoury€dish,€and€is€willing€toÏgive€even€its€birthright€of€spiritual€power€to€secure€it€--€thisÏlong€feud€is€full€of€interest€to€us.€It€reminds€us€of€the€strifeÏof€Rom.€vii.,€between€the€will€of€the€renewed€man€and€the€law€ofÏthe€members,€ever€striving€for€mastery.ÌWe€turn€on€the€pages€of€our€Bibles€to€Isa.€Ixiii.,€where€a€mightyÏConqueror€is€seen€coming€towards€the€southern€frontier€ofÏPalestine,€with€his€back€on€Bozrah€and€Edom.€His€garments€areÏdyed€with€the€blood€of€Israel's€foes;€and€behind€Him€cities€areÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðdesolate€and€depopulated,€territories€are€laid€waste€withoutÏinhabitant,€and€Edom's€hostility€is€for€ever€quenched€in€blood.ÏWhat€a€portraiture€is€here€of€Jesus,€"mighty€to€save,"€who€in€hisÏcross€triumphed€over€principalities€and€powers,€and€made€a€showÏof€them€openly.€He€has€overcome€the€world,€the€flesh,€and€theÏprince€of€the€power€of€darkness;€and€stands€for€evermore€betweenÏus€and€our€former€oppressors.ÌLet€us€resign€the€conflict€wholly€to€Him.€We€have€sought€in€vainÏfor€victory€by€resolutions€and€endeavours€;€by€close€attention€toÏreligious€duties;€by€occupying€our€mind€with€various€interests,Ïso€that€we€had€no€leisure€to€be€tempted;€by€diet€and€exercise.ÏNow,€hand€the€conflict€absolutely€over€to€Jesus:€do€not€even€tryÏto€help€Him:€just€let€Him€do€all:€be€quite€still,€and€whenÏtemptation€comes,€let€Him€meet€it.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòLet€us€behave€ourselves€valiantly€for€our€people,Ð   	 0€   Ðand€for€the€cities€of€our€God.óó€1€Chron.€xix.€13.Ð   	 _   ÐÓ   ëT  ÓÌTHOSE€were€days€in€which€rough€soldiers,€like€Joab,€did€notÏhesitate€to€speak€freely€of€God€to€their€companions€in€arms.€ItÏis€a€sorry€thing€that€it€is€considered€a€breach€of€etiquette€toÏmention€God's€name€in€polite€society.€"It€is€not€good€form!€"ÌWe€are€reminded€in€these€words€of€Joab€of€Cromwell's€memorableÏadvice€to€trust€in€God€and€keep€the€powder€dry.€David's€GeneralÏfelt€that€the€ultimate€issue€of€the€battle€must€be€left€to€God;Ïbut€that€nothing€could€absolve€him€and€his€soldier€from€doingÏtheir€best.€They,€at€least,€must€make€careful€dispositions€forÏthe€fight,€and€show€themselves€valiant.ÌThis€balance€of€statement€and€thought€between€God's€work€and€oursÏis€an€evidence€of€fine€Christian€sanity.€We€must€believe€that€GodÏis€the€ultimate€arbiter,€but€we€must€ever€speak€and€act€as€thoughÏthe€responsibility€were€entirely€on€ourselves.€To€believe€thatÏGod€will€do€all,€and€therefore€to€do€nothing,€is€as€bad€as€toÏbelieve€that€God€leaves€us€to€our€unaided€endeavours.€We€believeÏin€the€strength€and€sufficiency€of€God's€purpose;€but€we€knowÏthat€there€is€link€in€the€chain€of€causation€which€we€mustÏsupply.ÌThe€servant€of€God€who€counts€most€absolutely€on€the€communionÏand€co-operation€of€the€Divine€Spirit€will€be€most€careful€inÏmaking€all€needful€dispositions€for€the€fight.€He€will€leave€noÏstone€unturned€to€secure€the€victory,€though€he€knows€that€theÏultimate€decision€rests€with€God.€The€conquests€of€the€crossÏrecorded€in€the€Acts€of€the€Apostles€were€the€result€of€theÏunited€action€of€the€Holy€Spirit€and€the€men€who€were€sent€forthÏwith€the€message€of€the€gospel€"We€are€labourers€together€withÏGod."ÌÌÐ   	 >-Ž(0   ÐÓ    ÓòòThe€time€when€Kings€go€out€to€battle.€.€.€.€.Ð   	 °      ÐBut€David€tarried€at€Jerusalem.óó€1€Chron.€xx.€1.Ð   	 ß    ÐÓ   \  ÓÌTHERE€are€times€and€tides€in€the€affairs€of€men.€FavourableÏmoments€for€doing€and€daring,€for€attempting€and€achieving.€HoursÏwhen€the€ship€must€be€launched,€or€it€will€have€to€wait€forÏanother€spring€tide.€Days€when€the€seed€must€be€sown,€or€it€willÏhave€to€tarry€till€another€autumn.€Royal€natures€show€theirÏquality€by€taking€advantage€of€times€like€these,€when€God€andÏcircumstances€favour€a€great€attempt.ÌAlas,€if€long-continued€prosperity€has€robbed€the€kingly€soul€ofÏits€desire€or€power€to€use€its€sacred€opportunity!€Once€missed,Ïit€may€never€recur;€and€the€soul€that€has€missed€it€condemnsÏitself,€and€loses€heart,€and€surrenders€itself€to€lower€and€everÏlower€depths€of€temptation.ÌBeware€of€moments€and€hours€of€ease.€It€is€in€these€that€we€mostÏeasily€fall€into€the€power€of€Satan.€The€sultriest€summer€daysÏare€most€laden€with€blight.€There€is€no€such€guard€againstÏtemptation€--€next€to€the€keeping€power€of€Jesus,€which€isÏall-sufficient€--€as€occupation€to€the€full€measure€of€time€andÏcapacity.€If€we€cannot€fill€our€days€with€our€own€matters,€thereÏis€always€plenty€to€be€done€for€others.€You€think€that€no€one€hasÏhired€you,€but€it€is€not€so;€the€Master€has€sent€you€into€hisÏvineyard.€If€you€cannot€do€one€thing,€you€can€another.€There€isÏthe€ministry€of€intercession€for€those€who€are€in€the€field.ÏThere€is€the€exercise€of€worship,€in€which€you€take€your€placeÏamongst€the€priests.€There€is€the€ministry€of€comfort€to€some€ofÏthe€sad€hearts€within€your€own€circle.€Redeem€the€time,€becauseÏthe€days€are€evil.€Watch€and€pray€in€days€of€vacation€and€ease,Ïeven€more€than€at€other€times.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAnd€David€said€unto€God,€I€have€sinned€greatlyÐ   	 ¾    Ðin€that€I€have€done€this€thing.óó€1€Chron.€xxi.€8€(R.V.).Ð   	  í!   ÐÓ   c  ÓÌHIS€sin€lay€in€the€spirit€of€pride€and€display.€He€vaunted€in€theÏgrowing€numbers€of€Israel,€and€credited€them€to€himself,€as€theÏresult€of€his€own€prowess€and€prudence.€All€such€boasting€is€veryÏabhorrent€to€the€all-holy€God,€who€will€not€give€his€glory€toÏanother.€It€was€the€sin€of€Nebuchadnezzar,€when€he€said,€"Is€notÏthis€great€Babylon€which€I€have€built?"€It€was€the€sin€of€HerodÏAgrippa€when€the€people€shouted,€saying,€"The€voice€of€a€god,€andÏnot€of€a€man";€and€immediately€the€angel€of€the€Lord€smote€him,Ï"because€he€gave€not€God€the€glory."ÌWe€are€all€tempted€to€it€when€we€count€up€the€number€of€ourÏadherents€and€converts;€when€we€unroll€our€securities€andÏvouchers;€when€we€count€up€our€assets;€when€we€display€ourÏjewels.€All€these€are€gifts€entrusted€to€our€care€by€our€FatherÏand€Saviour,€to€be€held€in€trust€as€a€matter€for€gratitude€ratherÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðthan€for€pride.ÌHow€greatly€David€had€fallen€from€the€level€of€his€own€sweetÏsonnet!€--€"Lord,€my€heart€is€not€haughty,€nor€my€eyes€lofty."ÏOh,€let€us€ask€our€Master€Christ€to€teach€us€how€to€be€meek€andÏlowly€in€heart,€that€we€may€find€rest€unto€our€souls;€let€usÏendeavour€to€be€as€little€children,€devoid€of€self.Ïconsciousness;€and€let€us€be€careful,€as€we€survey€the€growingÏtreasures€and€power€of€our€lives,€to€remember€the€Apostle'sÏwords:€"Who€maketh€thee€to€differ?€and€what€hast€thou€that€thouÏdidst€not€receive?€But€if€thou€didst€receive€it,€why€dost€thouÏglory,€as€if€thou€hadst€not€received€it?€"ÌHow€well€John€the€Baptist€parried€the€temptation€to€jealousy,Ïwhen€he€said,€"A€man€can€receive€nothing€unless€it€be€given€himÏfrom€heaven."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòA€man€of€rest€.€.€.€he€shall€build.óó€1€Chron.€xxii.€9,€10.Ð   	 0€   ÐÓ   j  ÓÌTHE€men€of€rest€are€the€builders€of€the€most€lasting€structures.ÏSolomon€builds€the€Temple,€not€David.€Mary's€deed€of€anointing,Ïlearnt€in€much€sitting€at€the€Lord's€feet,€fills€the€world€withÏits€aroma.€What€is€needed€to€make€us€men€and€women€of€rest?ÌòòFirst,€a€profound€conviction€that€God€is€working.óó€--€NeverÐ   	 G—   Ðdespair€of€the€world,€said€the€late€Mrs.€Beecher€Stowe,€when€youÏremember€what€God€did€with€slavery:€the€best€possible€mustÏhappen.€This€serene€faith,€that€all€things€are€working€out€forÏthe€best€--€the€best€to€God,€the€best€to€man€--€and€that€God€isÏat€the€heart€of€all,€will€calm€and€still€us€in€the€most€feverishÏdays.€There€is€a€strong€and€an€experienced€Hand€on€the€helm.ÌòòNext,€an€entire€surrender€to€his€will.óó€--€God's€will€is€certainÐ   	 /   Ðto€mean€the€destruction€of€the€flesh,€in€whatever€form€He€findsÏit;€but€it€is€our€part€to€yield€to€Him;€to€will€his€will€even€toÏthe€cross;€to€follow€our€leader€Christ€in€this,€that€He€yieldedÏHimself€without€reserve€to€execute€his€Father's€purpose.ÌòòThirdly,€a€certain€knowledge€that€He€is€working€within€to€willÐ   	 g!·"   Ðand€do€of€his€good€pIeasure.óó€--€what€a€blessed€peace€possesses€usÐ   	 ?"#   Ðwhen€once€we€realize€that€we€are€not€called€on€to€originate€orÏinitiate,€nor€to€make€great€far-reaching€plans€and€try€to€executeÏthem;€but€just€to€believe€that€God€is€prepared€to€work€throughÏour€hands,€speak€by€our€life,€dwell€in€our€bodies,€and€fulfil€inÏus€the€good€purposes€of€his€will.€Be€full€of€God's€rest.€LetÏthere€be€no€hurry,€precipitation,€or€fret;€yield€to€God's€hands,Ïthat€He€may€mould€thee:€hush€thy€quickly€throbbing€pulse!€SoÏshalt€thou€build€to€good€and€lasting€purpose.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAaron€was€separated,€he€and€his€sons€for€ever,Ð   	 ‡+×&.   Ðto€minister€unto€Him.óó€1€Chron.€xxiii.€13.Ð   	 f,¶'/   ÐÓ   ?q  ÓÐ   	 E-•(0   ÐTHE€threefold€office€of€Aaron€suggests€our€own.€When€we€areÏprepared€to€follow€Jesus,€through€the€rent€vail€of€his€flesh,Ïliving€a€truly€separated€life,€cleansing€ourselves€from€allÏfilthiness€of€the€flesh€and€spirit,€we€also,€as€chosen€priests,Ïmay€exercise€these€functions€of€intercession,€ministry,€andÏblessing.ÌòòIntercession.óó€--€The€fragrant€incense€stealing€heavenward€is€aÐ   	 À	   Ðbeautiful€emblem€of€intercessory€prayer.€Let€us€pray€more,€notÏfor€ourselves€so€much€as€for€others.€This€is€the€sign€of€growthÏin€grace,€when€our€prayers€are€fragrant€with€the€names€of€friendÏand€foe,€and€mingled€with€the€coals€of€the€golden€altar.€This€isÏone€of€the€best€gifts;€oh€to€exercise€it€more€persistently!ÌòòMinistry.óó€--€We€have€many€things€to€engage€our€attention,€butÐ   	 Ð 
   Ðthey€maybe€unified€and€elevated€by€the€one€threading€purpose€ofÏdoing€all€for€the€King.€Whether€we€eat,€or€drink,€or€whateverÏelse€we€do,€we€may€do€all€to€his€glory.€Go€up€and€down€in€theÏTemple,€0€priests;€engage€in€song,€or€sacrifice,€or€whateverÏministry€you€will:€but€be€sure€that€all€is€of€Him,€and€throughÏHim,€and€to€Him€for€ever.ÌòòBlessing.óó€--€As€Aaron€came€forth€from€the€most€Holy€Place€toÐ   	 ¸   Ðbless€the€congregation€that€waited€for€him,€so€we€should€blessÏthat€little€portion€of€the€world€in€which€our€lot€is€cast.€It€isÏnot€enough€to€Iinger€in€soft€prayer€within€the€vail,€we€must€comeÏforth€to€bless€mankind.€He€who€is€nearest€God€is€closest€man.€LetÏour€smile,€our€touch,€our€words,€our€life,€be€the€greatestÏblessing€possible€to€those€who€know€us€best.ÌBlessed€Spirit,€realize€through€each€of€us€this€threefoId€ideal,Ïand€separate€us€from€sin€and€the€world,€that€we€may€be€preparedÏfor€it.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòPrinces€of€the€Sanctuary.óó€1€Chron.€xxiv.€5€(R.V.).Ð   	 Ø(   ÐÓ   Áx  ÓÌIT€is€not€enough€for€us€to€be€in€the€sanctuary,€we€must€beÏprinces€there.€There€must€be€the€regal€mien,€which€is€a€meekÏhumility;€the€real€largesse,€which€is€peace€and€blessing;€and€theÏregal€might,€which€is€self-restraint€and€self-control.€None€canÏbe€princes€of€the€sanctuary€without€two€things:€òòthey€must€beÐ   	 ï#?%   Ðpriestsóó,€come€of€the€priestly€line;€and€òòkingsóó,€royal€not€becauseÐ   	 Ç$ &   Ðof€deeds€of€war,€but€because€they€are€related€to€the€KingÏHimself,€and€are€regal€in€their€holy€and€blameless€character.ÌThere€is€only€one€power€that€can€make€us€princes€of€the€sanctuaryÏ--€the€hand€of€the€exalted€Lamb,€who€is€Himself€a€Priest-King,Ïafter€the€order€of€Melchizedek.€He€it€is€who€makes€us€kings€andÏpriests€unto€God€his€Father.ÌòòHe€makes€us€priests.óó€--€This€is€your€position,€not€now€to€offerÐ   	 ¯*ÿ%-   Ðpropitiatory€sacrifices,€but€to€present€yourselves€a€livingÏsacrifice;€to€have€compassion€on€the€ignorant,€and€on€those€whoÏare€out€of€the€way;€to€swing€the€censer€of€prayer€between€theÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðliving€and€the€dead,€so€that€plagues€may€be€stayed;€and€to€pleadÏfor€the€dark€sad€world,€with€its€load€of€wretchedness,€need,€andÏsin.€See€that€your€garments€are€ever€white€and€stainless.ÌòòHe€makes€us€kings.óó€--€We€reign€with€Him.€Sin€and€Satan,€the€worldÐ   	 8ˆ   Ðand€the€flesh,€are€beneath€our€feet.€Ours€the€life€of€overcomingÏpower,€of€unbroken€victory,€of€identification€with€Jesus€in€theÏglory€that€the€Father€has€given€Him.€They€that€receive€theÏabundance€of€his€grace€reign.€It€is€there€for€us€all,€but€many€doÏnot€know,€or€knowing€do€not€appreciate.€It€is€on€our€reception€byÏfaith€of€God's€abundant€grace,€that€we€reign€in€this€life,€andÏthe€next.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAll€these€were€under€the€hands€of€their€fatherÐ   	 ¨ø
   Ðfor€song.óó€1€Chron.€xxv.€5,€6.Ð   	 ‡×   ÐÓ   ø  ÓÌWHAT€a€glorious€family€was€here!€The€household€was€a€band€ofÏchoristers!€From€morning€till€night€their€home€must€have€beenÏfull€of€holy€song€and€psalm,€or€talk€about€the€order€of€theÏTemple€service,€in€which€they€were€all€so€deepIy€interested.ÏSurely€no€jarring€note,€no€unholy€discord,€would€live€in€such€anÏatmosphere!€The€common€occupation€and€worship€must€have€weldedÏthe€brothers€and€sisters€into€to€the€tenderest€union.ÌHow€one€would€like€to€have€seen€Heman€coming€into€the€Temple€withÏhis€children!€It€was€largely€owing€to€him€arid€their€mother€thatÏthey€were€what€they€were.€We€shall€read€the€Psalms€ascribed€toÏhim€with€more€interest,€now€we€know€of€the€holy€family€life€outÏof€which€they€emanated.€What€interest€there€would€be€when€theÏfather€had€produced€a€new€psalm,€to€know€what€music€would€suit€itÏbest!ÌParents!€Be€sure€that€you€look€on€your€children,€as€these€HebrewsÏdid€on€theirs,€as€the€gifts€of€God;€and€remember€that€if€He€givesÏyou€many€months€to€feed,€He€will€send€the€wherewithal€to€feedÏthem.€Be€careful€also€that€your€own€hearts€and€lives€are€full€ofÏpraise€and€prayer;€what€you€are,€the€children€will€become.€WouldÏthat€mothers€especially€realized€how€they€transmit€theirÏcharacters.€But€remember€that€you€must€be€obeyed€in€the€home.ÏHeman's€children€were€"under€the€hands€of€their€father."€YoungÏpeople€must€not€get€the€upper€hand.ÌBut€if€you€would€rule€well,€you€must€obey.€Asaph,€Heman,€andÏJeduthun,€were€under€the€king€(6,€R.V.).€The€man€who€is€himselfÏunder€authority,€can€say,€Go,€come,€do€this€or€that,€with€theÏcalm€assurance€of€being€obeyed.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòFor€the€courses€of€the€doorkeepers.óó€1€Chron.€xxvi.€I€(R.V.).Ð   	 ¶*&-   ÐÓ   ½†  ÓÌMIGHTY€men€of€valour€were€needed€for€this,€just€as€sweet€singersÏwere€for€the€service€of€song.€Entrance€to€the€House€of€God€wasÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðrestricted€to€a€privileged€few.€Gentiles€were€excluded€fromÏcertain€courts,€and€women€from€another.€It€was€incumbent€also€toÏlook€out€for€those€who,€like€the€publican€in€the€Lord's€parable,Ïmight€shrink€from€intruding,€and€encourage€them€to€enter.ÏDoorkeepers€had€to€combine€many€qualities,€which€would€be€of€theÏgreatest€service€if€they€could€be€repeated€in€each€church€andÏchapel€of€our€great€cities,€for€welcoming€old€and€young.ÌBut€chiefly€we€are€concerned€with€the€temple€of€the€heart.€WeÏsurely€need€the€doorkeeper€there,€for€in€the€history€of€the€innerÏlife€there€is€so€much€going€and€coming;€such€troops€of€thoughtsÏpour€into€the€shrine€of€the€soul,€and€pour€out.€And€often,€in€theÏcrowd,€disloyal€and€evil€thoughts€intrude,€which,€before€we€knowÏit,€introduce€a€sense€of€distance€and€alienation€from€God,€asÏthough€a€cloud€had€veiled€the€shining€of€the€Shekinah.€WheneverÏthe€sky€is€overcast€within,€we€should€question€whether€someÏtraitor,€some€excommunicate,€has€entered.€Our€native€wit€is€notÏquick€enough€to€detect,€and€our€strength€not€mighty€enough€toÏwithstand,€the€entrance€of€all€these€evil€things.€Hence€theÏnecessity€not€only€to€live€in€the€Spirit,€but€to€walk€in€theÏSpirit,€i.€e.,€to€submit€everything€to€the€Spirit's€scrutiny.ÌIt€is€necessary€also€that€strict€supervision€strong€be€exercisedÏover€those€who€unite€with€the€visible€Church,€lest€her€holinessÏbecome€diluted,€and€her€fences€broken€down.€Nothing€is€moreÏimportant€than€the€function€of€doorkeeping€for€the€Church'sÏpurity.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAll€these€were€the€rulers€of€the€substance€whichÐ   	 xÈ   Ðwas€King€David's.óó€Chron,€xxvii.€31.Ð   	 W§   ÐÓ   ª  ÓÌTHERE€was€great€variety€in€office€and€gift.€He€who€cared€for€theÏwork€of€the€field€could€not€have€known€how€to€care€for€theÏflocks.€The€overseer€of€olive-yard€and€vineyard€would€have€been€aÏpoor€hand€with€the€camels€and€asses.€One€sort€of€talent€wasÏneeded€for€the€herds,€and€another€for€the€wine€cellars;€and€yetÏthere€was€unity€in€the€common€service€of€the€king.€We€areÏreminded€of€the€words€of€the€Apostle,€describing€the€variety€inÏunity€which€must€obtain€in€every€healthy€church:€"There€areÏdiversities€of€gifts,€but€the€same€Spirit;€diversities€ofÏministrations,€and€the€same€Lord;€diversities€of€operations,€butÏthe€same€God."ÌEach€of€these€different€men€had€his€distinct€sphere€for€which€heÏwas€doubtless€specially€qualified;€and€it€was€his€duty€--€not€toÏbe€jealous€of€others,€nor€eager€to€imitate€them,€but€--€to€beÏfaithful€in€his€own€province.€How€much€happier€we€should€all€beÏif€we€recognised€our€specific€work€in€God's€house,€and€kept€toÏit,€being€content€to€serve€the€King€as€He€has€seen€fit€toÏdetermine,€rendering€Him€the€produce€in€due€season.ÌHow€great€an€error€it€would€have€been€had€any€of€these€begun€toÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðaccount€the€produce€of€cattle€or€ground€as€his€own!€He€hadÏnothing€that€he€had€not€received,€and€whatever€he€controlled€hadÏbeen€entrusted€to€his€care€for€the€emolument€and€of€hisÏsovereign.€Yet,€how€few€of€us€that€we€are€put€in€business€withÏGod's€capital,€for€God's€use.€We€take€all€and€give€Him€aÏpercentage,€instead€of€using€all€for€Him€and€keeping€a€percentageÏfor€ourselves.€In€this€we€rob€God,€and€greatly€err.€We€mustÏacknowledge€that€both€we€and€all€we€possess€belong€to€Him.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€Lord€God,€even€my€God,€.€.€will€not€failÐ   	  p
   Ðthee,€nor€forsake€thee.óó€1€Chron,€xxviii.€20.Ð   	 ÿO	   ÐÓ   ¬”  ÓÌIT€is€very€comforting€to€take€these€words€to€our€hearts;Ïespecially€when€we€connect€them€with€the€foregoing€ones€about€theÏpattern,€and€apply€the€whole€passage€to€the€temple-building€ofÏour€own€lives.€For€each€of€us,€too,€there€is€a€pattern,€an€ideal,Ïa€design,€based€on€the€possibilities€which€God€sees€to€be€withinÏour€reach;€for€each,€too,€there€is€abundance€of€stored€provision;Ïbut€we€are€not€always€strong€to€do.€In€Jesus€there€is€theÏcomplete€ideal€of€human€life;€of€the€Child€at€Nazareth;€of€theÏServant€in€the€workshop;€of€the€Lover€in€his€affection€for€hisÏchurch;€of€the€Friend,€the€Sufferer,€the€Patriot,€the€Saviour.€GoÏforth€and€imitate€Him!ÌSometimes€our€heart€and€flesh€fail€us€in€the€mid-passage€of€life.ÏOnce€the€energy€and€vigour€of€youth€promised€to€sustain€and€carryÏus€to€the€end€of€life,€without€fear€or€failure;€but€these€dieÏdown,€and€we€wonder€how€the€remainder€of€the€life-plan€can€beÏfulfilled.€And€the€one€sufficient€answer€is€--€God.€He€who€helpedÏour€fathers€to€the€very€end€will€help€us;€He€who€did€not€fail€orÏforsake€them,€will€never€leave€nor€forsake€òòusóó,€until€òòallóó€the€workÐ   	 ^   Ðof€life€which€He€has€planned,€is€finished.ÌIt€is€probable€that€you€will€do€better€and€more€enduring€workÏhenceforth€than€you€have€ever€done€in€the€heyday€and€plenitude€ofÏyouthful€power,€if€you€let€God€work€all€through€you€to€his€ownÏglory.€You€have€no€need€for€despondency,€God€is€sufficient.€Oh€toÏwrite€this€down€on€the€tablets€of€the€heart€--€God€is;€God€isÏhere€;€God€is€all-sufficient;€God€has€begun€and€will€finish!€GodÏhas€promised€that€he€will€never€leave€nor€forsake€us;€thereforeÏwe€may€boldly€say,€"God€is€my€helper,€I€will€not€fear€what€manÏshall€do€unto€me."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòOur€days€on€the€earth€are€as€a€shadow,€andÐ   	 )V$+   Ðthere€is€no€abiding.óó€1€Chron,€xxix.€15.€(R.V.).Ð   	 å)5%,   ÐÓ   œ  ÓÌALL€life€has€been€compared€to€the€shadow€of€a€smoke-wreath;€aÏgesture€in€the€invisible€air;€a€hier-oglyph€traced€for€an€instantÏon€the€sand,€and€effaced€a€moment€after€by€a€breath€of€wind;€anÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðair-bubble€vanishing€on€the€river.€Pilgrims€and€sojourners,€asÏwere€all€our€fathers€--€such€is€the€universal€confession.€ButÏeven€such€may€do€a€work€that€will€last€for€ages.€David€and€theÏmen€of€his€time,€though€transitory€their€stay€on€our€planet,€leftÏbehind€them€a€standing€evidence€that€they€had€been€here.ÌOur€life€is€nothing,€but€it€may€be€divine:€our€days€are€as€aÏbreath,€but€they€may€affect€unborn€generations:€the€tent€of€theÏbody€is€laid€aside,€but€the€soul,€which€had€dwelt€in€it,€isÏimmortal€in€its€touch:€it€leaves€traces€of€its€own€immortalityÏbehind€in€its€works,€and€it€lives€in€them.€In€one€sense,€theÏanswer€to€the€ancient€prayer€is€certain:€"Establish€Thou€theÏworks€of€our€hands€upon€us."€But€we€may€well€ask,€that€they€mayÏbe€such€that€we€shall€have€no€need€to€be€ashamed€of.ÌBut,€for€this,€God€must€live€mightily€within€us.€Abide€in€Me,Ïsaid€our€Lord.€.€.€.€I€have€appointed€you€that€ye€may€bring€forthÏfruit,€and€that€your€fruit€may€abide.€It€is€impossible€to€be€inÏtrue€union€with€Christ€without€feeling€the€pulse€of€his€gloriousÏlife;€and€where€it€enters€like€a€tidal€river,€it€can€have€but€oneÏresult€--€it€must€manifest€itself€in€fruit.€It€is€only€inÏproportion€as€our€works€are€done€in€God,€and€God€permeates€ourÏworks,€that€they€become€sources€of€enduring€blessing€to€comingÏtime.€Pilgrims€though€we€be,€yet,€if€our€lives€are€spent€beforeÏHim,€we€may€build€temples€which€will€outlast€the€wreck€of€matter.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòI€will€give€thee€riches.óó€2€Chron.€1.€11,€12.Ð   	 È   ÐÓ   £  ÓÌSOLOMON€had€chosen€wisdom€and€knowledge€that€he€might€honour€GodÏin€the€sight€of€his€people.€And€in€return€God€honoured€him,€andÏsupplemented€his€choice€with€abundant€wealth.ÌThis€reminds€one€of€the€constant€teaching€of€Jesus.€He€who€seeksÏhis€life€loses€it;€but€to€lose€it€is€to€save€it€in€the€best€andÏdeepest€sense.€Seek€first€the€kingdom€of€God€and€hisÏrighteousness,€and€all€these€things€shall€be€added.ÌThe€conception€of€life€given€in€the€Bible€differs€by€a€wholeÏheaven€from€the€maxims€and€practices€of€some€good€and€earnestÏpeople.€Their€notion€is€that€they€must€work€for€their€living,Ï"keep€the€wolf€from€the€door,"€educate€their€children€forÏsuccessfully€meeting€the€demands€of€life.€These€objects€areÏlegitimate;€but€they€were€never€meant€by€God€to€be€the€supremeÏaim€of€his€servants.ÌHis€object€in€our€creation,€redemption,€and€regeneration,€wasÏthat€we€might€serve€his€redemptive€purposes€in€the€world,Ïmanifest€his€character,€do€his€will,€win€souls€for€his€kingdom,Ïadminister€the€gifts€with€which€He€had€entrusted€us.€He€asks€usÏto€rise€to€this€high€calling,€and€give€our€whole€life€to€itsÏrealization.€He€will€be€responsible€for€all€else.€It€is€surelyÏhis€will€that€we€should€give€ourselves€to€useful€trades,€and€fillÏour€days€with€honest€toil;€but€the€main€purpose€should€ever€beÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðhis€glory,€and€the€exemplification€in€word€and€act€of€his€holyÏcharacter.€It€we€ask€for€wisdom€to€do€this€well,€we€shall€get€allÏeIse€into€the€bargain.€God€is€a€being€of€perfect€honour€andÏintegrity.€And€if€we€dare€to€make€his€service€the€main€end€ofÏlife,€we€shall€find€that€no€good€thing€will€fail.€He€paves€theÏstreets€of€heaven€with€gold,€and€will€not€withhold€it€from€hisÏchildren,€if€they€really€need.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòBecause€the€Lord€loveth€His€people,€He€hathÐ   	 H˜	   Ðmade€thee€King€over€them.óó€2€Chron.€ii.€11(R.V.).Ð   	 'w
   ÐÓ   ?ª  ÓÌHOW€truly€might€these€words€be€addressed€to€our€blessed€Lord!ÏBecause€God€loved€the€world,€He€gave€his€only-begotten€Son,€hisÏwell-beloved,€to€be€both€Prince€and€Saviour.€And€it€is€inÏknowing,€loving,€and€serving€Him€that€we€can€realize€our€supremeÏblessedness.ÌGod's€loving€appointment€in€making€Jesus€King€will€be€apparentÏwhen€we€remember€how€beautiful€He€is€in€his€personal€character;Ïhow€closely€He€is€identified€with€our€nature;€the€might€of€hisÏarm€with€which€He€shields,€the€patience€wherewith€He€bears,€theÏredemption€which€He€has€wrought€out€and€brought€in€for€all€whoÏbelieve.€What€could€God's€love€have€done€better€to€approveÏitself?ÌIs€He€your€King?€Never€till€He€is€so,€will€you€know€the€fulnessÏof€God's€love.€Those€who€question€or€refuse€his€authority€areÏalways€in€doubt€about€the€love€of€God€to€themselves€and€to€theÏworld.€Those,€on€the€other€hand,€who€acknowledge€his€claims,€andÏcrown€Him€as€King,€suddenly€find€themselves€admitted€to€aÏstandpoint€of€vision€in€which€doubts€and€disputations€vanish,€andÏthe€secret€love€of€God€is€unfolded.€Then€they€experience€the€wiseÏand€gentle€tendance€of€the€Divine€love€in€its€most€entrancingÏcharacteristics.€All€is€love€where€Jesus€reigns.ÌNothing€is€more€indicative€of€God's€benevolence€than€hisÏincessant€appeal€to€men€to€make€Jesus€King.€The€demand€mayÏsometimes€involve€severe€agony€and€suffering€for€those€who€haveÏacknowledged€other€lords€too€long;€but€God€persists€in€hisÏdemand,€because€only€in€serving€Jesus€can€the€human€heart€beÏtruly€blessed.ÌÌ€€€€€"Go,€spread€your€trophies€at€his€feet,Ì€€€€€€€And€crown€Him€Lord€of€all!"ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòHe€set€up€the€pillars€before€the€Temple,€.€.€.Ð   	 Þ).%,   ÐJachin€and€Boaz.óó€2€Chron.€iii.€17.Ð   	 ½*&-   ÐÓ   %±  ÓÌTHE€meaning€of€these€names€is€significant€--€òòHe€shall€establishóó,Ð   	 t,Ä'/   Ðand€òòIn€it€is€strengthóó.€Each€speaks€of€Him€of€whom€the€wholeÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðtemple€was€a€type.€The€Lord€Jesus€has€established€the€work€ofÏredemption€so€that€it€shall€never€be€removed;€has€established€theÏcovenant,€ordered€in€all€things€and€sure;€has€established€hisÏChurch,€so€that€the€gates€of€Hades€shall€not€prevail€against€it;Ïhas€established€us€before€the€face€of€his€Father€for€evermore.ÌThere€is€much€in€the€New€Testament€about€the€òòestablishedóó€life.€ItÐ   	 è8   Ðis€the€desire€of€Peter€that€the€scattered€saints€should€beÏperfected,€established,€and€strengthened.€Paul€desires€to€see€theÏRoman€Christians,€that€he€may€impart€some€spiritual€gift€so€thatÏthey€may€be€established:€he€desires€that€the€Colossians€may€beÏbuilt€up€in€Christ,€and€established€in€the€faith.€The€Epistle€toÏthe€Hebrews€says€that€it€is€good€for€the€heart€to€be€establishedÏwith€grace.€Let€us€ask€that€Jesus€should€establish€us€in€theÏDivine€life,€rooting€and€grounding€us€in€love€and€faith,€so€thatÏwe€may€not€be€moved€away€from€the€Gospel,€but€abound€therein€withÏthanksgiving.ÌIt€is€only€as€we€abide€in€Jesus,€that€we€shall€become€steadfast,Ïunmovable,€and€always€abounding.ÌBut€Christ€is€also€our€òòstrongóó€Helper.€We€have€no€strength€of€ourÐ   	 à0   Ðown;€but€He€is€strong;€and€in€Him€we€have€righteousness€andÏstrength.€Let€its€make€our€refuge€in€Him,€as€the€conies,€who€areÏa€feeble€folk,€do€in€the€rock.€They€who€abide€in€Jesus€deriveÏfrom€Him€fresh€supplies€of€strength€for€each€moment's€need.€TheyÏhear€Him€saying,€"Fear€not,€I€will€strengthen,€yea,€I€will€helpÏthee";€and€they€learn€to€say€with€Paul:€"I€can€do€all€things€inÏChrist€that€strengtheneth€me."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€Weight€could€not€be€found€out.óó€2€Chron.€iv.€18.Ð   	 P    ÐÓ   ´¸  ÓÌTHIS€was€as€it€should€be.€There€was€no€attempt€to€keep€anÏaccurate€account€of€what€was€given€to€the€service€of€God.€EvenÏSolomon's€left€hand€did€not€know€what€his€right€hand€did.€ThereÏis€a€tendency€in€all€of€us€to€keep€a€strict€account€of€what€weÏgive€to€God.€We€note€it€down€in€our€ledgers;€we€rigorouslyÏobserve€the€compact€into€which€we€have€entered€with€Him;€but€theÏloftiest€form€of€devotion€overleaps€such€calculation.ÌThis€liberality€of€the€people€reminds€us€of€Mary's.€She€neverÏthought€of€the€great€cost€of€the€precious€spikenard€which€sheÏbroke€over€the€Master's€person.