Rejoice
in the Lord Always!
"Rejoice
in the Lord always… Be careful for nothing; but in everything
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests
be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all
understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus. Finally brothers, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if
there be any praise, think on these things" Philippians
4:4, 6-8.
The children
of God are called to be representatives of Christ, showing
forth the goodness and mercy of the Lord. As Jesus has revealed
to us the true character of the Father, so we are to reveal
Christ to a world that does not know His tender, pitying love.
"As You have sent Me into the world," said Jesus,
"even so have I also sent them into the world."
"I in them, and You in Me… that the world may know
that You have sent Me" John 17:18, 23. The apostle Paul
says to the disciples of Jesus, "You are manifestly declared
to be the epistle (written message) of Christ," "known
and read of all men" 2 Cor. 3:3, 2. In every one of His
children, Jesus sends a letter to the world. If you are Christ's
follower, He sends in you a letter to the family, the village,
the street, where you live. Jesus, dwelling in you, desires
to speak to the hearts of those who are not acquainted with
Him. Perhaps they do not read the Bible, or do not hear the
voice that speaks to them in its pages; they do not see the
love of God through His works. But if you are a true representative
of Jesus, it may be that through you they will be led to understand
something of His goodness and be won to love and serve Him.
Christians
are set as light bearers on the way to heaven. They are to
reflect to the world the light shining upon them from Christ.
Their life and character should be such that through them
others will get a right conception of Christ and of His service.
If we do represent Christ, we shall make His service appear
attractive, as it really is. Christians who gather up gloom
and sadness to their souls, and murmur and complain, are giving
to others a false representation of God and the Christian
life. They give the impression that God is not pleased to
have His children happy, and in this they bear false witness
against our heavenly Father.
Satan
is exultant when he can lead the children of God into unbelief
and despondency. He delights to see us mistrusting God, doubting
His willingness and power to save us. He loves to have us
feel that the Lord will do us harm by His providences. It
is the work of Satan to represent the Lord as lacking in compassion
and pity. He misstates the truth in regard to Him. He fills
the imagination with false ideas concerning God; and instead
of dwelling upon the truth in regard to our heavenly Father,
we too often fix our minds upon the misrepresentations of
Satan and dishonor God by distrusting Him and murmuring against
Him. Satan ever seeks to make the religious life one of gloom.
He desires it to appear toilsome and difficult; and when the
Christian presents in his own life this view of religion,
he is, through his unbelief, seconding the falsehood of Satan.
Many,
walking along the path of life, dwell upon their mistakes
and failures and disappointments, and their hearts are filled
with grief and discouragement. While I was in Europe, a sister
who had been doing this, and who was in deep distress, wrote
to me, asking for some word of encouragement. The night after
I had read her letter I dreamed that I was in a garden, and
one who seemed to be the owner of the garden was conducting
me through its paths. I was gathering the flowers and enjoying
their fragrance, when this sister, who had been walking by
my side, called my attention to some unsightly briers that
were impeding her way. There she was mourning and grieving.
She was not walking in the pathway, following the guide, but
was walking among the briers and thorns. "Oh," she
mourned, "is it not a pity that this beautiful garden
is spoiled with thorns?" Then the guide said, "Let
the thorns alone, for they will only wound you. Gather the
roses, the lilies, and the pinks."
Have
there not been some bright spots in your experience? Have
you not had some precious seasons when your heart throbbed
with joy in response to the Spirit of God? When you look back
into the chapters of your life experience do you not find
some pleasant pages? Are not God's promises, like the fragrant
flowers, growing beside your path on every hand? Will you
not let their beauty and sweetness fill your heart with joy?
The briers
and thorns will only wound and grieve you; and if you gather
only these things, and present them to others, are you not,
besides slighting the goodness of God yourself, preventing
those around you from walking in the path of life? It is not
wise to gather together all the unpleasant recollections of
a past life, - its iniquities and disappointments, - to talk
over them and mourn over them until we are overwhelmed with
discouragement. A discouraged soul is filled with darkness,
shutting out the light of God from his own soul and casting
a shadow upon the pathway of others.
