Milo

March 20

“As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.” (2 Cor. 6:10)

THE stoic scorns to shed a tear; the Christian is not forbidden to weep. The soul may be dumb with excessive grief, as the shearer’s scissors pass over the quivering flesh; or, when the heart is on the point of breaking beneath the meeting surges of trial, the sufferer may seek relief by crying out with a loud voice. But there is something even better.
They say that springs of sweet fresh water well up amid the brine of salt seas; that the fairest Alpine flowers bloom in the wildest and most rugged mountain passes; that the noblest psalms were the outcome of the profoundest agony of soul.
Be it so. And thus amid manifold trials, souls which love God will find reasons for bounding, leaping joy. Though deep call to deep, yet the Lord’s song will be heard in silver cadence through the night. And it is possible in the darkest hour that ever swept a human life to bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Have you learned this lesson yet? Not simply to endure God’s will, nor only to choose it; but to rejoice in it with joy unspeakable and full of glory.—Tried us by Fire.

I will be still, my bruised heart faintly murmured,
  As o’er me rolled a crushing load of woe;
The cry, the call, e’en the low moan was stifled;
  I pressed my lips; I barred the tear drop’s flow.

I will be still, although I cannot see it,
  The love that bares a soul and fans pain’s fire;
That takes away the last sweet drop of solace,
  Breaks the lone harp string, hides Thy precious lyre.

But God is love, so I will bide me, bide me—
  We’ll doubt not, Soul, we will be very still;
We’ll wait till after while, when He shall lift us—
  Yes, after while, when it shall be His will.

And I did listen to my heart’s brave promise;
  And I did quiver, struggling to be still;
And I did lift my tearless eyes to Heaven,
  Repeating ever, “Yea, Christ, have Thy will.”

But soon my heart upspake from ‘neath our burden,
  Reproved my tight-drawn lips, my visage sad:
“We can do more than this, O Soul,” it whispered.
  “We can be more than still, we can be glad!”

And now my heart and I are sweetly singing—
  Singing without the sound of tuneful strings;
Drinking abundant waters in the desert;
  Crushed, and yet soaring as on eagle’s wings.

—S. P. W

March 19

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the ordeal that has come to test you … you are sharing what Christ suffered; so rejoice in it.” (1 Peter 4:12.)

MANY a waiting hour was needful to enrich the harp of David, and many a waiting hour in the wilderness will gather for us a psalm of “thanksgiving, and the voice of melody,” to cheer the hearts of fainting ones here below, and to make glad our Father’s house on high.
What was the preparation of the son of Jesse for the songs like unto which none other have ever sounded on this earth?
The outrage of the wicked, which brought forth cries for God’s help. Then the faint hope in God’s goodness blossomed into a song of rejoicing for His mighty deliverances and manifold mercies. Every sorrow was another string to his harp; every deliverance another theme for praise.
One thrill of anguish spared, one blessing unmarked or unprized, one difficulty or danger evaded, how great would have been our loss in that thrilling Psalmody in which God’s people today find the expression of their grief or praise!
To wait for God, and to suffer His will, is to know Him in the fellowship of His sufferings, and to be conformed to the likeness of His Son. So now, if the vessel is to be enlarged for spiritual understanding, be not affrighted at the wider sphere of suffering that awaits you. The Divine capacity of sympathy will have a more extended sphere, for the breathing of the Holy Ghost in the new creation never made a stoic, but left the heart’s affection tender and true.—Anna Shipton.

“He tested me ere He entrusted me.” (1 Tim. 1:12) (Way’s Trans.)

20 MARCH (PREACHED 1770)

That we may see God

‘And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.’ Luke 9:29
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: John 15:1–27

Here and there we may see the ground of what has been frequently observed, that declensions of religion begin at the closet door. To omit prayer, is to omit the best means in which the principal graces of the divine life are exercised, strengthened and fed. For the discharge of this duty we are promised the assistance of God’s Holy Spirit, to show us the things of Jesus, to remind us of our wants, to put arguments in our mouths. Our prayers, so far as they are spiritual, are not our own. They are not to be judged of by the outward expressions; perhaps we cry and chatter like a swallow, but he powerfully helpeth, even when his people can only bring forth groanings which cannot be uttered. What wonder then, considering the Spirit pleads in them below, while Jesus pleads for them above, that they sometimes find the light of heaven and glory opening upon their hearts. If these things are so, may we not take up a lamentation that we are so unskilful, or so remiss, in this great mystery of holding communion with God in prayer? Let me speak to your hearts and mine. If we would be successful and comfortable in prayer, we must be frequent. Even friends lose intimacy and freedom if they are not often together. We may stay from a person we love till we hardly care about them. We must guard against formality. There is too much of this ready to steal even upon believers. We dare not omit prayer, but are careless in the performance. Formality is the bane of every duty, but especially of this. We should have this especially in view when we pray: that we may see God. Watchfulness must be joined with prayer. Indeed, one is not practicable without the other.