€It€was€her€joy€to€give€her€all;Ïand€it€was€only€when€Judas€came€on€the€scene,€that€we€learn€howÏmany€hundred€pence€it€was€worth.€Thus€the€churches€of€MacedoniaÏabounded€from€their€deep€poverty€unto€the€riches€of€theirÏliberality,€so€that,€beyond€their€power,€they€gave€to€the€causeÏof€God.ÌThis€lavish€generosity€is€the€reflection€of€God's.€There€is€noÏmeasure€in€his€bounty.€It€is€heaped€up,€pressed€down,€and€runningÏover.€He€never€says,€I€will€give€up€to€a€certain€amount,€and€holdÏmy€hand;€but€He€continues€to€give€like€the€overflowings€of€theÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðriver€of€Egypt,€or€the€abundance€of€the€spring€flowers,€whichÏcover€the€earth€as€with€a€carpet.€Ah,€what€a€God€is€ours,€whoÏloves€with€a€love€that€passeth€knowledge;€and€when€He€gives,Ïexceeds€abundance,€however€much€we€may€have€asked€or€thought.€HowÏtruly€may€we€say€with€the€psalmist,€"Many,€0€Lord€my€God,€are€theÏwonderful€works€that€Thou€hast€done,€and€thy€thoughts€which€areÏto€us-ward.€They€cannot€be€reckoned€up€in€order€unto€Thee;€if€IÏwould€declare€and€speak€of€them,€they€are€more€than€can€beÏnumbered."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThen€the€house€was€filled€with€a€Cloud.óó€2€Chron.€v.€13.Ð   	 øH	   ÐÓ   ¢¿  ÓÌTHIS€was€the€bright€Shekinah€cloud,€the€symbol€of€the€DivineÏPresence,€which€had€shone€for€Moses€in€the€bush,€and€led€theÏmarch€through€the€desert.€It€was€as€though€God€had€found€a€rest.ÏAnd€as€it€settled€upon€the€Most€Holy€Place,€it€was€as€though€GodÏsaid,€This€is€my€rest€for€ever;€here€will€I€dwell,€for€I€haveÏdesired€it.ÌThe€Most€Holy€Place€is€the€symbol€of€our€spirit,€meant€to€be€theÏabiding-place€and€home€of€God;€and€shall€we€not€invite€theÏblessed€Shekinah€cloud€to€enter€thither,€addressing€it€in€theÏwords€of€the€Psalm,€"Arise,€0€Lord,€into€thy€resting-place,€ThouÏand€the€ark€of€thy€strength."€Because€where€He€comes€to€abide€HeÏabundantly€blesses€the€provision,€and€satisfies€the€poor€withÏbread;€He€clothes€his€priests€with€salvation,€and€makes€hisÏsaints€shout€aloud€for€joy;€He€erects€the€horn€of€strength€andÏprepares€the€lamp€of€light.€What€were€the€conditions€of€thisÏincoming?€--ÌòòFirstóó,€UNITY.-€"The€trumpeters€and€singers€were€as€òòoneóó."€We€mustÐ   	 /   Ðput€away€strife,€divisions,€variance,€and€evil-speaking.€OurÏheart€and€life€must€be€full€of€love.€When€the€disciples€were€withÏone€accord,.€in€one€place,€the€Spirit€descended.ÌòòSecondóó,€HEARTINESS.€--€"They€lifted€up€their€voice."€There€wasÐ   	  ß!   Ðevery€symptom€of€sincerity€and€fervour.ÌòòThirdóó,€THANKSGIVING€AND€PRAISE.€--€"They€praised€the€Lord,Ð   	 ?"#   Ðsaying,€He€is€good,€for€his€mercy€endureth€for€ever."€No€refrainÏoccurs€oftener€in€the€Bible€than€this.€It€is€an€exquisiteÏexpression€of€the€heart's€joy€and€rest€in€God.€Let€us€sing€it€inÏour€darkest,€as€well€as€gladdest€hours,€full€of€trust,Ïthanksgiving,€and€praise.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòWhen€Thou€teachest€them€the€good€wayÐ   	 ÿ(O$+   Ðwherein€they€should€walk.óó€2€Chron.€vi.€27€(R.V.).Ð   	 Þ).%,   ÐÓ   ŒÆ  ÓÌTHIS€sentence€is€exactly€parallel€with€the€previous€one,€òòWhenÐ   	 •+å&.   ÐThou€dost€afflict€themóó.€The€obvious€meaning€then€is,€that€GodÐ   	 m,½'/   Ðsometimes€taught€Israel€the€good€way€wherein€they€should€walk,€byÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðafflicting€them€and€shutting€up€the€heaven€so€that€there€was€noÏrain.€This€was€notably€the€case€in€the€day.s€of€Elijah.€Possibly,Ïthese€words€were€in€his€heart,€when€be€prayed€earnestly€that€itÏmight€not€rain,€and€it€rained€not€for€the€space€of€three€yearsÏand€six€months.€Perhaps€the€prophet€felt€that€in€no€other€awayÏcould€the€people€be€brought€back€to€their€senses,€and€reconciledÏto€God,€except€by€learning€the€futility€of€idol-worship.€So€heÏasked€God€to€teach€them€the€good€way,€by€shutting€up€the€bad€one.ÌWhat€a€lesson€for€ourselves:€God€often€teaches€us€by€bitterÏdisappointment€and€pain.€Our€familiar€paths€are€barricaded€byÏthorns,€our€familiar€hidingplaces€are€blocked€up,€our€fountainsÏare€poisoned,€and€all€our€pleasant€things€are€laid€waste.€WeÏsometimes€suppose€that€this€is€in€wrath;€may€it€not€rather€be€inÏlove?€God€is€reaching€us€the€good€by€us€the€evil;€is€urging€us€toÏtread€in€the€pleasant€ways€of€wisdom,€by€allowing€us€to€prove€theÏsharp€flints€and€thorns€of€transgression.€Then€Ephraim€bemoansÏhimself€thus:€Thou€hast€chastised€me,€and€I€was€chastised,€as€aÏcalf€unaccustomed€to€the€yoke:€turn€Thou€me,€and€I€shall€beÏturned.€Then€the€soul€cries,€I€will€go€and€return€to€my€firstÏhusband,€for€then€was€it€better€with€me€than€now.ÌSit€in€God's€school,€and€learn€from€his€Word€and€Spirit,€that€HeÏmay€not€be€compelled€to€have€recourse€to€such€severe€measures€asÏthese.€Why€shouldst€thou€be€afflicted,€when€He€is€willing€toÏinstruct€and€teach€thee€in€the€way€that€thou€shouldst€go!ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€fire€came€down€from€Heaven,€and€consumedÐ   	  ð   Ðthe€Burnt-Offering.óó€2€Chron.€vii.€1.Ð   	 Ï   ÐÓ   Î  ÓÌIT€was€a€very€gracious€and€immediate€response€to€the€prayer€ofÏKing€and€people.€If€we€make€room€for€God,€He€always€comes€andÏfills.€If€we€seek€Him,€He€is€instantly€with€us.€Directly€the€soulÏconfesses,€it€is€forgiven;€or€consecrates€itself,€it€is€accepted;Ïor€claims€deliverance€from€the€power€of€sin,€it€is€cleansed.€DoÏyou€really€want€the€Lord€to€come€to€you?€His€glory€has€even€nowÏbegun€to€shine€in€on€you,€to€grow€and€enlighten€you€for€evermore.ÌThe€fire€stands€for€the€òòDivine€Presenceóó.€Oh€to€have€always€aÐ   	 #n$   Ðconsciousness€of€it!€Nothing€would€so€soon€arrest€and€destroy€theÏimpurity€and€evil€within;€as€sunshine€does€fungus-growth.€We€areÏtold€that€the€fire€was€to€be€kept€burning€on€the€altar:€it€wasÏnever€to€go€out.€Thus,€we€should€always€perpetuate€and€practiseÏthe€presence€of€God,€feeding€the€fire€with€the€fuel€of€prayer€andÏmeditation.ÌFire€also€stands€for€the€òòDivine€Purityóó.€As€the€Plague€of€LondonÐ   	 )V$+   Ðwas€stamped€out€by€the€Great€Fire€which€destroyed€the€nests€whereÏit€had€bred:€and€as€the€furnace€rids€the€ore€of€dross€--€so€theÏHoly€Spirit€in€thy€heart€and€mine€is€a€guarantee€of€holiness€andÏrighteousness€all€our€days.ÌFire€also€stands€for€òòDivine€Fellowshipóó.€It€consumed€that€part€ofÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðthe€offering€which€was€placed€on€the€altar;€and€it€seemed€as€ifÏthe€Divine€nature€was€therefore€feeding€upon€the€sacrifice,Ïwhilst€the€remainder€of€it€was€consumed€by€the€offerer.€Thus,Ïalso,€we€have€communion€with€Cod,€as€we€eat€the€bread€and€drinkÏthe€wine€in€the€Lord's€Supper.€We€feed€on€Christ€in€adoration,Ïfaith,€and€identification.€God€feeds€on€the€completeness€ofÏChrist's€obedience,€ar.the€glory€of€his€character.€Thus€we€haveÏfellowship€with€the€Father€and€the€Son,€by€the€Holy€Ghost.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€places€are€holy,€whereunto€theÐ   	  p
   ÐArk€of€God€hath€come.óó€2€Chron.€viii.€11.Ð   	 ÿO	   ÐÓ   ŸÕ  ÓÌON€this€account€Solomon€said,€My€wife€shall€not€dwell€in€theÏhouse€of€David,€king€of€Israel.€What€a€fatal€admission!€She€wasÏthe€daughter€of€Pharaoh,€and€therefore€it€was€no€doubt€consideredÏa€splendid€match€for€the€young€king;€and€yet€she€could€not€dwellÏwithin€the€precincts€of€the€old€city€of€David,€hallowed€by€theÏpresence€of€the€Ark.€"He€brought€her€out€of€the€city€of€David,Ïinto€the€house€that€he€had€built€for€her."€So€from€the€veryÏoutset€there€was€division€of€interests,€making€way€no€doubt€forÏmuch€of€the€waywardness€of€Solomon's€character€in€after€life,€soÏthat€we€are€told€"his€wives€turned€away€his€heart."ÌOne€of€the€first€questions€that€youth€and€maiden€should€put€inÏconsidering€the€question€of€marriage€is,€whether€there€can€beÏperfect€sympathy€in€the€best€and€deepest€things;€for€how€can€twoÏwalk€together€except€they€be€agreed?ÌThe€blessedness€of€the€marriage€tie€depends€on€whether€the€twainÏare€one€in€spirit,€in€a€common€love€for€Christ,€and€endeavour€forÏhis€glory.€Nothing€is€more€terrible€than€when€either€admits€inÏthe€secresy€of€the€heart,€concerning€the€other,€My€husband€or€myÏwife€cannot€accompany€me€into€the€holy€places€where€I€was€reared,Ïand€in€which€my€best€life€finds€its€home.ÌAll€friendship€should€follow€the€same€law.€We€must€abide€togetherÏin€the€secret€place€of€the€Most€High,€if€our€friends€and€we€areÏto€be€friends€indeed.€All€places€may€be€made€holy€where€the€ArkÏof€God's€covenant€comes.€Where€it€goes,€love€may€safely€follow;Ïbut€woe€to€the€love€that€cannot!€Its€inability€proves€its€lack€ofÏelements€of€permanence€and€perfect€satisfaction.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòShe€came€to€prove€Solomon€with€hard€questions.óó€2€Chron.€ix.€1.Ð   	 V'¦")   ÐÓ   nÜ  ÓÌÓ    ÓSHE€came€to€the€right€place,€for€Solomon€passed€all€the€kings€ofÏthe€earth€in€wisdom;€and€all€the€kings€of€the€earth€sought€hisÏpresence,€to€hear€the€wisdom€that€God€had€put€into€his€heart.ÏBring€your€hard€questions€to€Christ;€He€is€greater€than€Solomon.ÏTo€Him€is€given€riches€and€wisdom,€and€He€is€made€unto€us€wisdom.ÏBefore€the€touch€of€his€light€the€darkest€perplexities€mustÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðresolve€themselves.€Though€He€speak€no€audible€word,€the€hardestÏquestions€are€answered€to€the€eyes€and€earsÌÓ   äÜ  Óof€such€as€wait€before€Him.ÌShe€came€in€the€òòright€spiritóó,€bringing€him€gold€and€spices€andÐ   	 8ˆ   Ðprecious€stones.€Those€who€would€get€from€Christ€must€be€willingÏto€give€to€Him.€There€must€be€a€reciprocity;€and€if€we€hope€toÏreceive€from€Him€from€those€infinite€stores€of€which€He€has€theÏkey,€we€must€count€all€things€but€loss€for€the€excellency€of€theÏknowledge€of€Christ,€and€must€be€prepared€to€count€them€as€refuseÏif€only€we€may€win€Him.ÌShe€came€to€a€òòright€conclusionóó.€He€answered€all€her€questions,Ð   	  p
   Ðand€she€returned€congratulating€his€servants€and€blessing€God.€ToÏeach€of€us€life€is€full€of€perplexities,€to€which€we€can€find€noÏsolution,€however€much€we€strain€our€eyes€and€weary€our€minds.ÏBut€away€there€in€the€light€Christ€stands,€with€the€perfect€planÏof€every€maze€in€his€possession,€with€a€key€for€every€riddle,€andÏsolution€for€every€enigma.€Wait€patiently.€Each€tough€knot€willÏbe€untied;€and€there€will€come€into€our€hearts€a€radiancy,€aÏbounding€joy€like€that€with€which€the€Queen€of€Sheba€turned€to€goÏto€her€own€home.€The€half€of€the€greatness€of€thy€wisdom,€0€WordÏof€God€can€never€be€told!ÌÌÌÓ    ÓñZñòòñZñFor€it€was€brought€about€of€God.ñZñóóñZñ€2€Chron.€x.€15€(R.V.).Ð   	 h   ÐÓ   ˆã  ÓÌTHIS€revolt€must€have€seemed€to€be€the€result€of€an€unfortunateÏmistake€on€the€part€of€the€ill-advised€young€king.€He€and€theÏyoung€men€that€gathered€around€him€thought€that€the€best€way€ofÏruling€people€was€by€showing€a€strong€hand,€and€adopting€a€policyÏof€noncompliance€with€their€very€natural€requests.€But€as€theÏresult,€the€Ten€Tribes,€never€very€closely€bound€to€David's€line,Ïsprang€away€from€it,€leaving,€as€Ahijah€had€foretold,€only€twoÏout€of€the€twelve€pieces€of€the€rent€garment.€Here,€however,€aÏdeeper€explanation€is€given:€"It€was€brought€about€of€God."€ItÏseemed€to€be€altogether€a€piece€of€human€folly€and€passion;€butÏnow€we€are€suddenly€brought€into€the€presence€of€God,€and€toldÏthat€beneath€the€plottings€and€plannings€of€man€He€was€carryingÏout€his€eternal€purpose.ÌTo€detect€this€Divine€purpose€lying€beneath€the€cross-currents€ofÏhuman€affairs€is€the€prerogative€of€the€saints.€In€a€recent€book,Ïthe€Duke€of€Argyll€has€argued€from€the€òòpurpose-ivenessóó€of€nature.Ð   	 w&Ç!(   ÐWith€as€much€certainty€we€may€apply€that€word€to€history,Ïpolitics,€the€course€of€current€events.€All€is€under€law.€GodÏdoeth€according€to€his€will€among€the€armies€of€heaven€and€theÏinhabitants€of€the€earth.€"And€we€know€that€all€things€workÏtogether€for€good€to€them€that€love€God,€to€them€who€are€theÏcalled€according€to€his€purpose."€Without€contravening€the€actionÏof€man's€free€choice€He€carries€out€his€great€designs€and€worksÏhis€sovereign€will.€Lot€us€trust€in€this€Almighty€Providence,Ð   	 7-‡(0   Ðwhich€underlies€all€events€and€catastrophes,€and€pursues€itsÏbeneficent€objects€undeterred€by€our€sins.€He€makes€the€wrath€ofÏman€to€praise€Him,€and€weaves€the€malignant€work€of€Satan€intoÏhis€plans.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòSuch€as€set€their€hearts€to€seek€the€Lord€GodÐ   	 è8   Ðof€Israel€came€to€Jerusalem.óó€2€Chron.€xi.€16.Ð   	 Ç	   ÐÓ    ê  ÓÌALL€the€tribes€were€represented€in€those€great€convocationsÏaround€the€Temple€and€Ark€of€God.€The€territory€of€the€northernÏtribes€was€now€under€Jeroboam;€the€gulf€between€the€two€kingdomsÏwas€marked€and€distinct.€Everything€was€done€by€the€son€of€NebatÏto€make€it€difficult€for€his€people€to€cross€the€frontier;€butÏtheir€spiritual€affinities€prevailed.€They€were€stronger€than€theÏantipathy€which€Rehoboam's€haughty€behaviour€had€excited;Ïstronger€than€the€fear€of€incurring€odium€with€their€own€king;Ïstronger€than€the€inconvenience€of€the€long€journey.€In€spite€ofÏeverything,€those€whose€hearts€were€set€on€seeking€the€Lord€GodÏof€Israel,€came€to€Jerusalem€to€sacrifice€to€the€Lord€God€ofÏtheir€fathers.ÌDoes€not€this€foreshadow€the€unity€of€the€Church€of€Christ?ÏTerritorial€distinctions,€the€risk€of€incur-ring€disfavour,€theÏnecessity€of€making€a€sacrifice€--€these€things€are€as€nothingÏcompared€with€the€attraction€of€our€common€Lord.€Amid€wideÏdisunion€and€disparity€of€every€kind,€there€is€one€mighty€bondÏwhich€draws€believers€of€every€nation,€kindred,€tribe,€and€peopleÏtogether.€Each€morning€we€all€ascend€the€steps€of€the€same€templeÏof€prayer;€each€evening€we€join€in€one€great€hymn€of€praise;€atÏeach€Lord's€Supper€we€sit€at€the€same€table.€Eating€of€one€Bread,Ïwe€know€that€we€are€one€Loaf;€drinking€of€one€Cup,€we€profess€ourÏindebtedness€to€the€same€precious€Blood€for€our€hope€and€groundÏof€acceptance€(1€Cor.€x.€17,€R.V.,€òòmarg.óó).Ð   	 æ6   ÐWe€must€set€our€hearts,€if€we€desire€to€execute€any€great€purposeÏin€our€life:€otherwise€we€shall€be€daunted€and€checkmated€by€theÏstrong€opposition€of€men€and€things.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòHe€did€evil,€because€he€prepared€not€his€heartÐ   	 ö#F%   Ðto€seek€the€Lord.óó€2€Chron,€xii.€14.Ð   	 Õ$% &   ÐÓ   ¸ñ  ÓÌIN€the€margin€of€the€A.V.€for€òòpreparedóó€the€alternative€renderingÐ   	 Œ&Ü!(   Ðòòfixedóó€is€suggested.€The€R.V.€gives€òòsetóó,€"he€set€not€his€heart€toÐ   	 d'´")   Ðseek€the€Lord."€This€is€very€true€of€all€of€us.€Before€temptationÏcomes€we€almost€always€have€a€warning€of€some€kind.€The€barometerÏfalls;€the€sea€birds€come€in€to€the€shore;€the€leaves€of€theÏtrees€are€bent€back.€The€Spirit€of€God€contrives€to€give€the€soulÏsome€signal€that€at€any€moment€it€may€expect€an€assault.€TheÏquestion€always€is€at€such€a€time,€Is€the€heart€set€on€seekingÏand€doing€the€will€of€God?€If€it€be,€if€without€reserve€the€wholeÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðnature€is€determined€to€do€God's€will€at€any€cost,€there€is€noÏfear€of€the€enemy€effecting€an€entrance.€All€day€the€thunder€ofÏits€artillery€may€boom€around,€but€from€every€side€the€foe€willÏbe€repelled,€until€presently€the€storm€will€roll€far€down€theÏwind.ÌIf,€on€the€other€hand,€there€is€any€vacillation;€if,€whilstÏostensibly€avowing€our€determination€to€do€the€right€thing,€weÏsecretly€whisper€in€our€deepest€consciousness€that€we€intend€toÏgo€as€far€as€we€can€in€self-indulgence,€and€would€be€almostÏthankful€if€circumstances€compelled€us€to€yield€--€we€are€almostÏcertain€to€fall.€The€will€must€be€whole€in€its€resolves;€theÏheart€must€be€consecrated€in€its€most€secret€determinations;€noÏtraitor€may€be€harboured,€who€may€open€the€postern€gate.€Oh€toÏsay€with€David,€"My€heart€is€fixed,€0€God,€my€heart€is€fixed"!ÏBut€this€steadfastness€is€one€of€those€preparations€of€the€heartÏwhich€can€only€be€obtained€through€the€gracious€indwelling€of€theÏHoly€Spirit.€Hence€we€pray€with€David,€"Renew€a€steadfast€spiritÏwithin€me."€And€while€we€pray,€we€must€never€forget€our€Lord'sÏcommand€to€watch€also.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòBehold,€the€battle€was€before€and€behind.óó€2€Chron,€xiii.€14.Ð   	 h¸   ÐÓ   9ù  ÓÌABIJAH'S€address€is€full€of€true€and€noble€utterances,€especiallyÏwhen€he€describes€God€as€being€the€Captain€of€the€Host;€and€thisÏspirit€soon€permeated€his€people,€so€that€when€the€battle€wasÏsorest,€and€they€were€hemmed€in€by€their€foes,€it€was€natural€forÏthem€to€turn€to€the€Lord,€and€for€the€priests€to€give€a€blast€onÏthe€trumpets,€like€that€with€which€the€new€moon€and€the€solemnÏfeasts€were€inaugurated.ÌThe€point€for€us€to€remember€is€that€our€enemies€may€shut€us€inÏon€all€sides,€preventing€reinforce-Ìments€from€north,€south,€east,€and€west;€but€no€earthly€power€canÏever€shut€off€God€from€above€us.€The€way€upwards€is€always€keptÏclear;€the€ladder€which€links€the€beleaguered€soul€with€God€andÏheaven€can€never€be€blocked,€except€by€transgression€and€sin.ÌThe€Priest€is€always€with€thee,€child€of€God.€His€help€is€alwaysÏat€hand.€Neither€death,€nor€life,€nor€height,€nor€depth,€norÏprincipalities,€nor€powers,€can€ever€separate€thee€from€theÏdown-coming€of€God's€love.ÌThe€battle€is€often€before€and€behind.€From€behind€come€memoriesÏof€past€failure,€the€consequences€of€mistakes,€theÏmisunderstandings€which€have€alienated€us€from€others,€and€madeÏit€difficult€for€us€to€live€as€we€would;€on€the€other€handÏperplexities€and€anxieties€seem€to€bar€our€future€path.€But€whenÏthe€battle€is€before€and€behind,€remember€that€God€besets€hisÏpeople€behind€and€before,€and€covers€them€with€his€hand.€TheÏinvisible€film€of€his€protection€makes€the€soul€invulnerable.€TheÏlife€that€is€hid€with€Christ€in€God€is€beyond€the€reach€of€harm.Ð   	 7-‡(0   Ð‡ÌÓ    ÓòòLord,€there€is€none€besideÐ   	 ˆØ    ÐThee€to€help.óó€2€Chron.€xiv.€11€(R.V.)Ð   	 g·   ÐÓ   Æÿ  ÓÌòòREMIND€God€of€his€entire€responsibility.óó€--€"There€is€none€besideÐ   	 n   Ðthee€to€help."€The€odds€against€Asa€were€enormous.€There€were€aÏmillion€of€men€in€arms€against€him,€beside€three€hundredÏchariots.€It€seemed€impossible€to€hold€his€own€against€that€vastÏmultitude.€There€were€no€allies€who€would€come€to€his€help:€hisÏonly€hope€therefore€was€in€God.€There€was€none€beside€to€help.€ItÏmay€be€that€your€difficulties€have€been€allowed€to€come€to€soÏalarming€a€pitch€that€you€may€be€compelled€to€renounce€allÏcreature€aid,€to€which€in€lesser€trials€you€have€had€recourse,Ïand€cast€yourself€back€on€your€Almighty€Friend.ÌòòPut€God€between€yourself€and€the€foe.óó€--€To€Asa's€faith,€JehovahÐ   	 ŽÞ   Ðseemed€to€stand€between€the€might€of€Zerah€and€himself,€as€oneÏwho€had€no€strength.€Nor€was€he€mistaken.€We€are€told€that€theÏEthiopians€were€destroyed€before€the€Lord€and€òòbefore€his€hostóó,€asÐ   	 f   Ðthough€celestial€combatants€flung€themselves€against€the€foe€inÏIsrael's€behalf,€and€put€the€large€host€to€rout,€so€that€IsraelÏhad€only€to€follow€up€and€gather€the€spoil.€Our€God€is€Jehovah€ofÏHosts,€who€can€summon€unexpected€reinforcements€at€any€moment€toÏthe€aid€of€his€people.€Believe€that€He€is€there€between€you€andÏyour€difficulty,€and€what€baffles€you€will€flee€before€Him,€asÏclouds€before€the€gale.ÌòòIdentify€your€cause€with€his.óó€--€"In€thy€name€are€we€come.€.€.€.Ð   	 Ö&   Ð.€Let€not€man€prevail€against€Thee."€It€is€a€great€matter€when€aÏsmall€State€is€so€identified€with€a€strong€European€power,€asÏthat€an€insult€to€one€of€its€officials€is€deemed€a€casus€belli€byÏthe€more€powerful€Government;€and€whenever€we€are€so€deliveredÏfrom€selfish€aims,€as€to€be€able€to€show€that€our€cause€and€God'sÏare€one,€we€are€invincible.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThey€entered€into€a€covenant€to€seek€theÐ   	 n!¾"   ÐLord€God€of€their€fathers.óó€2€Chron.€xv.€12.Ð   	 M"#   ÐÓ   \  ÓÌWE€hear€but€little€talk€in€the€present€day€of€the€covenant,€theÏmention€of€which€was€dear€to€God's€people€of€olden€time.€There€isÏthis€difference€between€òòitóó€and€the€covenants€which€we€make€withÐ   	 ´%!'   ÐGod.€òòThatóó€is€permanent,€òòtheseóó€evanescent.€That€is€founded€uponÐ   	 Œ&Ü!(   Ðthe€oath€and€promise€of€God;€these€on€the€resolutions€andÏendeavours€of€man.€That€is€full€of€promises€of€what€God€will€beÏand€do;€these€recount€what€we€are€prepared€to€sacrifice€andÏsuffer.€And€though€we€sign€them€with€blood€drawn€from€our€veins,Ïthey€will€disappoint€and€fail.ÌDo€not€think€too€much€of€entering€into€and€keeping€a€covenantÏwith€God;€but€remember€that€the€Lord€Jesus,€on€our€behalf,€hasÏentered€into€covenant€relation€with€the€Father,€and€the€FatherÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðwith€us€in€Him.€This€is€the€new€covenant.€It€is€drawn€out€atÏlength€in€Hebrews€viii.€Very€little€is€said€about€our€side,€butÏit€is€full€to€overflowing€of€God's.€Nothing€is€said€of€ourÏfidelity€to€our€obligations,€because€man€has€been€too€oftenÏweighed€in€the€balances€and€found€wanting;€and€because€the€LordÏJesus€Christ,€as€our€representative,€has€already€fulfilled€allÏthe€conditions€of€obedience€and€devotion€on€which€its€provisionsÏdepend.€He€has€also€graciously€undertaken€to€realize€thoseÏconditions€by€the€Holy€Spirit€in€us.ÌEvery€time€we€put€to€our€lips€the€cup€of€the€new€covenant,€weÏhumbly€remind€God€of€all€He€has€promised,€and€ask€Him€to€do€as€HeÏhas€said.€At€the€same€time€we€may€confidently€ask€the€greatÏSurety€of€the€covenant€to€accomplish€in€us€such€a€mind€as€mayÏlove€and€keep€our€Father's€law.€And€what€He€did€for€our€fathers,Ïwho€were€naturally€just€such€as€we€are,€He€will€certainly€do€forÏus.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòTo€show€himself€strong€in€the€behalf€of€themÐ   	 à0   Ðwhose€heart€is€perfect€toward€him.óó€2€Chron.€xvi.€9.Ð   	 ¿   ÐÓ   ³  ÓÌTHE€emphasis€is€clearly€on€the€word€òòperfectóó.€That€was€the€pointÐ   	 vÆ   Ðbetween€Hanani€the€seer€and€Asa€the€king.€Asa's€mistake€and€sinÏlay€in€his€resorting€to€Benhadad,€king€of€Syria,€as€an€allyÏagainst€Baasha.€Evidently€he€did€not€perfectly€trust€theÏdelivering€power€of€God;€and€in€this€failure€of€his€faith,€heÏforfeited€the€all-sufficient€help€which€would€have€more€thanÏavailed.€As€the€seer€said€very€truly,€simple€trust€in€God€hadÏbrought€deliverance€from€the€Ethiopians€and€Lubim,€though€theyÏwere€a€much€huger€host€than€Baasha's;€and€the€same€attitude€inÏrespect€of€Baasha€would€have€secured€a€like€result.€God€was€onlyÏawaiting€the€appeal€of€Asa's€faith,€to€show€Himself€strong.€WhatÏa€mistake€to€send€to€Syria!ÌNow,€dear€reader,€this€is€very€pertinent€for€your€life€and€mine.ÏWe€often€complain€that€we€are€bereft€of€help,€and€send€off€forÏBenhadad.€And€all€the€while€the€eyes€of€the€Lord€are€lookingÏpitifully€and€longingly€at€us.€Nothing€would€give€Him€greaterÏpleasure€than€to€show€Himself€strong€on€our€behalf.€This,Ïhowever,€He€cannot€do€until€renouncing€all€other€confidants€andÏhelpers,€our€heart€is€perfect€in€the€simplicity€and€frankness€ofÏits€faith.€What€an€exquisite€thought€is€suggested€by€the€allusionÏto€the€eyes€of€the€Lord€running€to€and€fro€throughout€the€wholeÏearth!€At€a€glance€He€takes€in€our€position;€not€a€sorrow,€trial,Ïor€temptation€visits€us€without€exciting€his€notice€and€lovingÏsympathy.€In€all€the€whole€wide€earth€there€is€not€one€spot€soÏlonely,€one€heart€so€darkened,€as€to€escape€those€eyes.€Oh€forÏthe€perfect€confidence€which€will€allow€Him€to€act!€It€is€forÏlack€of€this€that€we€remain€unhelped,€and€spend€our€days€in€theÏmidst€of€wars€and€tumults.Ð   	 >-Ž(0   Ð‡ÌÓ    ÓòòHis€heart€was€lifted€up€in€theÐ   	 ˆØ    Ðways€of€the€Lord.óó€2€Chron.€xvii.€6.Ð   	 g·   ÐÓ   )  ÓÌSURSUM€corda!€Lift€up€your€hearts!€How€beautiful€is€thisÏejaculation€in€the€Communion€Service€of€the€Church€of€England,Ïand€the€response,€"We€lift€them€up€unto€the€Lord."€I€never€hearÏit€without€the€thrill€of€a€holy€impulse€passing€through€me.€It€isÏpossible,€and€it€is€meet€and€right,€to€lift€up€our€hearts€fromÏthe€sordid€cares€and€pressing€responsibilities€of€daily€life,Ïinto€the€calm,€serene€presence€of€God€our€Father.ÌLift€up€your€heart€to€God,€as€a€child€its€face€to€be€kissed.€LiftÏit€up€free€from€mistrust€and€sinful€stain,€and€unkind€feelingÏtowards€any.€Lift€it€up€in€holy€joy€and€inspiration.€Lift€it€upÏas€a€censer€filled€with€the€hot€coals,€from€which€sweet€fragranceÏexhales.€And€God€will€bend€down€to€lift€it€higher,€and€fill€itÏwith€his€peace€and€joy€and€purity.ÌIn€hours€of€depression€look€up,€be€lifted.€òòSursum€corda!óó€When€theÐ   	 f   Ðfoe€is€pressing€you€most€severely,€look€up,€your€redemptionÏdraweth€nigh.€When€the€river€has€to€be€crossed,€when€the€lastÏfarewell€must€be€said,€when€the€flesh€fails,€let€your€mind€andÏheart€thither€ascend,€and€there€continually€dwell€where€Jesus€hasÏentered€as€your€Forerunner.ÌIf€you€would€lift€up€your€heart,€you€must€be€in€the€ways€of€theÏLord,€as€the€good€Jehoshaphat.€You€must€seek€the€Lord€God,€andÏwalk€in€his€commandments.€You€must€take€away€the€high€places€andÏgroves€of€idolatry€and€impurity.€Beware€of€the€world's€birdlime!ÏShake€yourself€from€the€bands€and€bonds€that€would€detain€you.ÏOh,€heart€of€mine,€why€is€thy€flight€so€low?€Lift€thyself€up€andÏsit€down€with€Christ€in€the€heavenly€places!€"Unto€Thee,€0€Lord,Ïdo€I€lift€up€my€soul.€Let€not€mine€enemies€triumph€over€me!"ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòI€hate€him;€for€he€never€prophesiedÐ   	 – æ!   Ðgood€unto€me,€but€always€evil.óó€2€Chron.€xviii.€7.Ð   	 u!Å"   ÐÓ   8  ÓÌTHIS€was€a€very€naive€confession.€Of€course,€Micaiah€could€notÏspeak€good€of€Ahab,€whose€life€was€diametrically€opposed€to€allÏthat€was€God-like€and€holy.€Micaiah€had€no€animosity€towards€theÏking€of€lsrael;€it€was€not€a€personal€matter€with€him.€He€simplyÏread€from€the€page€of€the€future€as€God€opened€it€to€his€eyes,Ïand€in€which€the€out-working€of€the€king's€evil€life€wasÏdisclosed€in€gloomy€characters.€It€was€as€absurd€to€hate€himÏbecause€he€read€such€dark€lessons€from€the€inevitable€future,€asÏfor€a€householder€to€shoot€his€dog,€that€bays€all€night,€to€warnÏhis€master€against€the€burglar€engaged€in€rifling€his€home.ÌThe€Bible,€the€pastor,€the€whole€Church€of€God,€are€hated€byÏworldlings€for€the€same€reason,€because€they€cannot€speakÏhopefully€of€their€future.€It€is€as€though€a€card-playing€crewÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðwere€to€hate€the€watchman€who€told€them€that€the€course€of€theirÏvessel€was€straight€for€the€surf€and€rocks€of€the€shore.€If€menÏwill€persist€in€violating€God's€law,€in€breaking€through€theÏhedge€of€thorns,€and€in€pursuing€their€own€wild€ways,€they€cannotÏpossibly€expect€the€blessedness€of€the€Beatitudes.€However,€theirÏhatred€against€those€who€warn€them€is€really€directed€towardsÏGod.€They€are€indignant€that€they€cannot€have€their€way;€theirÏproud€spirit€would€like€to€overturn€the€very€order€of€theÏuniverse€rather€than€that€it€should€be€thwarted.€They€cannotÏendure€the€contrast€between€God's€children€and€themselves.€Do€notÏbe€surprised€if€the€world€hate€you.€It€shows€that€you€are€no€moreÏof€the€world€than€your€Master€was.€Jesus€said:€"If€they€haveÏpersecuted€Me,€they€will€also€persecute€you;€if€they€have€kept€myÏsaying,€they€will€keep€yours€also."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòShouldest€thou€help€the€ungodly,€and€love€themÐ   	 0€   Ðthat€hate€the€Lord?óó€2€Chron.€xix.€2.Ð   	 _   ÐÓ   v$  ÓÌTHIS€looks€back€to€xviii.€1,€where€we€learn€that€Jehoshaphat,Ïthough€he€had€riches€and€honour€in€abundance,€joined€affinityÏwith€Ahab.€Riches€and€abundance€are€dangerous€things.€TheyÏusually€weaken€our€character,€and€incline€us€to€worldlyÏalliances;€and€it€was€to€their€subtle€and€pernicious€influencesÏthat€Jehoshaphat€fell€a€victim.€Ah!€what€a€fall€it€was€to€hearÏhim€saying,€"I€am€as€thou€art,€and€my€people€as€thy€people."€WellÏmight€Jehu€take€up€the€role€which€his€father€had€filled€beforeÏAsa,€and€protest.€But€let€us€seriously€question€whether,€thoughÏthere€are€good€things€found€in€us,€we€may€not€be€falling€into€theÏsame€mistake,€and€sin.€Are€there€not€ways€in€which€we€say€to€menÏof€the€world,€with€whom€we€mix,€"I€am€as€thou€art€"?