Calendar:Sept. 16th to Oct. 15th
DAILY BIBLE READING:……. Sept. 16th, 1 Sam. 24; Sept. 30th, 2 Sam. 7; Oct. 15th, 2 Sam.22.
MEMORY WORK:………………….. 2 Timothy 1.
GOOD READING:The Three Weathervanes, and other illustrations of truth. By H. P. Barker. Paper covers, 20 cents.; cloth, 50 cents.
MONTHLY QUESTION:What would you give as chief points of difference between Paul's two letters to Timothy?
Our Memory Work
The last written communication of one whom we honor, love, and esteem is always considered a treasure to be preserved and valued in a special way. This second epistle is Paul's last, for as we see at its close the end of his course was very near. We can well imagine how Timothy must have prized this letter in which the great ambassador of Christ for the proclamation of the gospel, with whom he had served as a son with a father, gave him the final charge concerning his place in the conflict, and defined the responsibilities to be fulfilled if he would win the Lord's approval in the day of manifestation.
The instructions given to Timothy are for all time, until the Church's course will close and the Lord's presence be entered. They furnish us with a sufficient guide for our feet in the midst of confusion, of departure from the truth, and growing evil. We can now observe these things, which show that the apostle wrote by inspiration of God, and thus the man of faith is forewarned as to the course things will take. It also points out the path with God, who never leaves His people without such guidance. Would we be men and women of God in such times as these? Then from this epistle we may learn the path of godliness. Would we know the blessing of the secret place-the fellowship, joy, strength, which it affords as being thus in companionship with the Lord? Here we will find the steps of that ascent which leads into it. It is not an easy ascent. It calls for purpose of heart. There are "the afflictions of the gospel," there is "hardness" to endure, there is labor, there is persecution, there is Satan's machinations, there is resistance to the truth from corrupt men; it is a warfare, a conflict. Are we taking our part in it day by day as the ordinary routine of life is followed?
This epistle should appeal to us as being the Christian soldier's manual, a guide-book giving instructions from the Commander-in-chief in whose service we are now enlisted. Do we not wish to be able to say in our measure, "I have combated the good combat; I have finished the race! I have kept the faith?" In all we are to labor with the desire to be approved by Him.
Our Daily Bible Reading
In this we are occupied with the history of David. He is the central figure, but many others come into view so that various forms of character and action pass before us as this history unfolds. One of the principal objects is to teach us not only what is in man, but to instruct us in the ways of God. It shows how in His government and providence He deals with His people, and with others in relation with them. The high lights of faith and the deep shadows of failure mingle together, while the grace and government of God are seen in various ways, affording much instruction to the diligent soul who will ponder this divinely written history.
In 1 Sam. 24-26 David twice spares Saul's life, thus showing regard for him in his place as the Lord's anointed, while also displaying confidence in God concerning his own future and final deliverance, refusing to take his case into his own hands. He thus shows wisdom in judging as to whether what seems so opportune is the Lord's way for him. He is somewhat in the spirit of Phil. 1:9,10.
In the incident with Nabal, we see him fall below the spiritual elevation which marked his dealings with Saul. It is in the smaller things of life we usually display our weakness. "Takes us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines'" (Song 2:15). The wise and gracious interposition of Abigail preserves David from his rashness. By contrast we think of the true David and the Samaritans that rejected Him (Lk. 9:51-56). Then in Abigail we may see an illustration of faith in its attachment to the rejected king, acknowledging his place and rights-a bright gleam of what the Church does in this present time.
In chapters 27-30 we see David in the Philistines' land, failing utterly to maintain his true place toward God. This results in sad experience. He takes a false place among those who are the enemies of the Lord and His people. Providentially he is spared the shame and sorrow of actually fighting against them; but the government of God is also seen in the loss of his home-city and family. Through this his heart is brought back to the Lord, recovery is granted, with increased provision. We get similar lessons in the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, when they entered paths of their own choice, failing to maintain their course in faith and obedience.
Chapter 31 gives the sad ending of Saul's life-an end already foreseen by David (26:9,10), and announced to Saul himself (ch. 28). In mercy God may delay the stroke, giving meanwhile renewed testimony, but persistent neglect, or rejection of His revealed will, must bring down His judgment. "God is not mocked."
The first five chapters of 2nd Samuel record events leading up to David's recognition by all Israel. This is gradual, giving opportunity for certain elements of opposition to be manifested and removed. Treachery and conspiracy are on both sides. The sons of Zeruiah are as thorns in David's side, but he is faithful in pronouncing against them, though weak in executing judgment. Nearly everything here seems to be in contrast to that kingdom of which David's was a foreshadow. Yet the prevailing condition, the state of disorganization, the counter currents of evil, the interplay of opposing factions, may picture for us in a general way the circumstances amid which the true David will come to the throne.
Chapters 6 and 7 record David's interest in the ark, and his desire to build God's house. Concerning both, he must learn that God has His way and time; that blessing is found in obeying His word, in which He has given full instruction as to the care of His name, His honor, His throne, as symbolized in the ark. Human devices, though rightly motived, must fail when found to conflict with God's prescribed way. Our very best desires or purposes must be brought into subjection to God's will. When thus subject He leads into fuller acquaintance with His purposes. This David finds, and it brings forth praise and thanksgiving.
An account now is given of David's growing power under the Lord's preserving hand. Without, enemies are overcome; within, order is established and judgment and justice are administered. Then we get David's action toward Mephibosheth-a beautiful picture of the grace and kindness of God in the work of salvation (chs. 8, 9). God's king judges the enemy, rules in righteousness, saves in grace with abundant blessing. In these incidents we cannot fail to see the shadow of Him who "doeth all things well."
David's victories over the Ammonites and Syrians (ch. 10) seem to be the prelude to his terrible fall (chs. 11, 12), the sad consequences of which pursue him to the end, according to God's holy government, though through grace he found forgiveness and restoration. The hour of prosperity brings with it danger and temptation from which there is only one refuge; it is in God's presence, where self and the flesh are judged, and victory is frankly acknowledged as God's power exercised for us in grace and goodness. Thus is the inner man strengthened, and we go from strength to strength.
David's sin had publicly dishonored God. He had linked sin with the throne upon which he sat as Jehovah's ruler. This cannot pass without God showing Himself in government whereby His name will be vindicated. From this (though personally restored to the joy of salvation) David cannot escape. The following chapters (13-21) detail the sorrow and distress which are reaped from such sowing. At whatever expense to us (though this too is turned to our good through grace), God must show Himself as the Holy and the True. He must be sanctified in those who draw near to Him. If we use "strange fire," the fire of His judgment must burn. "Wherefore let us, receiving a kingdom not to be shaken, have grace, by which let us serve God acceptably with reverence and fear. For also our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:28, 29, New Trans.). "Pursue… .holiness,, without which no one shall see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14). "God has not called us to uncleanness, but in holiness" (1 Thess. 4:7). "For even as ye have yielded your members in bondage to uncleanness and to lawlessness unto lawlessness, so now yield your members in bondage to righteousness unto holiness'" (Rom. 6:19).