September 10

“And He goeih up into a mountain, and calleth unto Him whom He would: and they came unto Him.” — Mark iii. 13.

WERE was sovereignty. Impatient spirits may fret and V. fume because they are not called to the highest places in the ministry; but, reader, be it thine to re ioice that Jesus calleth whom He will. If He shall leave me to be a doorkeeper in His house, I will cheerfully bless Him for His grace in permitting me to do anything in His service. The call of Christ’s servants comes from above. Jesus stands on the mountain, evermore above the world in holiness, earnestness, love, and power. Those whom He calls must go up the mountain to Him; they must seek to rise to His level by living in constant communion with Him. They may not be able to mount to classic honors, or attain scholastic eminence, but they must like Moses go up into the mount of God, and have familiar intercourse with the unseen God, or they will never be fitted to proclaim the gospel of peace. Jesus went apart to hold high fellowship with the Father, and we must enter into the same divine companionship if we would bless our fellow-men. No wonder that the apostles were clothed with power when they came down fresh from the mountain where Jesus was. This morning we must endeavor to ascend the mount of communion, that there we may be ordained to the life-work for which we are set apart. Let us not see the face of man to-day till we have seen Jesus. Time spent with Him is laid out at blessed interest. We too shall cast out devils and work wonders if we go down into the world girded with that divine energy which Christ alone ean give. It is of no use going to the Lord’s battle till we are armed with heavenly weapons. We must see Jesus: this is essential. At the mercy-seat we will linger till He shalj manifest Himself unto us as He doth not unto the world, and until we can tiuthfully say, “We were with Him in the Hol Mount.”