a leper. Only God could cure leprosy. Leprosy is a type of sin. It mutilates the body and separates the leper from society. Sin does that very thing, too. Naaman went to Elisha, the prophet of Israel, for cleansing. The instructions were to bathe seven times in the river Jordan. This was to prove whether Naaman was a real believer or not. Have you trusted the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you plunged into that fountain open for sin and for un cleanness? King David once prayed that he might have a bath that would bring peace to his heart and comfort to his soul. “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7). This was a personal prayer; he prayed about his own need. The Lord heard his petition, washed his soul, and sent him out again in his daily life with a happy heart and a song of praise upon his lips. The bath, which makes one whiter than snow, is available to all who will come to Jesus Christ and trust wholly in Him. He does the washing and bath ing; He changes the soul. There was a special provision in the Jewish tabernacle made for bathing. Even though the worshipper had been to the brazen altar, and saw there the sacrificial lamb dying for his sins, still it was necessary that he should go to the laver for bathing in its waters. Without the bath it is not possible for the worshipper to enter into the holy place. At the brazen altar the sinner’s soul was cleansed; a£ the laver his outer soil was removed. The water of the living Word of God cleanses the outward walk of the believer. There is a consecration bath men tioned in Exodus 29:4. Aaron and his sons were bathed as they entered the priesthood. This was a public con fession that they washed out of their lives the ways of the world. After this bath, men were to keep themselves un spotted and occupied wholly with the Lord. May the Lord enable each Chris tian to take that same stand, walking thus wholly separated unto Him.
by Dr. W alter L. W ilson W h il e candles are used all over the world, yet there will be no Candlelight was the earliest artificial light spoken of in the Bible. “His can dle shall be put out with him” (Job 18:6). Life has been compared to the burning candle. “The candle hung sus pended in my chamber, slowly paled and flickered in its socket.” The burn ing flame consumes the wax. As the taper wears down, the end is near. David uses the candle as a type of his own blessing and usefulness. “Thou wilt light my candle. The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness” (Psalm 18:28). Candles are made in all shapes and colors. But strangely enough, no matter what color the can dle might be, the light is always the same. What a beautiful picture of the testimony of God’s people in every country, kindred and community. Candles are made with very large wicks so they may be of greater light. David Brainard was a candle like that. So were William Carey, Hudson Tay lor, and Dwight L. Moody. God gave these men wide visions, a great grasp of His Word and a deep desire for lost souls. There are tiny candles placed on the birthday cake. Did not our Lord say, “Out of the mouths of babes and' suck lings hast thou ordained praise”? It is the heart of the candle which bums. Our hearts too must be touched before we may give out light for men. Much preaching leaves the heart cold, and unmoved. In the heart the flame must be kindled if other lives are to find their way to the Saviour’s feet. God will have no candles in heaven because in that blessed place the light of men’s minds do not need it. There we are in the presence of Him who is the Light of life and shall be forevermore. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” 23
candles in heaven (Revelation 22:5).
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