THE SWALLOW THAT HAS A NEST ABOVE
THE SWALLOW THAT HAS A NEST ABOVE
Going through the valley of Baca makes it a well! As we are above with Christ, so are we here in every detail for Him. The air of His presence fits us for action - to be for Him where He is not.
[p. 457] May you dwell at Hebron; to the faithful one on earth there is no possession there, but a burying place. But to one in the Spirit outside this scene Hebron is an inheritance! The difference between Abraham in Genesis 23 and Caleb in Joshua 14.
I fear many do not apprehend the full extent and effect of Christ’s death. It comes constantly before me that I am called to live here (while in the old order) in quite a new order, with motives and principles contrary to those which are natural to me as a man.
Paul, a prisoner at Rome, no doubt brought under the universal lords of the darkness of this world, was under the power of man. But this wonderful thing came out in all its beauty - the whole sky of the darkness of that dungeon was illuminated with that which was the purpose of God to all ages. “Unto him be glory in the church ... throughout all ages”! (Ephesians 3: 21) He had seen it before, but now he was free from all earthly embarrassments - Jerusalem and the like - and he sees this wonderful planet. You get Ephesians four times. The first is in Acts, very devoted; secondly, the epistle, very enlightened; thirdly (1 Timothy 4), the servant peculiarly interested in them; he warns Timothy of popery in 1 Timothy 4 and of radicalism in 1 Timothy 6; and fourthly, not more than three or four years after, all in Asia (Ephesus was in Asia) had turned away from him. It is not that people turn away because they do not like the teacher, it is the teaching they do not like!
The paramount thing ever is to please the Lord. There is a peculiar gladness of heart in pleasing Him. Enoch walked with God, or pleased God. It is not the greatness of my service, but that I please Him.
[p. 458] The officious servant is not the one who pleases best. The one who does the desired thing at the desired time is the one who pleases.
I feel that when souls are hindered by the legal restrictions under which they are placed, the Lord causes the light of His grace to gleam through their prison bars; but when these are removed, I do feel it is very sad if the purpose of heart to walk with Him is not fully manifested.
One cannot get on without giving up (see Genesis 22).
If you find the Head in heaven, you will soon find His members here. If you know what belongs to Him, you will know where to be here.
The first sphere of interest that occupies every true-hearted person is the church, when it comes to a question of serving Christ. I do not find anyone clear as to judgment who does not make the church the first object of his attention. The church must be my object because it is Christ’s object. Where shall I find Christ’s heart? In John I read: “Love one another, as I have loved you”. (John 13: 34) In Ephesians, “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit”. (Ephesians 4: 3) It comes before domestic relations. If you fail in the church you will surely fail at home.
We read “the Spirit and the bride say, Come”. (Revelation 22: 17) There I am looking simply at Christ, and my heart says to Him, ‘Come’. Then I drop down and say, “let him that heareth say, Come” (Revelation 22: 17); and then I go out to the utmost bounds of the earth as I say, “let him that is athirst” - not satisfied - “come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely”. (Revelation 22: 17) Where do I come from with these blessed invitations?
[p. 459] I come from saluting the heart of Christ. I salute the Morning Star. I say first to Him, “Come”. Then I turn round, and go out to the utmost bounds of the earth: I long that all should come: “whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely”.