LE What dost thou here, Elijah? 1 KINGS Xix. 13. ET this question be supposed as addressed to us: What dost thou here in this world? Art thou "working the work of him that sent thee," or standing all the day idle? Art thou in the post assigned thee by heaven, truly called, and properly qualified for it, and faithfully discharging the duties of it? or hast thou thrust thyself into it without warrant or invitation; and therefore hast no cause to expect success? What dost thou here in this retirement? Is the world shut out of thy thoughts, and are the visits of the blessed Spirit invited? What dost thou here, if thy peace with an offended GoD is not already made, or most earnestly desired and sought after? If thou really wantest peace and safety, plead the blood of JESUS, flee to the city of refuge. What dost thou here in times of trial and temptation? Art thou flying from the danger, or boldly facing it in the name and strength of the LORD? Art thou ashamed of the cross, or dost thou willingly take it upon thee? Elijah failed here; he fled from Jezebel. And did such an one as Elijah fear? Then howl, ye fir-trees, if the cedars be thus shaken! hold fast by CHRIST, ye weak ones, if the strong fall! What dost thou here below? Art thou not pitching thy tent on this side Jordan, satisfied with thy present portion? or art thou "looking to a better country, to a city that hath foundations, whose builder and maker is GOD?" Life is uncertain, death approaches, the Judge is at the door, then "prepare to meet thy GOD." Arm me with jealous care, As in thy sight to live; And thy weak servant, LORD, prepare Mine eyes are ever towards the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. Ps. xxv. 15. Happy is the man that feareth alway. PROV. xxviii. 14. HOW long can some enemies hide themselves with their nets before our eyes, and draw in all on a sudden! It is unspeakable how cunning and powerful our enemies are, how they lie in wait everywhere, so that in all places, and at all times, we are surrounded with many cruel murderers of souls! Blessed is he that keeps clear from self-confidence, and fearing always, says within himself, as soon as he awakes in the morning, Who knows what temptations I may meet with to-day? perhaps when I arise, by the first step my feet may be entangled in dangerous snares and nets. And as self-confidence ever will be ashamed, and a firm confidence in the LORD never shall (Rom. ix. 33), grant, O LORD, I beseech thee, that, distrusting myself, I may fully put my trust on thee, watching evermore in all things, and looking cautiously in all places about me, where there is any fear of danger. Whatever I am about to do or to speak, let me first converse with thee by prayer; that keeping always close to thee, I may be preserved against the power and craft of mine enemies, as in a stronghold; and confidently say, according to thy own pattern given (Ps. xvi. 8), "I have set the LORD before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." GOD is my portion and my joy; His counsels are my light, He gives me sweet advice by day, And gentle hints by night. My soul would all her thoughts approve Nor death nor hell my hope shall move, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work (as also the Holy Spirit). For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. JOHN v. 17, 21. See also JOHN ix. 4, and xiv. 10. MY poor soul, is not the blessed Trinity thy GOD, in three Persons, able to destroy the works of the devil, and fulfil his good-will in thee? O yes, he works both to will and to do; and that very thing which is above your own power, he works, and nothing else. If you can do little, he works much; if nothing at all, so much the better, then he works all; for he is our all, since we are nothing, and can do nothing. And happy are we that we can have him for our support in all things; and that the children of GoD are not required to direct their own steps, but shall be led by their heavenly Father. Now, O LORD, since by the will, guidings, and workings of my own heart, I throw only so many hinderances and blocks in my way, grant, I beseech thee, that, in true dependence on thee, I may venture everything; and despairing of my own sufficiency, may always abide in thee, draw all necessary strength from thee by prayer, and bring forth many good fruits which may last to eternity! For thy work in true believers, weak as it may seem now, will last for ever, and none shall be able to destroy it. LORD, let thy counsels guide my feet Through this dark wilderness; Then, if the springs of life were broke, GOD is my soul's eternal rock, The strength of every saint. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. JAMES iv. 7, 8. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Chap. v. 16. My dear soul, draw nigh to Gop in prayer, and he will draw nigh to thee; be instant in it, and the devil cannot stand against thee: for prayers will drive away sin and Satan, as the wind drives the smoke before it; prayer works wonderful great things, and will make possible what seemeth impossible. If GOD has given thee some spiritual blessings already, this is an encouragement to hope also for that which thou lackest yet: therefore only pray confidently, and you shall receive evermore; for unbelief is the only reason that God cannot work wonders for us. Pour out upon my soul, thou living and wonder-working GOD, the spirit of prayer; let me pray and strive, pray in faith, and pour out my whole heart before thee. Ps. lxii. 8. Let me strive in faith that the LORD may impart the blessing and draw nigh to me; for without thee to be with me, all my prayers and all my strivings are in vain. My GOD, I bow before thy feet; When shall my soul get near thy seat? How should I love thee and adore, I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. GAL. ii. 20. IN N spiritual things we are too often living upon self. We seek in frames, forms, creatures, and animal life, that inward peace and stability of mind which is only to be found in the Redeemer. Outward duties are well in their place; but they have no divine life in themselves, or to give. They are to be performed, but not trusted in; to be used with grace, but cannot buy grace. They are as the scaffold of the building, a means for carrying on the work, but not the end of the great design. In the power of CHRIST they are blessings; without it they have no power. The whole trust must be in JESUS. He is the way, the truth, and the life: without him prayers, praises, rites, and ordinances, are carcases without a soul. Every performance of outward worship is so, unless the SAVIOUR fills it with his divine Spirit. Then it is we experience a communion of heart, a reviving of the soul after the adorable JESUS, and a delightful view behind the veil of outward ordinances (such as no carnal eye can behold), manifesting the LORD in his goodness, beauty, grandeur, blessedness, and glory. The faith and hope of things unseen Thy light, thy favour, and thy smiles, These are the blessings I desire; |