The ten tribes rebelled against authority – oppressively used-instead of turning to God for help. But, on the other hand, usurped authority is to be refused, in obedience to God. Absalom enthroned himself king, but David refused his authority, and Jonathan ignored the decree of Saul-his own father, and king by divine right. To obey God rather than men is always right. But in the church, often, both sides are ready for division, and permanent confusion results. May we humble ourselves before God, that He may lift us up!

My meat" is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work.""I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I straitened until it be accomplished."Thus did Jesus speak of His own labor of love ; and who that professes to be a follower of Him can set a lower measure for his own life than his Master's, "who left us an example that we should follow His steps" ?Not, indeed, that he has no natural fellowship with all that charms the senses or the mind of man, but the melody of the songs of heaven is heard above the voice of earthly music; and the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, seen by the eye of faith, outshines the transient sparkle of earthly splendor. "the time is short."Most blessed word, whether for the stirring up of our diligence in our Lord's work, that when He cometh we maybe found doing His will; or for the gladdening of our souls in the prospect of the near approach whose coming shall be "as the light of the morning, when the sun ariseth, even a morning without clouds." (2 Sam. 23:)Let us try everything that the world holds dear by the glory of that day, by the power and coming of Jesus, by the joy of His saints in whom He will come to be glorified, and then let our hearts decide whether we are ready to count all as dung that we may win Christ.