EXTRACTS

I want the morning star in my heart (the hope of Christ before the day, coming to receive the church to Himself—for the morning star is given to them that overcome) to cheer my soul through the long and dreary night, which is yet darker now than it was then, but still far spent, as the darkness of the night always thickens till again the dawn of another day rise beyond on the other side of heaven and the morning star appear to fix the eye of the watchful and waiting soul, and cheer the heart with a sure and certain hope. And what, then, do we want of the things of this dark place, which is now under judgment for having nailed God’s Son on the cross? Do not you, therefore, be seeking the riches, the honours, the power of this world, on which Christ is coming to execute judgment. One ray of the glory of Christ will at once wither up all the glory of this defiled world like an autumn leaf. Do not you, therefore, go on mixing yourself up with the world and heaping up riches. What will you do with them

when Christ comes? Remember the Lord is at hand. But do I keep separate from this world merely because it is going to be judged? Certainly not. My whole portion for time and eternity is in Christ; the day-star has arisen in my heart. I am separated from the world by affection and not by fear.

J. N. Darby (‘Coll. Wrtgs.’(N.S.) Vol. 5, p.319)

We might refer to Exodus 31: 13–17. You do not get earlier what is stated there. God is bringing it in there for the purpose of impressing us with the necessity of taking time for divine things not for service, but for contemplation. What we need is that in the power of the Spirit we should absorb what revelation affords for us. That passage is the finish of the instruction on the mountain, and shows what God had in mind in view of His house; that His people should be restful spiritually and take time to contemplate divine things.

J. Taylor (N.S. Vol. 48, p.30)

God has pleasure in anyone coming forward to accept responsibility. If there is something to be done, and someone comes forward and says, ‘I will do it’, that pleases the Lord. Thus it may come down to any single one of us, in taking up responsibility, to see that things are carried out.

J. Taylor (N.S. Vol. 83, p.264)

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