April, 1934
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
131
o Around the King’s Tabltj B y L ouis T. T albot
to remain in camp. It might be a few days, or it might be for only a night. But they were to ascertain the Lord’s will by watching for His signal, keeping their eyes constantly upon Him. "A s long as” (Num. 9 :18 ). These three words suggest to us the rule that governed the sojourn of the Israelites. “ As long as the cloud abode . . . they remained encamped.” Are we as eager to catch the Lord’s signal and to remain encamped until His sign for moving is given? T o cease from our journeyings “ as long as” God in His infinite wisdom would have us pause before Him, is to be living in obedience to Him. "Whether . . . or.” “ Whether it were two days, or a month, or a year . . . , the children o f Israel remained en camped, and journeyed not” (Num. 9 :22 ). The plan God had for their journey was not revealed in detail or in advance. The design was made plain but a bit at a time. Not knowing whether the halt was for two days, or a month, or a year, still they journeyed not until the cloud was lifted. "When . . . then.” “ And when the cloud tarried . . . , then the children o f Israel. . , journeyed not” (Num. 9 :19 ). The sequence o f events is strikingly suggested here. When something happened, then something else resulted. When the cloud tarried, then they journeyed not. When the cloud arose, then they broke camp and followed. In either circumstance, no change of activity occurred until after Jehovah had given His command. The full blessing o f the presence o f God is the unique and unspeakably precious possession of His children who are in the place to which He has led. Whether His people be journeying at His command, or by His will at rest and in the place of worship, the eager responsiveness o f yielded hearts brings the abundant blessing of fellowship with the Lord Himself. Learning to Look Up "Our eyes . . . unto Jehovah our God” (Psa. 123:2 ). "Mine eyes are unto thee, 0 Jehovah the Lord” (Psa. 141:8). T h e psalmist, had learned to look up for his marching orders. In the first instance, he is expressing the thought not solely for himself, but also for others: “ Our eyes , . . unto Jehovah our God.” The company of God’s people should, as a group, constantly keep their gaze fixed upon'Him. In the attitude of dependence and obedience, they together look to Him for His direction. But the psalmist does not forget his personal, individual relationship to his God, for he says: “ Mine eyes are unto thee, O Jehovah the Lord.” In 2 Chronicles 2 0 :12, we have the story o f Jehoshaphat when he prayed for help against Moab and Ammon. Listen to his confession o f helpless ness, and likewise his acknowledgment o f the source from which his help may com e: ‘‘For we have no might against this great company that cometh against u s ; neither know we what to d o : but our eyes are upon thee.” When we keep our eyes upon Him, we need have no fear as to the conse quences. When our eyes are upon Him, then His eyes are upon us for our deliverance.
[The illness o f the President o f the Bible Institute, that has confined him to his home fo r some time, has been the cause o f deep regret on the part o f many friends. Ever since his coming to Los Angeles, Mr. Talbot has given un- stintingly o f his time, strength, and means to the Lord’s work here, declining to accept any salary from the Institute fo r the multiplied duties he has willingly performed as President. Although Mr. Talbot’s physical condition is reported to be unalarming, and it is believed that he will soon be able to return to his duties, he has been unable to prepare the material fo r this page. Nor has he been able to continue the announced radio broadcasts, or to assume pastoral leadership in the 'evangelistic meetings in the Church o f the Open Door, March 18 to April 1, in which Dr. P. W . Philpott and Arthur W . M cK ee are the evan gelist and song leader. I7n the emergency created by Mr. Talbot’s absence, the Dean o f the Institute, Dr. Elbert L. McCreery, has gra ciously consented to provide the devotional comments for the department, “Around the King’s Table,” and to assist, with Dr. John A . Hubbard and others, in the week-day radio broadcasts over KM P l 7\It will be a. disappointment, especially to friends living, aTa distance*frofn nos Angeles, to know that the plans fo r a national radio ministry in which Mr. Talbot’s voice might be heard each week over KF I, have necessarily been postponed indefinitely. It is hoped that these friends; with many others, will join in earnest prayer fo r the full recovery o f the health o f the President o f the Institute and fo r the extension o f the Institute’s gospel ministry .— E ditor .] Divine Marching Orders "A t the command o f Jehovah the children o f Israel journeyed, and at the command o f Jehovah they encamped” (Num. 9 :18 ). W h e n G od was leading the children of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt into the land of promise, He low His leadership. The cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night were the emblems of God’s presence and leader ship. May it not have been the Shekinah glory manifested in these appearances by day and by night ? Frequently, while living in the Sudan, I was reminded o f this symbol of God’s leadership. When the great prairie fires were burning over hundreds of acres o f ground, all that was visible to the eye by day was the great pillar o f smoke. The brightness o f the sun obscured the brightness o f the flame, so that only the smoke appeared. But at night, the picture was just the reverse. No smoke was seen, but the pillar o f flame appeared in brilliant illumination o f the region, How very similar to the experience of the Christian ! Though the appearance o f the manifestation o f the Lord may differ by day or by night, still His leadership is assured. "Sometimes . . . a few days; sometimes . . . from even ing until morning” (Num. 9 :20 ,2 1 ). When the children o f Israel encamped in obedience to the signal from God, they did not know how long they were
gave very specific directions in order that they might fol
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker