Part 56 (1/2)

NOVEMBER The Twenty-first

_THE EARLY BUILDERS_

1 KINGS viii. 1-21.

It is always a healthy means of grace to link my own accomplishments with the fidelity and achievements of the past. Solomon traced his finished Temple to the holy purpose in the heart of David his father. I lay the coping-stone, but who turned the first sod? I lead the water into new ministries, but who first dug the well?

There is the temple of liberty. In our own day we are enriching it with most benignant legislation, but we must not forget our dauntless fathers, in whose blood the foundations were laid. When I am walking about in the finished structure, let me remember the daring architects who ”did well”

to have it in their hearts.

Such retrospect will make me humble. It will save me from the isolation and impotence of foolish pride. It will confirm me in human fellows.h.i.+p by showing me how many springs I have in my fellow-men.

And such retrospect will make me grateful to my G.o.d. n.o.ble outlooks always engender the spirit of praise. The fine air of wide s.p.a.ces quickens the soul to a song.

NOVEMBER The Twenty-second

_RECOVERING LOST STRENGTH_

1 KINGS viii. 22-36.

In this portion of this great prayer I discern the unalterable mode in which nations and individuals recover their moral health and strength.

How do they lose it? Two words tell the story. They ”_sin_” and are ”_smitten_.” It is an inevitable sequence. Every sin is the minister of disease. Sometimes we can see it, when the disease flaunts its flags in the flesh; l.u.s.t and drunkenness have glaring placards, and we know what is going on within. But even when sin makes no visible mark the wasting process is at work. It is as true of falsehood as of drunkenness, of treachery as of l.u.s.t. ”Evil shall slay the wicked.”

And how do we recover our lost estate? There are three words which tell the story. ”_Turn!_” ”_Confess!_” ”_Make supplication!_” The words need no exposition. I must turn my face to my despised and neglected Lord; I must tell them all about my miserable revolt, and I must humbly crave for His restoring grace.

And the answer is sure. Such humble exercise sets the joy-bells ringing, and the rich forgiveness of the Lord fills the soul with peace. ”O taste and see how gracious the Lord is.”

NOVEMBER The Twenty-third

_THE STRANGER_

1 KINGS viii. 37-53.

Yes, indeed, what s.p.a.ce has ”the stranger” in my supplications? Has he any place at all? Are my intercessions private enclosures, intended only for the select among my friends? Do I ever open the door to anyone outside my family circle? Are my ecclesiastical sympathies large enough to include ”outsiders” from afar? What do I do with ”the stranger”?

There is nothing which keeps prayer sweet and fresh and wholesome like the letting in of ”the stranger”! To let a new guest sit down at the feast of my intercession is to give my own soul a most nutritious surprise. It is a most healthy spiritual habit to see to it that we bring in a new ”stranger” every time we pray. Let me be continually enlarging the circle of hospitality! Let some new and weary bird find a resting-place in the branches of my supplications every time I hold communication with G.o.d.

A prayer which has no room for ”the stranger” can have little or no room for G.o.d.

NOVEMBER The Twenty-fourth