CONSOLATION FOR AN INVALID

CONSOLATION FOR AN INVALID

The Lord’s desire for His people is, not that they should be taken out of the world, but that they should be kept from the evil of it. It is a distinct mercy that He keeps us here for Himself, and the very remembrance of this fact tends to cheer us onward.

^[p. 477] In John 15 we are looked at as here for Christ in three aspects. The first as disciples - fruit-bearing - this is our aspect to men, as He says of Himself, “My goodness extendeth not to thee” (God does not require it), “but to the saints ... and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight” (Psalm 16: 2, 3). You are to be a fruit-tree, bearing ripe fruits, properly for the owner of the garden, but in reality for every one whom He has ordered to be supplied. Whatever you supply of Christ to any one as ordered by Him is fruit. Then, first, you are a fruit-tree for every one to derive from you something of Christ as He appoints. The second aspect is that of a friend to Himself. This is peculiarly to Himself. You must prove to Him that His concerns are your chief interest, and thus you are His friend - “he was called the Friend of God” (James 2: 23). The third is a witness, this aspect is not for man, but it is against the world. You are maintaining Christ where He has been refused, and thus encountering opposition from the world. The first is that of a donor of Christ’s grace to man, the second that of a heart living in His heart, the third that of a soldier or martyr, standing boldly for Him where He is refused and rejected.

All these aspects belong to you as kept in this scene for Him. You might say, your health hinders you very much. But doubtless crippling you in your health is the means by which the Lord is keeping you for Himself. In each of these aspects there is an order of suffering that is in keeping with its peculiar duty or place. The tree passes through winter before it bears fruit. The friend is tested before he is an established friend, and the witness is persecuted to prove that he is a witness. I compare you to a singing bird in a cage. If you were released, you might return to your native woods, and your song would be lost in the desert air. Your liberty is limited to your health, but you may sing all the livelong day - and night too. Singing is what you are called to, making melody in your heart ^[p. 478] to the Lord. Thus it is always summer, the fruit season; happy and abounding in your own heart, before you are able to contribute to others. May we all abound more and more!