Thank
God for the bright pictures which He has presented to us.
Let us group together the blessed assurances of His love,
that we may look upon them continually: The Son of God leaving
His Father's throne, clothing His divinity with humanity,
that He might rescue man from the power of Satan; His triumph
in our behalf, opening heaven to men, revealing to human vision
the presence chamber where the Deity unveils His glory; the
fallen race uplifted from the pit of ruin into which sin had
plunged it, and brought again into connection with the infinite
God, and having endured the divine test through faith in our
Redeemer, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and exalted
to His throne - these are the pictures which God would have
us contemplate.
When
we seem to doubt God's love and distrust His promises we dishonor
Him and grieve His Holy Spirit. How would a mother feel if
her children were constantly complaining of her, just as though
she did not mean them well, when her whole life's effort had
been to forward their interests and to give them comfort?
Suppose they should doubt her love; it would break her heart.
How would any parent feel to be thus treated by his children?
And how can our heavenly Father regard us when we distrust
His love, which has led Him to give His only-begotten Son
that we might have life? The apostle writes, "He that
spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how
shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"
Romans 8:32. And yet how many, by their actions, if not in
word, are saying, "The Lord does not mean this for me.
Perhaps He loves others, but He does not love me."
All this
is harming your own soul; for every word of doubt you utter
is inviting Satan's temptations; it is strengthening in you
the tendency to doubt, and it is grieving from you the ministering
angels. When Satan tempts you, breathe not a word of doubt
or darkness. If you choose to open the door to his suggestions,
your mind will be filled with distrust and rebellious questioning.
If you talk out your feelings, every doubt you express not
only reacts upon yourself, but it is a seed that will germinate
and bear fruit in the life of others, and it may be impossible
to counteract the influence of your words. You yourself may
be able to recover from the season of temptation and from
the snare of Satan, but others who have been swayed by your
influence may not be able to escape from the unbelief you
have suggested. How important that we speak only those things
that will give spiritual strength and life!
Angels
are listening to hear what kind of report you are bearing
to the world about your heavenly Master. Let your conversation
be of Him who lives to make intercession for you before the
Father. When you take the hand of a friend, let praise to
God be on your lips and in your heart. This will attract his
thoughts to Jesus.
All have
trials; griefs hard to bear, temptations hard to resist. Do
not tell your troubles to your fellow mortals, but carry everything
to God in prayer. Make it a rule never to utter one word of
doubt or discouragement. You can do much to brighten the life
of others and strengthen their efforts, by words of hope and
holy cheer.
There
is many a brave soul sorely pressed by temptation, almost
ready to faint in the conflict with self and with the powers
of evil. Do not discourage such a one in his hard struggle.
Cheer him with brave, hopeful words that shall urge him on
his way. Thus the light of Christ may shine from you. "None
of us lives to himself." Romans 14:7. By our unconscious
influence others may be encouraged and strengthened, or they
may be discouraged, and repelled from Christ and the truth.
There
are many who have an erroneous idea of the life and character
of Christ. They think that He was devoid of warmth and sunniness,
that He was stern, severe, and joyless. In many cases the
whole religious experience is colored by these gloomy views.
It is
often said that Jesus wept, but that He was never known to
smile. Our Saviour was indeed a Man of Sorrows, and acquainted
with grief, for He opened His heart to all the woes of men.
But though His life was self-denying and shadowed with pain
and care, His spirit was not crushed. His countenance did
not wear an expression of grief and repining, but ever one
of peaceful serenity. His heart was a wellspring of life,
and wherever He went He carried rest and peace, joy and gladness.
