The Supreme Point of Energy
Put on thy strength. — Isaiah lii. 1.
Men can rouse themselves to action. In every man there is more or less of latent energy,, unknown under ordinary circumstances and flaming out in exceptional hours to the smprise of the man himself. We cannot live continuously in ecstasy; we must live under ourselves so to speak or life will become a pain and a failure. We are, however, to have periods of special effort, hours of rapture, times of inspiration and sense of mightiness beyond all that is ordinary. In the text the captive daughter of Zion is exhorted to put on her strength; that is, to rouse herself and claim her whole dowry of privilege and influence, — there is strength in her, and she must rouse it; there must be an efi*ort of luillj — life must conquer circumstances. In view of these reflections it is proposed to insist upon the sug-G gestion that iliere is more power in man than he may he aware ofj and that he should inquire what objects and pursuits are worthy of his enthusiastic devotion.
Take an illustration of one side of the idea from the inferior animals. Drive a horse from home and in the course of the day he will show weariness which you may regard as a sign of utter exhaustion; but turn his head homeward, and see what a change takes place! How willingly he runs! How swiftly! He has put on his strength.
Work for a person who is not a favourite; and the hands soon tire: every effort is a weariness to the flesh: every thought wears the mind: on the other hand, serve a person who is beloved, etc.
Undertake any engagement which does not excite the interest of the heart, and how soon it becomes irksome, etc.
The mother waits upon her sick child, and wonders how she can endure so much, etc. The mystery is in the love.
“We are strong when we work in the direction of our will. Where the will is right, the strength will assert itself. The question is not one of muscle but of purpose. What objects, then, are worthy of ^’ all our strength, all our mind, and all our heart ‘^? We may get at the answer negatively as well as positively.
THE SUPREME P0IN2 OF ENERGY. Z^
I. No OBJECT WHICH BEAES UPON THIS WOELD ONLY IS WOETHY or THE SUPEEME ENEEGY OF MAN. Eveil in
secular affairs we work by laws of proportion and adaptation. If a man employed a steam-engine to draw a cork, we should justly accuse kim of wasting power. If a man spent his days and nights in carving cherry-stones, we should say he was wasting his life. We have a common saying — the game is not worth the candle/^ — showing that in common affairs we do recognize the law of proportion, and the law that results do determine the value of processes. If, then, in the lower, how much more in the higher? etc. Think of a being like MAN spending his lifetime in writing his name in the dust! There is a success which is not worth securing. Suppose a man should get all the money he can possibly accumulate, etc.; all the fame, etc.; all the hixury, etc. What does it amount to?
II. Spieitual objects aee alone woethy of the SUPEEME ENEEGY OF MAN. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,^^ etc. (1) They are akin to his own nature; (2) They touch every point of his being; (3) They prepare him for the solemnity and service of the future. Boundless are the prospects of the spiritual thinker! His library, the universe! His companions, the angels! His teacher, God! In
g2 view of such prospects how time dwindles, and how earth passes as a wreath of smoke! The spiritual thinker is independent of all the influences which make up the small world of the materialist, — his citizenship is in heaven.
III. The fact that spiritual objects alone are worthy of the supreme energy of man should impel to decisive ACTION.
1. Put on thy strength, — -for tJie time is short.
2. Put on thy strength, — -for the enemy is on the alert.
3. Put on thy strength, — for the Master is worthy. The text addresses a call to the Church. The call
is to activity. He who gives the call will give the grace. The Church is not to be feeble and tottering; it is to be strong, valiant, heroic. The Church has too long spoken with doubtful emphasis in her doctrine, her avowals, and her prayers. Tn her case, firmness of tone is itself an argument; it shows the streno’th of her conviction and the earnestness of her purpose. Put on thy strength is an exhortation equal to” use thy whole influence, concentrate thy designs, be equal to the occasion.’^ He who can do without the help of the strongest is graciously pleased to accept the service of the meanest.