How slow we are to rise to the height of God's thoughts for His people! How easily we sink to the level of our own!

The prodigal's highest thought was to be a servant in the house, but the Father brought him into sonship, and gave him to taste all the sweetness of intimacy and relationship-a son's place in the house. The purpose of God was not to have servants-the angels occupied that place-but sons before Him.

For this purpose the Eternal Son took flesh and blood, became man, to "bring many sons to glory," He, the Leader of their salvation, being made perfect through suffering (Heb. 2:10).

This too for God's delight, for we read:"Chosen in Him before the world's foundation, that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love" (Eph. 1:4). This is Christ's place as Man. But He is also the Son, the Beloved, and we therefore were marked out beforehand to sonship through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. God the Father has taken us into favor in the Beloved, and we are in the blessed secret of His counsels.

"All the Father's counsels claiming
Equal honors to the Son;
All the Son's effulgence beaming,
Makes the Father's glory known."

We may well marvel at this grace, and wonder how such thoughts can embrace us. We can only wondering-ly adore as we see the Son of the Father's love sitting by Sychar's well, graciously touching the heart of a poor depraved sinner and creating a response to the love of God. Surely it is thus our hearts are brought to bow in worship to the Father whose thoughts have ever been thoughts of love and grace, seeking such to worship Him in spirit and in truth.

We worship by the Spirit of God (Phil. 3), and this belongs to the assembly. Hence we read, "To Him (the God and Father of our Lord Jesus) be glory in the assembly in Christ Jesus unto all generations of the age of the ages. Amen" (Eph. 3:21, New Trans.).

"Many sons" must ever belong to the Father's house, and soon the assembly will take her destined place in glory, when Satan and his host are cast out; but even now in the capacity formed by the mighty power which raised up Christ from the dead and has seated Him in heaven, the assembly is privileged to enter into the heavenly calling and position which is God's purpose for His saints. Praise and worship, circling round the Person of the Son, flow forth to the Father in the blessed intimacy and intelligence divine love has created.

Aaron and his sons belonged to the sanctuary, their privilege was to minister in holy things. This is the assembly's place before God, having somewhat to offer, acceptable through Jesus Christ. We have "access by one Spirit unto the Father," and worship Him in spirit and in truth.

What could be higher or more blessed than to sit as David did before the Lord, adoring Him for what He is in Himself, the soul filled with the magnificence of His glorious counsels, and the exceeding riches of His grace. For eternity the assembly will be the vessel of glory to God.

Does this militate against service? No, rather all true service must flow from it. A son does not discard his father's house because he performs office routine, or feels it his duty to serve. He is pre-eminently a son, with a son's affections and desires; and as such he serves, his sonship giving dignity and diligence in service.

Aaron's sons were not only holy priests who drew near to offer, but having thus offered, they came forth as a royal priesthood in blessing to men. So Peter, in his first epistle (chap. 2:5,9), gives the saints this double ministry. Our present priestly position in the heavenlies is the source of service in grace to men. Another has said, "No one is beyond his prayers," that is, in principle, we cannot be or act outside beyond what we are inside with God.

If we find our home in God's immediate presence and in the presence of the One who takes His place in the midst of the assembly, with adoring hearts entering in some measure into the Father's counsels, we shall be "imitators of God as dear children," walking in love. This, the service of grace, finds its pattern in the One of whom it is said, "Christ also hath loved us and given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor." Here the priestly place and service of grace beautifully blend in that He is "an offering to God," and in grace gave "Himself for us."

But we are dearer to Him than our service, and He delights to have us near Himself. Only thus can we serve acceptably. "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. THIS also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs" (Ps. 69:30,31). May we be enabled to render to Him both worship and service in their due relation and measure to His praise and glory.

"To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams" (1 Sam. 15:22). J. W. H. N.