ENERGY

^[p. 537] ENERGY

2 Samuel 23: 13 - 17; Romans 15: 15 - 33

I have been thinking, dear brethren, of ‘energy’. The fact that these mighty men of David come in at the end of David’s reign in this second book of Samuel is to remind us obviously that there was no one throughout that reign whose service was omitted. The energy that marked David’s helpers as seen in these mighty men has all been taken account of in divine record. For God writes up His people and no one is omitted, so there is every incentive to devotedness from that viewpoint. God is always particular to assure us that there is no forgetfulness in Him. Think of that register in heaven where all our names are written! In Revelation we have no one omitted we read of all who took part in the tribulation, and then all these have part in the first resurrection. So whilst the list of the ‘mightier’ in Chronicles is at the beginning of David’s reign, the list here is at the end; so that the whole devotedness throughout is taken account of. We get certain mention of mighties in Philippians who might have not been remembered, but their names are written down. So again there is no omission with God.

When I speak of devotedness I mean that all the resources, whatever we may have, are to be dedicated and made effective by energy. The resources are devoted to us for use; so these mighties represent strength and the right use of it. We see that their strength was not misspent, and for that they had to understand what David valued.

In 1 Corinthians 12: 31, we get things of greater values, the things more excellent. The Scriptures dwell upon that which is more excellent, and so therefore it is a question of ability to discern what is the more excellent, but the standard is always to be taken from Christ. So these three mighties are ^[p. 538] needed to convey what should characterise the people of God throughout the whole dispensation. That is to say we have to learn to value things.

For instance, we have in Matthew 13: 44, the idea of the treasure. It was found in a field and hidden in a field. We are not told the extent of the treasure — it may have been gold, but there was one who could value it and so the whole field was bought to secure it. Then we have the merchant seeking beautiful pearls and then he finds one pearl of great value and sells all that he might purchase it.

In the early part of the Acts the numbers converted are given. It is right to number converts but if we go too far on that line we shall do as David did, but the Lord numbers them. There is no need to think that in heaven there will not be enough room for everyone — there will! There are great numbers in heaven already; we read of great numbers of angels round about the throne. So that there is no danger of inflation with regard to numbers — the more the better, but there is great danger in occupation with numbers. So in the Acts, although there the feature was numbers, there is no evidence of inflation. I think it was a question of the treasure coming to light. The Lord was beginning to get the benefit of His treasure.

With the apostle Paul there is little enough said about numbers, but Paul was a true evangelist. His one idea was the ‘church’. This was because he was near enough to Christ to know the value of things — that is to apprehend the value of the pearl. The man who understands what is nearest to the heart of Christ is the man with the greatest power. The man who preaches in order to get converts may get them, but he may leave them without getting them near to Christ. The espousal must take place. Paul could say, “I have espoused you to one husband”, 2 Corinthians 11: 2. Until the marriage in that sense has taken ^[p. 539] place we have not reached what is dearest to the heart of Christ, and that brings into view the Supper.

So to return to these three mighties of whom we have read, they have in view this feature which is to run through the dispensation. According to this passage they came to David at the harvest time. This is very significant, and the thought is carried on in John’s gospel in the fourth chapter when the Samaritan woman has met with the Lord; the Lord says to His disciples, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest”, John 4: 35. So it is still harvest time.

Next we are told that David was in the cave of Adullam. That is to say the place of rejection, but it was also a stronghold — that would suggest fellowship. Then we have the camp of the Philistines who were in possession of the well; then next, the longing of the heart of David.

Thus all things are plainly set out, the time of year, the position of David, the position of the Philistines and the position of the well. All this is very important. Then one thought that the three chiefs were symbolical of something that was intended to run through the dispensation, devotedness and the power to break through. It is not a question here of being great in exploits and killing Philistines. The killing is not of the same value as breaking through them and obtaining what is dear to the heart of David; that is for us, what is dear to the heart of Christ! The point was to reach the thing David’s heart longed for and to bring it back. It is said, “these things did these three mighty men”, 2 Samuel 23: 17. The point is, they were such men; it is something positive and so pleasing to their master that he pours it out upon the ground to Jehovah.

