Deep and Silent Work
What is most precious in the sight of God is often least noticed by men.
The work of the Holy Ghost is often most mighty when least of its power is seen by the common eye. Judas working miracles, and king Saul prophesying, were not such proofs of the Spirit’s power as the tears of Peter after he had denied his Lord.
If we would be strong we must make pleasing God our business: then what adversary can harm us?
Before our knowledge can be of much profit to others it must become a channel of our own soul’s communion with God in secret.
How needful is it to take heed to our ways, to seek counsel, not only of God, but of those who are faithful and prudent! Satan watches for our halting, and entangles us by little and little; questionable things first, then things plainly evil. Great sins may spring out of little trespasses.
That confession to others which is frequent and unasked, is seldom deep before God.
They are most alive to snares and temptations who by reason of walking with God are most blameless: we rarely see the snare when entangled therein.
David, Elijah, and others, obtained victories over themselves in solitude, and there had power with God: when afterwards they came forth, how calmly did they undertake the greatest things, and how easily perform them!
How great a victory was that which Jonathan must have gained over himself, when he rejoiced to see David raised above him! He discerned the mind of God in David, and had so learnt to delight in God, that he did not see in David one who was to outshine him, but another faithful man raised up for God and for Israel. Not so Joab, who in hellish jealousy slew his kinsman Amasa. (1 Sam. 23:171; 2 Sam. 20:9.102.)
To have nothing, and to be nothing, this is riches, quietness, rest.
Fußnoten
1 Samuel 23: 17 And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.↩︎
2 Samuel 20: 9 And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him. 10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.↩︎