Our Saviour
was deeply serious and intensely in earnest, but never gloomy
or morose. The life of those who imitate Him will be full
of earnest purpose; they will have a deep sense of personal
responsibility. Levity will be repressed; there will be no
boisterous merriment, no rude jesting; but the religion of
Jesus gives peace like a river. It does not quench the light
of joy; it does not restrain cheerfulness nor cloud the sunny,
smiling face. Christ came not to be ministered unto but to
minister; and when His love reigns in the heart, we shall
follow His example.
If we
keep uppermost in our minds the unkind and unjust acts of
others we shall find it impossible to love them as Christ
has loved us; but if our thoughts dwell upon the wondrous
love and pity of Christ for us, the same spirit will flow
out to others. We should love and respect one another, notwithstanding
the faults and imperfections that we cannot help seeing. Humility
and self-distrust should be cultivated, and a patient tenderness
with the faults of others. This will kill out all narrowing
selfishness and make us large-hearted and generous.
The psalmist
says, "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shall you dwell
in the land, and verily you shall be fed." Psalm 37:3.
"Trust in the Lord." Each day has its burdens, its
cares and perplexities; and when we meet how ready we are
to talk of our difficulties and trials. So many borrowed troubles
intrude, so many fears are indulged, such a weight of anxiety
is expressed, that one might suppose we had no pitying, loving
Saviour ready to hear all our requests and to be to us a present
help in every time of need.
Some
are always fearing, and borrowing trouble. Every day they
are surrounded with the tokens of God's love; every day they
are enjoying the bounties of His providence; but they overlook
these present blessings. Their minds are continually dwelling
upon something disagreeable which they fear may come; or some
difficulty may really exist which, though small, blinds their
eyes to the many things that demand gratitude. The difficulties
they encounter, instead of driving them to God, the only source
of their help, separate them from Him because they awaken
unrest and repining.
Do we
well to be unbelieving? Why should we be ungrateful and distrustful?
Jesus is our friend; all heaven is interested in our welfare.
We should not allow the perplexities and worries of everyday
life to fret the mind and cloud the brow. If we do we shall
always have something to vex and annoy. We should not indulge
a solicitude that only frets and wears us, but does not help
us to bear trials.
You may
be perplexed in business; your prospects may grow darker and
darker, and you may be threatened with loss; but do not become
discouraged; cast your care upon God, and remain calm and
cheerful. Pray for wisdom to manage your affairs with discretion,
and thus prevent loss and disaster. Do all you can on your
part to bring about favorable results. Jesus has promised
His aid, but not apart from our effort. When, relying upon
our Helper, you have done all you can, accept the result cheerfully.
It is
not the will of God that His people should be weighed down
with care. But our Lord does not deceive us. He does not say
to us, "Do not fear; there are no dangers in your path."
He knows there are trials and dangers, and He deals with us
plainly. He does not propose to take His people out of a world
of sin and evil, but He points them to a never-failing refuge.
His prayer for His disciples was, "I do not pray that
You should take them out of the world, but that You should
keep them from the evil." "In the world," He
says, "you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer;
I have overcome the world" John 17:15, 16:33.
In His
Sermon on the Mount, Christ taught His disciples precious
lessons in regard to the necessity of trusting in God. These
lessons were designed to encourage the children of God through
all ages, and they have come down to our time full of instruction
and comfort. The Saviour pointed His followers to the birds
of the air as they warbled their carols of praise, unencumbered
with thoughts of care, for "they sow not, neither do
they reap." And yet the great Father provides for their
needs. The Saviour asks, "Are you not much better than
they?" Matthew 6:26. The great Provider for man and beast
opens His hand and supplies all His creatures. The birds of
the air are not beneath His notice. He does not drop the food
into their bills, but He makes provision for their needs.
They must gather the grains He has scattered for them. They
must prepare the material for their little nests. They must
feed their young. They go forth singing to their labor, for
"your heavenly Father feeds them." And "are
you not much better than they?" Are not you, as intelligent,
spiritual worshipers, of more value than the birds of the
air? Will not the Author of our being, the Preserver of our
life, the One who formed us in His own divine image, provide
for our necessities if we but trust in Him?