ÌThere€is€a€great€tendency€in€the€present€day€to€boast€in€theÏcloseness€with€which€we€can€approach€the€world€without€injury.€WeÏjoin€in€the€social€life,€read€the€same€books,€go€to€the€sameÏamusements,€talk€of€the€same€themes;€and€it€is€almost€impossibleÏin€a€drawing-room€to€tell€the€difference€between€the€JehoshaphatsÏand€the€Ahabs.€So€also,€in€our€methods€of€doing€good.€The€realÏdifficulty€lies€away€back€in€our€want€of€engagedness€with€Christ.ÏIt€is€of€little€use€to€find€fault€with€the€outward,€as€long€asÏthe€heart€is€wayward.€Love€to€the€Lord€Jesus€is€our€onlyÏsafeguard.€The€love€of€Christ€must€constrain€us.€PersonalÏattachment€to€Christ€will€wean€us€away€from€this€closeÏidentification€with€the€world.€But€if€we€persist€in€identifyingÏourselves€with€the€world,€which€God€has€doomed,€we€must€not€beÏsurprised€to€find€that€wrath€is€on€us€from€the€Lord:€and€He€willÏchasten€us€for€love's€sake.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòHe€appointed€singers€unto€the€Lord,€that€shouldÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðpraise€the€beauty€of€holiness.óó€2€Chron.€xx.€21.Ð   	 °      ÐÓ   ƒ+  ÓÌDOST€thou€praise€the€beauty€of€holiness?€Is€holiness€beautiful€toÏthee?€Art€thou€in€love€with€it€as€it€is€presented€in€the€gloriousÏLord?€Canst€thou€turn€from€the€noise€and€anxiety€of€life's€battleÏto€dwell€on€the€loveliness€of€God€and€of€the€devout€life,€and€toÏpraise€Him€whose€mercy€endureth€for€ever?€It€is€a€rareÏaccomplishment,€acquired€only€through€the€indwelling€of€the€HolyÏGhost.€In€each€of€us€there€should€be€the€priest-side€of€characterÏas€well€as€the€warrior:€the€love€for€what€is€beautiful€inÏholiness€as€well€as€for€the€strong€and€active€in€service.ÌBut€the€special€characteristic€of€this€battle€was€that€the€goodÏking€put€the€singers€in€the€forefront€of€the€army,€and€praisedÏfor€a€victory€which€was€only€assured€to€him€by€faith.€Yet€so€sureÏwas€he€of€it,€that€he€could€praise€before€he€entered€into€theÏbattle.ÌThere€is€much€to€help€us€here€in€our€daily€combat€for€God€andÏtruth.€Let€us€fill€the€morning€hour€with€holy€song,€in€the€heart,Ïif€not€with€the€voice;€let€a€psalm€or€hymn€be€part€of€the€dailyÏreading;€let€there€be€the€confidence€that€God€is€going€to€bless,Ïwhich€cannot€restrain€its€jubilant€expression.€So€in€all€prayer,Ïwait€on€God€till€you€feel€that€you€can€praise€Him€for€what€youÏhave€asked€Him€to€bestow.ÌWhen€they€began€to€praise,€the€Lord€did€all€the€rest.€Before€theÏonset€of€his€Divine€reinforcements€the€enemy€fled.€His€people€hadÏbut€to€gather€spoil,€and€then€the€praise€which€had€anticipatedÏthe€battle€was€consummated€as€they€returned,€in€the€valley€ofÏblessing.ÌÌ€€€€€'There's€a€song€in€the€valley€of€blessing€so€sweet,Ì€€€€€€€And€angels€would€fain€join€the€strain,Ì€€€€€As€with€rapturous€praises€we€bow€at€his€feet,Ì€€€€€€€Crying.€'Worthy€the€Lamb€that€was€slain!'ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€same€time€also€did€Libnah€rebuildÐ   	 ?"#   Ðfrom€under€his€hand.óó€2€Chron.€xxi.€10.Ð   	 #n$   ÐÓ   Ý2  ÓÌAS€long€as€the€kings€of€Judah€remained€true€to€their€allegianceÏto€God€they€were€able€to€keep€in€subjection€the€surroundingÏnations;€but€just€so€soon€as€they€revolted€from€God€these€peoplesÏrevolted€from€them.€It€was€as€though€power€descended€into€themÏfrom€the€source€of€all€power;€and€when€the€link€betweenÏthemselves€and€God€was€broken,€that€between€them€and€theirÏsubordinates€was€broken€also.ÌThis€applies€very€widely:€òòTo€our€passions.óó€--€If€they€master€you,Ð   	 ½*&-   Ðrebelling€against€and€revolting€from€your€hand,€it€is€becauseÏthere€is€some€flaw€in€your€consecration,€and€you€have€forsaken€toÏsome€extent€the€Lord€God.Ð   	 E-•(0   ÐòòTo€our€families.óó€--€When€the€heads€of€a€home€are€in€perfect€unityÐ   	 °      Ðwith€each€other€and€God,€they€may€generally€expect€that€theirÏchildren€will€grow€up€submissive€and€obedient.€Their€authorityÏwill€be€recognised€and€honoured.€Revolt€in€the€home€indicatesÏvery€often€some€lapse€in€obedience€and€loyalty€to€God.ÌòòTo€our€influence€over€men.óó€--€When€the€soul€is€in€blessedÐ   	 è8   Ðfellowship€with€God,€power€flows€into€it€from€Him,€before€whichÏstrongholds€are€overthrown.€"I€am€full€of€power€by€the€Spirit€ofÏthe€Lord,"€said€the€prophet.€"I€am€a€man€under€authority,€andÏhave€soldiers€under€me,"€said€the€centurion.ÌGive€yourself€entirely€to€Jesus.€Obey€Him€absolutely;€receive€byÏfaith€from€Him€living€power€and€grace;€be€a€channel€through€whichÏHe€may€pour€Himself;€and€you€will€find€that€men€and€things€willÏfall€into€line€at€your€bidding,€and€you€shall€receive€power.€OurÏLibnahs€will€not€revolt€unless€we€forsake€the€Lord€God€of€ourÏfathers.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòHid€in€the€House€of€God.óó€2€Chron.€xxii.€12.Ð   	 à0   ÐÓ   è9  ÓÌSAFE€from€Athaliah,€who€would€have€ruthlessly€destroyed€him€ifÏshe€had€had€an€inkling€of€his€existence,€the€Young€Joash€wasÏreared€beneath€the€care€of€Jehoiada€and€his€wife€within€theÏprecincts€of€the€house€of€God.€He€was€hidden€in€the€secret€placeÏof€the€Most€High,€and€abode€under€the€shadow€of€the€Almighty.ÏThere€let€us€also€live.€Let€us€know€what€it€is€to€dwell€in€theÏhouse€of€the€Lord€all€the€days€of€our€life,€and€all€this€day.€LetÏus€cultivate€the€life€which€is€hid€with€Christ€in€God.ÌÌIt€is€well€often€to€remind€ourselves€that€we€are€in€God,€and€thatÏthe€film€of€his€environing€presence€is€about€us€like€a€wall€ofÏthick-ribbed€steel.€We€are€in€Him€as€the€jewel€in€the€casket;€asÏthe€chick€under€the€feathers€of€the€hen;€as€the€child€in€the€warmÏembrace€of€its€mother.€And€so€long€as€we€stay€there€we€areÏinvulnerable.€Therefore€our€great€enemy€is€continuallyÏendeavouring€to€allure€us€into€the€open;€he€knows€he€can€do€as€heÏlikes€with€us,€if€only€he€can€induce€us€to€venture€beyond€ourÏhiding-place.€Therefore,€beware€of€any€temptation€to€worry,€toÏamass€this€world's€goods,€or€to€seek€the€indulgence€of€appetite;Ïit€is€by€such€lures€and€baits€that€Satan€seduces€unwary€soulsÏfrom€their€safe€hiding.ÌIf€a€day€in€God's€courts€is€better€than€a€thousand,€what€must€itÏbe€to€dwell€in€the€house€of€the€Lord€all€one's€days,€to€beholdÏhis€beauty,€and€enquire€in€his€temple.€The€rarest€visions,€theÏfairest€fellowship,€the€most€entrancing€joys,€the€most€confidentÏoutlook€on€life,€and€the€hereafter,€are€the€accompaniments€ofÏsuch€a€residence.€The€altar€of€incense,€the€laver€of€dairyÏcleansing,€the€light€of€the€Shekinah,€the€holy€psalm€and€song,Ïthe€great€altar€of€sacrifice,€are€familiar€objects€to€the€hiddenÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðsoul.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAnd€the€city€was€quiet€after€they€hadÐ   	 8ˆ   Ðslain€Athaliah€with€the€sword.óó€2€Chron.€xxiii.€21.Ð   	 g   ÐÓ   A  ÓÌTHIS€was€a€great€revolution,€admirably€planned€and€carried€intoÏeffect.€It€was€intolerable€that€such€a€woman€as€Athaliah€shouldÏdesecrate€the€throne€and€temple.€Jehoiada,€by€his€prudence€andÏcourage,€deserved€well€of€the€entire€nation€in€ridding€the€worldÏof€her€presence.€No€half€measures€would€have€availed€to€meet€theÏcase.ÌThere€are€times€in€every€life€when€strong€and€strenuous€action€isÏinevitable€if€the€cause€of€God€is€to€be€promoted€and€saved.€InÏmany€of€us€there€is€a€willingness€to€tolerate€evil,€rather€thanÏarouse€ourselves€to€grasp€it€with€a€firm€hand,€and,€if€needs€be,Ïdrag€it€up€by€its€roots.€Be€strong,€yea,€be€strong,€is€anÏinjunction€that€has€to€be€emphasized€even€to€men€who€are€greatlyÏbeloved.€The€easiest€thing€for€Jehoiada€would€have€been€to€shutÏhimself€up€in€the€temple,€and€leave€things€to€take€their€course.ÏThe€noblest€thing€was€to€come€forth,€and€boldly€confront€theÏrampant€evil€of€his€time.€So€God's€call€rings€out€for€helpers€inÏthe€great€fight€against€sin.€Its€notes€penetrate€into€theÏretirement€of€Christian€homes,€to€noble€women€and€devoted€men,Ïdemanding€that€they€should€come€forth€to€resist€impurity,€theÏlove€of€strong€drink,€the€strong€tendency€towards€extravagance,Ïluxury,€and€waste.€The€world€is€full€of€Athaliahs,€and€it€is€notÏbefitting€that€the€Jehoiadas€should€remain€at€their€holy€ritesÏand€services€if€there€is€a€paramount€need€for€action€in€theÏworld's€battlefield,€in€the€strife€against€wrong.ÌThe€children€of€God€are€citizens€of€the€New€Jerusalem,€but€theyÏare€also€certainly€citizens€here;€and€they€must€not€stand€asideÏfrom€great€public€issues,€allowing€them€to€be€decided€by€ungodlyÏand€wicked€men.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€Spirit€of€God€clothed€itself€with€ZechariahÐ   	 #n$   Ðthe€son€of€Jehoiada.óó€2€Chron.€xxiv.€20€(R.€V.,€marg.).€Ð   	 ý#M%   ÐÓ   ;H  ÓÌAS€we€put€on€a€cloak€or€dress,€so€does€the€Spirit€of€God,€as€itÏwere,€hide€Himself€in€those€who€surrender€themselves€to€Him,€soÏthat€it€is€not€they€who€speak€and€act,€but€He€within€them.€HaveÏyou€at€any€time€been€conscious€of€having€become€the€clothing€ofÏthe€Holy€Spirit?€Remember€that€cloth€or€leather€must€yield€itselfÏeasily€to€the€movements€of€its€wearer,€and€not€less€pliable€andÏsupple€must€we€be€to€the€Spirit€of€God.ÌWhen€the€Spirit€of€God€is€thus€within€us,€and€speaks€or€acts€forÏus,€we€may€expect,€as€Zechariah€found€it,€to€come€into€collisionÏwith€the€entire€drift€and€current€of€society€around€us,€and€toÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðincur€odium€and€hatred.€Men€do€not€like€to€be€told€that€theyÏcannot€prosper€because€they€have€forsaken€God;€but€we€have€noÏalternative€than€to€witness€against€their€sins.€Does€the€SpiritÏclothe€Himself€with€you€my€friend,€as€you€anticipate€the€work€ofÏto-day?€Are€you€using€Him,€or€is€He€to€use€you?€Are€you€seekingÏto€clothe€yourself€with€his€power€for€some€personal€ambition,€orÏare€you€desirous€that€He€should€array€Himself€in€you,€so€that€theÏglory€may€evidently€be€his?€In€the€agony€of€battle,€when€greatÏdeeds€are€to€be€done,€no€one€stops€to€think€of€the€uniform€of€theÏsoldier,€but€only€of€the€might€beneath€it.ÌBut€for€this€you€must€be€prepared€to€pay€the€cost,€and€be€willingÏto€cross€the€cherished€purposes€of€men,€as€the€Spirit€of€God€byÏyour€voice€or€deed€witnesses€against€them.€They€stoned€ZechariahÏat€the€command€of€the€king;€but€years€after€the€Lord€JesusÏreferred€to€it,€for€no€faithful€martyr€seals€his€witness€with€hisÏblood€without€some€quick€glance€of€recognition€from€the€Master,Ïand€some€record€on€the€imperishable€tablets€of€his€heart.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€Lord€ia€able€to€give€theeÐ   	 ¸   Ðmuch€more€than€this.óó€2€Chron.€xxv.€9.Ð   	 —ç   ÐÓ   ”O  ÓÌAMAZIAH€had€many€good€qualities,€but€he€did€not€clearly€see€howÏimpossible€it€was€for€Israel€to€be€allied€with€Judah€withoutÏinvalidating€the€special€Divine€protection€and€care€on€whichÏJudah€had€been€taught€to€rely.€We€must€understand€that€God€cannotÏbe€in€fellowship€with€us€if€we€tolerate€fellowship€with€theÏungodly.€We€must€choose€between€the€two.€If€we€can€renounce€allÏcreature€aid,€and€trust€simply€in€the€eternal€God,€there€is€noÏlimit€to€the€victories€He€will€secure;€but€if,€turning€from€Him,Ïwe€hold€out€our€hand€toward€the€world,€we€forfeit€his€aid.€0Ïchild€of€God,€let€not€the€army€of€Israel€go€with€thee!€Do€notÏadopt€worldly€policy,€methods,€or€partnership.€However€strong€youÏmake€yourself€for€the€battle€in€alliance€with€these,€you€willÏfail.€Indeed,€God€Himself€will€make€you€fall€before€the€enemy,Ïthat€you€may€be€driven€back€to€Himself.ÌBut€you€say€that€you€have€already€entered€into€so€close€anÏalliance€that€you€cannot€draw€back.€You€have€invested€yourÏcapital,€you€have€gone€to€great€expenditures€Yet€it€will€beÏbetter€to€forfeit€these€than€Him.€Without€these€aids,€and€withÏonly€God€beside€you,€you€will€be€able€to€rout€Edom,€and€smite€tenÏthousand€men.€Would€that€men€knew€the€absolute€deliverance€whichÏGod€will€effect€for€those€whose€hearts€are€perfect€towards€Him!ÌThe€soldiers€of€Israel€committed€depredations€on€their€way€back.ÏThis€was€the€result€of€the€folly€and€sin€of€Amaziah's€proposal.ÏWe€may€be€forgiven,€and€delivered,€and€yet€there€will€beÏafterconsequences€which€will€follow€us€from€some€ill-consideredÏact.€Sin€may€be€forgiven,€but€its€secondary€results€are€sometimesÏvery€bitter.€We€must€expect€to€reap€as€we€sow.Ð   	 >-Ž(0   Ð‡ÌÓ    ÓòòHe€was€marvellously€helped,Ð   	 ˆØ    Ðtill€he€was€strong.óó€2€Chron.€xxvi.€15,€16.Ð   	 g·   ÐÓ   ²V  ÓÌGREAT€and€marvellous€are€thy€works,€0€God;€that€our€soul€knowethÏquite€well.€Thou€hast€showed€marvellous€loving-kindness.€We€mustÏsing€to€Thee;€for€Thou€hast€done€marvellous€things.€lt€isÏmarvelous€that€Thou€shouldst€have€set€thy€love€upon€us;€that€ThouÏshouldst€have€watched€over€our€interests€with€unwearied€care;Ïthat€our€sins,€or€unbelief,€or€declensions,€have€never€divertedÏthy€love€from€us.€"Marvellous€"€is€the€only€word€we€can€use,€asÏwe€think€of€the€condescension€of€the€well-beloved€Son€to€theÏmanger-bed;€of€the€agony€and€bloody-sweat;€of€the€cross€andÏpassion€--€and€all€for€us€who€were€his€enemies.€But€it€is€mostÏmarvellous€of€all€that€Thou€least€made€us€children,€heirs,€aridÏjoint-heirs€with€Christ.€To€think€that€we€shall€shine€as€the€sunÏin€thy€kingdom,€that€we€are€to€sit€upon€his€throne,€and€beÏincluded€in€that€circle€of€love€and€life€of€which€the€throne€ofÏGod€and€the€Lamb€is€the€centre!€Surely€the€marvels€of€thy€graceÏwill€only€seem€the€greater€when€eternity€with€its€boundless€agesÏgives€us€time€to€explore€them.ÌThe€danger,€however,€is€that€we€should€become€strong€in€our€ownÏconceit,€and€credit€ourselves€with€the€position€which€is€due€toÏthe€grace€of€God€alone.€Oh€for€the€truly€humble€spirit€of€theÏlittle€child,€that€we€may€never€vaunt€ourselves!€The€laden€shipÏsinks€in€the€water;€the€fruit-burdened€bough€stoops€to€theÏground;€the€truest€scientist€is€the€humblest€disciple.€Oh€to€beÏsubmerged€and€abashed€for€the€marvellous€help€of€God!ÌGod€cannot€trust€some€of€us€with€prosperity€and€success,€becauseÏour€nature€could€not€stand€them.€We€must€tug€at€the€oar,€insteadÏof€spreading€the€sail,€because€we€have€not€enough€ballast.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòJotham€became€mighty,€because€heÐ   	 – æ!   Ðordered€his€ways.óó€2€Chron.€xxvii.€6€(R.V.).Ð   	 u!Å"   ÐÓ   Â]  ÓÌTHERE€is€a€lower€sense€in€which€this€holds€good€in€daily€andÏbusiness€life.€You€can€hardly€imagine€a€really€successful€manÏbeing€untidy€and€disorderly.€Method€is€the€law€of€success;€and€aÏtruly€holy€soul€is€sure€to€be€orderly.€I€do€not€remember€everÏmeeting€one€who€really€walked€with€God€who€did€not€makeÏorderliness€one€of€the€first€principles€of€life.ÌThe€Lord€Jesus€would€have€the€men€sit€down€in€rows€before€HeÏbroke€the€bread;€and€He€wrapt€together€his€grave-clothes€beforeÏHe€left€the€sepulchre.€It€was,€therefore,€in€keeping€with€theÏwhole€tenor€of€his€example€when€the€apostle€prescribed€that€allÏthings€should€be€done€decently€and€in€order.ÌClear€handwriting,€especially€the€direction€of€an€envelope,€toÏgive€the€postman€as€little€trouble€as€possible;€the€carefulÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðfolding€of€our€cast-off€garments,€to€save€the€maids€needlessÏwork;€the€leaving€our€room€that€we€have€been€occupying€as€littleÏdisturbed€in€its€arrangements€as€may€be;€the€gathering€up€ofÏluncheon€fragments€from€the€green€banks,€where€we€have€sat€toÏview€the€entrancing€prospect;€the€arrangement€of€papers,€andÏaccounts,€and€magazines,€so€that€we€can€readily€lay€our€hand€uponÏwhatever€is€required;€the€adopting€of€mental€order€in€prayer€andÏconversation,€and€in€the€thinking€out€of€plans€and€purposes;Ïneatness€in€dress€--€these€are€all€part€of€the€right€ordering€ofÏlife€which€makes€for€its€success€and€comfort,€and€greatly€forÏpeace€in€the€home.€They€are€the€habits€of€the€soul€that€walksÏbefore€God,€and€which€is€accustomed€to€think€of€Him€as€seeing€inÏsecret,€and€as€considering€all€our€ways.€In€this€way€we€mayÏbecome€mighty,€and€by€being€faithful€in€that€which€is€least€comeÏto€great€charges.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThey€clothed€all€that€were€naked,Ð   	 X   Ðand€gave€them€to€eat€and€drink.óó€2€Chron.€xxviii.€15.Ð   	 ç7   ÐÓ   ùd  ÓÌA€GREAT€burst€of€generosity€was€here,€for€Israel€had€every€reasonÏto€be€incensed€against€Judah€for€the€raid€made€on€theirÏterritory.€But,€instead€of€pushing€their€advantage€to€theÏuttermost,€they€returned€good€for€evil,€and€anticipated€the€wordsÏof€the€apostle,€"If€thine€enemy€hunger,€feed€him;€if€he€thirst,Ïgive€him€drink:€for€in€so€doing€thou€shalt€heap€coals€of€fire€onÏhis€head."ÌHave€you€in€your€life€people€who€have€done€you€injury,€andÏagainst€whom€you€entertain€hard€thoughts?€You€do€not€injure€themÏin€return,€but€you€cannot€pray€for€them.€So€far€as€you€can,€youÏavoid€them;€you€make€no€attempt€to€overcome€the€evil€that€is€inÏthem.€But€to€act€thus€is€to€come€short€of€Christ's€standard.€ItÏis€your€duty,€not€merely€to€keep€at€a€distance€and€give€a€wideÏberth,€but€by€love€to€destroy€the€evil,€to€transform€the€enemyÏinto€a€friend,€and€to€create€love€and€friendship€where€hostilityÏand€alienation€had€reigned.€It€is€God's€way,€and€in€this€we€areÏbidden€to€be€perfect,€as€our€Heavenly€Father€is€perfect.ÌWill€you€try€it?€Will€you€begin€by€doing€kind€acts€to€those€whoÏhave€harmed€you?€Not€because€as€yet€you€feel€as€you€would,€butÏbecause€it€is€right.€Then€as€you€dig€the€trench€in€right€doing,Ïlook€up€to€God,€and€He€will€pour€into€your€heart€the€warm€gush€ofÏaffection.€If€you€sincerely€will€his€will€in€this€matter,€and€actÏas€the€Good€Samaritan€did€to€the€Jew,€and€exercise€faith,€GodÏwill€came€to€your€aid€whilst€you€clothe€others€and€minister€toÏthem,€you€will€find€their€hard€heart€melted,€and€yourselvesÏclothed€with€the€beautiful€garments€of€salvation,€and€of€a€meekÏand€quiet€spirit,€which€in€God's€sight€is€of€great€price.ÌÌÐ   	 >-Ž(0   ÐÓ    ÓòòWhen€the€burnt-offering€began,€the€songÐ   	 °      Ðof€the€Lord€began€also.óó€2€Chron.€xxix.€27.Ð   	 ß    ÐÓ   l  ÓÌTHIS€chapter€contains€a€parable€of€the€cleansing€of€the€heart,Ïmeant€to€be€a€temple€for€God;€but€the€doors€of€prayer€areÏunopened,€the€lamps€of€testimony€unlit,€the€burnt-offerings€ofÏself-sacrifice€neglected€;€and,€as€the€result,€grass€grows€thickÏin€courts€which€should€have€been€trodden€by€the€feet€of€LeviteÏminstrels€engaged€in€holy€song.€If€ever€that€song€is€to€break€outÏagain,€it€can€only€be€after€a€thorough€cleansing€and€renovationÏof€the€inner€shrine.€You€tell€me€that€you€cannot€sing€the€Lord'sÏsong;€then€I€know€you€have€gone€into€the€strange€land€ofÏbacksliding.€You€acknowledge€that€for€some€time€now€you€haveÏtaken€no€delight€in€God€or€his€service;€then€I€am€sure€that€theÏtemple€is€badly€in€need€of€renovation.ÌCleanse€the€house€of€the€Lord.€Bring€out€all€the€uncleanness.€ByÏself-examination,€confession,€and€repudiation,€be€clean€of€allÏthe€filth€which€has€accumulated€through€months€and€years€ofÏneglect.€Resume€the€position€of€entire€devotion,€as€a€preparedÏand€sanctified€soul.€Offer€the€sin-offering€for€the€past,€andÏprepare€the€burnt-offering€of€entire€consecration€for€the€future.ÏAnd€when€that€is€offered,€when€you€determine€to€be€wholly€God's,Ïlay€yourself,€with€all€the€interests€of€your€life,€at€the€feet€ofÏJesus,€for€his€disposal;€then€the€song€of€the€Lord€will€beginÏagain.ÌThe€music€of€your€life€is€still,€because€you€are€out€of€accordÏwith€the€will€of€God;€but€when€by€surrender€and€consecrationÏthere€is€unison,€your€heart€will€be€filled€with€songs€withoutÏwords,€and€love€like€an€ocean€in€the€fulness€of€her€strength.ÏWhen€tie€rich,€selfish€bachelor€suddenly€finds€himself€compelledÏto€care€for€his€dead€brother's€little€children,€he€is€startled€toÏfind€that€a€new€song€has€begun€in€his€life.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€good€Lord€pardon€every€one€that€preparethÐ   	 n!¾"   Ðhis€heart€to€seek€God.óó€2€Chron.€xxx.€18,€19.Ð   	 M"#   ÐÓ   s  ÓÌA€VERY€touching€prayer,€that€opens€up€deep€thoughts€as€to€theÏprogress€of€the€true€knowledge€of€God€in€Israel,€and€of€theÏcomparative€value€of€heart€preparation€and€ceremonial€cleansing.ÏHere€were€crowds€of€well-meaning€people€who€had€come€from€allÏparts€of€the€land€in€answer€to€Hezekiah's€invitation.ÏUnaccustomed€to€temple€usage,€strangers€to€the€temple€rites,€theyÏhad€participated€in€the€festivities€of€this€great€PassoverÏwithout€submitting€first€to€the€necessary€ablutions.€Their€heartÏwas€prepared€to€seek€God,€they€were€proud€of€the€great€past,€theyÏdesired€to€stand€right€with€the€Lord€God€of€their€fathers;€butÏthey€were€sadly€ignorant€and€careless.€The€only€thing€to€be€doneÏwas€to€pray€that€their€ignorances€and€negligences€might€beÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðforgiven.ÌIt€is€thus€that€Jesus€pleads€in€heaven;€and€there€are€many€thatÏobtain€mercy€on€the€ground€of€his€merit,€because€when€they€sinÏthey€do€so€ignorantly,€and€from€want€of€knowledge€rather€thanÏfrom€want€of€heart.€The€devout€ritualist€who€lays€an€excessiveÏstress€on€outward€forms;€the€man€who€has€sensuous€and€distortedÏviews€of€Christ,€but€sincerely€desires€to€be€accepted€throughÏHim;€the€soul€that€touches€the€hem€of€the€garment€as€though€theÏhealing€power€were€independent€of€the€will-power€of€the€Redeemer;Ïthe€dying€malefactor,€who,€in€his€last€hours,€catches€at€someÏdistorted€representation€of€Christ€which€is€filtered€through€toÏhim€from€the€chance€word€of€an€uninstructed€preacher€--€these€areÏincluded€in€the€fruitful€pleading€of€the€Great€High€Priest,€whoÏhas€compassion€on€the€ignorant€and€on€those€who€are€out€of€theÏway.€You€may€not€understand€doctrine,€creed,€or€rite;but€be€sureÏto€seek€God.€No€splendid€ceremonial€nor€rigorous€etiquette€canÏintercept€the€seeking€soul.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòHe€did€it€with€all€his€heartÐ   	 ¸   Ðand€prospered.óó€2€Chron.€xxxi.€21.Ð   	 —ç   ÐÓ   {  ÓÌTHE€man€who€does€his€business€with€all€his€heart,€is€sure€toÏprosper.€To€put€your€heart€into€your€work€is€like€geniusÏmanipulating€common€materials,€till€their€worth€becomesÏpriceless,€just€because€of€what€has€been€put€into€it.ÌThe€heart€stands€for€the€emotions€and€affections.€What€theÏfurnace€is€to€the€factory€or€steamship,€that€the€heart€is€in€theÏeconomy€of€our€nature.€It€is€a€great€thing€to€love€our€life-work,Ïto€have€an€aim€that€kindles€us€whenever€we€think€of€it.€Those€whoÏare€so€happily€circumstanced,€cannot€be€sufficiently€thankful.ÏBut€what€of€those€who€are€bound€to€a€work€which€they€did€notÏchoose€and€do€not€like,€who€find€their€daily€toil€irksome€andÏdistasteful€--€is€there€any€help€for€them?€Can€they€possiblyÏlearn€to€do€such€work€from€their€hearts?€Certainly:€because€ofÏHim€who€set€it,€and€for€whom€it€may€be€done.ÌLove€performs€the€most€onerous€duties€with€all€its€heart,€if€theyÏconduce€to€the€comfort€and€help€of€those€whom€it€loves€more€thanÏitself.€Does€not€a€mother€or€wife€perform€tasks€from€which€theÏhireling€would€shrink?€She€does€them€with€all€her€heart,€notÏconsidering€for€a€moment€the€loathesomeness€and€hardness€of€theÏdemand.€So€if€we€look€at€our€life-work€as€God-appointed;€if€weÏrealize€that€He€has€fixed€it€for€us,€who€determined€the€orbits€ofÏthe€stars;€if€we€can€hear€the€voice€of€Jesus€saying,€"Do€this€forÏMe€"€--€there€is€no€further€thought€of€hardship€or€distaste.ÏRemember€to€do€all€your€life-work€for€Jesus;€do€all€in€his€nameÏand€for€his€glory;€ask€Him€to€fill€your€heart€with€submissive,Ïloyal€obedience,€and€you€will€find€that€when€you€introduce€theÏpersonal€element€of€Christ-service€into€the€meanest€acts,€theyÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðwill€glisten€like€a€piece€of€gold-tapestry.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòHezekiah€the€king,€and€the€prophet€Isaiah,Ð   	 8ˆ   Ðprayed€and€cryed€to€heaven.óó€2€Chron.€xxxii.€20.Ð   	 g   ÐÓ   U‚  ÓÌIT€was€the€indignity€done€to€Jehovah€that€stirred€these€two€holyÏmen€to€the€heart.€Not€that€their€lives,€and€the€lives€of€theirÏpeople,€and€the€beautiful€holy€city,€were€in€danger;€but€thatÏSennacherib€spake€against€the€God€of€Jerusalem,€as€against€theÏgods€of€the€people€of€the€earth,€which€were€the€work€of€the€handsÏof€man.€Oh€that€we€were€possessed€with€a€similar€zeal€for€God,€soÏthat€we€might€look€at€sin€as€it€affects€Him,€and€lament€over€theÏawful€wrongs€which€are€continually€being€perpetrated€against€hisÏholy,€loving€nature!€What€an€argument€this€would€give€us€inÏprayer!ÌThis€constitutes€a€special€reason€why€we€should€plead€for€aÏrevival€of€religion€throughout€our€land.€Men€speak€and€act€soÏshamelessly,€as€though€God€had€abdicated€his€throne,€and€wasÏhardly€to€be€taken€account€of.€They€sin€against€Him€with€so€highÏa€hand,€and€treat€his€laws€with€so€much€contumely.€Are€there€noÏHezekiahs€and€Isaiahs€who€will€pray€and€cry€to€the€God€of€ourÏfathers€to€do€again€the€great€works€He€did€in€their€days,€and€inÏthe€old€time€before?ÌThen€the€Lord€would€save€us,€and€guide€us€on€every€side€(22).ÏThere€never€was€a€more€conspicuous€and€glorious€deliverance€thanÏwhen€the€angel€of€God€wrought€for€Israel€against€Assyria.€TheÏLord€became€a€place€of€broad€rivers€and€streams€across€which€theÏenemy€could€not€pass.€As€the€mother€bird€settling€down€on€herÏnest,€He€covered€the€city€with€his€outspread€wings.€And€the€richÏspoils€of€the€foe€were€left€for€the€beleagured€garrison.€Pray€on,Ïbeloved;€the€Lord€is€our€Judge,€the€Lord€is€our€Lawgiver,€theÏLord€is€our€King€;€He€will€save€us.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòWhen€he€was€in€affliction,€he€besoughtÐ   	 F"–#   Ðthe€Lord€his€God.óó€2€Chron.€xxxiii.€12.Ð   	 %#u$   ÐÓ   1‰  ÓÌSO€long€as€this€story€stands€on€the€page€of€revelation,€no€sinnerÏneed€despair€of€mercy.€There€was€hardly€a€sin€possible€to€manÏthat€Manasseh€did€not€commit.€"He€did€that€which€was€evil€in€theÏsight€of€the€Lord,€like€unto€the€abominations€of€the€heathen,Ïwhom€the€Lord€had€cast€out€before€the€children€of€Israel."€And€heÏmade€his€people€do€worse€than€the€heathen.ÌThen€came€awful€sorrow.€Bound€in€fetters,€exposed€to€consummateÏcruelty€and€disgrace,€he€was€carried€to€Babylon,€and€thrust€intoÏthe€dungeons,€where€other€captive€princes€were€immured,€withÏlittle€chance€of€liberation€or€permission€to€revisit€his€nativeÏland.€But€there€the€Spirit€of€God€did€his€work.€He€humbledÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðhimself€greatly,€and€prayed.€What€tears,€and€cries,€and€bursts€ofÏheart-broken€penitence,€were€his!€How€those€walls€were€saturatedÏwith€the€breath€of€confession,€and€those€stone€floors€indented€byÏhis€kneeling€at€perpetual€prayer!€And€God€came€near€to€his€lowÏdungeon,€and€graciously€heard€his€supplication,€and€brought€himÏback€again.ÌYes,€and€He€will€do€as€much€for€you.€The€blood€of€jesus€ChristÏhis€Son€cleanseth€from€òòallóó€sin;€the€grace€of€God€is€exceedinglyÐ   	 ˜
