The Future Tenses of the Blessed Life

THESE words sparkle as the rim of the ocean does when, though clouds brood dense overhead, the sun shines far out at sea. They were primarily addressed to the daughter of Zion, to Israel the chosen people; and they undoubtedly foreshadow blessings which are yet to be realized. Ten times over in this chapter God assures His people of what He will most certainly do on their behalf.

But a much wider circle than the chosen race may appropriate the blessed comfort of these words. They who are of the faith of Abraham are reckoned children of Abraham, and are therefore justified in claiming their share in the blessings promised to all the seed; “not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of faith. If you believe on Him “who quickeneth the dead, and calleth these things which be not as though they were,” then draw near and drink deep draughts of rest and grace from these wells of sacred promise.

Twice over in this paragraph we are told that the Lord, the King of Israel, is in the midst of His people. This is an indisputable fact. He is in the midst of His church, so that it shall not be moved; though the waves around roar and be troubled, beating themselves into yeasty foam and “Cbrtst m us,” 9

clouds of spray. But He is also in the midst of our individual being. We have been so strengthened by the spirit in the inner man, that Christ dwells in our hearts by faith. At the moment of regeneration God becomes, in the person of His Son, and through the work of the Holy Ghost, resident in those who believe. Thenceforward they are His holy temples and those ever-memorable words are realized in their experience, “We will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

Well would it be if each Christian were to devote some portion, however brief, in each day, to meditation upon this marvellous fact. “The mighty God, the King, is in the midst of me. I am God-tenanted, God-possessed. The High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity has taken up His abode in my heart.” And this marvellous indwelling — more wonderful than if io b Cluster of ©rapes,

an angel were to indwell an emmet or humming-bird — is not dependent on frames or feelings or aught in us; but endures through all our changes and fluctuations unto the eternal ages.

But if the mighty God is indeed in us, why is there so much weakness and failure in our lives? why have we so little to show for this marvellous possession? Alas! the answer is not far to seek — we have limited the Holy One of Israel. He has been in the midst of us as a man astonied, and as a mighty man that cannot save; because our backslidings have been many, and we have sinned against Him (Jer. xiv. 17-8.)

In olden days, amid the Roman forum, there was a little brooklet, called the Girls’ Fountain, which sang merrily as it broke into the .light, and passed on its way toward the yellow Tiber. For centuries, however, it was lost sight of; not that it had ceased

Ube “(Biris’ fountain,” n

to exist, but that it had become covered and almost choked by tons of rubbish, accumulated thickly on the spot, as the proud city was subjected to repeated and ruthless violence at the hands of many spoilers. But when in recent years the debris was removed, that fountain, so long choked and hindered, freed from all restraints, again took up her song and recommenced her useful ministry. Is not that a type of the work of the Mighty One within us? He has not left us;but His gracious power, which would have been put forth in us and for us, has been rendered almost inoperative and dead. What now shall hinder us ridding ourselves of all which has hindered Him from doing His mighty works so that He may do that which He so much loves, and which we so much need?

Then we may expect Him to accomplish the four blessed “I wills” of this precious verse.

“He will save” — As God took the side of His people against their foes, and will do so again in the final struggle, when His feet shall stand upon the Mount of Olives, so will He take our side against our sins. He has saved us from the penalty of sin; He will also save us from its power. As we look back on a finished salvation, accomplished for us on the cross, so we may confidently look forward to a sufficient salvation along the entire course of our future life, till we enter the City whose walls are salvation and its gates praise.

Your foes may be numerous as the devils in hell, strong and wily; but He will save. Your temperament may be as susceptible to temptation as an aspen-leaf is to the wind; but He will save. Your past years, by repeated acts of indulgence, may have formed habits strong as iron bands; but He will save. Your circumstances “*>e will Save,” 13

and companions may be most unfavorable to a life of victory; but He will save. Difficulties are nought to Him; the darkness shineth as the day. It were rank blasphemy to suppose that our Creator could have given us a body which He could not keep; or have placed us in circumstance in which He could not restrain. Is it not written, without a single hint at limitation or reserve? — “He shall save His people from their sins.” And shall He not do so?

If there be, therefore, perpetual failure in your life, it cannot arise from any weakness or impotence in the Mighty God; but from some failure on your part. That failure may probably be discovered in one of three hiding places — imperfect surrender; deficient faith; or neglected communion. But when the intention of the soul is right with God, without doubt He Will Save.

11 He will rejoice over thee with joy.” — The great evangelic prophet gives the key to understand this promise when he says, “As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shalt thy God rejoice over thee.” It is very wonderful that the Holy Spirit should choose metaphor. Plato held that love is the attraction to each other of twin souls, made each for the other, and moving towards each other; until each finds in the other the completement and supply of the needs of its own nature. As we need God, so does God need us. There is something in us which satisfies Him, and without which His nature would not be perfectly content.

Here is a marvel, at the brink of which the first-born sons of light stand bewildered! How then can we fathom it? We can understand better how He came to create, redeem, regenerate, and pity us; but that He should “1foe will IRejoice,” 15

need us as the bridegroom needs the bride — who shall understand this? We should have thought that our sin would alienate Him from us for ever. But His yearning for us is greater than His hatred of our sin. And He will expend infinite pains to rid us of the evil that clings to us, that He may have us for Himself forever

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