Christ
pointed His disciples to the flowers of the field, growing
in rich profusion and glowing in the simple beauty which the
heavenly Father had given them, as an expression of His love
to man. He said, "Consider the lilies of the field, how
they grow." The beauty and simplicity of these natural
flowers far outrival the splendor of Solomon. The most gorgeous
attire produced by the skill of art cannot bear comparison
with the natural grace and radiant beauty of the flowers of
God's creation. Jesus asks, "If God so clothe the grass
of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the
oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"
Matthew 6:28, 30. If God, the divine Artist, gives to the
simple flowers that perish in a day their delicate and varied
colors, how much greater care will He have for those who are
created in His own image? This lesson of Christ's is a rebuke
to the anxious thought, the perplexity and doubt, of the faithless
heart.
The Lord
would have all His sons and daughters happy, peaceful, and
obedient. Jesus says, "My peace I give to you: not as
the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid." "These things have I
spoken unto you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your
joy may be full." John 14:27; 15:11.
Happiness
that is sought from selfish motives, outside of the path of
duty, is ill-balanced, fitful, and transitory; it passes away,
and the soul is filled with loneliness and sorrow; but there
is joy and satisfaction in the service of God; the Christian
is not left to walk in uncertain paths; he is not left to
vain regrets and disappointments. If we do not have the pleasures
of this life we may still be joyful in looking to the life
beyond.
But even
here Christians may have the joy of communion with Christ;
they may have the light of His love, the perpetual comfort
of His presence. Every step in life may bring us closer to
Jesus, may give us a deeper experience of His love, and may
bring us one step nearer to the blessed home of peace. Then
let us not cast away our confidence, but have firm assurance,
firmer than ever before. "Hitherto has the Lord helped
us," and He will help us to the end. 1 Samuel 7:12. Let
us look to the monumental pillars, reminders of what the Lord
has done to comfort us and to save us from the hand of the
destroyer. Let us keep fresh in our memory all the tender
mercies that God has shown us, - the tears He has wiped away,
the pains He has soothed, the anxieties removed, the fears
dispelled, the wants supplied, the blessings bestowed, - thus
strengthening ourselves for all that is before us through
the remainder of our pilgrimage.
We cannot
but look forward to new perplexities in the coming conflict,
but we may look on what is past as well as on what is to come,
and say, "Hitherto has the Lord helped us." "As
your days, so shall your strength be." Deut. 33:25. The
trial will not exceed the strength that shall be given us
to bear it. Then let us take up our work just where we find
it, believing that whatever may come, strength proportionate
to the trial will be given.
And by
and by the gates of heaven will be thrown open to admit God's
children, and from the lips of the King of glory the benediction
will fall on their ears like richest music, "Come, you
blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world" Matt. 25:34.
Then
the redeemed will be welcomed to the home that Jesus is preparing
for them. There their companions will not be the vile of earth,
liars, idolaters, the impure, and unbelieving; but they will
associate with those who have overcome Satan and through divine
grace have formed perfect characters. Every sinful tendency,
every imperfection, that afflicts them here has been removed
by the blood of Christ, and the excellence and brightness
of His glory, far exceeding the brightness of the sun, is
imparted to them. And the moral beauty, the perfection of
His character, shines through them, in worth far exceeding
this outward splendor. They are without fault before the great
white throne, sharing the dignity and the privileges of the
angels.
In view
of the glorious inheritance that may be his, "what shall
a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26.
He may be poor, yet he possesses in himself a wealth and dignity
that the world could never bestow. The soul redeemed and cleansed
from sin, with all its noble powers dedicated to the service
of God, is of surpassing worth; and there is joy in heaven
in the presence of God and the holy angels over one soul redeemed,
a joy that is expressed in songs of holy triumph."
"Rejoice
in the Lord Always!"
This
meditation is from The Path to Peace, pp. 57-63.
|
