September 1927
576
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
and the lowliness of the manger, and said of Himself, “I am meek and lowly of heart.” “He did not' strive nor cry.” The Holy Spirit is, for the most part, quiet in His workings. ' bilijah had to learn that there is not always the greatest efficacy where there is the greatest racket. There is some thing amiss when a preacher must con- tiiifially exhort a. congregation to “Say hallelujah!” If brass bands and spec tacular. stunts must be the continuous program of a church, it is good evidence that the energy of the flesh is at work. It is not God’s normal order. ■Reanimated for his remaining work, Elijah was sent to prepare for three great changes affecting the state of Israel (vs. 15-17). The prophet was informed that he 'w:as but one-séven-thòusandth as im portant as he had figured, for God had “seven thousand who had not bowed the knee to Baal.” We may yet' discover that in the apos tasy of our day, we are not nearly so lonely in our stand against liberalism and .evolution as we had imagined. We may learn,isjalso, that in many a church which we had regarded as deserted of God be cause nothing spectacular was going on as compared with some other centers of re ligious activity, God was doing His deep est work. The greatest work of God is wrought by the faithful, persistent inculcation of pure truth, accompanied by the gentle but resistless ministry -of the Spirit of God. L'.'V.A -gibFfxij. P ith and P oint Fear breeds forgetfulness (v. 3). The devil is an expert bluffer. By in timidating, he fools many a “duffer” (v. Self-pity turns a mighty man into a whimpering weakling. While God keeps us living, He has something for us to do (v. 4). A worried look—the sign of the juniper tree. Heaven-fed men are good travelers (v. 8). God’s cause won’t collapse because one of His servants does. If the devil can make a man think he stands alone,'it won’t bè long before he can’t stand at all (v. 10). The discouraged man should not live in Ecclesiastes (“under thè sun”), but in Ephesians (“in heavenly places”) (v. 11). —o— S uggestive Q uestions Are such reactions as Elijah had really necessary? (Phil. 4:13.) What is part of every Christian work er’s commission? (Phil. 1:29.) Did the gods evidently take Jezebel at her word? (V. 2; cf. 2 Kgs. .9:30-37.) . What does. James say about Elijah? (Jas. 5:17.) Did Elijah ever get his prayer an swered? (V. 4; cf. 2 Kgs. 2:1.) Where may we procure the food that will sustain us during our testing pe riods? (1 Pet. 2:2.) Is a man quite apt to be set aside when he gets to thinking that he is indispens able? (V. 10; cf. Num. 20:10-12; Rom. 12:3.) G olden T ext I llustration Wait on the Lord : be of good .cour age, and He shall strengthen thine heart (Psa. 27:14).
shouting conventions 1 There is much of it that God is not in. Not outward show alone testifies to the presence of God, but equally the silent operation of the Spirit upon hearts, the unseen development of truth and love among men. We cannot hope to see the full result of our testimony for Christ. We have 'a right to believe that in the spiritual world, seedtime and harvest are constant. God will take care of the seed we plant. The storm and fire are excep tions. “When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle” (v, 13). He was get- 'M t s back where God could talk to him. How many there are today who conclude that God is not working unless they can see signs of tempest and earthquake in a congregation. .They condemn churches and pastors, and run from place to place, straining after marvels. They join , the crowd that is making the biggest noise, and never realize that it is a distorted faith that must always depend upon such outward tempests. : The most potent forces in nature, light and heat, are silent in their workings. In the spiritual world, the One who has caused the greatest revolutions in human society, came in the silence of the night
Body and soul are pretty closely con nected after all. God ministers to both. No wilderness is too solitary for the at tendance of His ministering angels. Eli jah was awakened by an angel (v. 5). While he had slept, his breakfast had been made ready for him. “There was a cake haken on the .coals, and a cruse of water at , his head.” . Do not such things happen today? Oh the never-ceasing care and providence of our heavenly Father! When we are at the end of our wits, when we are in want B-then does He follow, us with His mer cies and from most unexpected sources cause our needs to be supplied. Such oc currences have aroused many a man un der his juniper tree, to realize that after all, God cares. We may see in these heaven-sent pro visions, also, a reference to spiritual food, Christ is our “true and living Bread." His Word is spiritual food. We must appropriate this food, and in its strength we shall go many days, Elijah then made his way to “Horeb, the mount of God” (v. 8). There he found a cave, and as he lodged therein “the word of the Lord came unto him — What doest thou here?” Even the long period the prophet had had for reflection had failed to set his thoughts right and to bring back trustful feeling. Elijah answered boldly in justification of himself: “I have been very zealous for the Lord . . . the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant . . . I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life” (v. 10). He had stood alone, and triumphed. Now he had met one failure, and was ut terly discouraged. All his work seemed wasted. One woman was going to tri umph over the cause he had championed. God was going to let everything go to smash. There was an utter sense of loneliness. “I only am left.” He craved fellowship, but no voice of comfort broke upon his perturbed spirit. What Christian worker has not felt all of this at some time or other? But what is the cure? “Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord” (v. 1.1). That is the place for a man with the blues. Get where you cgn see from God’s viewpoint. When the outlook is bad, take the uplook. Cir cumstances are “things that stand around.” They are no obstacle to the God who is above. The words, “be not dismayed,” in Isa. 41:10 are literally “look not around.” Get up on the mount where the atmosphere is invigorating. God gave Elijah an object lesson re specting the character of the instruments by which He successfully works among men. The prophet beheld the mountains rent by a mighty wind, “but the Lord was not in the wind.” Then came a great earthquake, “but the Lord was not in the earthquake.” Then he saw a great fire, “but the Lord was not in the fire” (vs. 11-12). . “After the fire came a still small voice.” Some are ever wanting great manifesta tions to arouse wonder and admiration. They are not content with the more si lent forms of ministry. God’s power is not measured by noise and great excite ment. What a message to our age—the day of fleshly energy in religious move ments—the day of so-called miracles— the day of multiplied committees and
An Old Hymn Recast M rs . A nna R oss “The value of the blood of Christ in His Father’s sight. “When GOD surveys the won drous cross On which His own Beloved died, His richest stores of heavenly grace To sinners all are opened wide. “Forbid it, Lord, that. I should boast Save in the death of Christ my GOD: The inheritance, of peace and power Are mine own portion through His Blood. “See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down: GOD freely gave His Son to death— What will He do that death to crown ? “The whole wide universe is His, But that were riches far too small: In answer to the death of Christ, GOD gives Himself, His love, His all.” *
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