è   Ðabundant€with€faith€and€love;€all€sins€and€blasphemies€may€beÏforgiven€to€the€sons€of€men.€Turn€to€Him€with€brokenness€of€soul,Ïand€He€will€not€only€forgive,€but€bring€you€again;€and€give€you,Ïas€He€did€Manasseh,€an€opportunity€of€undoing€some€of€those€evilÏthings€which€have€marred€your€past.€For€the€rest,€it€is€good€notÏto€wait€for€affliction€to€stir€us€up€to€seek€God,€but€to€abide€inÏHim€for€love's€dear€bake.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòI€have€found€the€book€of€the€law€in€theÐ   	 X   Ðhouse€of€the€Lord.óó€2€Chon.€xxxiv.€15,€18.Ð   	 ç7   ÐÓ     ÓÌIT€is€supposed€that€this€was€the€Book€of€Deuteronomy;€though€weÏhave€no€sympathy€whatever€with€a€modern€notion€with€respect€toÏits€discovery.€In€our€judgment€that€book€is€rightly€ascribed€toÏMoses.€Apparently,€however,€it€had€long€been€missing,€and€theÏyoung€king€was€filled€with€horror€when€he€heard€the€list€of€evilsÏthat€were€associated€with€apostasy.€"He€rent€his€clothes."ÌWe€should€read€the€Bible€with€a€particular€application€to€theÏdays€in€which€we€live.€It€is€well€enough€to€accept€its€statementsÏas€being€generally€true€and€credible;€but€it€is€better€to€realizeÏtheir€pertinence€to€ourselves€and€our€circumstances.€The€book€ofÏthe€law€had€been€sadly€neglected€in€the€years€preceding€Josiah'sÏaccession;€and€through€the€neglect€of€God's€Word€the€people€hadÏbecome€indifferent€to€his€commands,€and€deaf€to€the€appeals€ofÏhis€prophets.€Josiah€turned€the€lantern€on€the€evils€of€his€time,Ïand€saw€how€God€was€feeling€with€respect€to€them.ÌThe€Bible€is€a€book€for€all€time.€What€it€said,€it€says.€What€itÏwas,€it€is.€You€tell€me€it€was€written€so€many€centuries€ago;€butÏI€reply€the€ink€is€still€wet€on€its€immortal€pages.€They€haveÏbeen€read€and€pondered€by€generations;€but€the€light€of€its€eyeÏis€not€dim,€nor€its€natural€force€abated.€Sin€is€the€same,€manÏthe€same,€God€the€same,€in€all€ages.€And€the€Bible's€claim€to€beÏGod's€Word€is€substantiated€by€the€fact€that€it€is€possessed€ofÏliving€power,€and€of€the€same€perennial€freshness€as€the€sun,€orÏthe€spring,€or€the€ocean,€or€the€faces€of€the€little€children.ÏWould€that€we€might€daily€read€it€as€we€read€the€newspaper,€dampÏfrom€the€press,€realizing€that€it€is€our€Father's€great€messageÏfor€the€life€of€every€day!ÌÌÐ   	 >-Ž(0   ÐÓ    ÓòòPrepare.óó€2€Chron.€xxxv.€4,€6,€10,€14,€15,€16.Ð   	 °      ÐÓ   N—  ÓÌNO€great€court€function€can€be€carried€through€successfully,Ïwithout€careful€preparation.€And€Josiah's€passover€was€so€vastÏand€rare€a€success€because€of€the€large€amount€of€previousÏpreparation,€as€is€described€in€this€chapter.€The€priests€andÏLevites€were€prepared€by€careful€washings€and€ceremonial€rites.ÏThe€course€of€the€sacrifices€was€ordered€according€to€the€law€ofÏMoses.€The€routine€of€sacred€song€and€praise€was€also€providedÏfor.€Nothing€was€left€to€haphazard€or€chance.ÌWe€are€taught€to€rely€on€the€promptings€and€inspirations€of€theÏHoly€Spirit;€and€it€is€certain€that€He€would€use€us€more€onÏspecial€errands,€if€we€were€to€trust€and€obey€Him€better.€ButÏthese€extraordinary€ministries€should€not€lead€us€to€a€life€ofÏhaphazard.€We€should€prepare€ourselves€for€service€so€far€as€weÏmay,€laying€our€plans,€anticipating€the€calls€and€exigencies€ofÏcoming€days,€and€preparing€for€the€demand€which€almost€certainlyÏwill€be€made€on€us.€We€may€have€to€give€our€special€words€andÏaddresses€and€arrangements€to€the€winds;€but€we€shall€always€needÏthat€preparedness€of€heart€which€is€necessary€for€those€who€areÏto€be€used€of€God.ÌRemember€what€is€said€of€the€vessels€that€were€purged€fromÏuncleanness,€sanctified,€meet€for€the€Master's€use,€and€preparedÏunto€every€good€work.€Be€always€in€your€own€place,€clean€so€farÏas€you€can€be,€filled€with€the€Holy€Ghost,€with€the€handle€ofÏyour€life€turned€towards€the€Master's€hand,€that€at€any€moment€HeÏmay€take€hold€of€you,€and€use€you€for€his€holy€service.€By€theÏdiligent€study€of€his€Word,€as€well€as€by€earnest€prayer€andÏwaiting€upon€God,€on€will€be€prepared€to€do€his€will.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòRising€up€betimes.óó€2€Chron.€xxxvi.€15.Ð   	 ß/   ÐÓ   ž  ÓÌWHAT€a€touching€and€graphic€phrase!€How€did€God€yearn€over€thatÏsinful€and€rebellious€city!€Sending€his€messengers,€"rising€upÏbetimes,€and€sending€"€--€like€a€man€who€has€had€a€sleeplessÏnight€of€anxiety€for€his€friend€or€child,€and€rises€with€the€dawnÏto€send€a€servant€on€a€mission€of€inquiry,€or€a€message€of€love.ÏHow€eager€God€is€for€men's€salvation!ÌFrom€God's€eagerness,€may€we€not€learn€a€lesson€of€anxiety€forÏthe€souls€of€men?€We€do€not€long€after€them€enough,€or€riseÏbetimes€to€urge€them€to€repent.€Did€we€realize€what€heaven€is,€orÏhell,€what€men€are€missing€or€incurring,€what€our€duty€is,€asÏsaved€ourselves,€we€should€rise€up€betimes€to€seek€their€eternalÏinterests.ÌBut€if€God€rises€betimes€to€seek€men,€should€they€not€do€the€sameÏto€seek€Him?€Think€you€not,€that€when€Adam€heard€the€voice€of€theÏLord€God€walking€in€the€garden€at€morning€prime,€he€would€be€upÏand€away€to€meet€Him€on€the€upland€lawns€of€Paradise?€Can€weÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðwonder€that€our€Master€would€rise€up€a€great€while€before€day,€toÏmeet€his€Father€on€some€unfrequented€height?€Let€us€not€cling€toÏbeds€of€sloth€when€God€is€awaiting€us;€let€us€heed€his€lovingÏremonstrances,€that€we€may€be€saved€in€the€overthrow€of€theÏworld;€and€let€us,€like€Lot,€pass€on€the€word€to€others€enwraptÏin€fatal€slumber€around€us,€bidding€them€to€escape€to€theÏmountains,€before€the€sun€rise€on€the€earth,€lest€they€beÏconsumed.ÌIt€was€the€practice€of€Sir€Henry€Havelock,€during€his€campaignsÏin€India,€always€to€have€two€hours€for€prayer€and€Bible€studyÏbefore€the€march.€If€the€camp€was€struck€at€6.0€a.m.,€he€wouldÏrise€at€4.€O.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€Lord€stirred€up€the€spirit€of€Cyrus.óó€Ezra€i.€1.Ð   	 €Ð   ÐÓ   º¤  ÓÌTHERE€were€many€rays€focussed€on€this€spot.€In€the€first€place,Ïit€bad€been€definitely€foretold€by€Jeremiah€that€the€captivityÏwould€only€last€for€seventy€years.€In€the€next€place,€Daniel,Ïhaving€learned€from€comparison€of€dates€that€the€allotted€timeÏhad€nearly€expired,€had€set€himself€to€pray.€Also,€if€Josephus€beÏcredited,€the€aged€prophet€had€shown€the€young€king€theÏpredictions€of€Isaiah€in€which€his€own€name€was€clearlyÏmentioned:€"Thus€saith€the€Lord€to€his€anointed,€to€Cyrus,€whoseÏright€hand€I€have€holden:€.€.€.€he€shall€build€my€city,€and€heÏshall€let€go€my€captives,€not€for€price€nor€reward,€saith€theÏLord€of€hosts"€(Isa.€xlv.€1,€13).ÌGod€is€the€fountainhead€and€source€of€all€spiritual€blessing,€andÏof€all€those€great€movements€for€the€uplifting€and€enlightenmentÏof€mankind€which€have€swept€from€time€to€time€over€the€world.€GoÏto€Him€when€you€want€to€reach€the€heart€of€kings,€prophets,€andÏpeople.€Oh€for€the€faith€of€Samuel,€Elijah,€Daniel,€and€otherÏstalwart€men€of€God,€that€through€Him€we€may€stir€up€the€spiritsÏof€those€who€will€not€listen€to€our€appeals!€For€the€ferventÏprayer€of€a€righteous€man€still€availeth€much.€In€prayer€you€canÏtouch€the€spring€of€all€the€stirrings€that€the€world€needs.ÌBut€it€is€not€enough€for€God€to€stir€men,€they€must€obey.€ItÏappears€that€only€a€comparatively€small€number€of€captive€JewsÏobeyed€the€Divine€stirring€and€came€out€of€Babylon€with€the€chiefÏof€the€fathers.€The€call€resounds€for€volunteers,€but€only€a€fewÏrespond;€the€inspiration€breathes€over€us,€but€only€some€areÏsusceptible€to€it.€God€works€to€will€and€to€do,€but€only€certainÏof€the€children€of€men€work€out€what€He€works€in.€Whenever€thereÏis€a€Divine€stirring€abroad,€let€us€rise€up€and€go.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòTill€there€stood€up€a€priest€withÐ   	 ‡+×&.   ÐUrim€and€with€Thummin.óó€Ezra€ii.€63.Ð   	 f,¶'/   ÐÓ   ä«  ÓÐ   	 E-•(0   ÐIT€must€have€been€a€great€disappointment€to€these€people€whoÏfound€themselves€excluded€from€sharing€as€priests.€Their€namesÏwere€not€on€the€register,€and€so€they€had€to€wait€until€aÏproperly-qualified€authority€could€adjudicate€their€case.€TheÏmere€inference€of€reason€was€not€enough;€they€needed€the€directÏcorroboration€of€the€anointed€priest€with€Urim€and€with€Thummim.ÌSo€in€our€life€it€is€not€enough€to€rely€on€the€inference€ofÏreason,€or€to€allow€our€Christian€standing€to€be€determined€byÏthe€evidence€of€a€document.€We€must€seek€the€direct€witness€andÏtestimony€of€the€Holy€Spirit.€How€many€Christians€there€are€whoÏhave€no€experimental€knowledge€of€what€the€Apostle€meant€when€heÏsaid€that€the€Spirit€witnesseth€with€our€spirit€that€we€are€bornÏagain.€They€are€always€referring€to€inference,€and€the€testimonyÏof€others;€and€therefore€their€consciousness€varies,€and€theyÏcannot€eat€of€the€holy€bread€of€God.€But€when€the€Spirit€of€GodÏspeaks€through€the€Urim€and€Thummim,€and€certifies€that€we€areÏthe€children€of€God,€giving€us€the€white€stone€with€its€new€name,Ïand€revealing€Christ€as€dwelling€within€us,€we€have,€immediately,Ïboldness€to€enter€into€the€holiest€of€all,€and€eat€of€the€holyÏthings.ÌAssurance€is€needful€before€we€dare€to€appropriate€the€thingsÏwhich€are€freely€given€to€us€of€God.€Who€of€us€is€not€able€toÏverify€this€from€his€personal€experience?€We€could€not€enjoy€theÏFather's€table,€so€long€as€there€was€a€doubt€about€our€sonship.ÏBut€the€assurance€of€faith€may€be€ours€as€we€wait€in€the€presenceÏof€our€great€High€Priest,€speaking€to€us€by€the€Holy€Spirit,€whoÏwitnesses€with€our€spirits€that€we€are€the€children€of€God.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAnd€they€set€the€alter€upon€its€bases.óó€Ezra€iii.€3.Ð   	 (x   ÐÓ   ³  ÓÌTHIS€is€the€first€thing€that€must€be€done€before€ourÏtemple-building€or€other€undertakings€can€be€crowned€withÏsuccess.€It€was€well€that€the€returned€remnant€made€this€theirÏcare;€it€augured€well€for€their€future.€The€new€start€that€GodÏHimself€was€giving€would€have€been€invalidated€without€thatÏaltar,€which€meant€forgiveness€for€the€past,€and€renewedÏconsecration€for€the€future.ÌWhere€is€the€altar€in€your€life?€Where€the€burnt€sacrifice€whichÏbetokens€entire€surrender€of€consecration?€It€cannot€be€too€oftenÏinsisted€on,€that€since€Christ€died€for€all,€all€died€in€Him.€WeÏwere€not€only€saved€by€his€death,€we€were€included€in€it,€but€weÏmust€appropriate€and€identify€ourselves€with€it.€We€must€look€upÏto€God€and€say,€"I€desire€that€this€death€should€be€mine,€to€theÏworld,€to€sin,€to€the€flesh;€make€it€so€by€the€power€of€the€HolyÏGhost,€that€in€Jesus€I€may€be€truly€dead€unto€sin,€but€alive€untoÏThee."ÌPerhaps€that€last€clause€will€help€some€souls€most.€Do€notÏperpetually€dwell€on€the€dying€side,€but€think€much€of€the€livingÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðside.€Yield€yourselves€to€receive€God's€life,€which€is€the€lifeÏof€the€Son€of€God€in€the€surrendered€nature.€Be€very€sensitive,Ïand€"quick€of€scent,"€to€every€movement€and€prompting€of€the€HolyÏSpirit.€Seek€the€things€which€are€above,€where€Christ,€your€life,Ïis€seated.€So€you€will€find€your€energy€drained€away€from€self€toÏChrist.€Because€He€lives€you€will€live€also.€A€maple€tree€plantedÏon€a€barren€soil€sent€out€one€of€its€rootlets€to€a€richer€patchÏnot€far€away,€and€ulti€mately€all€its€roothold€was€there,€tillÏfinally€it€was€bodily€moved€and€transferred€from€its€firstÏposition€to€this€more€salubrious€one.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòLet€us€build€with€you.óó€Ezra€iv.€2.Ð   	 Ð 
   ÐÓ   ø¹  ÓÌAT€first€the€world€does€its€best€to€intimidate€the€Church;€thenÏit€asks€to€be€permitted€to€join€with€it.€A€most€subtle€temptationÏthis.€The€child€of€God€is€greatly€inclined€to€yield;€the€proposalÏseems€so€harmless,€and€so€likely€to€be€a€means€of€blessing€to€theÏpoor,€hungry,€weary€world.€But€there€is€only€one€condition€onÏwhich€the€world€may€be€admitted;€it€must€yield€a€true€and€humbleÏsubmission€to€the€cross,€and€be€willing€to€give€up€all€for€JesusÏ--€conditions€which€the€world€will€not€consider€for€a€moment;€andÏso€its€heart€is€filled€with€bitterness€and€gall,€and€it€setsÏitself€to€hinder€where€it€had€professed€willingness€to€help.ÌThere€are€five€things€of€which€we€are€expressly€bidden€to€bewareÏ--€they€are€five€phases€of€an€unequal€yoke:€fellowship€withÏunrighteousness;€communion€with€darkness;€concord€with€Belial;Ïpart€with€an€unbeliever;€agreement€with€idols.€Let€us€beware€ofÏthese€things,€and€cleanse€ourselves€from€all€filthiness€of€theÏflesh€and€spirit.€There€may€seem€to€be€great€loss€and€needlessÏsacrifice€in€dispensing€with€the€help€of€Rehum€and€Shimshai;€butÏif€once€we€accepted€their€help,€we€should€discover€to€our€costÏthat€they€were€adversaries€still,€and€that€their€only€desire€wasÏto€retard€our€efforts.ÌWe€sometimes€shrink€from€some€great€undertaking€for€God,€and€areÏinclined€to€accept€the€proffered€aid€of€wealthy€but€ungodly€men.ÏBut€their€help€may€be€purchased€by€the€cost€of€all€that€makes€ourÏwork€worth€doing.€"Be€ye€not€unequally€yoked€together€withÏunbelievers;€for€what€fellowship€hath€righteousness€withÏunrighteousness?"ÌÌ€€€€"Yea,€with€one€mouth,€0€world,€though€thou€deniestÌ€€€€€Stand€thou€on€that€side,€for€on€this€am€I."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€eye€of€their€God€was€uponÐ   	 ¯*ÿ%-   Ðthe€elders€of€the€Jews.óó€Ezra€v.€5.Ð   	 Ž+Þ&.   ÐÓ   ÛÀ  ÓÌIT€was€a€delightful€thought€amid€obloquy€and€opposition,€likeÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðthat€which€the€Jews€were€at€this€moment€encountering,€to€knowÏthat€God€was€watching€them€with€jealous€care.€We€are€reminded€ofÏthe€words€of€the€Psalmist,€quoted€and€authenticated€by€theÏApostle€Peter,€"The€eyes€of€the€Lord€are€upon€the€righteous,€andÏhis€ears€are€open€to€their€cry;€but€the€face€of€the€Lord€isÏagainst€them€that€do€evil."€And€he€goes€on€to€argue,€"Who€is€heÏthat€will€harm€you,€if€ye€be€followers€of€that€which€is€good?"ÏThe€Jews€certainly€found€it€so;€for€the€efforts€of€their€enemiesÏto€induce€them€to€desist€from€their€work€of€temple-building€wereÏrendered€nugatory€and€ineffectual€by€the€special€care€exercisedÏover€them€by€their€Almighty€Friend.ÌIt€may€be€that€you€will€have€to€encounter€hatred€and€oppositionÏin€doing€God's€work;€but€be€sure€not€to€look€at€these€things,€butÏsteadfastly€to€Jesus.€Must€you€not€watch€the€foe?€No;€you€couldÏnot€make€a€greater€mistake.€You€must€look€away€to€the€face€ofÏJesus,€and€you€will€find€that€òòHeóó,€like€a€good€shepherd,€isÐ   	 X¨   Ðlooking€carefully€and€lovingly€down€on€you,€and€watching€theÏstealthy€movements€of€your€foe.€Even€when€we€are€not€directlyÏconscious€of€that€watchful€eye,€it€still€follows€us.€He€knowethÏthe€way€that€you€take;€and€He€is€acquainted€with€the€variedÏcircumstances€of€your€life.€He€has€pledged€Himself€to€be€with€youÏfor€ever;€as€Wordsworth€once€said€of€his€beloved€daughter€Dora€:Ï--Ì€€€€"Dear€child,€fair€child,€that€walkest€with€me€here,Ì€€€€€Though€thou€appear€untouched€by€solemn€thought,Ì€€€€€Thy€nature€is€not€therefore€less€divine;Ì€€€€€Thou€liest€in€Abraham's€bosom€all€the€year,Ì€€€€€Thou€worshippest€at€the€temple's€inner€shrine,Ì€€€€€God€being€with€thee€when€thou€knowest€not."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€Lord€had€made€them€joyful,€and€turnedÐ   	 Ø(   Ðthe€heart€of€the€King€unto€them.óó€Ezra€vi.€22.Ð   	 ·    ÐÓ   ZÈ  ÓÌYES,€the€hearts€of€men€are€in€the€hands€of€God,€and€He€can€turnÏthem€whither€He€will.€There€are€many€instances€of€this€inÏScripture.€God€gave€Joseph€favour€with€Pharaoh;€Moses€with€theÏPrincess;€€and€Daniel€with€the€King€of€Babylon.€If€certainÏmatters€can€only€be€settled€by€reference€to€great€men,€kings€orÏmen€of€affairs,€make€the€application;€and€then€betake€yourself€toÏprayer,€believing€that€as€He€inclined€the€heart€of€Darius,€in€theÏinstance€before€us,€so€He€can€do€as€He€will€among€the€armies€ofÏheaven,€and€the€inhabitants€of€earth.ÌThat€unkind€overseer,€that€vexatious€member€of€your€home-circle,Ïthat€great€man€whose€help€you€so€greatly€need€--€these€areÏaccessible€to€God's€Spirit,€if€only€you€are€intent€on€seeking€hisÏglory,€and€doing€his€will.€But€you€must€be€able€to€show,€as€theseÏJews€could,€that€your€cause€is€identical€with€the€cause€of€God,Ïbefore€you€can€claim,€with€unwavering€faith,€his€interference€onÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðyour€behalf.ÌThen€when€the€answer€comes,€let€us€thank€Him,€separatingÏourselves€still€further€from€the€filthiness€around€us,€so€as€toÏkeep€the€feast€with€joy.€Do€not€be€afraid€of€joy;€when€God€makesÏyou€joyful,€do€not€think€it€necessary€to€restrain€your€songs€orÏsmiles,€for€fear€that€an€equivalent€of€sorrow€will€presently€€beÏmeted€out€as€a€make-weight.€Our€blessed€Lord€was€desirous€thatÏhis€joy€might€be€in€his€Disciples;€it€was€for€the€joy€that€wasÏset€before€Him€that€He€endured€the€cross,€despising€the€shame,Ïand€is€set€down€at€the€right€hand€of€the€throne€of€God;€it€isÏwith€exceeding€joy€that€He€will€present€us€faultless€before€theÏpresence€of€his€glory.€"Thou€shalt€rejoice€in€every€good€thingÏwhich€the€Lord€thy€God€giveth€thee."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòI€was€strengthened,€as€the€hand€ofÐ   	 X¨   Ðthe€Lord€my€God€was€upon€me.óó€Ezra€vii.€28.Ð   	 7‡   ÐÓ   ™Ï  ÓÌIT€was€no€small€work€that€the€good€Ezra€had€undertaken.€To€lead€aÏgreat€expedition€across€the€inhospitable€desert;€to€convoy€theÏsacred€vessels€and€a€large€treasure€of€gold€and€silver;€to€setÏmagistrates€and€judges€over€all€that€great€district€beyond€theÏriver€--€this€was€no€slight€task,€and€he€needed€strength.€But€inÏthe€simple€language€of€his€heart€the€good€hand€of€his€God€wasÏupon€him,€and€that€was€sufficient€to€nerve€and€strengthen€him.ÌIt€is€wonderful€what€resistless€might€comes€to€the€soul,€when€itÏrealizes€that€it€is€treading€the€path€and€working€out€the€careerÏdetermined€for€it€from€all€eternity€by€the€Almighty.€The€thoughtÏimparts€the€same€kind€of€impulse€to€the€soul,€as€the€touch€ofÏlove€or€authority€on€the€arm.€We€are€reminded€of€the€veteran,Ïwho,€when€charged€by€the€Duke€of€Wellington€to€take€a€difficultÏposition,€turned€to€him€and€said,€"I€will€go,€sir;€but€first€giveÏme€a€grip€of€your€conquering€hand."ÌThink,€soul,€of€what€that€hand€is€which€holds€the€waters€in€itsÏhollow,€and€spreads€the€curtains€of€the€sky,€and€was€nailed€toÏthe€cross;€that€brought€blessing€with€its€touch€to€so€many€wearyÏsufferers,€and€now€holds€the€mysterious€book,€sealed€with€sevenÏseals;€that€caught€Peter,€and€lay€lightly€on€the€heads€of€theÏlittle€babes.€That€hand€is€strengthening€thee€for€a€work€forÏwhich€by€nature€thou€art€unequal,€but€to€which€thou€hast€beenÏevidently€called.€Go€forward:€it€holds,€guides,€empowers€thee.€ItÏcan€lead€thee€before€kings,€princes,€and€nobles,€so€that€thouÏshalt€not€fear;€it€can€preserve€thee€from€dangers€innumerable;€itÏcan€shield€thee€from€the€fire€of€the€enemy;€and€none,€man€orÏdevil,€can€pluck€you€out€of€the€Father's€hand.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòWatch€ye,€and€keep€them,€until€ye€weighÐ   	 f,¶'/   Ðthem€at€Jerusalem.óó€Ezra€viii.€29.Ð   	 E-•(0   ÐÓ   ½Ö  ÓÌTHEY€were€protected€by€God,€whose€presence€with€them€across€theÏwild€desert€made€it€needless€to€ask€for€an€escort€of€soldiers;Ïbut€they€had€to€take€care€of€the€precious€vessels€of€his€house.ÏIt€was€a€reciprocal€trust.€So€it€must€be€with€us,€as€we€areÏtaught€in€2€Tim.€i.€12,€14.€There€are€two€deposits,€as€the€marginÏshows.€We€deposit€ourselves,€and€all€we€are€and€have,€with€God;Ïwhilst€He€deposits€with€us€his€sacred€Gospel,€the€vessels€ofÏwhich€we€must€"guard€through€the€Holy€Ghost€which€dwelleth€inÏus,"€and€be€prepared€to€defend€with€our€blood.ÌòòOur€deposit€with€God.óó€--€How€safe€are€they€who€commit€their€allÐ   	  p
   Ðto€God!€Faraday€was€asked,€when€dying,€on€what€supposition€heÏdepended€as€he€contemplated€the€other€world;€and€he€replied,€"IÏam€relying€on€no€supposition,€but€on€a€certainty;€I€know€in€whomÏI€have€believed,€and€am€persuaded€that€He€is€able€to€keep€thatÏwhich€I€have€committed€to€Him."ÌòòGod's€deposit€with€us.óó€--€But€let€us€be€true€to€our€trust.€TheÐ   	 0€   ÐHoly€Bible,€the€Doctrines€of€the€Christian€Church,€the€Day€ofÏRest,€the€House€of€God,€the€ordinances€of€the€Lord's€Supper€andÏChristian€Bap-tism€--€these€are€some€of€the€vessels€which€haveÏbeen€passed€down€to€us,€and€we€must€hand€on€intact.€Be€ye€cleanÏthat€carry€them!€Oh,€what€joy€it€will€be€when€we€reach€ourÏdestination,€and€can€resign€our€trust,€and€weigh€out€the€deposit,Ïand€hear€the€Master's€"Well€done!"€But,€in€the€meanwhile,€whilstÏmarching€across€the€yellow€sands,€where€wild€dangers€lie€in€wait,Ïlet€us€not€seek€the€escort€of€creature€or€worldly€might;€butÏboast€of€the€Hand€of€our€God,€which€is€for€good€upon€all€themÏthat€seek€Him.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€people€have€not€separated€themselves.óó€Ezra€ix.€1.Ð   	  P   ÐÓ   ÓÝ  ÓÌTHIS€was€only€too€true!€There€had€been,€on€the€part€of€princesÏand€rulers,€gross€intermarriage€with€the€people€of€surroundingÏlands.€The€holy€seed€had€become€mixed€and€diluted.€And€it€was€theÏmore€sad€that€this€should€have€taken€place,€when€it€was€toÏcleanse€his€people€from€such€alliances,€and€the€evils€to€whichÏthey€inevitably€led,€that€God€had€passed€them€through€the€purgingÏfires€of€the€seventy€years'€captivity.€It€afflicted€the€good€EzraÏsorely.€With€every€sign€of€Oriental€grief€he€poured€out€his€soulÏbefore€God.€And€this€is€the€lesson€we€should€carry€with€us.€ItÏhas€been€truly€said€that€communion€with€the€Lord€dries€manyÏtears,€but€it€starts€many€more.€We€no€longer€sorrow€with€theÏsorrow€of€the€world;€but€we€become€burdened€with€some€of€theÏgriefs€that€still€rend€the€heart€of€the€Lord€in€the€glory.ÌThis€fellowship€between€the€Lord's€people€and€the€world€isÏbecoming€increasingly€close€as€we€near€the€end€of€the€age.€In€theÏappointments€of€our€homes,€our€amusements,€books,€and€practices,Ïthere€is€very€little€to€choose€between€the€one€and€the€other.€IfÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðthere€is€any€distinction,€it€lies€in€a€certain€sadness€with€whichÏChristians€take€their€pIeasures,€as€though€remembering€aÏsomething€better.€But€the€rest€of€us€do€not€grieve€over€it;€we€doÏnot€rend€our€clothes:€we€do€not€take€these€things€to€heart,€asÏthough€they€specially€concerned€us.ÌLet€us€at€least€separate€ourselves€after€the€manner€of€Christ,Ïwho€frequented€the€temple,€acknowledged€the€State,€acceptedÏinvitations€to€great€houses;€but€his€heart€and€speech€alwaysÏrevolved€about€his€Father.€What€if€it€led€to€our€being€cast€outÏwithout€the€camp!ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòWe€also€will€be€with€thee:€be€of€goodÐ   	 Ð 
   Ðcourage,€and€do€it.óó€Ezra€x.€4.Ð   	 ¯ÿ
   ÐÓ   ®ä  ÓÌTHIS€narrative€reminds€us€of€the€story€of€Achan,€who€took€of€theÏaccursed€thing,€and€kindled€the€anger€of€the€Lord€against€theÏchildren€of€Israel.€There€must€be€confession€and€the€putting€awayÏof€evil€ere€communion€with€God€can€be€re-established.ÌIt€is€not€given€to€every€one€to€be€an€Ezra.€There€are€abuses€toÏdeal€with,€and€wrongs€to€right,€on€every€side;€but€they€requireÏto€be€dealt€with€by€those€who€are€specially€adapted€or€qualifiedÏfor€the€work.€Be€always€ready€to€do€such€work,€if€there€should€beÏno€one€else.€It€was€the€life€motto€of€a€great€man€always€to€actÏas€though€there€were€no€one€else€who€would.€Still,€Nehemiahs€andÏEzras€are€not€given€very€largely€to€the€Church€or€the€world;€and,Ïfor€the€most€part,€we€must€be€content€to€be€of€those€who€say,€"BeÏof€good€courage,€and€do€it;€we€also€will€be€with€thee."€ButÏthough€this€seems€but€a€little€thing,€it€may€lead€to€greatÏresults.€Many€a€man€has€been€urged€to€a€noble€deed€by€theÏencouragement€he€received€at€a€critical€hour€from€some€unknownÏand€obscure€disciple.ÌIf€you€cannot€do€a€great€thing,€identify€yourself€with€one€whoÏcan.€Stand€by€him,€identify€yourself€with€him€in€public€orÏprivate,€by€sympathy€and€prayer.€Though€the€strongholds€of€evilÏare€great€and€high,€they€may€be€swept€away€before€an€avalanche€ofÏsnowflakes,€any€one€of€which€would€melt€in€the€warm€hand€of€aÏchild.ÌOh€for€more€of€that€magnanimity,€which€is€quick€to€recognise€theÏmatters€that€belong€to€certain€elect€souls€--€not€envying,€norÏdisparaging,€but€frankly€confessing€their€eminent€qualifications,Ïand€falling€in€to€further€and€accelerate€their€success,€whichÏwill€be€the€gain€of€all!ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòI€was€the€king's€cupbeareróó.€Neh.€i.€11.Ð   	 ¶*&-   ÐÓ   Ÿë  ÓÌTHE€post€was€an€important€one.€It€gave€its€occupant€theÏopportunity€of€coming€into€close€contact€with€the€king;€itÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðimplied€a€character€of€unusual€trustworthiness,€since€OrientalÏdespots€were€very€afraid€of€poison.€But€no€one€expected€a€royalÏcupbearer€to€do€anything€very€heroic.€He€lived€in€the€inner€partÏof€the€palace,€and€was€necessarily€excluded€from€the€great€deedsÏof€the€stirring€outward€world.€Nehemiah€also€was€evidently€aÏhumble€and€retiring€man.€His€response€to€the€story€of€the€ruinedÏcondition€of€Jerusalem€was€just€a€flood€of€tears€and€prayer€toÏthe€God€of€heaven.€And€had€you€seen€those€tears€and€heard€thatÏprayer,€you€might€have€thought€that€just€another€flower€wasÏdrooping,€another€seed€falling€into€the€ground€to€die.ÌBut€this€was€not€all.€These€prayers€and€tears€were€supplementedÏby€an€earnest€purpose,€which€was€maturing€with€every€hour.€HeÏgave€himself€to€God€to€be€used,€if€God€would€have€it€so,€as€anÏinstrument€in€the€execution€of€his€recorded€purpose.€He€was€a€manÏof€faith.€It€mattered€little€enough€that€he€was€only€a€cupbearer,Ïfor€that€was€no€barrier€to€God;€indeed,€God€might€work€moreÏefficiently€through€a€frail,€weak€man,€than€through€the€prince,Ïthe€soldier,€or€the€orator,€since€He€cannot€give€his€glory€toÏanother.€What€a€glorious€faith€was€his,€which€dared€to€believeÏthat€through€his€yielded€life€God€could€pour€his€mighty€rivers!ÏWhy€do€we€not€yield€ourselves€in€our€helplessness€to€God,€and€askÏHim€to€work€through€us,€to€fulfil€his€mighty€purposes?ÌÌ€€€€"We€kneel,€how€weak!€We€rise,€how€full€of€power!Ì€€€€€Why€therefore€should€we€do€ourselves€this€wrong,Ì€€€€€Or€others€--€that€we€are€not€always€strong!"ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòSo€I€prayed€to€the€God€of€Heaven.óó€Neh.€ii.€4.Ð   	 P    ÐÓ   ˆò  ÓÌALL€around€the€apartment€in€which€this€interview€took€place€wereÏeffigies€of€idol€gods:€perhaps€incense€was€burning€before€aÏshrine,€and€filling€the€air€with€its€aroma.€But€Nehemiah,€thoughÏstanding€amid€these€heathen€emblems,€and€in€the€presence€of€theÏgre€atest€king€on€earth,€thought€little€of€either€one€or€theÏother,€and€prostrated€himself€in€spirit€before€the€throne€ofÏheaven.€Remember€that€thou€hast€within€thee€a€shrine,€a€templeÏinto€which€at€any€moment,€even€amid€the€excitement€of€an€earthlyÏcourt,€thou€mayest€retire€and€ask€direction€of€thy€King€andÏFriend.ÌHe€had€been€sorely€startled€by€the€king's€question;€he€did€notÏknow€that€his€face€had€betrayed€him.€He€had,€doubtless,€intendedÏto€seek€an€interview€with€the€king,€and€formally€state€the€wholeÏcase€(see€i.€11).€But€to€be€taken€thus€at€unawares,€to€have€toÏstate€his€case€on€the€spur€of€the€moment,€appeared€to€take€him€atÏa€great€disadvantage;€and€he€instinctively€turned€to€prayer.ÌHow€little€the€king€knew€what€was€transpiring,€or€what€hadÏhappened€between€his€question€and€the€reply€which€was€given,Ïapparently,€without€the€loss€of€a€moment.€But€how€beautiful€isÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðthe€example€for€ourselves!€You€cannot€acquire€this€habit€ofÏejaculatory€prayer€unless€you€spend€prolonged€periods€in€holyÏfellowship.€But€when€you€are€much€with€God€in€private,€you€willÏnot€find€it€diffecult€at€any€moment€to€step€aside€to€ask€Him€aÏquestion.The€busy€mart€or€the€crowded€street€may€at€any€timeÏbecome€the€place€of€prayer.ÌÌ€€€€"A€touch€divineÌ€€€€€And€the€sealed€eyeball€owns€the€mystic€rod;Ì€€€€€Visibly€through€His€garden€walketh€God."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòEvery€one€over€against€his€house.óó€Neh.€iii.€28.Ð   	 Ð 
