THE THREE HUNDRED
[p. 104] THE THREE HUNDRED
(Judges 7)
We had an interesting reading here a few evenings since. We had Judges 7, and we were considering what characterised the 300. The “water” represents temporal mercies. Prosperity tries a man more than adversity, for the former gives an opportunity for your weakness to indulge itself, the latter summons up all your strength. Well, if my heart is truly set on the Lord’s glory and His battle, I do not bow down on my knees to enjoy passing mercies, while on the other hand I do not despise them, I taste and refresh myself with them, but as one intent on something greater. I do not think that we ought to refuse any of the 32,000, but I think we ought to be prepared to be sifted down to the 300. The Lord in mercy empower us to be among those devoted to Himself, and keep us true.
I see no escape from the present widespreading confusion but contending “earnestly for the faith once delivered”. Those in the foremost rank will suffer most, but will in the end come off best....
As to what you say of Paul’s ministry. In Ephesians he calls it the mystery of the gospel, and in Colossians the mystery of Christ. The gospel and the church comprised his ministry. I hope to be able to send you a meditation by which you will see in outline the practical effect which the hope of the gospel and being dead with Christ produces in various lines, according to the line of truth apprehended. If the truth, though only received in terms, be really delighted in, surely when made real to us by the Spirit we shall the more delight in it.
I have been cheered by the simple thought of the Father desiring to make merry with the lost son. Love only enjoys itself after it has satisfied itself. It works for itself until it satisfies itself. This was God’s wondrous way in Christ, but His love waits to enjoy itself with me in the very top circle of nearness and communion. If I do not reach that circle, I do not reach God’s joy in having satisfied [p. 105] His love in providing it for me. If I walk through this world with the sense of this love for me in my heart, I am necessarily the giver to every man as man, because I am greater than man as man; my life and not merely my lips testify to my independence of men, and of the joy of my heart in God. The living waters flow out.
As to the passage, “Magnified thy word above all thy name” (Psalm 138: 2), I understand it as setting forth the honour and inviolability which God attaches to His word. What reliance ought we to place in His word and what reverence ought we to preserve for it. I feel for your dear mother especially in being shut out by suffering from the morning meeting. May she make sure of and count up her treasures. They say a sailor’s pleasure and pastime at sea is overhauling his box. Can we ever ascertain all the treasure in our box?