Now I think the position is clear (and in any devoted service it is well to understand the position). Whilst the Lord has the whole field, He knows where ^[p. 540] the treasure is, or as has been said, where the fish are and where the sheep are. He knows where the gold is too, and where the excellent things are! So you find in the beginning of the Bible that a river flowed out of Eden having four heads. It is a universal thing and the effect of the flowing out of these streams is to search out what is in the land.

Whilst the whole field, as I said, is required by the Lord, He knows where the things are that He seeks. It says of Havilah that “the gold of that land is good”, Genesis 2: 12. Also bdellium and the onyx stone are there! This is a reference to the field where the gold is, and bdellium is and the onyx stone. We find in the course of Scripture how these things were used. For instance, the woods that were used in the temple, the precious stones, and also the gold. All was overlaid with gold — this was a question of dignity.

So we can see we have the suggestion of the position of things in Genesis. The Lord knows where the members for His church are.

If I am subject to the Lord, I shall serve under His direction and I shall go where He sends me. Hence with Paul’s service. I was speaking just now of having devotedness and energy. The next thing is that it should be rightly used as coming under the Lord’s direction. Then we shall find what is dearest to the Lord’s heart, and that means breaking through the host. It is no easy path; it entails rejection and suffering.

In turning to Romans 15 we find Paul had never been to Rome but he had it in his mind to go, and meanwhile he wanted them to have a right example. So he begins to say, as you will observe in verse 15: “But I have written to you the more boldly, brethren, in part, as putting you in mind, because of the grace given to me by God, for me to be minister of Christ Jesus”. He was about to speak of himself so that they might see in him the grace that was given to ^[p. 541] him by God, that is to see the example thus set forth in himself.

After he had left Corinth, you will remember the rule of rivals arose, a terrible thing! So he sent Timotheus to them that they might have in him the positive evidence of his ways as they were of Christ. So it is in every local meeting, these rivals will have to face this young brother — Timotheus. But in the second epistle Paul was able to bring before them real christianity, for they were now able to accept it.

Paul goes on to say in Romans 15: “For I will not dare to speak anything of the things which Christ has not wrought by me, for the obedience of the nations, by word or deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit of God; so that I, from Jerusalem, and in a circuit round to Illyricum, have fully preached the glad tidings of the Christ” (verses 18, 19). He had fully preached the glad tidings of the Christ! Now we are in the presence of a real mighty man and it is well that we should look on this picture divinely given here. It is not a question of what Paul might have been as a natural man. It was what he had acquired as being near to Christ and as coming under His direction. But what had it cost him? He refers to the power that had marked his ministry “in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit of God; so that I, from Jerusalem, and in a circuit round to Illyricum, have fully preached the glad tidings of the Christ”. Now look at that! Think of the extent of his service! Think of the number of visitations he would have to have, and the prayers, and sufferings and stripes! What was all this for? He was breaking through the host of the Philistines to get the bride of Christ. The gospel had been served for that, because he had the church in his mind.

Now he says in verse 23, “But now, having no longer place in these regions, and having great desire ^[p. 542] to come to you these many years, whenever I should go to Spain ... I hope to see you”. Spain at that time was the limit of the known world. Paul would go to the limit for the gold was there. This is very practical. It is a question of energy rightly directed.

We know the apostle did go to Rome — a prisoner, but a prisoner of Christ, and he was left there as a servant of Christ, preaching and teaching — and this apostle could always speak about what is nearest to the heart of Christ. He could say of Christ and the church that “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it”, Ephesians 5: 25.

Need I say how Christ broke through the host to secure this? And this is the spirit that is to mark the saints through the whole dispensation.

Some of us were speaking a little today of Samson. We read of Samson that his head was shaved — his seven locks were cut off. That was a complete removal of what Samson was in his natural strength and then his eyes were put out. What a spectacle! How completely helpless he was! But he does not stop there; we read further that Samson’s hair began to grow. That means there was life, but what is needed in service is not only life but intelligence.

Then the social system comes into evidence. They would have him for sport. How is Samson going to move now? There is no evidence of the locks now, but his hair had begun to grow, so Samson knew what to do. He asks to feel the pillars whereupon the house stood that he might lean upon them, and so he leans upon them and the whole structure comes down, but Samson fell with it. That is, there is no thought of public distinction. We must all share in the breakdown of the church but inwardly we have the support, and the promise to the overcomer is ever the same.

So Paul speaks in verse 30 of the passage we have read in Romans of “the love of the Spirit”. The love of the Spirit is to be amongst us!