   ÐÓ   ;ù  ÓÌTHIS€is€the€way€to€deal€with€the€evil€of€this€world.€We€are€allÏfonder€of€starting€schemes,€forming€committees,€and€discussingÏmethods€of€work,€than€in€setting€definitely€to€work€forÏourselves.€There€is€a€lack€of€definiteness,€and€we€hardly€knowÏwhere€to€begin.€But€this€verse€suggests€that€every€one€shouldÏbegin€over€against€his€own€house.€Try€and€make€your€ownÏneighbourhood€a€little€more€like€what€God€would€have€it.€It€mayÏbe€that€you€have€gone€too€far€afield€in€search€of€work;€you€areÏapplying€to€the€Foreign€Missionary€Society,€or€are€waiting€for€aÏsphere€of€service;€yet,€all€the€time,€there€is€that€wretchedÏneighbourhood,€like€a€piece€of€ruined€wall€before€you.€Arise€andÏrepair€it!ÌMeshullam€repaired€over€against€his€chamber€(ver.€30).€Perhaps€heÏwas€not€rich€enough€to€have€a€whole€house;€he€lived€in€a€singleÏroom,€but€he€discovered€that€there€was€a€little€bit€of€the€wallÏjust€opposite€his€window,€which€would€not€be€built€unless€he€setÏto€it.€Is€not€that€a€hint€for€college€students,€and€for€those€whoÏlive€in€flats,€or€industrial€dwellings?ÌThe€best€way€is€not€immediately€to€begin€giving€tracts,€goodÏthough€that€is€in€its€place.€Ask€God€to€give€you€an€opportunityÏof€showing€kindness€to€your€neighbours,€so€that€they€get€toÏunderstand€and€trust€you;€and€wait€upon€God€until€the€answerÏcomes€--€until€He€shall€show€you€what€step€He€would€have€you€takeÏnext.€This€is€the€foundation€of€your€bit€of€wall.€Then€plod€onÏstep€by€step,€tier€by€tier.€God€will€show€you€how.€You€may€beÏunpractised€in€wall-building;€but€He€is€the€Architect€andÏBuilder,€and€you€are€but€a€bricklayer's€labourer€at€the€best.€DoÏas€He€tells€you.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòRemember€the€Lord.óó€Neh.€iv.€14.Ð   	 ×)'%,   ÐÓ      ÓÌIT€was€uncommonly€good€advice.€Amid€all€the€wise€precautionsÏtaken€by€this€man€of€sanctified€common-sense,€he€kept€bringingÏthe€people€back€to€God.€God€was€amongst€them.€God€would€fight€forÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðthem.€God€was€going€to€bring€the€counsel€of€their€enemies€toÏnought.ÌThis€would€make€a€good€motto€for€daily€living.€If€in€allÏcircumstances€we€would€remember€the€Lord,€the€way€would€beÏbrightened;€the€burdens€would€faII;€our€spirits€would€neverÏdroop;€and€songs€of€joy€would€take€the€place€of€sadness.€WheneverÏenemies€assail€and€difficulties€gather€like€storm-clouds,€lookÏaway€from€them€and€remember€the€Lord.€When€hemmed€in€on€everyÏside,€be€sure€that€He€can€help€you€from€his€holy€heaven;€rememberÏthe€Lord.€When€heart€and€flesh€fail,€and€you€do€not€know€what€toÏdo€for€the€best,€be€sure€to€remember€the€Lord,€and€act€as€in€hisÏmost€holy€presence.€What€a€comfort€and€strength€it€is€to€see€aÏfriend,€when€standing€amid€a€crowd€of€adversaries€intent€on€yourÏdestruction,€and€to€know€that€he€will€act€and€speak€for€you!€ButÏremember€that€Jesus€is€always€like€that.ÌYou€say€that€you€forget€so€soon;€that€you€would€remember,€thoughÏat€the€critical€moment€you€are€betrayed€into€forgetfulness.€ButÏyou€must€recall€His€precious€promise,€that€the€Holy€Spirit€willÏbring€all€to€remembrance.€If€only€you€will€trust€the€difficultyÏinto€his€hands,€you€will€find€that€He€will€gladly€undertake€it;Ïand€as€long€as€you€leave€it€with€Him,€you€will€hear€his€voiceÏrising€in€your€heart,€and€saying,€"Remember€the€Lord."ÌÌ€€€€"Watch€with€me,€Jesus,€in€my€loneliness,Ì€€€€€Though€others€say€me€Nay,€yet€say€Thou,€Yea;Ì€€€€€Though€others€pass€me€by,€stop€Thou€to€bless.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòSo€did€not€I,€because€of€the€fear€of€God.óó€Neh.€v.€15.Ð   	 P    ÐÓ   Þ  ÓÌTHESE€were€great€words.€Nehemiah€had€a€perfect€right€to€take€thisÏmoney.€Not€a€word€could€be€said€even€by€his€critics,€if€he€did.ÏHe€was€doing€a€priceless€work,€and€might€justly€claim€hisÏmaintenance.€On€the€other€hand,€the€people€were€very€poor,€and€heÏwould€have€a€larger€influence€over€them€if€he€were€prepared€toÏstand€on€their€level,€and€to€share€with€them.€It€was€just€so€thatÏthe€Apostle€argued€in€1€Cor.€ix.€And€from€both€we€learn€thatÏoften€we€must€forego€our€evident€rights€and€liberties€in€order€toÏinfluence€others€for€Christ.€Do€not€always€stand€on€your€rights;Ïbut€live€for€others,€making€any€sacrifice€in€order€to€save€someÏ--€even€as€Christ€loved€us,€and€gave€Himself€for€us.ÌIf€Nehemiah€did€so€much€for€the€holy€fear€of€God,€what€ought€notÏwe€to€do€for€love?€Love€is€more€inexorable€than€law.€ItsÏexactions€are€more€stringent€and€searching.€Are€we€doing€as€muchÏfor€Iove€of€Jesus€as€generations€before€did€simply€on€the€scoreÏof€duty?€It€is€much€to€be€questioned€if€Jesus€does€not€get€less,Ïof€outward€service€at€least,€out€of€his€followers,€than€MehometÏor€Buddha€does.€But€what€He€does€get€is€infinitely€sweet€to€Him,Ïin€so€far€as€love€prompts€it.Ð   	 7-‡(0   ÐAll€around€you€people€are€doing€things€that€they€say€areÏperfectly€legitimate;€they€call€you€narrow€and€bigoted€becauseÏyou€do€not€join€with€them;€they€are€always€arguing€with€you€toÏprove€you€are€wrong.€But€your€supreme€law€is€your€attitude€toÏyour€Master.€"I€cannot€do€otherwise€for€the€love€of€Jesus."ÌÌ€€€€òò"Not€I,€because€of€the€fear€of€God."Ð   	 À	   Ð€€€€"Not€I,€but€the€grace€of€God€that€was€with€me."Ì€€€€"Not€I,€but€Christ€liveth€in€me."óóÐ   	 pÀ   ÐÌÌÓ    ÓòòI€am€doing€a€great€work,€so€thatÐ   	 øH	   ÐI€cannot€come€down.óó€Neh.€vi.€3.Ð   	 ×'
   ÐÓ   Ó  ÓÌIT€was€a€sublime€answer.€Below€was€the€Plain€of€Ono,€whereÏNehemiah's€foes€awaited€him.€Let€him€€€€once€descend€into€it€andÏhe€would€become€their€easy€prey;€but€he€withstood€their€four-foldÏsolicitation€by€considering€the€greatness€of€the€work€he€wasÏdoing€and€the€responsible€position€he€was€called€to€fill.ÏOther-worldliness€is€the€best€cure€for€worldliness.€Those€whoseÏaffections€are€set€on€things€above,€will€have€no€difficulty€inÏrefusing€the€appeals€of€sense.€Get€your€heart€and€hands€deeplyÏengaged€in€the€great€work€of€building€God's€Temple,€and€you€willÏbe€proof€to€the€most€flattering€proposals€ever€made€by€MadamÏBubble.ÌOh,€children€of€the€Great€King,€let€us€pray€that€we€may€know€theÏgrandeur€of€our€position€before€Him;€the€high€calling€with€whichÏwe€have€been€called;€the€vast€responsibilities€with€which€we€areÏentrusted;€the€great€work€of€co-operating€with€God€in€erectingÏthe€city€of€God.€Heirs€of€God€and€joint-heirs€with€Christ!€CalledÏto€sit€with€Christ€in€the€Heavenlies!€Risen,€ascended,€crowned€inÏHim!€Sitting€with€Christ,€far€above€all€principality€and€power!ÏHow€can€we€go€down€--€down€to€the€world€that€rejected€Him;€downÏto€the€level€of€the€first€Adam,€from€which,€at€so€great€cost,€weÏhave€been€raised;€down€to€the€quarry€from€which€we€were€hewn,€andÏthe€hole€of€the€pit€whence€we€were€digged!€No,€it€cannot€be;€andÏas€we€make€our€choice,€let€us€look€to€the€living€and€ascendedÏChrist€to€make€it€good.€Put€your€will€on€his€side,€and€expectÏthat€the€energy€of€the€power€that€raised€Him€from€the€dead€willÏraise€and€maintain€you€in€union€with€Him.€For€"your€life€is€hidÏwith€Christ€in€God."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòIt€was€not€found.óó€Neh.€vii.€64.Ð   	 )V$+   ÐÓ   µ  ÓÌCERTAIN€claimed€the€maintenance€of€the€priests,€and€wereÏchallenged€to€show€their€name€in€the€register€of€the€priestlyÏline.€In€all€likelihood€they€were€descended€from€the€sons€ofÏAaron,€but€through€marriage€outside€the€priestly€clan,€andÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðthrough€the€fact€also€of€the€name€of€the€mother's€father€beingÏadopted,€their€names€were€not€reckoned€in€the€priestly€genealogy;Ïconsequently,€their€claim€for€priestly€maintenance€and€serviceÏcould€not€be€established.ÌIs€there€not€something€like€this€still?€Men,€who€were€called€toÏbe€God's€priests,€drop€out€of€the€register€of€those€who€serveÏbefore€Him.€It€may€be€they€are€not€sure€of€their€genealogy,€andÏhave€lost€the€assurance€of€sonship;€their€spirit€is€no€longerÏfilled€with€the€blessed€co-witness€of€the€Holy€Ghost.€God€is€afarÏfrom€them;€and,€being€out€of€harmony€with€Him,€they€are€out€ofÏsympathy€with€their€fellows.€They€are,€therefore,€rightly€put€outÏof€the€priesthood.ÌNow€trace€this€matter€back€to€its€beginning.€As€likely€as€not€youÏwill€find€it€originated€in€some€worldly€alliance.€He€that€will€beÏa€friend€of€the€world€is€necessarily€an€enemy€with€God.€For€aÏmess€of€pottage€Esau€loses€his€birthright.ÌBut€all€this€can€be€put€right.€There€has€arisen€a€Priest,€whoÏholds€the€Urim€and€Thummim€in€his€hand:€God's€own€Priest€afterÏthe€order€of€Melchizedek.€"Wherefore€it€behoved€Him€in€all€thingsÏto€be€made€like€unto€his€brethren,€that€He€might€be€a€mercifulÏand€faithful€High€Priest€in€things€pertaining€to€God."€He€waitsÏto€reinstate€the€erring€soul,€restore€it€to€the€priestly€office,Ïand€give€it€priestly€food€and€maintenance.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€joy€of€the€Lord€is€your€strength.óó€Neh.€viii.€10.Ð   	 È   ÐÓ   T  ÓÌ"THE€sad€heart€tires€in€a€mile,"€is€a€frequent€proverb.€What€aÏdifference€there€is€between€the€energy€of€the€healthy,€joyousÏheart€and€the€forced€activity€of€the€morbid€and€depressed€one!ÏThe€one€leaps€to€its€task,€the€other€creeps€to€it.€The€oneÏdiscovers€its€meat€and€drink€in€self-sacrifice,€the€other€limps,Ïand€stoops,€and€crawls.€If€you€want€to€be€strong€for€life's€work,Ïbe€sure€to€keep€a€glad€heart.€But,€be€equally€sure€to€be€gladÏwith€the€joy€of€Lord.€There€is€a€counterfeit€of€it€in€the€world,Ïof€which€we€must€beware€--€an€outward€merry-making,€jesting,€andÏmad€laughter,€which€hides€an€aching€and€miserable€heart.€SolomonÏcompares€the€joy€of€the€world€to€the€crackling€of€thorns€under€aÏpot,€which€flare€up€with€great€speed,€but€burn€out€before€theÏwater€in€the€pot€is€warm.ÌOurs€must€be€the€joy€of€the€Lord.€It€begins€with€the€assurance€ofÏforgiveness€and€acceptance€in€the€Beloved.€It€is€nourished€inÏtrial€and€tribulation,€which€veil€outward€sources€of€consolation,Ïand€lead€us€to€rejoice€in€God€through€our€Lord€Jesus.€It€isÏindependent€of€circumstances,€so€that€its€possessors€can€sing€inÏthe€stocks.€It€lives€not€in€the€gifts€of€God,€but€in€God€Himself.ÏIt€is€the€fruit€of€the€Spirit,€who€begets€in€us€love,€joy,€peace,Ïlong-suffering.€Get€the€Lord€Himself€to€fill€your€soul,€and€joyÏwill€be€as€natural€as€the€murmur€of€a€brook€to€its€flow.Ð   	 7-‡(0   ÐAnd€such€joy€will€always€reveal€itself€to€others.€You€will€desireÏto€send€portions€to€those€for€whom€nothing€is€prepared.€Your€joyÏwill€be€contagious;€it€will€shed€its€kindly€light€on€sad€andÏweary€hearts.€As€Rutherford€said,€we€have€a€new€heaven€in€theÏheaven€of€every€soul€we€bring€there.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€seed€of€Israel€separated€themselves.óó€Neh.€ix.€2.Ð   	 ˜
è   ÐÓ   I"  ÓÌTHIS€is€the€beginning€of€the€true€life.€Turn€to€the€story€ofÏcreation,€and€you€learn,€first,€that€God€divided€the€light€fromÏthe€darkness;€next,€the€waters€of€the€clouds€from€those€on€theÏearth;€and€next,€the€seas€from€the€land.€It€was€only€thus€that€HeÏcould€effect€his€purpose€of€substituting€kosmos€for€chaos.€So,€inÏthe€development€of€the€inner€life,€there€must€be€separation€andÏjudgment;€the€discrimination€of€the€false€from€the€true,€the€evilÏfrom€the€good."€Separate€Me€.€.€.€for€the€work€whereunto€I€haveÏcalled€them."ÌWhen€God€put€his€hand€to€man's€highest€culture,€He€separated€ShemÏfrom€his€brethren;€Terah's€house€from€other€kindred€clans;€andÏAbraham€from€his€people.€What€weight€this€gave€to€those€solemnÏwords,€"I€am€the€Lord€your€God,€which€have€separated€you€fromÏother€people.€And€ye€shall€be€holy€unto€Me;€for€I€the€Lord€amÏholy,€and€have€severed€you€from€other€people€that€ye€should€beÏmine"€(Lev.€xx.€24,€26).€It€was€not€that€God€had€no€care€for€theÏgreat€world;€but€that€He€desired€to€concentrate€his€attention€onÏa€few,€that€when€they€had€fully€caught€his€thought€they€mightÏpass€it€on€to€mankind.ÌThis€accounts€for€the€cry€of€the€Holy€Ghost€through€the€Apostle,Ï"Wherefore,€come€out€from€among€them,€and€be€ye€separate,€andÏtouch€not€the€unclean€thing."€We€must€be€separate€in€ourÏòòpracticesóó,€cleansing€ourselves€from€all€filthiness€of€the€fleshÐ   	 ß/   Ðand€spirit;€in€our€òòpursuitsóó,€going€with€Christ€without€the€camp;Ð   	 ·    Ðin€our€òòpleasuresóó;€and€in€our€òòallianceóós.€"Follow€the€Christ€--€theÐ   	  ß!   ÐKing!€Live€pure!€Speak€true!€Right€wrong!€Follow€the€King!€Else,Ïwherefore€born!€"ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€children€of€Israel€and€the€childrenÐ   	 Ç$ &   Ðof€Levi€shall€bring€the€offering.óó€Neh.€x.€39.Ð   	 ¦%ö '   ÐÓ   ;)  ÓÌIT€was€about€this€time€that€Malachi€wrote€the€memorable€words,Ï"Bring€ye€all€the€tithes€into€my€storehouse,€that€there€may€beÏmeat€in€my€house;€and€prove€me€now€herewith,€saith€the€Lord,€if€IÏwill€not€pour€you€out€a€blessing."€When€a€people€has€separatedÏitself€to€God,€there€will€be€no€lack€in€its€house,€no€failure€inÏits€supplies,€no€lack€for€its€ministers.€So€with€the€individual.ÏAll€they€that€had€separated€themselves€entered€into€an€oath€toÏcharge€themselves€yearly€for€the€service€of€the€house€of€God.Ð   	 E-•(0   ÐSeparation€is€the€negative€side€of€consecration.ÌHow€does€this€touch€you,€my€friend?€What€proportion€of€yourÏincome€are€you€setting€apart€for€the€service€of€God?€The€amountÏthat€a€man€gives€in€proportion€to€his€income€is€a€sure€gauge€ofÏthe€genuineness€and€depth€of€his€religious€life.€The€Jew€gaveÏabout€a€third€of€his€yearly€income€to€God;€do€we€come€up€to€thisÏstandard?€Yet€we€speak€of€the€Jews€with€contempt,€as€hard-fistedÏand€miserly.€These€òòoldóó€Jews€might€set€an€example€to€us€òòneweróóÐ   	 ˜
è   ÐChristians.€How€often€we€reverse€our€position€from€God's€ideal!ÏHe€puts€us€over€his€estate€that€we€should€send€Him€all€theÏproduce,€after€deducting€what€is€necessary€for€our€maintenance,Ïand€that€of€our€families.€But€we€engross€the€entire€proceeds€forÏourselves,€sending€Him€an€odd€guinea,€or€half-crown,€when€we€canÏeasily€spare€it.€Let€us€see€that€we€give€at€least€a€fixedÏproportion€of€our€income,€and€as€much€more€as€we€can.€Do€notÏforsake€the€House€of€your€God;€so€shall€the€heavens€be€opened€inÏblessing.€"There€is€that€giveth€and€yet€increaseth;€there€is€thatÏwithholdeth€more€than€is€meet,€and€it€sendeth€to€poverty."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòA€certain€portion€should€be€for€the€singers.óó€Neh.€xi.€23.Ð   	 à   ÐÓ   l0  ÓÌIT€was€the€king's€command,€and€it€was€very€right€and€sensible,Ïbecause€they€enlivened€and€quickened€the€life€of€the€entireÏcommunity.€A€mere€utilitarian€spirit€might€have€refused€toÏmaintain€them,€because€they€did€not€contribute€to€the€handicraftsÏof€the€community.€They€only€sang€the€praises€of€God;€but€theyÏfulfilled€a€very€important€part€in€the€life€of€the€city,€and€theyÏdeserved€the€portion€which€was€regularly€contributed€to€them.ÌYou€sometimes€feel€your€life€to€be€comparatively€useless.€You€canÏonly€say€a€kind€word€to€those€who€are€doing€the€main€business€ofÏthe€world.€When€the€brothers€had€wrought€all€day€at€the€clearingÏfor€the€farm,€their€sister€Hope€sang€through€the€evening€hours€toÏcheer€them€and€drive€away€their€sense€of€fatigue.€That€was€allÏshe€could€do;€but€was€she€not€deserving€of€maintenance?€You€canÏonly€sing€your€song€of€hope,€and€keep€the€heart€of€the€toilersÏsweet€and€fresh.€You€can€only€get€inspiration€from€God's€heartÏand€pass€it€on.€You€can€do€little€but€learn€to€detect,€andÏtranslate€into€music€that€men€love,€the€deep€undertones€of€God'sÏcreation.€But€it€is€well.€You€are€needed€in€God's€world.ÌThere€are€invalids,€who€lie€on€their€back€through€weary€monthsÏand€years,€that€are€the€inspiration€of€their€homes,€and€to€theirÏside€the€elders€and€the€children€come€for€counsel€and€comfort.ÏSing€on,€ye€sweet€choristers,€that€alleviate€our€depressions€andÏstart€our€hearts€to€high€endeavour!€Ye€that€by€night,€inÏsleepless€hours,€stand€in€the€house€of€the€Lord,€praise€ye€theÏLord€when€all€the€busy€life€of€men€is€hushed!€The€King€will€seeÏto€it€that€ye€do€not€miss€your€maintenance,€your€portion€day€byÏday.Ð   	 7-‡(0   Ð‡ÌÓ    ÓòòDavid,€the€man€of€God.óó€Neh.€xii.€24,€36,€37,€45,€46.Ð   	 ˆØ    ÐÓ   ^7  ÓÌHOW€long€the€influence€of€David€has€lingered€over€the€world,€likeÏthe€afterglow€of€a€sunset!€Mark€the€characteristic€in€him€whichÏlaid€the€foundation€of€his€supremacy€over€the€hearts€of€hisÏcountrymen.€He€was€pre-eminently€"a€man€of€God."€NotwithstandingÏhis€terrible€fall,€his€people€recognised€that€his€salientÏcharacteristic€was€Godward.€Would€you€be€one€of€God's€men?Ì(1)€òòGive€all€to€God.óó€--€Too€many€live€lives€of€piecemealÐ   	 OŸ	   Ðconsecration,€giving€a€bit€here€and€a€bit€there,€but€never€all.ÏDavid€surrendered€himself€to€do€God's€will€utterly,€and€in€all,Ïand€so€became€a€man€after€God's€own€heart.€With€what€joy€God'sÏvoice€seems€to€quiver,€as€He€says,€"I€have€found€David,€the€sonÏof€Jesse,€a€man€after€mine€own€heart,€who€shall€fulfil€all€myÏwill"€(Acts€xiii.€22).€Without€reserve,€holding€nothing€back,Ïyield€yourself€to€God,€to€be,€and€do,€and€suffer€his€will,Ïwhatever€it€may€be.Ì(2)€òòTake€all€from€God.óó€--€"It€is€not€what€we€give€to€Jesus,€butÐ   	 ç7   Ðwhat€we€take€from€Him,€that€makes€us€strong,€helpful,€andÏvictorious€day€by€day."€Accept€this€as€a€fact,€that€in€Jesus€GodÏhas€made€all€his€fulness€dwell.€There€is€nothing€we€require,€forÏlife€or€godliness,€that€is€not€stored€in€Him;€but€the€terribleÏloss€of€our€lives€is€that€we€take€so€little.€We€have€ourselves€toÏblame€if€we€are€poor,€and€miserable,€and€blind,€and€naked.Ì(3)€òòUse€all€for€God.óó€--€It€sometimes€appears€as€though€ChristianÐ   	 Ï   Ðpeople€were€urged€to€yield€themselves€to€God,€only€that€theirÏlives€might€be€more€comfortable.€But€the€supreme€and€final€end€inÏall€surrender€must€be€that€his€will€be€done,€his€glory€promoted,Ïand€Himself€magnified€whether€in€life€or€death.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòRemember€me,€O€my€God!óó€Neh.€xiii.€14,€22,€31.Ð   	 ·    ÐÓ   {>  ÓÌTHRICE€in€this€chapter€this€humble€man€asks€to€be€remembered.€WeÏcannot€think€that€he€expected€to€purchase€God's€favour€because€ofÏhis€sacrifices€and€endeavours.€Of€this€he€was€already€assured.ÏBut€being€a€redeemed€soul,€he€desired€that€his€works€might€comeÏup€in€remembrance€before€God,€and€secure€a€reward.€There€is€noÏharm€in€keeping€the€eye€fixed€on€the€reward€for€faithful€toil€inÏthe€Lord's€service.€It€was€a€constant€incentive€in€the€life,€ofÏthe€great€Apostle€that€he€might€so€run€as€to€obtain;€so€finishÏhis€work€that€he€might€win€the€crown.ÌNote€the€three€departments€of€service€mentioned€in€this€chapter,Ïin€connection€with€which€Nehemiah€breathed€this€petition.€He€hadÏturned€all€Tobia's€household€stuff€out€of€the€temple,€so€that€theÏwhole€structure€should€be€given€up€to€the€service€of€God.€He€hadÏsecured€the€Sabbath€from€desecration,€so€that€its€holy€rest€andÏcalm€were€preserved€intact.€And€he€insisted€on€the€purity€of€theÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðholy€seed€being€untainted€by€foreign€alliances.€Consecration€toÏGod,€the€Rest€of€Faith€in€the€inner€life,€and€the€separation€ofÏGod's€children€from€the€world,€are€the€counterparts€of€these€inÏour€own€time.ÌShall€we€not€humbly€set€ourselves€to€seek€them€for€the€professingÏChurch?€Nehemiah€was€an€ungifted,€simple-hearted€man,€but€he€wasÏable€to€secure€them€as€the€instrument€and€channel€of€God'sÏpurposes.€Why€should€not€God€work€through€us€for€the€same€ends.ÏBut,€first,€let€us€see€to€it€that€each€of€these€particulars€isÏbeing€realized€in€our€own€personal€character€and€life.€Let€everyÏroom€of€the€heart€be€for€God;€let€no€voice€break€the€inner€peace.ÏThen€what€God€has€done€for€us,€we€may€confidently€plead€as€withinÏhis€scheme€for€others.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThat€every€man€should€bear€rule€inÐ   	 X¨   Ðhis€own€house.óó€Esther€1.€22.Ð   	 7‡   ÐÓ   ŠE  ÓÌONE€of€the€pre-requisites€in€choosing€a€presiding€officer€in€theÏearly€Church€was€that€he€should€rule€well€his€own€house;€"for€ifÏa€man€know€not€how€to€rule€his€own€house,€how€shall€he€take€careÏof€the€Church€of€God?"€(1€Tim.€iii.€4,€5).ÌWhen€a€man€bears€rule€as€husband€and€father€in€the€love€of€God,Ïthere€is€no€issue€of€commands€which€conflict€with€primaryÏobligations;€rather€than€that,€his€authority€represents€theÏDivine€authority.€As€Christ€received€his€authority€from€theÏFather,€so€does€a€man€derive€and€receive€his€from€Christ;€and€inÏthe€recognition€of€his€delegated€right€and€ability€to€lead,€theÏentire€household€becomes€well€ordered.€The€relaxation€of€theÏbonds€of€authority€and€government€in€our€homes€is€one€of€theÏsaddest€symptoms€of€national€decay,€as€it€is€among€the€predictedÏsigns€of€the€end€(2€Tim.€iii.€2,€3).ÌBut,€on€the€other€hand,€you€must€show€yourself€worthy€to€lead€andÏrule€your€home.€Your€character€must€be€such€as€to€commandÏrespect.€Those€whom€God€has€put€into€your€charge€require€that€youÏdo€not€us€your€authority€for€selfish€or€capricious€ends.€AboveÏall,€love€is€the€source€of€the€truest€authority.€We€count€nothingÏhard€or€irksome€that€we€do€for€those€we€love.€Show€love,€and€youÏwill€win€love;€and€on€love€will€be€built€respect,€reverence,€andÏobedience.ÌOne€of€the€most€eloquent€of€modern€Italians€has€said€truly:€"YouÏcan€only€obtain€the€exercise€of€your€rights€by€deserving€them,Ïthrough€your€own€activity,€and€your€own€spirit€of€love€andÏsacrifice!"€Christ's€golden€rule€holds€good€in€every€phase€ofÏlife€--€"In€all€things,€whatsoever€ye€would€that€men€should€do€toÏyou,€do€ye€even€so€to€them."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòHadassah,€that€is,€Esther.óó€€Esther€ii.€7.Ð   	 >-Ž(0   ÐÓ   |L  ÓÌTHROUGH€this€one€girl-life€God€was€about€to€save€his€people,Ïthough€He€was€all€the€while€hidden€from€view.€The€peculiarity€ofÏthis€book€is€that€there€is€no€mention€of€the€name€of€God;€butÏthere€is€no€book€in€the€Bible€more€full€of€the€presence€andÏworking€of€God€for€his€own.€His€name€is€clearly€in€the€watermarkÏof€the€paper,€if€it€do€not€appear€in€the€print.ÌWe€know€that€the€meshes€of€evil€plotting€were€laid€for€the€hurtÏof€Israel€long€before€the€fatal€decree€was€made€for€theÏdestruction€of€the€entire€nation;€but€here€we€find€that€God€hasÏbegun€his€preparations€for€deliverance€long€before.€In€the€beautyÏof€Esther,€in€the€position€her€uncle€held€at€court,€in€the€favourÏshe€won€with€the€king,€in€the€discovery€through€Mordecai€of€theÏplot€against€the€king's€life,€there€are€the€materials€of€a€greatÏand€Divine€deliverance.€God€was€clearly€beforehand€to€the€devil.ÏThe€angels€of€light€were€on€the€ground€before€those€of€darknessÏwere€marshalled.ÌIt€is€a€sweet€thought€to€carry€with€us€always:€God€prepares€ofÏhis€goodness€for€the€poor.€He€prepares€the€good€work€in€which€weÏare€to€walk,€and€the€deliverances€by€which€He€will€succour€us€inÏthe€hour€of€need.€Do€not€dread€the€foe,€be€not€fearful€norÏdismayed,€as€he€draws€his€net€around€thee;€God€has€prepared€a€wayÏof€escape,€so€that€thou€shalt€be€able€to€bear€it.€In€theÏmeanwhile,€rest€in€the€Lord,€and€wait€patiently€for€Him;€trust€inÏthe€Lord;€wait€for€the€Lord;€be€silent€to€the€Lord.€He€is€moreÏfarseeing,€his€plans€more€far-reaching,€his€help€more€certain,Ïthan€all€the€stratagems€of€evil.€God€laughs€at€them.€Into€the€pitÏthey€have€dug,€thine€enemies€shall€fall.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòBut€Mordecai€bowed€not.óó€Esther€iii.€2.Ð   	  P   ÐÓ   9S  ÓÌTHERE€was€stern€stuff€in€this€old€Jew.€He€was€not€going€toÏprostrate€himself€before€one€so€haughty€and€so€depraved€as€Haman,Ïalbeit€that€he€was€the€king's€favourite.€To€be€the€only€one€in€aÏcity€office€that€does€not€laugh€at€the€questionable€story;€toÏstand€alone€on€shipboard€against€the€gambling€mania;€to€refuse€toÏcountenance€cleverness€which€is€divorced€from€cleanness,€andÏgenius€which€is€apart€from€goodness€--€this€is€to€do€as€MordecaiÏdid€in€the€gate€of€the€king's€palace.ÌOnly€God€can€give€this€power,€since€of€ourselves€we€are€as€reedsÏshaken€by€the€wind.€Sooner€might€a€single€ear€of€wheat€resist€theÏbreeze€that€bends€all€its€companions€in€the€same€direction,€thanÏwe€stand€alone,€whilst€all€our€associates€bow,€unless€God€HimselfÏenable€as.€But€God€is€prepared€to€enable€us.€Listen:€"I€willÏstrengthen€thee;€yea,€I€will€help€thee;€yea,€I€will€uphold€theeÏwith€the€right€hand€of€my€righteousness."€But€the€mistake€we€areÏso€apt€to€make€is€to€brace€ourselves€up€by€resolution€and€firmÏdetermination,€in€anticipation€of€some€impending€struggle.€To€doÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðthis€is€to€fail.€Live€in€Christ,€look€up€into€his€face,€deriveÏfrom€Him€strength€for€the€moment€and€at€the€moment;€and€oftenÏwrap€about€thee€that€exceeding€great€and€precious€promise,€"IÏwill€make€him€to€become€a€pillar€in€the€temple€of€my€God;€and€heÏshall€go€no€more€out;€and€I€will€write€on€him€the€name€of€myÏGod."€Oh€to€stand€pillar-like€amid€men,€bearing€up€the€templeÏarch€of€truth,€and€inscribed€with€God's€name,€whilst€the€crowdsÏgo€and€come€on€the€pavement€beneath!ÌÌ€€€€"Greatly€begin!€though€thou€have€timeÌ€€€€€But€for€a€line,€be€that€sublime€--Ì€€€€€Not€Failure,€but€low€aim,€is€Crime!"ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòWho€knoweth€whether€thou€art€come€to€theÐ   	 €Ð   Ðkingdom€for€such€a€time€as€this?óó€Esther€iv.€14.Ð   	 _¯   ÐÓ   ,Z  ÓÌWHAT€grand€faith€was€here!€Mordecai€was€in€God's€secrets,€and€wasÏassured€that€deliverance€and€enlargement€would€come€to€his€peopleÏfrom€some€quarter€--€if€not€from€Esther,€then€from€some€other;Ïbut€he€was€extremely€anxious€that€she€should€not€miss€the€honourÏof€being€her€people's€emancipator.€Therefore€he€suggested€thatÏshe€had€come€to€her€high€position€for€this€very€purpose.ÌWe€none€of€us€know,€at€the€first,€God's€reasons€for€bringing€usÏinto€positions€of€honour€and€trust.€Why€is€that€young€girlÏsuddenly€made€mistress€over€that€household?€Why€is€that€youthÏtaken€from€the€ranks€of€the€working-people,€and€placed€over€thatÏgreat€City€church?€Why€is€that€man€put€forward€in€his€business,Ïso€that€he€is€the€head€of€the€firm€in€which€he€served€as€anÏoffice-boy?€All€these€are€parts€of€the€Divine€plan.€God€hasÏbrought€them€to€the€Kingdom€that€He€may€work€out€through€themÏsome€great€purpose€of€salvation.€They€have€the€option,€however,Ïto€serve€it€or€not.€They€may€use€their€position€for€themselves,Ïfor€their€own€emolument€and€enjoyment,€that€they€may€surroundÏthemselves€with€strong€fortifications€against€misfortune;€but€inÏthat€case€they€court€destruction.€Their€position€and€wealth€mayÏvanish€as€suddenly€as€it€came;€or€ill-health€and€disaster€mayÏincapacitate€them.ÌIf,€on€the€other€hand,€all€is€used€for€God,€though€at€the€risk€ofÏperishing€--€for€it€seemed€to€Esther€as€though€the€action€toÏwhich€Mordecai€urged€her€meant€that€--€the€issue€is€blessed.ÏThose€that€love€their€lives€lose€them;€those€that€are€prepared€toÏforfeit€them€keep€them.€The€wheat€grain€which€is€buried€in€theÏsoil€bears€much€fruit.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€king€held€out€to€Esther€theÐ   	 Ž+Þ&.   Ðgolden€sceptre€that€was€in€his€hand.óó€Esther€v.€2.Ð   	 m,½'/   ÐÓ   "a  ÓÐ   	 L-œ(0   ÐWHAT€a€beautiful€type€this€is€for€each€of€us€in€our€approaches€toÏGod!ÌòòFor€the€repentant€sinner.óó€--€You€may€have€said€with€Esther,€"IÐ   	 `°   Ðwill€go€into€the€king's€presence,€and€if€I€perish,€I€perish."€ButÏit€is€impossible€for€you€to€perish.€None€ever€perished€at€theÏfootstool€of€mercy.€God€is€faithful€to€his€promises,€and€just€toÏhis€Son;€and€He€can€do€no€other€--€He€wants€to€do€no€other€--Ïthan€forgive.€As€you€stand€amid€the€throng€that€surrounds€hisÏthrone,€He€will€espy€you,€and€accept€you€graciously,€because€ofÏthe€God-Man€who€sits€at€his€right€hand,€and€ever€lives€toÏintercede.€In€his€name€you€may€come€boldly€and€obtain€mercy.ÌòòFor€the€suppliant.óó€--€You€have€a€great€boon€to€ask€for€yourself,Ð   	 øH	   Ðor€another.€The€King's€court€stands€open;€enter€and€lodge€yourÏpetition.€He€will€be€very€gracious€at€the€voice€of€your€cry:€theÏgolden€sceptre€extended,€his€word€passed,€that€He€will€answerÏwith€the€whole€resources€of€his€kingdom.€The€answer€may€not€comeÏat€once,€or€in€the€way€you€expected;€but€no€true€suppliant€wasÏever€turned€away€without€his€complaint€or€cause€being€graciouslyÏconsidered,€and€in€the€best€way€met€and€adjusted.ÌòòFor€the€Christian€worker.óó€--€Surely€Esther€represents€a€PaulÐ   	 ¸   Ðprepared€to€be€himself€accursed,€a€Luther,€a€Brainerd.€It€is€aÏlovely€sight€when€the€child€of€God€is€so€oppressed€with€theÏburden€of€other€souls€as€to€sacrifice€all€else€in€order€to€pleadÏtheir€cause.€Surely€such€find€favour€with€God;€they€are€kindredÏspirits€with€his€own,€and€He€bids€them€share€his€throne.€God€willÏdo€anything€for€those€who€are€consumed€by€his€own€redemptiveÏpurpose.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAs€thou€hast€said,€do€even€soÐ   	 (x   Ðto€Mordecai€the€Jew.óó€Esther€vi.€10.Ð   	 W   ÐÓ   Ph  ÓÌHERE€indeed€was€a€turning€of€the€tables!€Haman€doing€honour€toÏthe€humble€Jew,€who€refused€to€do€honour€to€himself.€Surely€thatÏday€the€old€refrain€must€have€rung€through€Mordecai's€heart:€--Ï"He€raiseth€up€the€poor€out€of€the€dust,€and€lifteth€up€theÏbeggar€from€the€dunghilI,€to€set€them€among€princes,€and€to€makeÏthem€inherit€the€throne€of€glory:€for€the€pillars€of€the€earthÏare€the€Lord's."€And€there€was€an€anticipation€of€yet€otherÏwords:€--€"For€thou€hast€a€little€strength,€and€hast€kept€myÏword,€and€hast€not€denied€my€name:€behold,€I€will€make€them€toÏcome€and€worship€before€thy€feet,€and€to€know€that€I€have€lovedÏthee."ÌHow€evidently€God€was€working€for€his€child.€The€gallows,€indeed,Ïwas€being€prepared,€but€it€would€be€used€for€Haman;€whilst€theÏtriumph€that€Haman€thought€to€be€preparing€for€himself€was€to€beÏused€for€Mordecai.