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“thou shalt come to the hill of God”. What a favour to be one of

a company, even three in number, who find their place in

God’s holy hill—spiritual elevation, where God is worshipped

“in spirit and in truth”.

The three mighty men who broke through the host of the

Philistines (1 Chronicles 11: 18), also depict a little gathering.

They were devoted warriors, prepared to jeopardize their lives

to gratify the desire of their leader. They were true lovers of

David, as those who compose many a small company today

are lovers of Christ. It is this spirit of devotedness which

accounts for the continuance in so many places of that which

is so gratifying to the Lord—triumphing over all the efforts of

the enemies to prevent His having His heart’s desire. This is

‘not loving in word’, but “in deed and in truth”. This well-known

scripture appeals to every true heart, and raises the challenge.

Have I overcome, that I may contribute joy to the heart of our

Lord Jesus? It might involve putting our life in jeopardy, but

nothing is to be allowed to hinder this earnest purpose to

furnish the Lord with that which His heart values so much.

They “broke through”! What encouraging words, indicating that

there is no enemy powerful enough to hinder love from fulfilling

its object!

It denotes too, that there is a region which the enemy cannot

invade. There is at this moment no town or village in this land

which cannot be invaded, but there is a place of secret

communion which is invulnerable; no foe can intrude into that

region. The brethren may be hindered and harassed, but no

enemy can interrupt the communications which are

established between the Lord Jesus and the hearts of those

who love Him.

It was a small gathering, but large enough to gratify David’s

heart. Not that we would be content with three—we would ever

desire increase—but it is comforting that the Lord Jesus said,

‘where two or three are gathered together in my name, there

am I in the midst of them’.