FOR MEDITATION: The Lord Jesus, like the sun, is in all places at once. Go where we will, we are not far from him, if we have but eyes to perceive him.… he is complete and all-sufficient, the Sun of righteousness, the Fountain of life and comfort; his beams, wherever they reach, bring healing, strength, peace and joy to the soul. Pray to him, my dear, to shine forth and reveal himself to you.
John Newton to his niece, 22 October 1779

SERMON SERIES: ON THE TRANSFIGURATION, NO. 3 [4/4], LUKE 9:29

19 MARCH (PREACHED 1770)

Characteristics of prayer

‘And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.’ Luke 9:29
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 62:1–12

The graces which are most immediately exercised in prayer are those having a special tendency to raise the soul above itself and above the world such as:
(i) faith. The enlightened mind, when addressing itself to wait on God, will often feel a question rising, ‘Why dost thou this? How dare you, a poor sinner, approach the Holy God?’ Faith answers this question and pleads the Redeemer’s name, his life, death and mediation. These thoughts lead the soul to take a view of the mystery of redemption, to see the strong foundation which God has laid in Zion. Hence arise admiration and praise. Now the Apostle says that so far as we by faith behold the glory of the Lord, we shall be changed into the same image from glory to glory.
(ii) love. When we find ourselves brought into the presence of the great King, and that unworthy and as unfaithful as we are, we have a right to call him Father, we are led to reflect, ‘To what do I owe this privilege?’ Thus the love of God and the love of Jesus are brought to mind. ‘O I was afar off once—I little thought he would do this for me.’ A sense of this love kindles love in our heart. And the more we love the more we are transfigured—for he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God and God in him.
(iii) trust. While we are conversing with creatures, we are prone to rest too much upon them, but in prayer we leave them all, and charge our souls as David, wait thou only upon God [Psalm 62:5]. By faith we apprehend his power engaged on behalf of his people; by love we give ourselves to him and appropriate his all-sufficiency to ourselves, and thus are enabled to trust in God, which is a grace that refines and enables the soul and frees it from all vain and selfish pursuits, which, in whatever degree they prevail, are chiefly owing to a want of confidence in God.
(iv) humiliation. A sight of God gives us a sense of our imperfection, and abases us into the dust before him. So Job, Isaiah, Daniel and John found it. Now this is the frame of mind to which the Lord has promised to look; when we are thus abased, he will honour.

FOR MEDITATION: ‘Lord, teach us to pray’ (Luke 11:1).

SERMON SERIES: ON THE TRANSFIGURATION, NO. 3 [3/4], LUKE 9:29

March 18th

Shall I rouse myself up to this?

Perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Cor. 7:1.

“Having therefore these promises.” I claim the fulfilment of God’s promises, and rightly, but that is only the human side; the Divine side is that through the promises I recognize God’s claim on me. For instance, am I realizing that my body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, or have I a habit of body that plainly will not bear the light of God on it? By sanctification the Son of God is formed in me, then I have to transform my natural life into a spiritual life by obedience to Him. God educates us down to the scruple. When He begins to check, do not confer with flesh and blood, cleanse yourself at once. Keep yourself cleansed in your daily walk.
I have to cleanse myself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit until both are in accord with the nature of God. Is the mind of my spirit in perfect agreement with the life of the Son of God in me, or am I insubordinate in intellect? Am I forming the mind of Christ, Who never spoke from His right to Himself, but maintained an inner watchfulness whereby He continually submitted His spirit to His Father? I have the responsibility of keeping my spirit in agreement with His Spirit, and by degrees Jesus lifts me up to where He lived—in perfect consecration to His Father’s will, paying no attention to any other thing. Am I perfecting this type of holiness in the fear of God? Is God getting His way with me, and are other people beginning to see God in my life more and more?
Be serious with God and leave the rest gaily alone. Put God first literally.