CALENDAR:Mar. 16th to Apr. 15th
Daily Bible Reading,… .Mar. 16th, Ps. 53:Mar. 31st, Ps. 68;
Memory Work . . 2 Peter 2:11-3:7….. [Apr. 15th, Ps. 83
Good Reading,…… C. H. M.'s Miscellaneous Writ's., Vol. 3, from "Papers on Evangelization" to the end.
Monthly Question:-What psalms are quoted in the New Testament as referring to Christ ?
Our Daily Bible Reading
The psalms we are reading, to the 72nd inclusive, are in the second book, or division, of this book of praises. They prophetically express the experiences through which the faithful remnant of Israel will pass in a day still future, and called by Jeremiah " the time of Jacob's trouble." In Ps. 51 we have David's deep and touching confession of sin, even blood-guiltiness. Historically it refers to the case of Uriah, of whose death David was guilty. Prophetically it points to those who will yet be brought to confess the much deeper crime of the rejection and murder of their Messiah. As David could not excuse himself by pleading that he had not killed Uriah, so the remnant in that coming day under conviction of the nation's terrible crime, will own the guilt of the nation of which they form a part. On this account they will pass through the experiences described in these psalms. How the oppression of evil men is felt-their mischiefs, deceitful workings, denials of God, abounding iniquity, false accusations, persecutions-did not the nation choose a Caesar and a Barabbas rather than the meek and lowly Prince of Peace ? They shall eat then the fruits of their own ways! What they measured out to Christ in His holy life is, in the holy government of God, measured out to them also.
Much of this will come upon them from the apostate nation when returned to their land, and where the faithful remnant also will be found. In many ways the circumstances of the Lord in the days of His flesh with His own little remnant will be reproduced in them at this time. And as He declared judgments upon the hypocritical, self-righteous, and wicked men of His day, so in these psalms we hear the voice of the remnant in similar strains. With them we find mingled notes of confidence and assured victory, springing out of trust in and dependence upon God, while there is rejoicing in His righteousness and truth. What a triumphant close we have in Ps. 72! The Desire of the righteous, yet poor and needy people, has come. He, the King's Son, is now enthroned, the oppressor overcome, peace and blessing in abundance, and the whole earth filled with His glory. Blessed issue for Israel and the nations!
With the seventy-third psalm the third book, or division, of the Psalms begins. In this third book we have lessons of God's holiness in His ways with man. This opening psalm brings us in the sanctuary of God's presence where the godly are made to understand His ways (ver. 17). Our ignorance is discovered there, but God also is revealed (vers. 23-28). In consonance with this, the enemy, man's wickedness and rebellion, Israel's waywardness, all find their place, for God is before the soul. If evil conditions and circumstances are looked at, it is from the sanctuary where God is revealed; what He is celebrated, and rest is found there.
May we not only read, but prayerfully meditate upon these outpourings of the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, and recorded for our blessing. There is much in them which is not applicable to us, but much of the spirit and exercises breathed in them we may profitably appropriate, remembering, too, that a truly spiritual mind may discern in them much of our blessed Lord's own experiences-of grief, of sorrow, affliction, and persecution received from His own people, and their self-righteous, wicked leaders.
Our Gospel Testimony
A short while ago I wrote a little to you about our assembly testimony. I would speak now a little as to our gospel activities. These constitute two of the main aspects of our responsibilities. The former has in view the true Center for God's people and their fellowship together as gathered to Him, out of mere human organizations, thus giving practical expression to the order, government, and worship indicated in the New Testament for God's assembly. In our priestly character, our faces are turned to the Lord, in separation from the world. Or, if considered as God's house, we are responsible to maintain His truth and character, remembering that holiness becomes His house forever. In our gospel testimony, our faces are turned outwardly, and our appeal is to the world. This has the character of Levitical service rather than priestly. The priestly character is in going into God's presence; the Levitical is in bearing the heavenly things toward, or in the presence of, the world. Let us note that the Levitical service depended entirely upon the priests' first accomplishing their part (Num., chap. 4).
We need, then to have both these aspects of fellowship and testimony. Both are to be maintained-not as independent of each other, but rather as going hand in hand unitedly. The evangelist therefore is not to consider himself independent of the assembly's testimony anymore than the other "gifts," as pastor or teacher. For they are all given "for the perfecting of the saints; with a view to the work of the ministry, with a view to the edifying of the body of Christ" (Eph. 4:11,12, New Trans.). The evangelist's work is to have not only the salvation of souls in view, but also the relation of that work to the assembly where the converts are to be nurtured in the ways of the Lord, for their perfecting and edifying. And those who go forth to fill a public place in this way, are to do so not as ordained of men, nor yet as self-ordained, which is still worse, but as sent by the Lord, from the assembly which recognizes them as fit for such work (Acts 13:1-3; 14:26; 15 :40). Again, if the work of the evangelist has in view not only preaching to the sinner, but also what Eph. 4 speaks of, does it not imply that he needs to have a measure of experience and understanding of what will help to perfect and edify ? This it would seem could only be obtained by a period of association with an assembly, during which a real knowledge of the ways of the Lord may be acquired. In such association, one gifted as an evangelist would certainly manifest his calling in activities along such lines which would mark him as gifted for it. Then, if wider fields of service are open, he goes forth commended by and with the fellowship of the saints.
The ways and means adopted to carry on evangelical work ought also to be considered, not only from the view-point of how best to reach the people, but also from the view-point of what is consistent with the assembly of Christ. Whatever others may do (who give little or no place to this aspect of the gospel), it can be no standard for those who desire to shape their course in view of the full truth revealed. This, undoubtedly, may limit us in some ways; but if it be the limitation which comes of obedience, we shall be blessed in accepting it without murmuring.
There are many lines of gospel work which may engage young believers beside that of preaching, such as tract distribution in near-by districts. Those who live in the larger towns or cities could work their immediate district around the Assembly Hall where a regular gospel testimony should be maintained; they also might arrange to reach outlying sections of country, not spasmodically, but in a regular systematic manner. I fear that, ordinarily, we do not persevere and abound in the work of the Lord. How many opportunities may be found to speak a word for the Lord, and interested souls may be attracted to our meetings. Let such be always given a cordial welcome, and made to feel that we have a heart-interest in souls. Access may be obtained also to various institutions, like prisons, hospitals, etc., where tracts can be given, or simple meetings held, even if only to sing tie gospel.
If some of our young men are led to give all their time to gospel work, and have the commendation of the saints in so doing, what vast fields of unworked territory are on every hand, not to mention the great foreign sphere. What distances there are between many of our gatherings! Devoted young men could go to new places, do house-to-house work in a town or village, seek an opening for meetings-in any way seek souls for Christ, and lead them to gather to Him? This may be humble work, with none of the glamor or propaganda of so-called modern evangelism; with nothing to make much of man, but rather much to humble the servant. Be it so; it is fellowship with Christ in seeking the perishing; and let not the saints forget to support and minister to such who are out of sight, as it were-not moving from assembly to assembly in the course of their work.
These closing days are in many respects difficult times. Let us not grow weary. May the Lord stir all our hearts, young and old, with more fervent desire to carry on His work in the gospel, with the young, and in the Assembly, according to the ability the Lord gives to each, remembering our responsibilities. Let us look at things in the light of the day of manifestation The Lord may sovereignly bless His Word wherever and by whomsoever He wills, but apart from this we want His approval of our ways, methods, and associations in serving Him. This will bring us constant exercise, but it also has its recompense. Not only the quantity of work, but the quality of it is to be considered.
Correspondence for the Y. B. Dept., please address to Mr. John Bloore, care of Loizeaux Brothers.