Milo

April 19th

Is it not in the least likely

For Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. 1 Kings 2:28.

Joab stood the big test, he remained absolutely loyal and true to David and did not turn after the fascinating and ambitious Absalom, but yet towards the end of his life he turned after the craven Adonijah. Always remain alert to the fact that where one man has gone back is exactly where any one may go back (see 1 Cor. 10:13). You have gone through the big crisis, now be alert over the least things; take into calculation the ‘retired sphere of the leasts.’
We are apt to say—‘It is not in the least likely that having been through the supreme crisis, I shall turn now to the things of the world.’ Do not forecast where the temptation will come; it is the least likely thing that is the peril. In the aftermath of a great spiritual transaction the ‘retired sphere of the leasts’ begins to tell; it is not dominant, but remember it is there, and if you are not warned, it will trip you up. You have remained true to God under great and intense trials, now beware of the undercurrent. Do not be morbidly introspective, looking forward with dread, but keep alert; keep your memory bright before God. Unguarded strength is double weakness, because that is where the ‘retired sphere of the leasts’ saps. The Bible characters fell on their strong points, never on their weak ones.
“Kept by the power of God”—that is the only safety.

April 19

“Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord”
(Exod. 14:13.)

THESE words contain God’s command to the believer when he is reduced to great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut upon the right hand and on the left. What is he now to do?

The Master’s word to him is “stand still.” It will be well for him if, at such times, he listens only to his Master’s word, for other and evil advisers come with their suggestions. Despair whispers, “Lie down and die; give it all up.” But God would have us put on a cheerful courage, and even in our worst times, rejoice in His love and faithfulness.
Cowardice says, “Retreat; go back to the worldling’s way of action; you cannot play the Christian’s part; it is too difficult. Relinquish your principles.”

But, however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it, if you are a child of God. His Divine fiat has bid thee go from strength to strength, and so thou shalt, and neither death nor hell shall turn thee from thy course. What if for a while thou art called to stand still; yet this is but to renew thy strength for some greater advance in due time.

Precipitancy cries, “Do something; stir yourself; to stand still and wait is sheer idleness.” We must be doing something at once—we must do it, so we think—instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do something, but will do everything.

Presumption boasts, “If the sea be before you, march into it, and expect a miracle.” But faith listens neither to Presumption, nor to Despair, nor to Cowardice, nor to Precipitancy, but it hears God say, “Stand still,” and immovable as a rock it stands.
“Stand still”—keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, “Go forward.”—Spurgeon.

“Be quiet! why this anxious heed
  About thy tangled ways?
God knows them all. He giveth speed
  And He allows delays.
’Tis good for thee to walk by faith
  And not by sight.
Take it on trust a little while.
Soon shalt thou read the mystery aright
In the full sunshine of His smile.”

In times of uncertainty, wait. Always, if you have any doubt, wait. Do not force yourself to any action. If you have a restraint in your spirit, wait until all is clear, and do not go against it.

19 APRIL (PREACHED OLNEY FAIR DAY, 17 APRIL 1775)

The bride says, Come

‘And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.’ Revelation 22:17
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Revelation 14:1–7

The bride, that is, the church (Ephesians 5:25): the ‘church triumphant’ and the ‘church militant’—a double family. Both echo to the Spirit’s call and say, Come.
The church triumphant are nearer us perhaps than we are aware. Those who have escaped from this tempestuous world and are safe before the throne, have a regard for their brethren below, and most probably a knowledge of what passes here. We are told there is joy in heaven over a sinner that repenteth. They say, ‘Come, do not cleave to that poor earth, but raise your thoughts and prepare to follow us upwards. O could you see and know where we are and how we live, surely you would come. Come, be not afraid of the King, we have found him merciful. Distrust not his promises, we have found them all fulfilled. We were once as you are, sinful, distressed and almost despairing, but we overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and so shall you. Therefore, Come.’

John Newton to William Wilberforce, 30 March 1797:
Yes Sir! I trust you and I shall soon join in their songs, and share in their joys without abatement, interruption or end! And may we not believe that it will be some addition to our happiness, to meet with those whom we loved, with whom we took sweet counsel, and went to the house of God in company? Surely I shall not see my late, dear and honoured friend Mr Thornton without peculiar emotions of gratitude and joy! Shall I not be glad to thank your kind aunt, for all the kindness she showed me when she was below? There too I hope to meet my dear Mary and Eliza, and many more. Perhaps this paper could not contain the names of all who were once dear to me upon earth, and are now happy in heaven!

FOR MEDITATION: Oh, for more faith, to break through the veil, and obtain a clearer and more affecting realizing view of the glories of the unseen world! To behold the Lamb upon the throne, to hearken to the songs of the harpers, to contemplate the immense multitude who are already made more than conquerors through him who loved them!

SERMON: REVELATION 22:17 [3/6] [EASTER MONDAY EVENING]

April 18th

Readiness

God called unto him … and he said, Here am I. Exodus 3:4.

When God speaks, many of us are like men in a fog, we give no answer. Moses’ reply revealed that he was somewhere. Readiness means a right relationship to God and a knowledge of where we are at present. We are so busy telling God where we would like to go. The man or woman who is ready for God and His work is the one who carries off the prize when the summons comes. We wait with the idea of some great opportunity, something sensational, and when it comes we are quick to cry—“Here am I.” Whenever Jesus Christ is in the ascendant, we are there; but we are not ready for an obscure duty.
Readiness for God means that we are ready to do the tiniest little thing or the great big thing, it makes no difference. We have no choice in what we want to do; whatever God’s programme may be we are there, ready. When any duty presents itself we hear God’s voice as Our Lord heard His Father’s voice, and we are ready for it with all the alertness of our love for Him. Jesus Christ expects to do with us as His Father did with Him. He can put us where He likes, in pleasant duties or in mean duties, because the union is that of the Father and Himself. “That they may be one, even as We are one.”
Be ready for the sudden surprise visits of God. A ready person never needs to get ready. Think of the time we waste trying to get ready when God has called! The burning bush is a symbol of everything that surrounds the ready soul, it is ablaze with the presence of God.

April 18

“And he shall bring it to pass.” (Psa. 37:5)

I ONCE thought that after I prayed that it was my duty to do everything that I could do to bring the answer to pass. He taught me a better way, and showed that my self-effort always hindered His working and that when I prayed and definitely believed Him for anything, He wanted me to wait in the spirit of praise, and only do what He bade me. It seems so unsafe to just sit still, and do nothing but trust the Lord; and the temptation to take the battle into our own hands is often tremendous.

We all know how impossible it is to rescue a drowning man who tries to help his rescuer, and it is equally impossible for the Lord to fight our battles for us when we insist upon trying to fight them ourselves. It is not that He will not, but He cannot. Our interference hinders His working.—C. H. P.
Spiritual forces cannot work while earthly forces are active.

It takes God time to answer prayer. We often fail to give God a chance in this respect. It takes time for God to paint a rose. It takes time for God to grow an oak. It takes time for God to make bread from wheat fields. He takes the earth. He pulverizes. He softens. He enriches. He wets with showers and dews. He warms with life. He gives the blade, the stock, the amber grain, and then at last the bread for the hungry.

All this takes time. Therefore we sow, and till, and wait, and trust, until all God’s purpose has been wrought out. We give God a chance in this matter of time. We need to learn this same lesson in our prayer life. It takes God time to answer prayer.—J. H. M.