ÌThis€is€not€an€isolated€case.€Any€one€who€has€lived€a€few€yearsÏin€the€world€and€has€observed€the€ways€of€God€could€duplicate€itÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðwith€instances€that€have€come€under€his€own€notice.€Dr.€GordonÏtold€us€once€of€a€church€in€Boston€that€would€not€admit€colouredÏpeople;€and€after€a€few€years€it€broke€up,€and€the€edifice€is€nowÏoccupied€by€a€flourishing€coloured€church.ÌTrust€on,€beloved€friend,€amid€scorn,€hate,€and€threateningÏdeath.€So€long€as€thy€cause€is€God's,€it€must€prevail.€He€willÏvindicate€thee.€Them€that€honour€Him€He€will€honour;€whilst€thoseÏthat€despise€Him€shall€be€lightly€esteemed.ÌÌ€€€€"Though€the€mills€of€God€grind€slowly,Ì€€€€€€€€Yet€they€grind€exceeding€small;Ì€€€€€Though€with€patience€He€stands€waiting,Ì€€€€€€€€With€exactness€grinds€He€all."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòWhat€is€thy€petition,€and€it€shall€be€granted€thee:Ð   	 X¨   Ðand€what€is€thy€request?óó€Esther€vii.€2.Ð   	 7‡   ÐÓ   Bo  ÓÌAMID€the€sensual€conceptions€of€marriage€that€obtained€in€thisÏheathen€empire€there€was€doubtless€a€consciousness€in€the€king'sÏbreast€of€the€essential€unity€between€himself€and€his€beautifulÏqueen.€She€was€his€better€self,€and€in€her€pleading€he€heard€theÏvoice€of€his€own€higher€nature.€To€nothing€less€than€this€couldÏhe€have€made€so€far-reaching€a€promise.€It€was€not€so€muchÏAhasuerus€pledging€himself€to€Esther,€as€Ahasuerus,€the€king,Ïawakening€to€the€appeal€of€a€nobler€Ahasuerus,€for€the€most€partÏburied.€Such€is€the€power€of€a€pure€and€noble€character€awakeningÏa€nobler€life.€Will€you€try€by€your€unselfishness€and€purity€toÏawaken€those€around€you€to€see€and€follow€an€ideal,€which€shallÏpresently€assume€the€form€of€the€living€Christ?ÌIn€these€words€of€the€king€we€are€reminded€that€God€is€willing€toÏdo€beyond€what€we€ask€or€think.€Not€to€the€half€of€his€kingdom,Ïbut€to€the€whole€extent€of€it,€has€God€pledged€Himself,Ï"according€to€the€power€that€worketh€in€us."€But€our€prayer€mustÏbe€in€the€name,€or€nature,€of€Christ;€that€is,€the€nature€ofÏChrist€must€pray€in€us,€and€God€must€recognise€Himself€come€backÏthrough€the€circle€of€our€intercession€to€Himself.€The€SpiritÏmust€make€intercession€in€us,€according€to€the€will€of€God.€WhenÏthe€unselfish,€lovely,€and€holy€nature€of€Jesus€pleads€in€us€byÏthe€Holy€Ghost,€there€is€nothing€that€God€will€not€do€for€us,Ïeven€to€the€whole€of€his€kingdom.Ì"If€ye€abide€in€Me,€and€my€words€abide€in€you,€ye€shall€ask€whatÏye€will,€and€it€shall€be€done€unto€you."Ì"Whatsoever€ye€shall€ask€the€Father€in€my€name€He€will€give€itÏyou."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòSealed€with€the€king's€ring.óó€Esther€viii.€8.Ð   	 f,¶'/   ÐÓ   v  ÓÐ   	 E-•(0   ÐIN€chap.€iii.€10€the€king€took€the€ring€from€his€hand,€and€gaveÏit€to€Haman.€It€is€evident€that€he€had€resumed€it€from€his€chiefÏofficer's€finger€before€sending€him€to€execution.€It€was€nowÏentrusted€to€Mordecai,€because€it€gave€validity€to€the€documentsÏthat€proclaimed€liberty€to€the€Jews.€Notice€those€words:€"TheÏwriting€which€is€written€in€the€king's€name,€and€sealed€with€theÏkings€seal,€no€man€may€reverse,"€and€apply€them€to€that€sealingÏwith€the€Holy€Ghost,€of€which€we€read€so€often€in€the€NewÏTestament.ÌOn€the€molten€wax€the€ring,€with€its€royal€device,€or€perhaps€theÏcutting€of€the€royal€profile,€was€pressed,€giving€sanction,Ïvalidity,€and€irreversibleness;€so€on€the€tender€heart€of€theÏbeliever€in€Christ,€the€Holy€Spirit€impresses€the€likeness€ofÏJesus.€The€seal€does€not€leave€an€impression€of€itself,€but€ofÏthe€sovereign;€and€the€Holy€Spirit€reveals€not€Himself,€butÏChrist€Jesus€the€Lord,€and€aims€only€to€leave€the€mark€andÏsuperscription€of€Christ€on€the€character.€The€word€òòcharacteróó€isÐ   	 0€   Ðused€in€Hebrews€i.€3€(see€Greek).€How€wonderful,€that€as€theÏimage€or€character€of€the€Father€was€impressed€on€Christ,€so€theÏSaviour's€image€and€character€are€impressed€on€us!€"Him€hath€GodÏthe€Father€sealed,"€says€the€evangelist.€"Grieve€not€the€HolyÏSpirit€of€God,€by€whom€ye€were€sealed,"€says€the€Apostle.ÌThis€sealing€us€with€the€likeness€of€Jesus€is€God's€attestation.ÏIt€is€his€witness€that€we€are€born€from€above,€and€are€become€hisÏsons€and€daughters.€It€is€God's€sign€manual€of€his€intention€andÏdecree€that€we€should€inherit€an€irreversible€portion;€and€whenÏGod€has€once€passed€and€sealed€it,€neither€man€nor€devil€canÏreverse€it.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€Jews€had€rule€over€them€that€hated€themóó.€Esther€ix.€1.Ð   	  P   ÐÓ   +}  ÓÌYES,€my€reader,€a€similar€reversal€awaits€us€in€the€near€future!ÏNow,€the€god€of€this€world€and€his€followers€bear€rule€over€us,Ïand€work€their€way€with€the€servants€of€God.€They€butcher€themÏlike€sheep,€and€scatter€the€ashes€of€their€homes€to€the€winds;Ïand€sometimes€it€seems€as€though€God€had€forgotten€to€avenge€theÏcause€of€his€saints.€But€the€hour€is€coming€when€the€AlmightyÏwill€arise€on€our€behalf;€and€to€him€who€has€patiently€kept€hisÏworks€unto€the€end,€He€will€give€authority€over€the€nations.ÏListen€to€these€great€words:€"Behold,€I€give€of€the€synagogue€ofÏSatan,€of€them€which€say€they€are€Jews,€and€they€are€not,€but€doÏlie;€behold,€I€will€make€them€to€come€and€worship€before€thyÏfeet,€and€to€know€that€I€have€loved€thee."€Words€more€applicableÏto€the€case€of€the€Jews€in€the€days€of€Mordecai,€and€to€theÏhistory€of€the€Church,€it€would€be€impossible€to€find.ÌBut€mark€a€notable€distinction.€In€the€case€of€the€enemies€of€theÏJewish€people,€there€was€no€quarter.€Destruction€and€death€wereÏmeted€to€those€who€had€breathed€out€persecution€and€slaughter.Ð   	 7-‡(0   ÐBut€in€the€case€of€Christ€and€his€Church,€power€is€viewed€only€asÏan€opportunity€of€securing€salvation€and€life.€The€Saviour€said,Ïafter€his€resurrection,€"All€power€is€given€unto€Me€in€heaven€andÏon€earth;€go€ye,€therefore,€and€make€disciples€of€all€theÏnations,€baptizing€them€into€the€name€of€the€Father,€and€of€theÏSon,€and€of€the€Holy€Ghost:€and€lo,€I€am€with€you€alway."€And€theÏChurch€says,€as€through€suffering€she€passes€to€the€right€hand€ofÏpower,€"Lay€not€this€sin€to€their€charge;€but€out€of€ourÏpersecutors€raise€apostles€to€carry€the€Gospel€to€the€confines€ofÏthe€earth."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòSeeking€the€good€of€his€people,€and€speakingÐ   	 Ð 
   Ðpeace€to€all€his€seed.óó€€Esther€x.€3€(R.V.).Ð   	 ¯ÿ
   ÐÓ   ,„  ÓÌTHIS€epitaph€on€the€life€of€a€simple-minded,€truehearted€man,Ïmight€be€yours€also.€Why€should€you€not€from€this€moment€adoptÏthese,€twin€characteristics?€Go€about€the€worldòò€seeking€the€goodÐ   	 f   Ðof€people.óó€It€does€not€always€mean€that€you€should€give€them€aÐ   	 î>   Ðtract,€or€a€little€book.€It€is€much€easier€to€do€this€than€toÏsacrifice€your€own€good€in€order€to€seek€theirs.€You€may€be€quiteÏsure€that€some€little€act€of€self-sacrifice€or€thoughtfulness€forÏa€weary€mother,€or€crying€child,€for€a€sick€friend,€or€for€someÏperson€who€is€always€maligning€and€injuring€you,€would€do€a€greatÏdeal€in€the€way€of€preparing€an€entrance€for€the€Gospel€message.ÏIt€is€thus€that€the€genial€spring€loosens€the€earth€and€preparesÏthe€way€for€the€germination€of€multitudinous€life.€Count€the€dayÏlost€in€which€you€have€not€sought€to€promote€the€good€of€someÏone.€Adopt€as€your€own€the€pious€Quaker's€motto,€"Do€all€the€goodÏyou€can,€to€all€the€people€you€can,€in€all€the€ways€you€can."ÌòòSpeak€peace€to€people.óó€--€Soothe€agitated€and€irritated€souls.Ð   	 ^   ÐThrow€oil€on€troubled€waters.€There€are€worried€and€anxiousÏhearts€all€around€us;€a€word€of€sympathy€and€earnest€prayer€withÏthem€will€often€remove€the€heavy€load,€and€smooth€out€theÏwrinkles€of€care.€Let€the€law€of€kindness€be€on€your€lip.€Do€notÏsay€sharp€or€unkind€things€of€the€absent,€or€allow€your€lips€toÏutter€words€that€will€lead€to€bitterness€or€wrath.€Seek€peace€andÏpursue€it.€And€in€order€to€this,€let€the€peace€of€God€thatÏpasseth€all€understanding€keep€your€mind€and€heart.ÌÌ€€€€"Come,€my€beloved!€We€will€haste€and€goÌ€€€€€To€those€pale€faces€of€our€fellow-men!Ì€€€€€Our€loving€hearts,€burning€with€summer-fire,Ì€€€€€Shall€cast€a€glow€upon€their€pallidness."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòJob€said,€It€may€be€that€my€sons€have€sinnedÐ   	 Ž+Þ&.   Ðand€renounced€God€in€their€hearts.óó€Job€i.€5€(R.V.).Ð   	 m,½'/   ÐÓ   ¾‹  ÓÐ   	 L-œ(0   ÐTIMES€of€festivity€are€always€full€of€temptation.€The€loins€areÏrelaxed,€the€girdle€of€the€soul€is€loosed.€Amid€the€generalÏhilarity€and€the€passing€of€the€merry€joke,€words€are€said€andÏthoughts€permitted€which€are€not€always€consistent€with€theÏcharacter€of€God€and€his€glorious€kingdom€and€service.€Job€wasÏnot€wrong,€therefore,€in€supposing€that€his€children€might€haveÏcontracted€some€defiling€stain.ÌIt€necessary€for€some€of€us€to€move€in€society,€and€to€attendÏfestive€gatherings.€As€the€Lord€went€to€the€wedding€feast,€andÏaccepted€Simon's€invitation,€so€must€we.€The€sphere€of€our€lifeÏlies€necessarily€in€the€world.€But€when€we€are€entering€scenes€ofÏrecreation€and€pleasure€we€should€be€more€than€ever€careful€toÏput€on€our€armour,€and€by€previous€meditation€and€prayer€prepareÏourselves€for€the€inevitable€temptation;€and€when€it€is€all€over,Ïand€the€lights€are€down,€we€should€quietly€review€our€behaviourÏunder€the€light€that€streams€from€the€Word€of€God.€If€we€then€areÏmade€aware€of€frivolous€or€uncharitable€words,€of€jealousyÏbecause€others€have€outshone€us,€or€of€pride€at€the€splendour€ofÏour€dress€and€the€brilliance€of€our€talk,€we€must€confess€it,€andÏobtain€forgiveness€and€restoration.ÌWhat€a€beautiful€example€is€furnished€by€Job€to€ChristianÏparents!€When€your€girls€are€going€among€strangers,€and€your€boysÏinto€the€great€ways€of€the€world,€and€you€are€unable€to€imposeÏyour€will€upon€them,€as€in€the€days€of€childhood,€you€can€yetÏpray€for€them,€casting€over€them€the€shield€of€intercession,€withÏstrong€cryings€and€tears.€They€are€beyond€your€reach;€but€byÏfaith€you€can€move€the€arm€of€God€on€their€behalf.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòA€perfect€and€an€upright€man.óó€Job€ii.€3.Ð   	 (x   ÐÓ   æ’  ÓÌEVEN€God€spoke€of€Job€as€perfect.€Not€that€he€was€absolutely€so,Ïas€judged€by€the€perfect€standard€of€eternity,€but€as€judged€byÏthe€standard€of€his€own€light€and€knowledge.€He€was€living€up€toÏall€the€requirements€of€God€and€man,€so€far€as€he€understoodÏthem.€His€whole€being€was€open€and€obedient€to€the€DivineÏimpulses.€So€far€as€he€knew€there€was€no€cause€of€controversy€inÏheart€or€life.€Probably€he€could€have€adopted€the€words€of€theÏApostle,€"I€know€nothing€against€myself."€He€exercised€himself€toÏhave€always€a€conscience€void€of€offence€toward€God€and€man.ÌSatan€suggested€that€his€goodness€was€pure€selfishness;€that€itÏpaid€him€well€to€be€as€he€was,€because€God€had€hedged€him€aroundÏand€blessed€his€substance.€This€malignant€suggestion€was€at€onceÏdealt€with€by€the€Almighty€Vindicator€of€the€saints.€It€was€as€ifÏGod€said,€"I€give€thee€permission€to€deprive€him€of€all€thoseÏfavouring€conditions,€for€the€sake€of€which€thou€sayest€he€isÏbribed€to€goodness;€and€it€shall€be€seen€that€his€integrity€isÏrooted€deep€down€in€the€work€of€my€grace€upon€his€heart."ÌBut€the€book€goes€on€to€show€that€God€desired€to€teach€Job€thatÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðthere€were€flaws€and€blemishes€in€his€character€which€could€onlyÏbe€seen€by€comparing€it€with€the€more€perfect€glory€of€his€ownÏDivine€nature.€His€friends€sought€to€prove€him€faulty,€andÏfailed;€God€revealed€himself,€and€he€cried,€"Behold,€I€am€vile,Ïand€abhor€myself,€and€repent€in€dust€and€ashes."ÌHow€often€God€takes€away€our€consolations,€that€we€may€only€loveÏHim€for€Himself;€and€reveals€our€sinfulness,€that€we€may€betterÏappreciate€the€completeness€of€his€salvation!ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòJob€opened€his€mouth,€and€cursed€his€day.óó€Job€iii.€1.Ð   	  p
   ÐÓ   ¨™  ÓÌTHAT€is,€the€day€of€his€birth.€Probably€there€have€been€hours€inÏthe€majority€of€lives€in€which€men€have€wished€that€they€hadÏnever€been€born.€When€they€have€stood€beside€the€wreck€of€allÏearthly€hope,€or€entered€the€garden€of€the€grave€they€have€cried,Ï"Why€died€I€not€from€the€birth!"€The€reason€for€this€is,€that€theÏheart€has€been€so€occupied€with€the€transient€and€earthly,€thatÏit€has€lost€sight€of€the€unseen€and€eternal;€and€in€findingÏitself€deprived€of€the€former,€it€has€thought€that€there€wasÏnothing€left€to€live€for.ÌOne€of€the€greatest€tests€of€true€religion€is€in€bearingÏsuffering.€At€such€a€time€we€are€apt,€if€we€are€professingÏChristians,€to€exert€a€certain€constraint€over€ourselves,€andÏbear€ourselves€heroically.€We€have€read€of€people€in€likeÏcircumstances€who€have€not€shed€a€tear€or€uttered€a€complainingÏword;€and€we€have€braced€ourselves€to€a€Christian€stoicism.€"I€amÏsure€you€cannot€find€fault€with€my€behaviour,"€said€one€such€toÏme.€And€yet€beneath€the€correct€exterior€there€may€be€the€prideÏand€haughtiness€of€an€altogether€unsubdued€self.ÌThere€is€a€more€excellent€way:€to€humble€oneself€under€the€mightyÏhand€of€God;€to€search€the€heart€for€any€dross€that€needs€to€beÏburnt€out;€to€resign€oneself€to€the€will€of€the€Father;€toÏendeavour€to€learn€the€lesson€in€the€black-lettered€book;€to€seekÏto€manifest€the€specific€grace€for€which€the€trial€calls;€to€beÏvery€tender€and€thoughtful€for€others;€to€live€deeper€down.ÌÌ€€€€"Nearer,€my€God€to€Thee!€--€Nearer€to€Thee!Ì€€€€€E'en€though€it€be€a€cross€that€raiseth€me,Ì€€€€€Still€all€my€song€shall€be€--€Nearer,€my€God,€to€Thee!Ì€€€€€€€€€€Nearer€to€Thee!"ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòBut€now€it€is€come€unto€thee,Ð   	 ÿ(O$+   Ðand€thou€faintest.óó€Job€iv.€5€(R.V.).Ð   	 Þ).%,   ÐÓ   |   ÓÌIT€is€much€easier€to€counsel€others€in€their€trouble€than€to€bearÏit€ourselves.€Full€often€the€soul,€which€has€poured€floods€ofÏconsolation€on€others,€feels€sadly€in€need€of€a€touch,€a€voice,€aÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðsympathising€companion,€as€the€chill€waters€begin€to€rise€towardsÏthe€knees,€and€the€shadow€of€the€great€eclipse€falls€around.€TheÏfact€of€our€having€consoled€so€many€others€seems€at€such€a€momentÏto€leave€us€the€more€solitary€and€lonesome.€People€have€been€soÏwont€to€be€helped€by€as€that€they€hardly€dare€approach€us;Ïbesides,€they€suppose€that€all€the€fund€of€comfort€from€which€weÏhave€succoured€others€must€be€now€available€for€us.€What€can€òòtheyóóÐ   	 À	   Ðsay€that€òòweóó€have€not€said€a€hundred€times?€and€if€we€have€òòsaidóóÐ   	 ˜
è   Ðit,€of€course€we€must€òòknowóó€all€about€it;€but€they€do€not€know€howÐ   	 pÀ   Ðwistful€the€heart€is€to€hear€it€said€to€us€with€the€accent€of€aÏsympathetic€voice€and€the€touch€of€a€ministering€hand.ÌAh,€it€will€come€unto€thee€at€last.€The€pain€and€sorrow€of€lifeÏwill€find€thee€out.€The€arrow€will€at€last€fix€itself€quiveringÏin€thy€heart.€How€wilt€thou€do€then?€Thou€wilt€faint€unless€thyÏwords€have€sprung€from€a€living€experience€of€the€love€andÏpresence€of€Jesus.€Thou€must€have€a€better€hope€than€"theÏintegrity€of€thy€ways,"€as€suggested€by€Eliphaz.€But€there€awaitsÏthee€the€personal€fellowship€of€Jesus,€a€brother€born€for€theÏhour€of€trial.€He€is€the€never-failing€Friend,€who€stickethÏcloser€than€a€brother.€Put€Him€and€his€will€and€his€choiceÏbetween€thee€and€thy€sorrow,€whatever€it€may€be.€Hide€thee€in€hisÏsecret€place,€and€under€the€shadow€of€his€wings€thou€shalt€enjoyÏsweet€peace.ÌÌ€€€€"Only€heaven€Is€better€than€a€walkÌ€€€€€With€Christ€at€midnight€over€moonlit€seas."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòHe€maketh€sore,€and€bindeth€up:€he€woundethÐ   	 P    Ðand€his€hands€make€whole.óó€Job€v.€18.Ð   	 /   ÐÓ   ¨  ÓÌHAS€this€been€your€experience€lately?€Have€you€been€made€sore€byÏthe€heavy€scourge€of€pain,€and€wounded€by€the€nails€of€the€cross?ÏDo€not€look€at€second€causes.€Men€may€have€been€the€instruments,Ïbut€God€is€the€Agent.€The€cup€has€been€presented€by€a€Judas,€butÏthe€Father€permitted€it;€and€it€is€therefore€the€cup€that€theÏFather€hath€given€you€to€drink.€Shall€you€not€drink€it?€How€muchÏHe€must€love€you,€to€dare€to€inflict€this€awful€discipline,€whichÏmakes€your€love€and€trust,€that€He€values€so€infinitely,€trembleÏin€the€scale!€"Despise€not€thou€the€chastening€of€the€Lord,€norÏfaint€when€thou€art€rebuked€of€Him;€for€whom€the€Lord€loveth€HeÏchasteneth,€and€scourgeth€every€son€whom€He€receiveth."ÌBut€do€not€look€back€on€what€you€have€suffered;€look€on€and€up!ÏAs€surely€as€He€has€made€sore,€He€will€bind€up;€as€soon€as€He€hasÏwounded,€his€hands€will€begin€to€make€whole.€Consider€theÏreparative€processes€of€nature.€So€soon€as€the€unsightly€ruin€orÏchasm€yawns,€nature€begins€to€weave€her€rich€festoons,€to€coverÏit€with€moss€and€lichen;€let€the€flesh€be€punctured€or€lacerated,Ïthe€blood€begins€to€poor€out€the€protoplastic€matter€to€be€wovenÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðinto€a€new€fabric.€So€when€the€heart€seems€bleeding€its€lifeÏaway,€God€is€at€work€binding€up€and€healing.€Think€of€those€dearÏand€tender€hands,€that€fashioned€the€heavens,€and€touched€theÏeyeballs€of€the€blind,€as€laid€upon€you€to€make€you€whole.€TrustÏHim;€He€loves€infinitely,€and€will€suffer€none€that€trust€in€HimÏto€be€desolate.ÌWe€must€be€careful,€however,€that€nothing€on€our€part€shallÏhinder€the€life€of€the€Son€of€God€from€flowing€through€us,€as€theÏsap€of€the€vine€through€every€branch.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAs€a€brook,€as€the€channel€of€brooksÐ   	 øH	   Ðthat€pass€away.óó€Job€vi.€15€(R.V.).Ð   	 ×'
   ÐÓ   )¯  ÓÌJOB€complains€of€his€three€friends.€He€was€glad€when€they€firstÏcame€to€his€side,€as€likely€to€yield€him€comfort€in€his€soreÏdistress.€Instead€of€this,€however,€they€began€probing€his€heartÏand€searching€his€life,€to€find€the€secret€sin€on€account€ofÏwhich€his€heavy€troubles€had€befallen€him.€Their€philosophy€wasÏat€fault.They€held€that€special€misfortune€is€always€the€resultÏof€special€sin;€and€since€there€was€nothing€in€Job's€outwardÏconduct€to€account€for€his€awful€sufferings,€they€felt€that€heÏwas€hiding€some€secret€defection,€which€they€urged€him€toÏconfess.€Job€felt€that€in€all€this€they€cruelly€misunderstoodÏhim,€and€compares€them€in€these€words€to€one€of€the€desertÏstreams€that€are€choked€with€ice€and€snow€in€the€time€of€theÏwinter€rains,€but€dwindle€and€dry€up€on€the€first€approach€ofÏsummer.€And€when€the€weary€caravans€come€to€their€banks,€lo,Ïtheir€bed€is€a€mere€heap€of€stones.€"They€come€thither€and€areÏconfounded."ÌIs€it€not€so€with€human€friendships?€We€hoped€that€they€wouldÏquench€the€raging€thirst€of€our€souls;€this€hope€increases€whenÏthey€draw€nigh€us€in€days€of€sorrow;€but€how€often€they€fail€usÏ--€stones€for€bread,€scorpions€for€fish,€and€scorching€pebblesÏinstead€of€water-brooks.€How€great€a€contrast€to€the€love€andÏfriendship€of€Jesus!€Not€like€a€brook€that€dries€in€the€time€ofÏdrought,€but€like€a€well€of€water€springing€up€within€the€heartÏfor€ever.€He€does€not€merely€give€consolation€and€sympathy,€butÏHe€is€what€He€gives.€He€imparts€Himself.€His€promise€chases€awayÏour€fears€as€his€Spirit€reminds€us€of€the€words,€"I€will€neverÏleave€thee,€nor€forsake€thee."€Nothing€gives€Him€greater€joy€thanÏto€be€the€perfect€circle€of€which€earth's€friendships€are€brokenÏarcs.ÌÌÓ    ÓòòWhat€is€man€.€.€.€that€thou€shouldestÐ   	 Þ).%,   Ðvisit€him€every€morning?óó€Job€vii.€17,€18.Ð   	 ½*&-   ÐÓ   o¶  ÓÌGOD€visits€us€with€mercy€every€morning.€Before€we€are€awake€He€isÏat€work€in€the€world,€baptizing€it€with€dew,€feeding€the€birdsÐ   	 L-œ(0   Ðand€wild€things,€taking€pleasure€in€the€jasmine€and€heliotrope,Ïthe€honeysuckle,€and€the€rose;€and€with€all€his€care€for€hisÏworld,€He€does€not€forget€man,€whom€He€has€placed€there€to€be€itsÏtenant.€There€is€no€life€so€mean€and€abject,€so€suffering€andÏwretched,€that€He€does€not€visit€in€order€to€comfort€and€relieveÏit.€No€heart€so€forlorn€that€He€does€not€knock€at€the€door:€noÏwindow€so€selfishly€curtained€and€shuttered,€at€which€He€does€notÏtap.€"Open€to€Me!"€the€heavenly€visitor€entreats,€"my€love,€myÏdove,€my€spouse!"€Alas€for€us!€that€we€keep€the€doors€and€windowsÏclosed€to€Him€--€as€the€poor€widow€to€a€beneficent€friend,€whoÏcalled€to€relieve€her,€but€she€mistook€him€for€theÏrent-collector.ÌBut€probably€Job€meant€that€God€visits€us€in€discipline,Ïtraining,€education.€He€is€the€watcher€of€men;€not€to€detectÏtheir€failures,€but€to€discover€opportunities€of€leading€them€onÏto€richer,€fuller€experiences€of€his€grace€and€life.€Surely,€asÏwe€consider€all€the€time€and€pains€which€God€has€expended€on€us,Ïwe€too€may€cry,€with€the€patriarch,€"What€is€man?"€Man€is€moreÏthan€we€guess,€else€God€would€never€take€such€time€and€pains€withÏhim.€When€a€lapidary€spends€years€over€a€single€diamond,€the€mostÏcareless€observer€begins€to€appraise€properly€its€intrinsicÏvalue.ÌEvery€morning€God€visits€thee,€with€holy€thoughts€and€warnings,Ïwith€miracles€and€parables,€with€anticipations€and€forecasts€--Ïoh,€realize€how€much€thou€art€to€Him:€give€Him€love€for€love,Ïthanks€and€loving€recognition,€a€child's€welcome€and€trust.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòIf€thou€wert€pure€and€upright,€surely€nowÐ   	 P    Ðhe€would€awake€for€thee.óó€Job€viii.€6.Ð   	 /   ÐÓ   ›½  ÓÌSO€Bildad€spoke,€suggesting€that€Job€was€not€pure€and€upright,Ïsince€God€did€not€appear€to€deliver€him.€The€premises€from€whichÏhe€argued€were€that€God€always€delivers€and€prospers€pure€andÏupright€men,€and€that€therefore,€if€a€man€were€not€delivered€andÏprospered,€he€was€proved€to€be€neither€pure€nor€upright.€TheÏfallacy€lay€in€the€premiss.€It€is€not€universally€true€that€GodÏdelivers€his€saints€from€adverse€circumstances,€or€prospers€themÏwith€outward€good.€There€have€been€in€all€ages€thousands€ofÏdevoted€servants€of€God€who€have€been€destitute,€afflicted,€andÏtormented;€and€there€are€thousands€of€such€to-day€in€prisons,€inÏhospital€wards,€in€every€condition€of€privation€and€trial;€but€inÏnone€of€these€cases€can€there€be€the€least€imputation€on€the€loveÏand€righteousness€of€God,€nor€necessarily€on€their€fidelity€andÏgoodness.ÌGod's€arrangements€for€us€are€not€governed€by€the€superficialÏphilosophy€which€would€make€material€prosperity€a€sign€of€hisÏfavour,€and€adversity€of€his€displeasure.€There€are€manyÏconsiderations€beside.€Our€privations€in€the€outward€strengthenÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðand€ripen€the€inward.€As€the€outward€man€decays,€the€inward€isÏrenewed€day€by€day.€We€have€to€learn€and€manifest€those€passiveÏvirtues€which€can€only€mature€in€silence€and€sorrow.€We€must€beÏtaught€to€be€largely€independent€of€circumstances,€and€to€find€inÏGod€Himself€the€springs€of€unfailing€supply.€We€must€learn€toÏcarry€the€sentence€of€death€in€ourselves,€that€we€may€not€trustÏin€ourselves,€but€in€the€living€God.€We€have€to€stiffer€with€andÏfor€others.€All€these€things€worketh€God€with€us€to€make€usÏpartakers€of€his€holiness.€But€amid€all€our€sorrows,€He€is€alwaysÏawake€for€us.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòYet€wilt€thou€plunge€me€in€the€ditch,€and€mineÐ   	 Ð 
   Ðown€clothes€shall€abhor€me.óó€Job€ix.€31.Ð   	 ¯ÿ
   ÐÓ   ÕÄ  ÓÌWE€shall€never€got€beyond€the€need€of€using€daily€the€Lord'sÏprayer.€He€has€bound€by€the€conjunction€and€the€prayer€forÏforgiveness€with€that€for€daily€bread,€as€though€to€teach€us€thatÏwe€shall€need€the€one€as€Iong€as€we€need€the€other.€At€the€end€ofÏthe€best€day€that€we€ever€spent,€when€we€are€not€aware€of€havingÏconsciously€sinned€in€act,€or€speech,€or€thought,€we€shall€stillÏhave€need€of€the€precious€blood.€We€may€know€nothing€againstÏourselves,€yet€we€shall€not€be€thereby€justified;€because€He€thatÏjudgeth€us€is€our€holy€Lord,€and€the€standard€by€which€we€areÏjudged€is€his€own€perfect€character.€A€piece€of€cambric€looksÏextremely€fine€to€the€eye,€but€how€coarse€to€the€microscope!ÏSheep€look€white€against€the€dark€ground€of€the€early€spring;€butÏhow€dark€if€there€should€be€a€fall€of€snow!€Our€characters€seemÏstainless,€only€because€we€compare€ourselves€with€ourselves,€orÏwith€others.ÌBut,€when€our€eyes€are€opened€to€see€God,€to€behold€the€whitenessÏof€the€great€white€throne,€and€we€stand€in€the€searching€light€ofÏheaven,€we€are€as€those€who€have€just€emerged€from€a€ditch.€IÏheard€the€other€day€of€a€woman€being€proud€of€having€livedÏwithout€sin€for€ten€years!€So€we€deceive€ourselves.€No,€at€theÏbest€we€are€sinful€men€and€women,€needing€constant€cleansing;Ïeven€though€we€may€be€kept€from€known€sin€by€the€grace€of€Christ.ÏIt€was€at€an€advanced€period€in€the€life€of€the€great€Apostle,Ïand€when€he€lived€nearest€God,€that€he€realized€himself€to€be€theÏchief€of€sinners.ÌÌ€€€€"I€know€not€what€I€am,€but€only€knowÌ€€€€€€€I€have€had€glimpses€tongue€may€never€speak:Ì€€€€€No€more€I€balance€human€joy€and€woe,Ì€€€€€€€But€think€of€my€transgressions,€and€am€meek."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€land€of€darkness€and€the€shadow€of€death.óó€Job€x.€21.Ð   	 f,¶'/   ÐÓ   	Ì  ÓÐ   	 E-•(0   ÐTHIS€represented€the€highest€thinking€of€that€age€about€theÏfuture.€There€were€gleams€now€and€again€of€something€more;€butÏthey€were€fitful€and€uncertain,€soon€overtaken€by€dark€and€sadÏforebodings.€How€different€to€our€happy€condition,€for€whom€deathÏis€abolished,€whilst€life€and€immortality€have€been€brought€toÏlight!€The€patriarch€called€the€present€life€Day,€and€the€futureÏNight.€We€know€that€in€comparison€the€present€is€Night,€and€theÏfuture€Day.€"The€night€is€far€spent,€the€day€is€at€hand;€let€usÏput€on€the€armour€of€light."ÌFor€us,€too,€there€is€something€better.€We€wait€for€his€Son€fromÏheaven;€we€look€for€that€blessed€hope,€the€glorious€appearing€ofÏour€great€God€and€Saviour€Jesus€Christ.€"As€the€waters€of€the€seaÏare€held€between€two€mighty€gravitations,€the€moon€now€drawingÏthem€towards€itself,€and€the€earth€drawing€them€back€again,€thusÏgiving€the€ebbing€and€flowing€tide,€by€which€our€earth€is€keptÏclean€and€healthful,€so€must€the€tides€of€the€soul's€affectionÏmove€perpetually€between€the€cross€of€Christ€and€the€coming€ofÏChrist,€influenced€now€by€the€power€of€memory€and€now€by€theÏpower€of€hope."€It€is€said€of€the€late€Dr.€Gordon:€"Hardly€aÏsermon€was€preached€without€allusion€to€the€glorious€appearing.ÏNever€a€day€passed€in€which€he€did€not€prepare€himself€for€it,€inÏwhich€its€hastening€was€not€sought€for€with€prayer."€"Yet€aÏlittle€while€[òòGreekóó,€how€little!€how€little!]€and€He€that€shallÐ   	 @   Ðcome€will€come."€The€attitude€of€every€believer€should€be€that€ofÏwaiting:€with€loins€girt€and€lamp€burning,€let€us€be€ready€toÏmeet€our€Lord.ÌÌ€€€€"The€Best€is€yet€to€be,Ì€€€The€Last€for€which€the€First€was€made."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòCanst€thou€by€searching€find€out€God?óó€Job€xi.€7.Ð   	 Ø(   ÐÓ   Ó  ÓÌTHERE€is€but€one€answer€to€that€question.€No€one€can.€The€veryÏangels€veil€their€faces€before€the€insufferable€glory€of€hisÏface.ÌÌ€€€€"The€firstborn€sons€of€lightÌ€€€€€Desire€in€vain€his€depths€to€see;Ì€€€€€They€cannot€reach€the€mystery,Ì€€€€€€€The€length,€and€breadth,€and€height.ÌÌDo€not€be€surprised,€then,€if€there€should€be€matters€in€theÏBible,€in€your€own€life,€and€in€the€Providential€government€ofÏthe€world,€which€baffle€your€thought.€Remember€you€are€only€aÏlittle€child€in€an€infant€class,€and€it€is€not€likely€that€youÏcan€comprehend€the€whole€system€of€your€instructor.€God€wouldÏcease€to€be€God€to€us,€if€we€by€searching€could€find€Him€out.ÌBut€though€we€cannot€find€out€God€by€the€searching€of€theÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðintellect,€we€may€know€Him€by€love.€"He€that€loveth,€knoweth€God;Ïfor€God€is€Love."€There€is€a€way€of€knowing€God,€which€is€hiddenÏfrom€the€wise€and€prudent,€and€revealed€to€babes.€Seek€to€beÏstrengthened€with€might€by€his€Spirit€in€the€inner€man.€LetÏChrist€dwell€deep€in€your€heart€by€faith.€Take€care€to€obey€allÏhis€commandments,€and€then€the€Holy€God€will€come€into€you,€andÏabide.