Part 7 (1/2)

FEBRUARY The Eleventh

_THE HILL COUNTRY OF THE SOUL_

PSALM cxxi.

There should be a hill country in every life, some great up-towering peaks which dominate the common plain. There should be an upland district, where springs are born, and where rivers of inspiration have their birth. ”I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills.”

The soul that knows no hills is sure to be oppressed with the monotony of the road. The inspiration to do little things comes from the presence of big things. It is amazing what dull trifles we can get through when a radiant love is near. A n.o.ble companions.h.i.+p glorifies the dingiest road.

And what if that Companion be G.o.d? Then, surely, ”the common round and daily task” have a light thrown upon them from ”the beauty of His countenance.”

The ”heavenlies” are our salvation and our defence. ”His righteousness is like the great mountains.” ”The mountains bring forth peace unto His people.”

FEBRUARY The Twelfth

_THE BULB AND THE SOIL_

”_He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me._”

--JOHN xiv. 15-24.

Yes, but how can I keep them? Some one sent me a bulb which requires a certain kind of soil, but he also sent me the soil in which to grow it. He sent instructions, but he also sent power. And when I am bidden to keep a commandment I feel as though I have received the bulb but not the soil!

But is this G.o.d's way of dealing with His people? I will read on if perchance I may find the gift of the soil.

”He that abideth in Me ... the same bringeth forth much fruit.” That is the gift I seek. For the keeping of His commandments the Lord provides Himself. I am not called upon to raise fruits out of the soil of my own will, out of my own infirmity of aspiration or desire. I can rest everything in G.o.d! I can ”abide in Him,” and I may have the holy energies of the G.o.dhead to produce in me the fruits of a holy and obedient life.

The good Lord provides both the bulb and the soil.

It is the tragedy of life that we forget this, and seek to make a soil-bed of our own. And thus do we suffer the calamity of fruitless labour, the heavy drudgery of tasks beyond our strength. ”Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

FEBRUARY The Thirteenth

_GRUDGES_

”_Thou shalt not bear any grudge._”

--LEVITICUS xix. 11-18.

How searching is that demand upon the soul! My forgiveness of my brother is to be complete. No sullenness is to remain, no sulky temper which so easily gives birth to thunder and lightning. There is to be no painful aloofness, no a.s.sumption of a superiority which rains contempt upon the offender. When I forgive, I am not to carry any powder forward on the journey. I am to empty out all my explosives, all my ammunition of anger and revenge. I am not to ”bear any grudge.”

I cannot meet this demand. It is altogether beyond me. I might utter words of forgiveness, but I cannot reveal a clear, bright, blue sky without a touch of storm brewing anywhere. But the Lord of grace can do it for me.