MUSINGS

“FOR THOU HAST DONE IT”—In Psalm 39 David is very conscious of weakness and limitation. He was evidently under some heavy discipline for he speaks to the Lord of “thy stroke” (Psalm 39: 10). But in this context he says, “I opened not my mouth; for thou hast done it” (Psalm 39: 9). How necessary it is in life’s experiences and crises to fall back on this—“Thou hast done it”. Whether it be some favour or blessing, or some adversity or limitation, we reach stability and peace as helped to look beyond secondary factors and trace all back to God, learning in a fresh way, amid the circumstances He allows, the wisdom, faithfulness, and love that lie behind all His ways with us.

RESPONSIBILITY ACCEPTED—It is a great thing when the believer begins to accept responsibility. Rebecca illustrates this in Genesis 24 as she gives Abraham’s servant to drink and draws water for the camels. It was a simple service, rendered with cheerful alacrity.

Something needed to be done and she did it. The power by which she did it was, typically, that of the Holy Spirit. “She hasted and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again to the well to draw”. She kept going back to the Spirit. That is the only way in which responsibility can be fulfilled. Thus what needs to be done will be done, with grace and thoroughness.

“THE LORD STOOD BY HIM”—A difficult and dangerous situation is described in Acts 23.

Paul had been in danger of being torn in pieces (Acts 23: 10). Then it says, “But the following night the Lord stood by him …” How good to think of the Lord graciously drawing nigh and standing by His servant. He stood by Paul, and He will stand by Paul’s ministry. We thank God, too, for the line of ministry of Pauline character in the past 140 years. It carries its own credentials of authority and truth. The Lord will stand by it. It shall not fall to the ground.

FCM

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