€He€will€give€you€Himself,€and€you€will€know€Him€as€aÏlittle€child€knows€its€parent,€whom€it€cannot€grasp€with€itsÏmind,€but€loves€and€trusts€and€knows€with€its€heart.€We€cannotÏfind€out€God€by€searching,€but€we€can€by€loving.ÌWe€can€also€find€Him€in€the€character€and€life€of€Jesus.€He€thatÏhath€seen€Him€hath€seen€the€Father;€why€then€ask€to€be€shown€theÏFather?€"What€is€Thy€name,€0€mystery€of€strength€and€beauty?"Ï"Shiloh,€Rest-Giver,"€is€the€deep€response.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòDoth€not€the€ear€try€words?€and€the€palateÐ   	 0€   Ðtasteth€its€meat.óó€Job€xii.€11€(R.V.).Ð   	 _   ÐÓ   ¬Ù  ÓÌTHERE€is€no€appeal€from€the€verdict€of€our€palate.We€know€in€aÏmoment€whether€a€substance€is€sweet€or€bitter,€palatable€orÏdisagreeable.€Now,€what€the€taste€is€to€articles€of€diet,€thatÏthe€ear€is€to€words,€whether€of€God€or€man.€More€especially€weÏcan€tell€in€a€moment€whether€the€fire€of€inspiration€is€burningÏin€them.€This€is€the€test€which€Job€proposed€to€apply€to€theÏwords€of€his€friends;€and€it€would€be€well€for€all€of€us€to€applyÏthe€same€test€to€Holy€Scripture.ÌThe€humble€student€of€the€Word€of€God€is€sometimes€much€perplexedÏand€cast€down€by€the€assaults€which€are€made€on€it€by€scholarsÏand€teachers,€who€do€not€scruple€to€question€the€authorship€andÏauthority€of€large€tracts€of€Scripture.€We€cannot€vie€with€theseÏin€scholarship,€but€the€humblest€may€apply€the€test€of€the€purgedÏear;€and€it€will€detect€a€certain€quality€in€the€Bible€which€isÏabsent€everywhere€beside.€There€is€a€tone€in€the€voice€ofÏScripture,€which€the€child€of€God€must€recognise.€This€is€theÏinteresting€characteristic€in€the€quotations€made€in€the€NewÏTestament€from€the€Old.€All€the€writers€in€the€later€RevelationÏdetect€the€voice€of€God€in€the€Old;€to€them,€it€is€the€DivineÏutterance€through€holy€lips.€Hearken,€they€cry,€"the€holy€GhostÏsaith."€God€is€speaking€in€the€prophets,€as€He€spake€in€his€Son.ÌIt€is€one€of€the€characteristics€of€Christ's€sheep€that€they€knowÏhis€voice,€and€follow€Him,€whilst€they€flee€from€the€voice€ofÏstrangers.€Ask€that€the€Lord€may€touch€your€ears,€that€they€mayÏdiscern€by€a€swift€intuition€the€voice€of€the€Good€Shepherd€fromÏthat€of€strangers;€and€for€grace€to€follow€immediately€He€callsÏyou.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThough€He€slay€me,€yet€will€I€trust€in€Him.óó€Job€xiii.€15.Ð   	 >-Ž(0   ÐÓ   ¡à  ÓÌTHIS€was€a€noble€expression,€which€has€been€appropriated€byÏthousands€in€every€subsequent€age.€In€every€friendship€there€is€aÏprobation,€during€which€we€narrowly€watch€the€actions€of€another,Ïas€indicating€the€nature€of€his€soul;€but€after€awhile€we€get€toÏsuch€intimate€knowledge€and€confidence,€that€we€read€and€know€hisÏinner€secret.€We€have€passed€from€the€outer€court€into€the€HolyÏPlace€of€fellowship.€We€seem€familiar€with€every€nook€and€crannyÏof€our€friend's€nature.€And€then€it€is€comparatively€unimportantÏhow€he€appears€to€act;€we€know€him.ÌSo€it€is€in€respect€of€God.€At€first€we€know€Him€through€theÏtestimony€of€others,€and€on€the€evidence€of€Scripture;€but€asÏtime€passes,€with€its€everdeepening€experiences€of€what€God€is,Ïwith€those€opportunities€of€converse€that€arise€during€years€ofÏprayer€and€communion,€we€get€to€know€Him€as€He€is€and€to€trustÏHim€implicitly.€And€when€that€point€has€been€reached€and€passed,Ïnothing€afterwards€can€greatly€move€us.€Instead€of€looking€at€GodÏfrom€the€standpoint€of€his€acts,€we€look€at€his€dealings€with€usÏand€all€men€from€the€standpoint€of€his€heart.€Though€He€put€us€onÏthe€altar,€as€Abraham€did€Isaac,€and€take€the€knife€to€slay€us,Ïwe€trust€Him.€If€we€die,€it€is€to€pass€into€a€richer€life.€If€HeÏseem€to€forget€and€forsake€us,€it€is€only€in€appearance.€HisÏheart€is€yearning€over€us€more€than€ever.€God€cannot€do€a€thingÏwhich€is€not€perfectly€loving€and€wise€and€good.€Oh€to€know€HimÏthus!ÌÌ€€€€€€"€Leaving€the€final€issue€In€His€handsÌ€€€€€Whose€goodness€knows€no€change,€whose€love€is€sure,Ì€€€€€Who€sees,€foresees,€who€cannot€judge€amiss."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòAll€the€days€of€my€warfare€would€I€wait,€tillÐ   	 Ø(   Ðmy€release€should€come.óó€Job€xiv.€14€(R.V.).Ð   	 ·    ÐÓ   Zç  ÓÌTHE€Lord€Jesus€has€chosen€us€to€be€his€soldiers.€We€are€in€theÏmidst€of€a€great€campaign:€let€us€endure€hardness,€as€goodÏsoldiers€of€Jesus€Christ,€and€strive€above€all€things€to€pleaseÏHim€(2€Tim.€ii.€4).€Amongst€other€things,€let€us€be€sure€not€toÏentangle€ourselves€in€the€affairs€of€this€life.€What€purposeÏcould€a€soldier€serve€who€insisted€on€taking€all€his€householdÏgoods€with€him€on€the€march!ÌThere€is€no€pause€in€the€warfare.€We€can€never,€like€Gideon'sÏsoldiers,€throw€ourselves€on€the€bank€and€quaff€the€water€at€ourÏleisure.€Every€bush€may€hide€a€sharp-shooter;€every€brake€anÏambuscade.€It€becomes€us€to€watch€and€pray;€to€keep€on€ourÏharness€of€armour;€to€be€on€the€alert€for€our€Captain's€voice.€WeÏwrestle€not€against€flesh€and€blood,€but€against€the€hosts€ofÏwicked€spirits€in€the€heavenly€places;€we€need€to€be€strong€inÏthe€Lord,€and€in€the€power€of€his€might,€and€to€take€untoÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðourselves€the€whole€armour€of€God,€that€we€may€be€able€toÏwithstand€in€the€evil€day,€and€having€done€all€to€stand.ÌBut€the€release€will€come€at€last.€When€the€soldier€has€foughtÏthe€good€fight,€the€time€of€his€departure€will€come,€and€he€willÏgo€in€to€receive€the€crown€which€the€Lord,€the€righteous€Judge,Ïshall€give€in€that€day.€"Come,"€said€the€dying€Havelock€to€hisÏson,€"and€see€how€a€Christian€can€die."€Sometimes€it€demands€moreÏof€a€soldier's€courage€to€wait€than€to€charge.€Remember€that€longÏwaiting€on€the€field€at€Waterloo,€when€the€day€passed€fromÏmorning€to€evening.€If€you€can€do€nothing€else,€wait.€BeÏsteadfast,€immovable:€lying€still€to€suffer,€to€bear,€to€endure.ÏThis€is€fighting€of€the€noblest€sort.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThou€restrainest€prayer€before€God.óó€Job€xv.€4.Ð   	 €Ð   ÐÓ   iî  ÓÌJOB'S€friends€were€bent€on€discovering€the€cause€of€hisÏsufferings€in€some€secret€failure€and€declension.€This€is€whyÏEliphaz€accused€him€so€groundlessly.€They€did€not€know€of€thoseÏsecret€habits€of€intercession€described€in€the€first€chapter.€ButÏthis€charge€is€eminently€true€of€some€professing€Christians.ÌòòThey€restrain€private€prayer.óó€--€The€closet€door€is€too€seldomÐ   	 o¿   Ðshut€behind€them,€or€it€is€kept€shut€for€to€brief€a€period.€TheyÏdo€not€give€themselves€time€to€get€into€the€mid-current€ofÏintercession€and€be€borne€forward€by€it€whither€it€will.€TheÏvoice€of€the€Holy€Spirit€is€barely€able€to€assert€itself€amid€theÏhubbub€of€voices€within.€They€are€so€taken€up€with€speaking€ofÏthe€Lord,€or€working€for€Him,€that€they€slur€over€privateÏaudiences€with€Himself.ÌòòThey€restrain€social€prayer.óó€--€Their€minister€never€them€in€theÐ   	 /   Ðgatherings€for€intercession€on€behalf€of€the€work€of€the€ChurchÏand€the€salvation€of€the€lost.€They€forsake€the€assembling€ofÏthemselves€with€the€saints.€Like€Thomas,€they€are€absent€from€theÏgathering€in€the€upper€room,€and€miss€the€smile€of€the€Lord.ÌòòThey€restrain€family€prayer.óó€--€Surely€we€ought€to€gather€atÐ   	 g!·"   Ðleast€once€a€day€around€the€family€altar.€Where€Abraham€pitchedÏhis€tent€he€erected€the€altar.€A€prayerless€home€is€apt€to€becomeÏa€worldly€and€unhappy€one.€There€is€no€such€keystone€to€the€archÏof€home-life€and€home-love,€as€the€habit€of€family€worship.ÌHow€foolish,€how€short-sighted,€how€sinful,€it€is€to€restrainÏprayer!€What€wonder€that€your€soul€is€famished€when€you€fail€toÏfeed€it,€or€impoverished€when€you€neglect€intercourse€withÏheaven!ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòI€was€at€ease,€and€He€brake€me€asunder.óó€Job€xvi.€12€(R.V.).Ð   	 ¯*ÿ%-   ÐÓ   Zõ  ÓÌTHE€other€day,€it€was€the€Lord's€Day€morning,€two€sparrows€fellÏfrom€the€leads€of€my€church€into€the€vestry,€which€has€a€loftyÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðglass€skylight.€As€soon€as€they€had€recovered€from€theirÏastonishment€at€finding€themselves€prisoners,€they€flew€upÏagainst€this€skylight€as€though€to€break€through€it€to€the€openÏheaven,€and€then€round€and€round€the€room.€They€were€desperatelyÏafraid€of€myself€and€the€verger,€whom€I€had€called,€not€realizingÏthat€we€were€as€anxious€as€they€to€get€them€out€again€into€theÏair.€The€only€thing€we€could€do€to€help€them€was€to€keep€themÏfrom€alighting€to€rest;€so€with€long€brooms€and€soft€missiles€weÏconstantly€drove€them€from€every€cornice€and€picture-frame€onÏwhich€they€alighted,€till€they€fell€exhausted,€and€with€pantingÏbreasts,€to€the€ground.€Then€we€captured€them€and€set€them€free.ÏThey€might€have€said€many€a€time,€in€the€course€of€thatÏencounter,€"We€were€at€case,€and€they€brake€us€asunder;€they€alsoÏset€us€up€for€their€mark."€But€if€they€could€review€that€episodeÏnow,€they€would€doubtless€see€that€it€was€love€which€forbade€themÏto€rest€anywhere€in€the€vestry,€because€it€desired€to€give€themÏtheir€fullest€liberty.ÌSo€with€Job.€God€would€not€allow€him€to€rest€in€anything€short€ofÏthe€best,€and€therefore€He€broke€up€his€nest.€Is€not€this€the€keyÏto€his€dealings€with€you?€Oh,€believe€that€behind€the€perpetualÏchange€and€displacement€of€your€life€God€is€leading€you€into€theÏglorious€liberty€of€his€children!ÌÌ€€€€"Therefore€to€whom€turn€I€but€Thee,€the€ineffable€Name?Ì€€€Builder€and€Maker€Thou€of€houses€not€made€with€hands!Ì€€€€€What?€have€fear€of€change€from€Thee€who€art€ever€the€same?Ì€€€Doubt€that€Thy€power€can€fill€the€heart€that€Thy€powerÏexpands?Ì€€€€€There€shall€never€be€one€lost€good."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòYet€shall€the€righteous€hold€on€his€way.óó€Job€xvii.€9€(R.V.).Ð   	 Ø(   ÐÓ   ´ü  ÓÌWHEN€the€real€life€of€God€enters€the€soul,€it€persists€there.ÏGenuine€religion€is€shown€by€its€power€of€persistence.€AnythingÏshort€of€a€Godgiven€faith€will€sooner€or€later€fail.€It€may€runÏwell€for€a€time,€but€its€pace€will€inevitably€slacken€till€itÏcomes€to€a€stand.€The€youths€faint€and€are€weary,€and€the€youngÏmen€utterly€fall.€The€seed€sown€on€the€rock€springs€up€quickly,Ïand€as€quickly€dies€down€and€perishes.€But€where€there€is€theÏrooting€and€grounding€in€God,€there€is€a€perpetuity€andÏpersistence€which€outlives€all€storms€and€survives€allÏresistance.ÌYou€shall€hold€on€your€way€òòbecause€Jesus€holds€youóó€in€his€strongÐ   	 ÿ(O$+   Ðhand.€He€is€your€Shepherd;€He€has€vanquished€all€your€foes,€andÏyou€shall€never€perish.ÌYou€shall€hold€on€your€way€òòbecause€the€Father€has€designedÐ   	 ‡+×&.   Ðthrough€you€to€glorify€his€Sonóó;€and€there€must€be€no€gaps€in€hisÐ   	 _,¯'/   Ðcrown€where€jewels€ought€to€be.Ð   	 7-‡(0   ÐYou€shall€hold€on€your€way€òòbecause€the€Holy€Spirit€has€deigned€toÐ   	 °      Ðmake€you€his€residence€and€homeóó;€and€He€is€within€you€theÐ   	 ˆØ    Ðperennial€spring€of€a€holy€life.ÌIt€is€said€that€there€was€once€a€debate€in€heaven,€as€to€whichÏkind€of€life€needed€most€of€God's€grace.€That€of€a€man€who€afterÏa€lifetime€of€gross€sins€was€converted€at€the€eleventh€hour,€orÏof€a€man€that€for€his€whole€career€had€been€kept€fromÏdestruction.€And€finally€the€latter€was€agreed€to€be€the€mostÏconspicuous€miracle.€And€there€is€no€doubt€that€this€is€so.€YetÏfor€this€also€shall€God's€grace€avail:€and€He€shall€enable€theeÏto€hold€on€thy€way€till€heaven€open€to€thee.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€king€of€terrors.óó€Job€xviii.€14.Ð   	 ¨ø
   ÐÓ   œ  ÓÌS0€the€ancients€spoke€of€death.€They€were€constantly€pursued€byÏthe€dread€of€the€unknown.€Every€unpeopled€or€distant€spot€was€theÏhaunt€and€dwellingplace€of€evil€and€dreadful€objects.€But€theÏgrave,€and€the€world€beyond,€were€above€all€terrible,€and€deathÏthe€King€of€Terrors.€It€is€difficult€for€us,€who€inheritÏcenturies€of€Christian€teaching,€to€realize€how€dark€and€fearsomeÏwas€all€the€realm€that€lay€under€the€dominion€of€death€and€theÏgrave.€What€a€shiver€in€those€words,€King€of€Terrors!ÌBut€for€us€how€vast€the€contrast!€Jesus€has€abolished€death,€andÏbrought€life€and€immortality€to€light.€He€has€gone€through€theÏgrave,€and€come€again€to€assure€us€that€it€is€the€back€door€intoÏour€Father's€house,€with€its€many€mansions.€At€his€girdle€hangÏthe€keys€of€death€and€Hades;€none€can€shut€the€door€when€He€opensÏit,€and€none€open€when€He€keeps€it€shut.€He€was€Himself€dead;€butÏHe€lives€for€evermore,€and€comes€to€the€side€of€each€dying€saintÏto€escort€him€through€the€valley€to€his€own€bright€abode.ÌThere€is€something€better.€In€the€case€of€immense€numbers,€whoÏshall€be€alive€and€remain€when€He€comes€again,€death€will€beÏentirely€evaded.€"He€that€liveth€and€believeth€in€Him€shall€neverÏdie."€They€shall€be€caught€away€to€meet€the€Lord€in€the€air.ÏSuddenly,€in€the€twinkling€of€an€eye,€this€mortal€shall€put€onÏimmortality,€this€corruptible€incorruption.€At€his€coming€theÏgrave€shall€be€despoiled€of€its€treasures,€and€death€shall€missÏits€expected€prey.Ì"0€death,€where€is€thy€sting!€0€grave,€where€is€thy€victory!ÏThanks€be€to€God€which€giveth€us€the€victory€through€our€LordÏJesus€Christ."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòI€know€that€my€Redeemer€liveth.óó€Job€xix.€25.Ð   	 ×)'%,   ÐÓ   =
  ÓÌTHOSE€words€express€the€deepest€and€most€radiant€conviction€ofÏbelieving€hearts.€"He€lives,€the€great€Redeemer€lives!"€Man€didÏhis€worst;€the€nail,€the€cross,€the€spear,€were€bitter;€but€HeÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðliveth!€Death€stood€over€Him€as€a€vanquished€foe;€but€He€liveth!ÏCaptain€Sepulchre€and€his€henchman€Corruption€held€earnestÏcolloquy€together€about€the€best€method€of€detaining€Him;€but€HeÏliveth!€He€ever€liveth:€and€because€He€continueth€ever,€He€hathÏan€unchangeable€priesthood.ÌBut€it€is€not€probable€that€his€words€meant€all€this€to€Job.€TheÏword€translated€"Redeemer€"€is€Goel€--€the€nearest€kinsman,€swornÏto€avenge€the€wrongs€of€blood€relations.€This€conception€of€theÏkinsman€avenger€has€been€always€in€vogue€in€the€East,€where€theÏpopulations€are€scattered€and€migratory,€and€our€system€of€lawÏimpossible.€Beyond€the€heavens€Job€thought€there€lived€a€Kinsman,Ïwho€saw€all€his€sufferings,€and€pitied,€and€would€one€day€appearÏon€earth€to€vindicate€his€innocence€and€avenge€his€wrongs.€He€wasÏcontent€to€leave€the€case€with€Him,€sure€that€He€would€not€fail,Ïas€his€friends€had€done.ÌBeyond€the€sorrows€and€anguish€of€time€he€should€yet€see€God;€andÏhe€longed€to€see€Him,€that€he€might€learn€the€secret€purpose,Ïwhich€explained€the€sorrow€of€his€lot.€He€had€no€dread€of€thatÏmomentous€event,€since€his€Goel€would€be€there€to€stand€besideÏhim.ÌÌ€€€€"Sudden€the€Worst€turns€the€Best€to€the€brave,Ì€€€€€€€€The€black€minute's€at€end!--Ì€€€€€And€the€Elements'€rage,€the€fiend€voices€that€rave,Ì€€€€€€€€Shall€dwindle,€shall€blend,Ì€€€€€Shall€change,€shall€become,€--€first€a€Peace€out€of€Pain,Ì€€€€€€€Then€a€Light,€then€thy€breast."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThis€is€the€portion€of€a€wicked€man€from€God.óó€Job€xx.€29.Ð   	 (x   ÐÓ     ÓÌREPEATEDLY€in€reading€this€book€we€are€reminded€of€the€strongÏconvictions€entertained€by€thoughtful€men€among€these€EasternÏpeoples,€of€the€sure€connection€between€wrong-doing€and€itsÏbitter€penalty.€The€friends€of€the€sufferer€express€theirÏopinions€in€cold-blooded€and€unfeeling€words;€but€we€can€detectÏtheir€intense€convictions€beneath€all€--€that€special€sufferingÏindicates€the€presence€of€special€sin,€and€that€all€wickedness€isÏsooner€or€later€brought€to€light€and€punished.ÌWe€are€less€able€to€follow€the€track€of€God's€providences€inÏthese€crowded,€hurrying€days;€but€there€can€be€little€doubt€ofÏthe€connection€between€wrong-doing€and€punishment.€The€law€isÏimmutable.€As€a€man€soweth,€so€shall€be€also€reap.€The€triumphingÏof€the€wicked€is€short,€and€the€joy€of€the€godless€but€for€aÏmoment.€He€shall€disgorge€his€wealth;€he€shall€suck€the€poison€ofÏasps€in€the€remorse€and€bitterness€of€his€soul;€the€heavens€shallÏreveal€his€iniquity;€and€his€descendants€shall€seek€favour€of€theÏpoor.€These€things€are€still€to€be€seen€among€us,€in€the€rise€andÏfall€of€proud€men€and€their€families.Ð   	 7-‡(0   ÐLet€us€go€into€the€sanctuary€of€God,€and€consider€their€latterÏend;€and€as€we€contrast€it€with€that€of€the€poorest€of€hisÏchildren,€we€shall€find€no€reason€to€envy€them.€Even€though€noÏhuman€tribunal€sentence€them,€they€carry€the€harpoon€in€theirÏheart,€and€sooner€or€later€it€will€bring€them€to€a€certain€andÏawful€doom.€It€cannot€be€otherwise€whilst€God€is€God.€TheÏpsalmist€said:ÌÌ€€€€"I€have€seen€the€wicked€in€great€power,Ì€€€€€And€spreading€himself€like€a€green€bay€tree;Ì€€€€€Yet€he€passed€away,€and,€lo,€he€was€not."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòShall€any€teach€God€knowledge?óó€Job€xxi.€22.Ð   	 ¨ø
   ÐÓ   ì  ÓÌWE€cannot€tell€God€anything€He€does€not€know€already.€The€mostÏfervent€and€full€of€our€prayers€simply€unfold€in€word€all€thatÏhas€been€patent€to€his€loving,€pitying€eye.€This€does€not€makeÏprayer€needless;€on€the€contrary,€it€incites€to€prayer,€since€itÏis€pleasant€to€talk€with€one€who€knows€the€whole€case€perfectly;Ïand€it€is€a€relief€to€feel€that€God's€answers€depend€--€not€onÏthe€information€we€bring€Him,€or€even€on€the€specific€requests€weÏmake,€but€--€on€his€infinite€and€perfect€acquaintance€withÏcircumstances€and€conditions€of€which€we€are€altogether€ignorant.Ì"Your€Father€knoweth."€Quicker€than€lightning€is€his€notice€ofÏevery€transition€in€your€inner€life€--€of€your€downsittings€andÏyour€uprisings;€of€every€thought€in€your€heart;€every€word€onÏyour€tongue;€of€the€fretting€of€that€inward€cross;€of€the€anguishÏof€that€stake€in€your€flesh;€of€the€enemy€that,€like€a€sword€inÏyour€bones,€reproaches€you€with€the€derisive€challenge.€"ThouÏcompassest€my€path€and€my€lying€down,€and€art€acquainted€with€allÏmy€ways.€For€there€is€not€a€word€in€my€tongue,€but,€lo,€0€Lord,Ïthou€knowest€it€altogether."€Yes,€He€knows€it€all,€and€loves€youÏbetter€than€you€know.ÌDo€not€presume€to€dictate€to€Him;€do€not€dare€to€say€that€someÏother€way€would€be€better,€some€other€lot€more€likely€to€developÏyour€best€self.€He€knows€every€track€by€which€to€bring€sons€toÏglory;€and€that€He€has€chosen€this€one€is€a€positive€proof€thatÏit€is€the€best,€the€one€most€adapted€to€your€idiosyncrasies€andÏneeds.€His€ways€are,€higher€than€your€ways,€and€his€thoughts€thanÏyour€thoughts.€You€could€not€teach€Him€knowledge,€or€increase€hisÏlove€--€then€trust€both.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòIf€thou€return€to€the€Almighty.óó€Job€xxii.€23.Ð   	 ×)'%,   ÐÓ   À  ÓÌTHESE€words€introduce€a€most€exquisite€picture€of€the€blessingsÏconsequent€on€return€to€God.€They€do€not€fit€the€case€of€Job,€toÏwhom€they€were€addressed,€because€he€had€not€left€God;€and€theyÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðsound€strange€as€coming€from€the€mouth€of€Eliphaz.€Still€they€areÏfull€of€sublime€truth.ÌòòThere€are€three€conditions.óó€--€We€must€retrace€the€steps€of€ourÐ   	 `°   Ðbacksliding€and€wandering€lives.€We€must€put€away€unrighteousnessÏfrom€our€home-life€and€business€engagements,€so€that€the€tent€mayÏbe€free€from€idols.€We€must€be€content€to€lay€our€most€treasuredÏpossessions€in€the€dust€at€God's€feet€for€Him€to€deal€with€as€HeÏpleases.ÌòòThere€are€four€consequences.óó€--€Whatever€we€give€up€for€God,€weÐ   	 pÀ   Ðshall€find€again€in€Him;€He€shall€become€our€treasure.€PrayerÏshall€have€new€zest,€new€success;€be€full€of€delight;€become€theÏinterchange€of€face-to-face€fellowship.€There€shall€be€moreÏcertainty€and€permanence€in€our€decisions€and€achievements.€OurÏdecrees€shall€stand,€our€work€shall€last,€our€path€shall€beÏillumined€with€light.€Trouble€and€trial€shall€depress€us€for€onlyÏa€brief€space,€like€the€passing€of€an€Atlantic€breaker€over€aÏlighthouse€rock,€whilst€a€glad€relief€shall€always€follow€closeÏon€disaster.ÌLet€us€ask€for€all€this€in€our€daily€prayer.€0€God,€be€òòmyóóÐ   	 à0   Ðprecious€silver;€give€òòmeóó€delight€in€Thee;€hear€òòmyóó€prayers;€may€IÐ   	 ¸   Ðdecree€what€Thou€canst€establish;€let€Thy€light€shine€on€òòmyóó€ways;Ð   	 à   Ðlift€òòmeóó€up€above€all€my€depressions€and€fears€--€that€I€mayÐ   	 h¸   Ðstretch€out€a€strong€hand€to€those€who€are€in€trouble.ÌÌ€€€€"Oh,€strengthen€me,€that€while€I€standÌ€€€€€€€€Firm€on€the€Rock,€and€strong€In€Thee,Ì€€€€€I€may€stretch€out€a€loving€handÌ€€€€€€€€To€wrestlers€with€the€troubled€sea."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòO€that€I€knew€where€I€might€find€Him,€that€IÐ   	  P   Ðmight€come€even€to€his€seat!óó€Job€xxiii.€3.Ð   	 ß/   ÐÓ   f&  ÓÌPOOR€tempest-driven€man,€he€knew€not€that€God€was€intimatelyÏnear,€nearer€than€breathing.€There€was€no€need€for€him€to€goÏforward€and€backward,€on€the€right€hand€or€the€left.€The€Lord€hisÏGod€was€nigh€him,€even€in€his€heart;€for€his€throne€was€pitchedÏthere€on€the€sands€of€the€desert,€between€Job€and€his€pitilessÏaccusers.ÌòòThouóó€needest€not€speak€like€this.€Thou€knowest€where€to€find€Him;Ð   	 ¦%ö '   Ðthou€canst€find€the€way€to€his€seat.€He€is€to€be€found€in€Jesus,Ïseated€on€the€mercy-seat;€in€that€room€where€thou€sittest€readingÏthese€words;€in€that€railway€train€or€store.€No€need€to€ascendÏinto€heaven,€or€descend€into€the€abyss.€Thou€couldst€not€beÏnearer€God,€if€thou€wert€in€heaven.€True,€the€obscuring€vailÏshall€be€then€removed.ÌÌ€€€€"And€without€a€screen,Ì€€€€€At€one€burst€shall€be€seen,Ð   	 >-Ž(0   Ð€€€€€The€Presence€in€which€we€have€ever€been";ÌÌbut€the€dropping-€of€the€scales€from€our€eyes€will€not€make€usÏnearer€God€than€we€are€at€this€moment.ÌNow€go€to€his€seat,€just€in€front€of€thee.€Order€thy€cause€beforeÏHim,€and€argue€it.€Wait€to€know€the€words€with€which€He€shallÏanswer€thee,€and€understand€his€reply.€Only€be€sure€that€He€willÏnot€contend€against€thee€with€his€great€power.€Sometimes€we€areÏso€bewildered€and€perplexed€that€we€lose€the€realizing€sense€ofÏGod's€presence;€but€there€is€no€real€difference.€God€is€notÏreally€farther€away;€and€nothing€glorifies€and€pleases€Him€moreÏthan€for€us€to€go€on€speaking€with€Him€as€though€we€could€see€hisÏface,€and€realize€his€embrace.€Be€still€for€a€moment,€and€say,Ïreverently€and€believingly:€òòLo,€God€is€in€this€place.óóÐ   	 ¨ø
   ÐÌÌÓ    ÓòòYet€a€little€while,€and€they€are€gone.óó€Job€xxiv.€24€(R.V.).Ð   	 0€   ÐÓ   s-  ÓÌJOB€here€describes€the€insecurity€of€the€wicked.€He€may€haveÏraged€against€the€poor€and€innocent;€but€in€a€moment€he€comesÏdown€to€Sheol,€is€hurried€to€stand€before€his€Maker€to€receiveÏhis€sentence.€As€he€had€treated€the€poor,€so€he€is€treated.€As€heÏhad€devoured€the€houses€of€the€innocent,€so€he€is€devoured.€"HowÏare€they€become€a€desolation€in€a€moment!€They€are€utterlyÏconsumed€with€terrors.€As€a€dream€when€one€awaketh;€so,€0€Lord,Ïwhen€Thou€awakest,€Thou€shalt€despise€their€image."ÌFor€those€who€fear€God€there€is€a€greatly€contrasted€lot.€TheyÏreceive€a€kingdom€that€cannot€be€moved.€Zion€may€be€a€desolation,Ïand€Jerusalem€a€wilderness;€the€holy€and€beautiful€institutionsÏin€which€their€early€religious€impressions€were€made€may€crumble;Ïbut€they€are€come€to€the€heavenly€Jerusalem.€The€removing€ofÏthose€things€that€are€capable€of€being€shaken€only€makes€moreÏapparent€those€which€cannot€be€shaken.ÌWhere€do€you€build€your€nest?€In€the€trees€of€this€world,€thatÏsway€in€the€tempest,€or€may€be€hewn€down€by€the€woodman's€axe;€orÏhave€you€learnt€to€build€in€the€clefts€of€the€Rock€of€Ages?€IsÏyour€treasure€in€human€friendships,€which€may€change€or€be€cut€inÏtwain€by€the€sharp€shears€of€death;€or€is€it€in€the€love€of€God,Ïthe€unchangeable€and€everlasting€Lover€of€souls?€Let€us€look€offÏfrom€ourselves;€from€that€diseased€introspection€that€so€confusesÏand€dims€our€life;€from€the€old€fears€that€made€us€tremble€andÏthe€old€matters€of€which€we€must€speak€no€more.€And€let€us€lookÏupward€and€forward€to€that€near€future,€which€is€so€much€largerÏand€better€than€the€past€has€been,€and€where€we€shall€attain€moreÏthan€the€heights€of€our€dreams.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòHow€then€can€man€be€just€with€God?óó€Job€xxv.€4€(R.V.).Ð   	 _,¯'/   ÐÓ   `4  ÓÐ   	 >-Ž(0   ÐTHIS€is€the€question€of€the€ages.€Man€knows€that€he€is€as€a€worm,Ïand€worse.€For€no€animal,€however€humble,€has€consciously€andÏdeterminedly€broken€the€law€of€God,€and€defiled€its€nature.ÌOur€first€effort€is€to€go€about€to€establish€a€righteousness€ofÏour€own.€Repeated€failure€only€aggravates€our€misery€and€chagrin,Ïtill€we€fall€helpless€at€the€foot€of€Sinai.€Our€vows€are€broken,Ïthe€law€of€God€lies€shivered€around€us,€the€thunders€andÏlightnings€make€us€afraid.€Then€God€in€the€Person€of€Jesus€comesÏto€our€help.€First,€He€meets€and€satisfies€the€demands€of€theÏbroken€law,€so€that€it€can€ask€no€more.€With€his€own€hands€HeÏworks€out,€and€brings€in,€everlasting€righteousness.€And€finally,ÏHe€produces€in€us€that€faith€by€which€his€finished€work€isÏapplied€to€our€conscience€and€heart.ÌBy€the€works€of€the€law€shall€no€flesh€be€justified€in€his€sight;Ïfor€by€the€law€is€the€knowledge€of€sin.€But€we€are€justifiedÏfreely€by€his€grace€through€the€redemption€that€is€in€ChristÏJesus,€whom€God€hath€set€forth€to€be€a€propitiation.€God€isÏHimself€the€Justifier€of€the€ungodly.€"Whom€He€called,€them€HeÏalso€justified."€He€takes€off€the€filthy€garments,€and€clothes€usÏin€change€of€raiment.ÌBut€the€condition€is€òòfaithóó.€We€must€believe€in€Him€who€justifiethÐ   	 à   Ðthe€ungodly.€They€who€believe€are€justified€from€all€things.ÏBeing€justified€by€faith,€we€have€peace€with€God,€through€ourÏLord€Jesus€Christ.€We€are€not€saved€by€believing€about€his€work,Ïbut€in€Himself.€The€Greek€of€John€iii.€16€might€be€rendered,ÏWhosoever€even€believeth€into€Him.€The€motion€of€faith€is€everÏtowards€the€heart€of€Him€who€died,€and€rose,€and€lives.€ThenÏthrough€our€faith€the€Spirit€produces€a€holy€character.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòHow€small€a€whisper€do€we€hear€of€Him!óó€Job€xxvi.€14€(R.V.).Ð   	  P   ÐÓ   ’;  ÓÌJOB€in€thought€passes€through€the€universe.€Sheol€stands€for€theÏgrave€and€the€unseen€world;€Abaddon,€for€Satan,€or€for€the€greatÏreservoirs€in€which€the€destructive€agencies€of€creation€haveÏtheir€home.€With€a€marvellous€anticipation€of€the€conclusions€ofÏmodern€science,€he€speaks€of€the€world€as€pendant€in€space.€HeÏpasses€to€the€confines€of€light€and€darkness,€rides€on€the€wingsÏof€the€wind,€discourses€of€the€clouds,€skims€the€mighty€surfaceÏof€the€sea.€All€this,€however,€he€deems€as€the€outskirts€of€God'sÏways.€It€is€but€a€whisper€compared€to€the€mighty€thunder€of€hisÏglory€and€power.€If€this€is€a€whisper,€what€must€the€thunder€be!ÏIf€this€universe€is€but€a€flower€on€the€meadows€of€God's€life,Ïwhat€must€not€God€Himself€be!ÌPerhaps€we€know€something€more€of€the€thunder€of€his€power€thanÏJob€could,€because€we€have€stood€beneath€Calvary€and€seen€JesusÏdie,€and€He€is€the€wisdom€and€power€of€God;€yea,€we€haveÏwitnessed€the€exceeding€greatness€of€his€power,€according€to€theÏworking€of€the€strength€of€his€might,€which€He€wrought€in€Christ,Ð   	 7-‡(0   Ðwhen€He€raised€Him€from€the€dead.ÌWho€of€us€can€fathom€or€understand€the€power€of€God?€But€what€aÏcomfort€to€know€that€it€is€an€attribute€of€his€heart.€God€is€notÏpower,€but€He€is€love,€and€his€love€throbs€through€and€commandsÏhis€power.€Be€reverent€when€you€kneel€before€the€great€and€mightyÏGod;€but€believe€that€all€his€power€is€engaged€on€the€side€of€hisÏweakest,€needist€child.€And€more:€cease€not€to€wait€upon€GodÏuntil€He€endue€you€with€his€mighty€power,€for€service€and€forÏdaily€living.€A€Nasmyth€hammer€can€break€a€nutshell€withoutÏcrushing€or€touching€the€kernel.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòMy€righteousness€I€hold€fast,€andÐ   	 Ð 
   Ðwill€not€let€go.óó€Job€xxvii.€6.Ð   	 ¯ÿ
