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a state o f protracted babyhood, undeveloped, unable to re ceive the “ meat”— the deeper truth the Lord’s servant has for them. It is the duty o f every believer to give the Bible full opportunity to nourish and upbuild his spiritual nature. I t is light, to give guidance (Psa. 119:105). The psalmist referred to the Word as “ a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” The world about is dark. God wants to guide His people through it. Archaeology has found a lamp fitted to the ankle,, the light showing just where the next step is to be taken. So must God’s Word be to His people. It is gold, to enrich (Psa. 19:10). The Bible is a gold mine. But God, in His wisdom, has not put gold on the surface; it is stored away in the earth where men need to hunt for it. So it is with the riches o f His W o rd ; those who dig for the gold will find it and be immeasurably en riched thereby. It is a mirror (2 Cor. 3:18, R .V .). In it man sees a faithful reflection o f himself, for his correction and re proof (JaSi 1:23-25). But this vision o f self merely creates in man a desire to see God. And the Bible is also a faithful, reliable mirror of Him. Seeing Him, His beauty and glory, “ we . . . are transformed into the same image from glory to glory.” The instrument designed to work this marvel in our lives is in our hands every day; when ever we will we may turn to it and let it carry on its trans forming, glorifying work. It is a critic (Heb. 4 :12 ). The Greek implies “ a critic o f the thoughts and intents o f the heart.” Men have re versed the divine order. Our being critics o f the Bible is not God’s way; God designed the Bible to be a critic o f us. As we submit our hearts to its searchings, the W ord effects a dislodgment o f all that hinders— the pride, selfishness, impurity, unkindness— and full room is made for the Lord’s peace, joy, love, patience. The secret of the Christian life is in letting God, through His Word, have His way. So may it be. vailing prayer and intercession as can come only with a real love for God and for souls. But we are to cast these burdens also on the Lord, for we read: “ Casting all your care upon him.” “ Be careful [full o f care] for nothing” includes even that burden, does it not ? Prayer should be followed by committing the matter to Him, and we do not commit when we continue to carry the load. “ Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.” There is a vast difference between lightness o f heart and lightness o f character. In meditating upon the numerous exhortations to rejoice, remember that it is not merely your own experience that is involved;but also that it is the joyous Christian that makes other people hungry for God. When your cup is running over with the joy o f the Lord, others will be blessed by the overflow. A singing heart is one o f the evidences o f being filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5 :19 ). The psalmist says: “ God hath anointed thee with the oil o f gladness” (Psa. 4 5 :7 ). In another psalm, we read o f oil to make the face shine (Psa. 104:15). If the Holy Spirit, typified by oil, is filling our lives, the joy o f the Lord will shine forth, revealing His presence. Christ’s work is to bring us to heaven, but the work o f the Holy Spirit is to bring heaven to us. now. Questions for answer in this corner should b e se n t to M iss SGott, 896 1 D ic k s Street,W. Hollywood, California. No name will be p u b lis h e d . E.. S c o t t -, ■ ■
plishing o f His purposes with men. This design is ex pressed by well-known symbols. It is a, hammer, to break in pieces (Jer. 2 3 :29). “ Is not my word . . . like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces ?” The heart o f man, how hard it is, under the in fluence o f sin, Satan, and the w orld ! The only remedy Is to break that heart, and the Bible is designed to deliver sledge-hammer blows to accomplish this needed crushing. It is a fire, to melt (Jer. 2 3 :29). “ Is not my word like as a fire?” This is no more comfortable a process than the former, but by it the dross is removed and the Refiner (Mai. 3:2, 3) can take for His use the purified metal Were we faithful in allowing His Word to do this refining work, we might be spared the necessity for many a provi dential furnace o f affliction. I t is a sword, to pierce (Eph. 6:17 ;T Ieb. 4 :12 ). The Word o f God is “ the sword o f the Spirit” ; “ sharper than any two-edged sword.” It has power to penetrate the hid den recesses o f the heart, discerning its inmost intents, laying bare the sin o f which we were scarcely conscious. In this function it possesses a skill that has often amazed, startled, and shamed us. It is water, to cleanse (John 15:3 ; Eph. 5 :26). “ Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it; That'he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” The primary work o f cleansing is regeneration (Tit. 3 :5 ), washing away the corruption o f our deadness in sin. Then follows that daily, continual renewing and cleansing by His Word in the believer’s life. It is, seed, to produce new life (1 Pet. 1 :23). By this seed, vitalized with the life o f God, dropped into the heart and there taking root, we are “ born again.” T o do this work, the' seed must be “ implanted” (Jas, 1 :21, R .V .). Then its “ living” quality becomes ours. It is food, to sustain and develop life (1 Cor. 3 :2 ). The apostle’s complaint is that God’s people have esteemed the food for their spiritual natures so lightly that they are in Dear Miss Scott.: Recently, some one accused me o f not being a happy Christian, and it set me to thinking and analyzing myself a bit. I know I am happy in the Lord and do not believe I carry my own burdens or worry over them unduly, but I cannot, see how we can help feeling burdened'when we see so much sin, sorrow, and suffering about us. I suppose I come to feel more crushed by it all than I should. But Paul wanted to have a share in Christ’s suffering, and Christ grieved over a sinful world. Is it not natural that those who love the Lord should feel this sorrow, too? Is not the danger rather one o f lightness on the part o f God’s people? I know Christ said much about rejoicing, and I feel that somehow I am failing Him, but I am not sure where or how I am at fault. Can you help me ?—M. M y dear M .: —Yes, God’s Word does say much about rejoicing. It tells u s : “ The joy o f the Lord is your strength.” Why should you cast your own burdens on the Lord, and yet carry the weight o f other loads until they crush you? O f course, we are to have the privilege o f the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings; and; as a result, we shall have a real burden for lost souls and such a ministry o f effectual, pre n C o n d u c t e d b y . •-
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