VALUING HEAVENLY THINGS

R. D. Plant

Genesis 13: 10–18; 2 Samuel 19: 31–36 Acts 15: 36–41

I wanted to continue a little as to what we have had before us as to what is heavenly, because I think what is heavenly is the test at the present day. I suppose it is the same in this country as elsewhere that the truth of what is heavenly has largely been given up. The work of Christ has not been given up, but the truth of what is heavenly has been given up. So I have read these scriptures to draw attention to certain features of what is heavenly. The heavenly side of the truth brings in what suits Christ. I think we can see that what suits ourselves will have an end. Mr. Stoney said that what suits man will end in Babylon, and as to what suits Christ, the consummation of it is in the new Jerusalem (N.S. Vol.3 pp.175, 181).

It is a very fine thing, dear brethren, to be among those who are suitable to Christ and who are occupied in that which suits Christ and I think that what is heavenly is presented to us constantly as an opportunity. It is presented to us as an opportunity because it is not something which we can have experience of casually. The devil is constantly set against the saints taking on what is heavenly. I think in the first scripture we get set before us heavenly territory; it is the opportunity for taking it up, and the devil is set against that. In the second scripture we have some suggestion of heavenly company; David speaks about “with me”. In the final scripture we could perhaps see that there is the possibility of pursuing heavenly ministry.

We know the history in Genesis. There had been failure on the part of Abram, and there has been failure on the part of all of us, which the enemy would use to hinder us. Abram had gone down to Egypt and he had, typically, got to the point of disowning the assembly there.

Let us avoid any situation where we may do that—he said that Sarah was his sister. We could say that, you see; that would be acceptable in the world around, the religious world. We may have a link with Christ, which is respectable, but she was his wife, and that involves a deeper bond, it involves being to another.

Abram had come out of Egypt, and had judged Egypt in his heart, but he had led Lot into Egypt, and the world was still there in Lot’s heart. How solemn, dear brethren, that we have had a part in leading into what is worldly, and have not been able to recover all our brethren from it. Peter speaks later of Lot’s righteous soul, and yet they could not dwell together any more. There is a point where there is a separation between them. I would specially appeal to those who are younger today, for what was set before Lot was as the garden of Jehovah in his eyes. How deluded we can be, beloved! It was as the garden of Jehovah; it was very attractive to him. At the present time there is what is attractive to us, especially when we are younger, in the world around. But the key to it is that Lot chose for himself. He chose for himself all the plain of the Jordan. Beloved younger brethren, let us search our hearts as to whether we are choosing for ourselves today, or whether we are choosing what suits Christ.

So Jehovah says to Abram, “Lift up now thine eyes”. It is a good thing to lift up our eyes. We are most of us creatures of circumstances; we are influenced by the day we are in and by our circumstances. I think our brother has been encouraging us today to lift up our eyes and look. God has divine territory to show to us. I suppose in our experience what we have taken up of heavenly territory has been very small; I suppose those who are older would admit that. We may have some few impressions; would that we had more of these experiences so that our eyes would sweep over divine territory, heavenly territory! We are tested in the service of God as to our scope in relation to what is heavenly. And yet God says, “Look ... northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land that thou seest will I give to thee”. Dear brethren, let us begin to look at heavenly territory.

So you find that Abram settles here. I read this scripture because of the reference to Mamre, which refers to stability. Our brother has spoken of what is stable. It has been said searchingly that stability of soul is very rare. I would like us all to think of that—stability of soul. But Abram dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, and he built an altar there. I do not want to speak much more about this scripture, but I think it is important to see that he was in a stable position and people knew that he was there. In the next chapter, after the conflict, they “went and told Abram the Hebrew, and he dwelt by the oaks of Mamre” (Genesis 14: 13). Can you be guaranteed to be there, beloved? If there is a crisis in a place, will all the young people know that you will be there? Will the older ones know that, whatever may occur in the testimony, you will be found there in a stable position? Let us be known as stable persons. Let our position be known, that we are dwelling there, and let others have the confidence that we shall be there, if it please Him, until He comes.

In 2 Samuel 19 you get the opportunity presented of spiritual company, heavenly company. Barzillai, it says, was a very great man, one who had maintained the king. He was one who had to some extent hazarded his life in relation to the king, he had put himself into danger to maintain David. But now the crisis was over. We sometimes shine better in a crisis; we seem to learn more of God in adversity. But now the crisis was over and you get this lovely invitation—“Pass thou over with me, and I will maintain thee with me in Jerusalem”. Dear brethren, what a prospect! We come to occasions like this and we touch something of the sweetness of being with Christ and maintained by Him. And yet Barzillai was not ready, you may say, for heavenly company. Are you like that? If there is a crisis in a place you can help the saints, but in the opening up and development of what is heavenly you would rather be in ‘your own place’ (verse 39). There was one young man who was ready to go, Chimham, whose name means ‘longing’. How fine it is, even if there are those who have stood aside from going in for what is heavenly, that there are those who have gone on. We can see those here today who have gone on despite the difficulties, despite the breakdown and wreckage which have come in, those who still have a longing for the company of Christ. Let us be preserved in it, beloved, to enjoy seeing the saints and enjoy the company of Christ amongst them. It has been said that the over-Jordan epistles—that is those which take up what is heavenly—involve what is collective. How thankful we are for one another! Barzillai speaks about what he cannot discern—“Can thy servant taste what I eat and what I drink?” Do we feel like that, dear brethren? Have we a taste for spiritual things? Do we have an appetite for them? Can I taste what I eat and drink? Is there satisfaction? How much satisfaction there is to listen to a heavenly ministry! Can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? May the sweetness of links among the saints never fail with any one of us. He says—‘I will go a little way’. There is a need, not for those who go a little way, but for those of whom we are reminded who “gave themselves first to the Lord, and to us by God’s will”, 2 Corinthians 8: 5.

In Acts 15 we have Paul and Barnabas, and here you get the parting of the ways with them. Barnabas was another great man. How many of the saints we know and love and who have served the Lord and His people in the past have stepped aside for the moment and are out of the path of what is heavenly. Think of what Barnabas had done! He was one who had hazarded his life for the saints. He had laid his possessions at the feet of the apostles. He had had to do with the establishment of the truth at Jerusalem and had laboured with Paul at Antioch in relation to the local assembly. And yet there comes a point where he leaves Paul.

Let us be searched, beloved, for what diverted Barnabas was what was natural. Let us never fail to see that what is heavenly is not what is natural. The natural will hinder and if it has too much hold of us it will divert us from heavenly ministry.

You get in each of these instances a man who comes forward. If Lot fails, Abram comes forward; if Barzillai steps aside, then Chimham comes forward; and if Barnabas steps aside, then Silas comes forward. Thank God for those who have come forward in our day, and for the fact that Paul “went forth, committed by the brethren to the grace of God ... confirming the assemblies”. The assemblies will be confirmed as what is heavenly is maintained. If any of us give up what is heavenly then the enemy will have done his work. But what is for Christ’s heart today should be prime with every one of us until that day when we shall be with Him for ever. Our beloved sister in this place is now with Christ. Soon we shall all be with Him and the time of testing and pressure will be over. Yet the present day offers a unique opportunity for taking up and holding what is heavenly, the knowledge and experience of Christ where He is. May we be encouraged, for His name’s sake.

Address at Bad Endbach
13 April 1979