   ÐÓ   wB  ÓÌJOB€had€an€ideal€and€clung€to€it.€Have€you€such?€A€vision€of€whatÏyou€may€be,€and,€by€the€grace€of€God,€will€aim€at€being.€BishopÏWestcott€says:€--€"The€vision€of€the€ideal€guards€monotony€ofÏwork€from€becoming€monotony€of€life."€Bitter€indeed€is€life€forÏthose€who€have€not€seen€the€heavenly€vision,€or€heard€the€callingÏupward€of€the€voice€that€says,€Come€up€hither.€Any€life€looksÏmore€interesting€and€attractive€when€the€light€of€our€ideal€fallsÏon€it,€and€we€realize€that€every€yard€leads€somewhere,€and€everyÏstep€is€one€nearer€the€goal.€So€some€one€has€suggested€that€"IfÏwe€cannot€realize€our€ideal,€we€may€at€least€idealize€our€real."ÌBut€there€are€many€hindrances,€many€adverse€influences€to€combat,Ïmany€suggestions€that€we€should€let€go€our€ideal.€We€have€soÏoften€failed,€slipped€where€we€thought€we€should€stand,€limpedÏwhere€we€thought€to€overcome€by€wrestling.€The€crags€are€soÏsteep,€the€encouragement€we€receive€from€fellow-climbers€soÏscant,€the€dissuasions€and€misconstructions€--€like€those€Job€hadÏfrom€his€friends€--€so€many.€But€Jesus€who€inspired€the€idealÏwaits€to€realize€it,€if€only€you€will€open€your€heart€and€let€HimÏenter.€Do€you€hunger€and€thirst?€then€He€will€satisfy.€He€doesÏnot€tantalize€and€disappoint€the€seeking€soul.ÌÌ€€€€"Have€we€not€all,€amid€life's€petty€strife,Ì€€€€€Some€pure€ideal€of€a€noble€lifeÌ€€€€€That€once€seemed€possible?€It€was.€And€yetÌ€€€€€We€lost€it€in€this€daily€jar€and€fret,Ì€€€€€And€now€live€idle€in€a€vague€regret.Ì€€€€€but€still€our€place€is€kept,€and€it€will€wait.Ì€€€€€Ready€for€us€to€fill€it,€soon€or€late:Ì€€€€€No€star€is€ever€lost€we€once€have€seen€--Ì€€€€€We€always€may€be€what€we€might€have€been.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThe€deep€saith,€It€is€not€in€me:€and€the€sea€saith,Ð   	 f,¶'/   ÐIt€is€not€with€me.óó€Job€xxviii.€14€(R.V.).Ð   	 E-•(0   ÐÓ   ‰I  ÓÌIn€this€sublime€chapter€the€holy€soul€goes€in€quest€of€wisdom,Ïwhich€is€the€perfect€balance€of€the€moral€and€intellectualÏattributes€of€the€soul;€that€knowledge€of€God,€and€life,€andÏtruth,€which€is€only€possible€when€the€eyes€of€the€heart€haveÏbeen€enlightened€to€know;€that€radiancy€of€spirit€which€isÏenlightened€and€illuminated€with€God€who€is€HimseIf€the€Light.ÌIn€a€marvellous€description€of€mining€operations,€which€wouldÏarrest€any€company€of€miners€in€the€world,€if€read€from€theÏRevised€Version,€Job€declares€it€is€not€to€be€found€in€the€deep.ÏFrom€one€quarter€of€the€universe€after€another,€he€receives€theÏintelligence€that€it€is€not€there.€God€alone€has€the€secret;€HeÏonly€can€communicate€it,€or€give€the€disposition€to€appreciateÏand€receive.ÌWe€must€deal€with€God.€Looking€away€from€every€other€source€ofÏillumination€and€satisfaction,€we€must€have€close€and€searchingÏfellowship€with€Him.€Dr.€Gordon€was€wont€to€say€that€evangelicalÏfaith€consists€not€in€a€glance€alone,€but€in€a€gaze.€"We€live€inÏa€very€busy,€perspiring€time,€when€a€thousand€clamant€callsÏassail€us€on€every€side;€but€we€must€have€more€time€for€visionsÏif€we€would€be€well€equipped€for€our€tasks."€Let€us€then€turnÏfrom€the€quarters€where€we€have€been€accustomed€to€draw€ourÏsupplies€--€broken€cisterns,€with€uncertain€and€brackish€water€--Ïand€let€us€come€to€God,€the€eternal€source€of€life€and€peace.ÏLove€and€rest€we€want,€Thy€love€and€rest,€oh,€give€us!€From€menÏand€things;€from€the€mine,€the€deep,€and€the€sea;€from€the€murmurÏof€human€voices,€and€the€crosslights€of€human€interests,€we€comeÏback€to€Thee,€our€Home.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòOh€that€I€were€as€in€the€months€of€old!óó€Job€xxix.€2€(R.V.).Ð   	  P   ÐÓ   |P  ÓÌWE€are€irresistibly€reminded€of€Cowper's€sad€complaint:€--€ÌÌ€€€€€What€peaceful€hours€I€once€enjoyed!Ì€€€€€€€€How€sweet€their€memory€still;Ì€€€€€But€they€have€left€an€aching€voidÌ€€€€€€€€The€world€can€never€fill."ÌÌWe€are€all€prone€to€think€that€the€earliest€days€were€the€best;Ïand€it€is€quite€possible€they€were.€But€we€must€carefullyÏdistinguish€between€the€exchange€of€the€freshness€and€novelty€ofÏour€first€love€for€a€deepening€and€maturing€love,€and€the€loss€ofÏlove.€The€streamlet€may€not€babble€so€cheerily,€but€there€may€beÏmore€water€in€the€river.€We€lose€the€green€Spring,€but€is€it€notÏbetter€to€have€the€intense€light€of€Autumn€in€which€the€fruitsÏripen?€There€may€not€be€so€much€ecstasy,€but€there€may€beÏstronger,€deeper€experience.€We€should€not€reckon€our€position€inÏGod's€sight€by€our€raptures,€and€count€ourselves€retrogradingÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðbecause€they€have€gone;€there€is€something€better€than€rapture:Ïthe€peace€of€a€settled€understanding€and€unvarying€faith.ÌStill,€if€it€be€really€so,€that€you€have€left€the€old€place€onÏthe€bosom€or€at€the€feet€of€Christ,€that€your€love€is€cooling€andÏyour€spirituality€waning,€I€beseech€thee,€get€back!€RememberÏwhence€thou€art€fallen,€and€repent,€and€do€the€first€works.€JesusÏyearns€to€reinstate€thee,€and€has€permitted€this€restless€longingÏfor€the€past€to€come,€that€it€may€be€with€thee€as€in€the€monthsÏof€old.€Again€his€lamp€shall€shine€above€thy€head,€and€the€secretÏof€the€Lord€shall€be€upon€thy€tent;€thy€steps€shall€be€washedÏwith€butter,€and€the€rock€pour€out€rivers€of€oil;€thy€roots€shallÏspread€to€the€waters,€and€the€dew€shall€lie€all€night€upon€thyÏbranch.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòI€cry€unto€Thee,€and€Thou€dostÐ   	 X¨   Ðnot€answer€me.óó€Job€xxx.€20€(R.V.).Ð   	 7‡   ÐÓ   YW  ÓÌIT€may€have€seemed€so€to€the€sufferer;€but€there€is€not€a€cryÏthat€goes€from€the€anguished€soul€which€does€not€ring€a€bell€inÏthe€very€heart€of€God,€where€the€Man€of€Sorrows€waits,€touchedÏwith€the€feeling€of€our€infirmities.ÌI€have€sometimes€gone€to€a€telephone€office,€and€have€rung€theÏbell,€asking€to€be€put€in€connection€with€my€friend,€but€it€hasÏseemed€impossible€to€get€at€him;€either€he€has€been€engaged€orÏabsent,€and€one€has€found€oneself€speaking€to€a€stranger,€and€theÏvoice€which€replied€has€been€unfamiliar.€Thoroughly€disappointed,Ïone€turns€away.€But€this€is€never€the€case€with€God.€And€theÏcomfort€is,€that€He€is€most€quick€to€succour€those€whose€cry€isÏlowest.€As€a€mother€goes€about€her€work,€she€is€less€sensitive€toÏthe€trains€that€thunder€past,€and€the€heavy€drays,€and€theÏlaughter€of€boisterous€health,€than€to€the€stifled€cry€of€herÏlittle€invalid;€and€if€there€could€be€one€thing€more€sure€thanÏanother€of€awakening€God's€immediate€response,€it€would€be€suchÏbroken€cries€as€pain€elicited€from€Job.ÌBut€the€answer€will€come€--€nay,€it€is€on€its€way,€timed€toÏarrive€in€the€fourth€watch€of€the€night.€Perhaps€the€delay€is€theÏanswer,€because€the€heart€needs€to€be€prepared€to€receive€theÏgreat€gift€when€it€comes.€Perhaps,€like€the€Syrophenician€woman,Ïyou€have€to€give€Christ€his€right€place€as€Lord,€and€take€yoursÏamongst€the€dogs.€Perhaps€the€answer€is€coming€all€the€time€byÏone€door,€whilst€you€are€looking€for€it€through€another;€but€youÏcannot€and€must€not€say€that€God€is€not€answering.€All€the€timeÏyou€are€crying,€the€answer€is€to€your€hand,€awaiting€yourÏappropriation.€Go€to€the€post-office€for€the€letter:€hasten€toÏthe€landing-stage€for€the€ship€--€it€is€in.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòMine€integrity.óó€Job€xxxi.€6.Ð   	 >-Ž(0   ÐÓ   ^  ÓÌINTEGRITY€is€from€the€Latin€word€integrita,€wholeness.€It€meansÏwhole-heartedness.€It€is€interesting€in€this€chapter€to€see€what,Ïin€Job's€estimation,€it€involved.Ìv.1.€Purity€in€the€look.Ìv.7.€Cleanliness€of€the€hands.Ìv.13.€Thoughtfulness€for€domestic€servants€and€underlings.Ìv.16.€Justice€to€the€poor€and€the€widow.Ìv.17.€Willingness€to€share€morsels,€and€to€be€a€father€to€theÏfatherless.Ìv.19,€20.€Clothing€for€the€naked.Ìv.21.€The€refusal€to€depute€to€others€help€which€one€mightÏrender.Ìv.24..€The€heart€weaned€from€the€love€of€gold.Ìv.26.€Refusal€to€turn€aside€to€idols.Ìv.29.€Inability€to€rejoice€at€the€destruction€of€those€who€hadÏderided€and€hated.Ìv.€33.€The€frank€confession€of€wrong-doing.ÌIt€becomes€us€prayerfully€to€go€over€these€items,€and€use€them€asÏthe€catechism€of€our€soul;€for€if€this€was€the€standard€ofÏcharacter€for€one€who€lived€so€many€centuries€before€the€fullÏrevelation€of€Christ,€what€should€not€our€standard€be!€HowÏimpossible,€however,€it€is€to€live€like€this€from€without!€WeÏmust€enshrine€within€us€the€blessed€Spirit€of€God,€who€aloneÏoriginates€and€maintains€that€perfect€love€to€God€and€man€whichÏcompared€to€Job's€maxims€is€as€the€heart€to€the€body.€Law€isÏgiven€as€the€expression€of€God's€will€for€the€regulation€of€life:Ïbut€it€is€impossible€to€keep€the€law€till€we€have€the€love;€andÏit€is€impossible€to€have€the€love€until€we€have€the€Lord€JesusÏChrist,€through€the€Holy€Ghost.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòThere€is€a€spirit€in€man,€and€the€breath€of€theÐ   	 °     ÐAlmighty€giveth€understanding.óó€Job€xxxii.€8€(R.V.).Ð   	  ß!   ÐÓ   td  ÓÌELIHU€had€waited€whilst€the€three€elder€men€said€all€that€was€inÏtheir€hearts.€He€now€excuses€his€youth€and€demands€audience,Ïbecause€so€conscious€that€the€breath€of€inspiration€had€enteredÏhis€soul.€Wisdom€is€not€with€age;€but€wherever€the€heart€isÏfreely€open€to€God,€He€will€make€it€wise.€We€have€received€notÏthe€spirit€which€is€of€the€world,€but€the€Spirit€which€is€of€God,Ïthat€we€may€know.ÌGeorge€Fox€tells€us€that€though€he€read€the€Scriptures€whichÏspoke€of€Christ€and€of€God,€yet€he€knew€Him€not€till€He€who€hadÏthe€key€did€open.€"Then€the€Lord€gently€led€me€along€and€let€meÏsee€his€love€which€was€endless€and€eternal,€surpassing€all€theÏknowledge€that€men€have€in€the€natural€state,€or€can€get€byÏhistory€or€books.€I€had€not€fellowship€with€any€people,€priestsÏor€professors,€but€with€Christ,€who€hath€the€key,€and€opened€theÐ   	 >-Ž(0   Ðdoor€of€life€and€light€unto€me.€His€one€message€was€the€necessityÏof€the€Inner€Light,€the€inward€witness€of€the€Spirit,€his€secretÏrevelations€of€truth€to€the€soul.€"ÌThis€distinction€needs€to€be€deeply€pondered.€We€have€been€tryingÏto€know€God€by€the€intellect,€by€reading€the€BibleÏintellectually,€by€endeavouring€to€apprehend€human€systems.€ThereÏis,€however,€a€deeper€and€truer€method.€"There€is€a€spirit€inÏman!"€Open€your€spirit€to€the€Divine€Spirit€as€you€open€a€windowÏto€the€sunny€air.€Instantly€God€enters€and€fills.€The€SpiritÏwitnesses€with€our€spirit.€The€inbreathed€life€of€God€gives€usÏlight.€We€know€by€intuition,€by€fellowship€with€God,€by€directÏvision,€what€the€wise€of€this€world€could€never€discover.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòIf€there€be€with€him€a€messenger,Ð   	 €Ð   Ðan€interpreter.óó€Job€xxxiii.€23.Ð   	 _¯   ÐÓ   Qk  ÓÌGOD€is€greater€than€man,€and€by€his€love€seeks€to€hold€man€backÏfrom€his€purpose.€Sometimes€He€comes€in€the€visions€of€the€night;Ïsometimes€in€pain€and€sickness.€But€we€are€too€dull€to€understandÏthe€inner€reason€of€God's€endeavours€to€deliver€us€from€the€brinkÏof€destruction;€and€therefore€we€need€an€interpreter,€one€among€aÏthousand,€to€explain€the€meaning€of€his€dealings,€and€to€show€usÏthe€way€in€which€we€should€amend€our€ways.€How€often€has€the€sickÏvisitor,€the€minister,€the€friend,€interpreted€God's€purpose,Ïenabling€us€to€see€light€in€his€light.€There€are€few€higherÏoffices€in€this€world€than€to€act€in€this€way€between€God€and€ourÏfellows.ÌTo€perform€this€function,€however,€we€need€to€understand€twoÏlanguages;€the€one€of€the€throne,€obtained€from€deep€and€intimateÏconverse€with€our€Father,€while€the€other€is€man's€nativeÏlanguage€of€pain€and€sorrow.€Each€must€be€spoken€perfectly€beforeÏwe€can€interpret:€--€ÌÌ€€€€"And€to€the€height€of€this€great€argument€Ì€€€€€Assert€eternal€Providence,Ì€€€€€And€justify€the€ways€of€God€to€man."ÌÌBut,€as€Bunyan€truly€says,€the€best€Interpreter€is€the€HolyÏSpirit.€As€soon€as€the€Pilgrim€has€passed€the€Wicket-gate,€he€isÏconducted€through€the€Interpreter's€house€by€the€InterpreterÏHimself.€Are€you€perplexed€as€to€the€meaning€of€God's€Word,€theÏdealings€of€God's€providence,€the€mystery€of€God's€moralÏgovernment?€Ask€the€Holy€Spirit€to€lead€you€through€chamber€afterÏchamber,€unfolding€to€you€the€mysteries€of€the€kingdom€of€heaven.ÏThey€are€for€babes€--€for€the€childlike€and€pure€in€heart.€HeÏwill€show€you€wondrous€things€out€of€his€law.ÌÌÐ   	 >-Ž(0   ÐÓ    ÓòòHe€giveth€quietness.óó€Job€xxxiv.€29.Ð   	 °      ÐÓ   3r  ÓÌòòQUIETNESS€amid€the€accusations€of€Satan.óó€--€The€great€accuserÐ   	 g·   Ðpoints€to€the€stains€of€our€past€lives,€by€which€we€have€defiledÏour€robes€and€those€of€others;€he€says€that€we€shall€fall€againÏand€again;€he€imputes€evil€motives€to€our€holiest€actions,€andÏdetects€flaws€in€our€most€sacred€services;€he€raises€so€great€aÏhubbub€that€we€can€hardly€hear€another€voice€within€our€souls.ÏThen€the€great€Intercessor€arises€and€saith,€"The€Lord€rebukeÏthee,€0€Satan;€the€Lord€that€hath€chosen€Jerusalem€rebuke€thee:€IÏhave€loved€with€an€everlasting€love,€I€have€paid€the€ransom.€SoÏ"He€giveth€quietness."ÌòòQuietness€amid€the€dash€of€the€storm.óó€--€We€sail€the€lake€withÐ   	 ×'
   ÐHim€still,€and€as€we€reach€its€middle€waters,€far€from€land,Ïunder€midnight€skies,€suddenly€a€great€storm€sweeps€down.€EarthÏand€hell€seem€arrayed€against€us,€and€each€billow€threatens€toÏoverwhelm.€Then€He€arises€from€his€sleep,€and€rebukes€the€windsÏand€the€waves;€his€hand€waves€benediction€and€repose€over€theÏrage€of€the€tempestuous€elements.€His€voice€is€heard€above€theÏscream€of€the€wind€in€the€cordage€and€the€conflict€of€theÏbillows.€Peace,€be€still!€Can€you€not€hear€it?€And€there€isÏinstantly€a€great€calm.€"He€giveth€quietness."ÌòòQuietness€amid€the€loss€of€inward€consolations.óó€--€He€sometimesÐ   	 G—   Ðwithdraws€these,€because€we€make€to€much€of€them.€We€are€temptedÏto€look€at€our€joy,€our€ecstasies,€our€transports,€or€ourÏvisions,€with€too€great€complacency.€Then€love,€for€love's€sake,Ïwithdraws€them.€But,€by€his€grace,€He€leads€us€to€distinguishÏbetween€them€and€Himself.€He€draws€nigh,€and€whispers€theÏassurance€of€his€presence.€Thus€an€infinite€calm€comes€to€keepÏour€heart€and€mind.€"He€giveth€quietness."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòNone€saith,€Where€is€God€my€Maker,Ð   	 ·    Ðwho€giveth€songs€in€the€night?óó€Job€xxxv.€10.Ð   	 – æ!   ÐÓ   my  ÓÌDO€you€have€sleepless€nights,€tossing€on€the€hot€pillow,€andÏwatching€for€the€first€glint€of€dawn?€Ask€the€Divine€Spirit€toÏenable€you€to€fix€your€thoughts€on€God,€your€Maker,€and€believeÏthat€He€can€fill€those€lonely,€dreary€hours€with€song.ÌòòIs€yours€the€night€of€doubt?óó€--€A€holy€man€tells€us€that€once€asÐ   	 ­%ý '   Ðhe€was€sitting€by€the€fire,€a€great€cloud€came€over€him,€and€aÏtemptation€beset€him€to€think€that€all€things€came€by€nature;€andÏas€he€sat€still€under€it,€and€let€it€alone,€a€living€hope€aroseÏin€him,€and€a€true€voice€said,€"There€is€a€living€God€who€madeÏall€things."€And€immediately€the€cloud€and€temptation€vanishedÏaway,€and€life€rose€over€it€all.€His€heart€was€glad,€and€heÏpraised€the€living€God.€Was€not€this€a€song€in€the€night?ÌòòIs€yours€the€night€of€bereavement?óó€--€Is€it€not€often€to€such€GodÐ   	 m,½'/   Ðdraws€near,€and€assures€the€mourner€that€the€Lord€had€need€of€itsÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðbeloved,€and€called€"the€eager,€earnest€spirit€to€stand€in€theÏbright€throng€of€the€invisible,€liberated,€radiant,€active,Ïintent€on€some€high€mission";€and€as€the€thought€enters,€is€thereÏnot€the€beginning€of€a€song?ÌòòIs€yours€the€night€of€discouragement€and€fancied€or€actualÐ   	 `   Ðfailure?óó€--€No€one€understands€you,€your€friends€reproach;€butÐ   	 è8   Ðyour€Maker€draws€nigh,€and€gives€you€a€song€--€the€song€of€hope,Ïthe€song€which€is€harmonious€with€the€strong,€deep€music€of€hisÏprovidence.€Be€ready€to€sing€the€songs€that€your€Maker€gives.ÌÌ€€€€"What€then?€Shall€we€sit€idly€down€and€sayÌ€€€€€'The€night€hath€come;€it€is€no€longer€day'?Ì€€€€€€€.€€.€€.€€.€€.€€.€€.€€.€€.€€Ì€€€€€Yet€as€the€evening€twilight€fades€away,Ì€€€€€The€sky€is€filled€with€stars,€invisible€to€day."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòBehold,€God€is€mighty,€and€despiseth€not€any.óó€Job€xxxvi.€5.Ð   	 X   ÐÓ   ç€  ÓÌWHAT€entrancing€assurances€are€contained€in€this€and€theÏpreceding€sentence!€To€think€that€in€all€our€wayfarings€throughÏthis€world€One€that€is€perfect€in€knowledge€is€always€with€us,Ïand€One€that€is€mighty€is€pledged€to€bring€us€through!€NothingÏcould€be€desired€beside.€This€makes€prayer€new.€It€is€a€child'sÏconfidential€whisper€to€the€One€who€is€attent€to€the€lowestÏmurmur,€who€cannot€forget,€who€will€not€relinquish€a€purposeÏwhich€He€has€formed€though€years€pass,€and€who€is€able€to€doÏexceeding€abundantly.ÌIt€is€because€God€is€so€great€that€He€despises€none.€If€He€wereÏless€than€infinite,€He€might€overlook.€The€boundlessness€of€hisÏbeing€has€no€ebb,€fails€of€no€soul€He€has€made,€and€is€as€much€atÏany€one€point€as€if€He€had€no€care€or€thought€beside.€In€fact,Ïthose€that€man€despises€stand€the€best€chance€with€God.€JustÏbecause€no€one€else€cares€for€them,€he€must;€just€because€no€oneÏelse€will€help€them,€He€will.€This€is€necessary€to€his€nature.ÌWhen€a€philanthropist€adopts€a€certain€lapsed€section€of€theÏcommunity,€he€does€so€because€no€one€else€will.€It€becomes€aÏmatter€of€honour€with€him€that€none€of€these,€outcast€by€allÏelse,€should€miss€his€help.€And€God€has€constituted€HimselfÏChampion,€Guardian,€and€Saviour,€of€all€who€have€no€help€fromÏtheir€fellows.€Friendless,€forlorn,€helpless,€despised,€HeÏrecognises€and€meets€the€claim€of€their€urgent€necessity.€BruisedÏreeds,€bits€of€smoking€tow,€half-consumed€fire-brands,€lostÏsheep,€prodigal€sons,€waifs€and€strays,€homeless,€destitute,Ïneglected€--€these€have€a€first€claim€on€the€Almightiness€of€theÏliving€God.ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòMen€see€not€the€bright€light€whichÐ   	 7-‡(0   Ðis€in€the€clouds.€óóJob€xxxvii.€21.Ð   	 °      ÐÓ   ‘‡  ÓÌTHE€world€owes€much€of€its€beauty€to€cloudland.€The€unchangingÏblue€of€the€Italian€sky€hardly€compensates€for€the€changefulnessÏand€glory€of€the€clouds.€Clouds€also€are€the€cisterns€of€theÏrain.€Earth€would€become€a€wilderness€apart€from€their€ministry.ÏThere€are€clouds€in€human€life,€shadowing,€refreshing,€andÏsometimes€draping€it€in€blackness€of€night;€but€there€is€never€aÏcloud€without€its€bright€light.€"I€do€set€my€bow€in€the€cloud!€"ÌIf€only€we€could€see€the€clouds€from€the€other€side€where€theyÏlie€in€billowy€glory,€bathed€in€the€light€they€intercept,€likeÏheaped€ranges€of€Alps,€we€should€be€amazed€at€their€splendidÏmagnificence.€We€look€at€their€under€side;€but€who€shall€describeÏthe€bright€light€that€bathes€their€summits,€and€searches€theirÏvalleys,€and€is€reflected€from€every€pinnacle€of€their€expanse?ÏIs€not€every€drop€drinking€in€health-giving€qualities,€which€itÏwill€carry€to€the€earth?Ì0€child€of€God!€If€you€could€see€your€sorrows€and€troubles€fromÏthe€other€side;€if€instead€of€looking€up€at€them€from€earth,€youÏwould€look€down€on€them€from€the€heavenly€places€where€you€sitÏwith€Christ;€if€you€knew€how€they€are€reflecting€in€prismaticÏbeauty€before€the€gaze€of€heaven,€the€bright€light€of€Christ'sÏface€--€you€would€be€content€that€they€should€cast€their€deepÏshadows€over€the€mountain€slopes€of€existence.€Only€remember€thatÏclouds€are€always€moving,€and€passing€before€God's€cleansingÏwind.ÌÌ€€€€"Green€pastures€are€before€me,€which€yet€I€have€not€seen;Ì€€€€€Bright€skies€will€soon€be€o'er€me,€where€the€dark€cloudsÏhave€been:Ì€€€€€My€hope€I€cannot€measure,€my€path€of€life€is€free;Ì€€€€€My€Saviour€hath€my€treasure,€and€He€will€walk€with€me."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòCanst€thou€bind€the€cluster€ofÐ   	 g!·"   Ðthe€Pleiades?óó€Job€xxxviii.€31€(R.V.).Ð   	 F"–#   ÐÓ   °Ž  ÓÌTHE€seven€stars€of€the€Pleiades€always€stand€for€the€sweetÏinfluences€of€spring;€Orion€for€the€storm€and€tempest.€In€thisÏsublime€catechism,€Jehovah€asks€Job€if€he€has€any€control€overÏthe€One€or€the€other.€As€it€is€with€the€year,€so€with€our€life.ÌThere€are€times€when€the€PLEIADEs€are€in€the€ascendant.€TheÏwinter€is€over€and€gone,€the€time€of€the€singing€of€birds€isÏcome.€Doves€coo€their€love€notes€in€the€trees,€and€the€flowersÏgem€the€soil.€Days€of€hope,€of€radiant€light,€of€ecstatic€joy!ÏDays€in€which€God€seems€to€be€making€a€new€heaven€and€a€new€earthÏwithin€us!€Days€when€our€Beloved€shows€Himself€through€theÏlattice-work,€and€says,€"Come,€my€beloved!"€Oh,€tender€influencesÏof€the€Pleiades,€we€would€that€ye€might€ever€stay,€filling€usÐ   	 E-•(0   Ðwith€immortal€youth!€When€God€bids€them€shine,€no€one€can€bindÏthem.€When€He€gives€joy,€none€can€give€sorrow.€No€mortal€man€canÏrestrain€the€outburst€of€Nature's€spring.€You€might€as€well€stayÏthe€resurrection€of€the€Son€of€God€and€his€saints!ÌBut€ORION€has€his€work€as€well.€Storms€come;€the€drenching€rainÏveils€the€landscape;€the€mighty€billows€are€lashed€to€fury.€ButÏall€works€for€good.€The€blast€in€the€forest€snaps€off€dead€wood.ÏThe€rain€fills€up€the€wells.€Frost€pulverises€the€earth.€When€GodÏbinds€Orion,€man€cannot€unloose€him;€"No€weapon€that€is€formedÏagainst€thee€shall€prosper."€But€when€the€Almighty€unloosesÏOrion,€like€another€Samson,€he€does€his€work€of€devastation,Ïbefore€which€we€must€find€refuge€in€the€cleft€of€the€Rock.ÌÌ€€€€"God€sendeth€sun,Ì€€€€€He€sendeth€shower,Ì€€€€€Alike€they're€needful€for€the€flower."ÌÌÌÓ    ÓòòKnowest€thou?óó€Job€xxxix.€1.Ð   	 à0   ÐÓ   ˆ•  ÓÌTHE€catechism€of€this€chapter€is€designed€to€convince€man€of€hisÏignorance.€How€little€he€knows€of€nature!€Even€though€centuriesÏof€investigation€and€research€have€passed,€there€are€still€manyÏquestions€which€baffle€us.€And€if€we€know€so€little€of€tileÏCreator's€handiwork,€how€much€less€do€we€know€of€Himself,€or€theÏprinciples€on€which€He€acts!ÌThe€knowledge€of€God€is€not€intellectual,€but€moral€andÏspiritual.€Things€which€eye€saw€not,€and€ear€heard€not,€are€madeÏknown€to€Love€and€Obedience.€Let€the€Love€of€God€be€shed€throughÏthe€heart,€and€the€will€of€God€be€the€ruling€principle€of€life,Ïand€there€will€be€given€a€knowledge€of€God€which€the€research€ofÏthe€investigator€could€never€gain.€"We€have€received,€not€theÏspirit€of€the€world,€but€the€Spirit€which€is€of€God,€that€weÏmight€know€the€things€that€are€freely€given€us€of€God€.€.€.€theyÏare€spiritually€discerned."€Knowest€thou?ÌDost€thou€know€the€exceeding€greatness€of€his€power,€which€HeÏwrought€in€the€Resurrection€of€thy€Lord€--€that€it€is€all€aroundÏthee€waiting€to€do€as€much€for€thee€also;€lifting€thee,€deadÏweight€as€thou€art,€to€sit€in€the€heavenlies?ÌDost€thou€know€the€hope€of€his€calling€to€a€life€within€the€vail,Ïwith€the€vail€behind€thee,€and€the€light€of€the€Shekinah€ever€onÏthy€face?ÌDost€thou€know€the€riches€of€his€glorious€indwelling,€that€He€isÏprepared€so€to€infill€thee,€that€thou€shalt€partake€of€the€veryÏlife€wherewith€He€liveth€and€reigneth€evermore?ÌDost€thou€know€the€length,€and€breadth,€and€depth,€and€height,€ofÏthe€love€that€passeth€knowledge;€and€Christ€Jesus€the€Lord?ÌÌÐ   	 7-‡(0   ÐÓ    ÓñPñòòñPñI€am€of€small€account;€what€shall€IÐ   	 °      Ðanswer€Thee?€I€lay€mine€hand€upon€my€mouth.ñPñóóñPñ€Job€xl.€4.Ð   	 ß    ÐÓ   œ  ÓÌWHAT€a€different€tone€is€here!€This€is€be€who€so€vehementlyÏprotested€his€innocence,€and€defended€himself€against€the€attacksÏof€his€accusers.€The€Master€is€come,€and€the€servant€who€hadÏcontended€with€his€fellows€takes€a€lowly€place€of€humility€andÏsilence.ÌThe€first€step€in€the€noblest€life,€possible€to€any€of€us,€is€toÏlearn€and€say€that€we€are€of€small€account.€We€may€learn€it€byÏsuccessive€and€perpetual€failures€which€abash€and€confound€us.€ItÏis€better€to€learn€it€by€seeing€the€light€of€God€rise€in€majestyÏabove€the€loftiest€of€earth's€mountains.€"When€I€was€young,"€saidÏGounod€to€a€friend,€"I€used€to€talk€of€'I€and€Mozart.'€Later€IÏsaid,€'Mozart€and€I.'€But€now€I€only€say€'Mozart."'€SubstituteÏñQñòòñQñGodñQñóóñQñ,€and€you€have€the€true€story€of€many€a€soul.Ð   	 f¶   ÐThe€next€step€is€to€choke€back€words,€and€lay€the€hand€on€theÏmouth.€Silence€and€meditation!€Not€arguing€or€contending!€NotÏcomplaining€or€murmuring!€Not€cavilling€or€criticising!€But€justÏbeing€still€--€still,€that€you€may€feel€God€near;€still,€that€youÏmay€hear€Him€speak.€"Take€heed€of€many€words,"€said€George€Fox;Ï"keep€down,€keep€low,€that€nothing€may€reign€in€you€but€lifeÏitself."ÌThe€greatest€saints€avoided,€when€they€could,€the€society€of€men,Ïand€did€rather€choose€to€live€to€God,€in€secret.€A€certain€oneÏsaid,€"As€oft€as€I€have€been€among€men€I€returned€home€less€a€manÏthan€I€was€before.€Shut€thy€door€upon€thee,€and€call€unto€Jesus,Ïthy€Beloved.€Stay€with€Him€in€thy€closet,€for€thou€shalt€not€findÏelsewhere€so€great€peace."€How€good€it€would€be€to€lay€our€handsÏon€our€mouths€rather€oftener,€whether€in€silence€with€ourÏfellows,€or€in€the€hour€of€secret€prayer!ÌÌÌñRñÓ    ÓñRññSñòòñSñWho€then€is€he€that€can€stand€before€Me?ñSñóóñSñ€Job€xii.€10€(R.V.).Ð   	 – æ!   ÐñRñÓ   i£  ÓñRñÌTHE€first€catechism€had€been€on€Job's€knowledge;€now€it€turns€onÏhis€power.€The€pivot€of€the€one€was,€ñTñòòñTñKnowest€thou?ñTñóóñTñ€of€the€other,Ð   	 %#u$   ÐñUñòòñUñCanst€thou?ñUñóóñUñ€If€a€man€cannot€stand€before€one€of€God's€creatures,Ð   	 ý#M%   Ðhow€much€less€before€the€Creator!€If€we€dread€the€wrath€of€theÏenraged€crocodile,€what€should€not€be€our€dread€before€the€wrathÏof€the€Eternal?€Canst€thou€stand€before€Him?€Canst€thou€striveÏagainst€Him,€with€any€hope€of€success?€Canst€thou€force€thyself,Ïunbidden€and€unfit,€into€the€presence€of€the€Most€Holy?€ThouÏcouldst€not€intrude€on€an€earthly€sovereign;€how€much€less€onÏHim,€in€whose€sight€the€heavens€are€not€clean?ÌÌ€€€€"Eternal€light!€eternal€light!Ì€€€€€€€€how€pure€the€soul€must€be,Ì€€€€€When€placed€within€thy€searching€light,Ð   	 E-•(0   Ð€€€€€It€shrinks€not,€but€with€calm€delightÌ€€€€€€€€Can€live,€and€look€on€Thee!"ÌÌBut€Jesus€can€make€it€possible.€Through€Him€we€draw€nigh€to€God.ÏWe€have€boldness€to€enter€into€the€Holiest€of€All€by€his€Blood.ÏWe€may,€through€Him,€be€able€to€say,€with€Elijah,€"Thus€saithÏJehovah,€before€whom€I€stand."€Jesus€is€the€minister€of€theÏheavenly€sanctuary,€and€in€virtue€of€his€office€He€is€able€toÏbring€us€into,€and€maintain€us€within,€the€Most€Holy€Place.€HeÏcomes€out€to€take€its€by€the€hand;€and€then,€having€fulfilled€inÏus€the€good€pleasure€of€his€will,€He€brings€us€in€and€places€usÏbefore€the€face€of€God€for€ever.€Like€Solomon's€servants,€weÏevermore€stand€before€the€king,€see€his€face,€and€hear€his€words.ÌÌ€€€€"The€sons€of€ignorance€and€nightÌ€€€€€May€dwell€in€the€Eternal€Light,Ì€€€€€Through€the€Eternal€Love."ÌÌÌñVñÓ    ÓñVññYñòòñYñNow€mine€eye€seeth€Thee:€wherefore€I€abhor€myself,ñ Wñ€ñWññXñÐ   	 ¸   ÐñXñand€repent€in€dust€and€ashes.ñYñóóñYñ€Job€xiii.€5,€6.Ð   	 —ç   ÐñVñÓ   Œª  ÓñVñÌTHIS€is€the€clue€to€the€entire€book.€Here€is€a€man,€who€wasÏuniversally€known€as€perfect€and€upright,€one€that€feared€God,Ïand€eschewed€evil;€who€abounded€in€beneficent€and€lovingÏministries€to€all€who€were€in€need;€to€whom€respect€and€loveÏflowed€in€a€full€tide.€He€was€not€conscious€of€any€failure€inÏperfect€obedience,€or€of€secret€sin;€indeed,€when€his€friendsÏendeavoured€to€account€for€his€unparalleled€calamities€byÏsuggesting€that€there€was€some€discrepancy€between€his€outwardÏreputation€and€inward€consistency,€he€indignantly€repelled€theÏcharge,€and€repudiated€the€impeachment.ÌBut€there€were€inconsistencies€and€failures€in€him€that€needed€toÏbe€exposed€and€put€away€before€he€could€attain€to€perfectÏblessedness€and€enjoy€unbroken€peace.€If€man€could€not€discoverÏthem,€and€if€Job€were€unconscious€of€them,€they€were,Ïnevertheless,€present,€poisoning€the€fountain€of€his€being;€as€aÏhidden€cesspool,€whose€presence€is€undetected,€may€be€doing€aÏdeadly€work€of€undermining€the€health€of€an€entire€household.€SoÏGod€let€the€man€into€his€presence;€and,€like€Isaiah,€Ezekiel,ÏPeter,€and€many€others,€he€at€once€confessed€himself€vile.€TheÏlight€of€the€great€white€throne€exposes€all€unsuspectedÏblemishes.€Have€you€ever€seen€God!€Oh,ask€for€that€vision,€thatÏyou€may€know€yourself!€In€proportion€as€we€know€God,€we€abhorÏourselves.€Then€Jesus€becomes€unspeakably€precious.€Through€hisÏdeath€we€pass€into€the€true€life,€and€begin€to€intercede€forÏothers.€We€never€have€such€power€for€the€blessing€of€the€world€asÏwhen€we€lie€most€humbly€at€the€feet€of€God.Ìñ UñÔ †       ÿÿ   ÔÔ †       ÿÿ   ÔÔ      ÔÔ     ÔÔ †       ÿÿ   ÔÔ †       ÿÿ   ÔÔ      ÔÔ     ÔñUñ