16
16
So as we think of Solomon’s time and the house being
finished, what marks the finish is the confirmation of the divine
pleasure in it. “When the trumpeters and singers were as one,
to make one voice to be heard in praising and thanking
Jehovah; and when they lifted up their voice with trumpets,
and cymbals, and instruments of music, and praised
Jehovah—For he is good, for his loving-kindness endureth for
ever; that then the house, the house of Jehovah, was filled
with a cloud”, and then it says, “for the glory of Jehovah had
filled the house”.
There has been the mark of divine favour upon the testimony
in this city and there is much proof of it available to us all. It is
a question whether now we live in the light and glory of the
divine presence in a day of recovery. That is the challenge to
our hearts, beloved brethren. I say it feelingly and with much
affection, that the challenge to us today is—Where do you and
I stand in relation to the Lord’s precious work that is
proceeding at the present time in relation to recovery, and the
faithfulness of God in the midst of public ruin and breakdown?
When we go on in 2 Chronicles, after seeing the glory of the
house, there are many chapters that bring in the sorrows that
have transpired in the testimony, and you have to take account
of them, one by one, whatever they may have been. And you
and I have to take account of our histories whatever they may
have been and whatever we may have individually contributed
to the sorrow and the ruin. But, on the other hand, God is
available in His loving-kindness that we just read of, “his
loving-kindness endureth for ever”. Let us go forward in
the precious light of that, the loving-kindness and faithfulness
of our God who is ever ready to strengthen our hearts and to
establish us in view of our being here for His testimony and
filling our place in it for His pleasure and glory.
Now that is the word of the prophet Haggai. I just feel the
impress of it on my spirit, beloved brethren, that in days of