MUSINGS

BENEATH THE SURFACE—During the summer we noticed a family of coots on a lake. At first the parent birds were constantly diving, bringing food from below the surface for the three chicks. A week or so later a change had taken place. The parents were still feeding one of the chicks, but the other two had learned to dive and were now busily feeding themselves.

There is a lesson in this as to diligence in getting spiritual food for ourselves. Let us make time to read the Scriptures in dependence upon Christ and the Holy Spirit. Let us reflect, and wait upon the Lord, as to impressions we receive in ministry. Thus the truth will open up and we shall acquire understanding (see 2 Timothy 2: 7). Then there are various helps available in reading the Bible, and it is good to start using them when we are young. Books such as Mr. Darby’s ‘Synopsis’ and Mr. Coates’s ‘Outlines’ are most valuable, whilst the various indexes enable us to draw upon the impressions of men of God as to a particular passage or subject (but let us always use them in a spirit of humble enquiry before the Lord). Mr. Raven once remarked, ‘We can understand the Scriptures, the Spirit of God having been given to us, so that we can enter largely into that which the Spirit of God indited. Scripture is a wonderful book. Do not think you have got to the bottom of it. People are often content with the surface of it. Few go much beneath the surface’. (N.S. Vol. 2, p.53)

FCM

Published by F. C. Mutton, 22 Christchurch Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4QY, England Printed by CLEAR-COPIES Limited, Bowen House, Ilford Lane, Ilford, Essex, England