He dreams no longer. He is alive and wakeful. All is changed. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." He is a new creature himself, and he views himself and everything around him in a new light. Like the prophet of old (Isa. vi. 5), when the light of heaven fell upon his soul, he gained a right view of himself, “I am a man of unclean lips," and also a right view of every one around him, "I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips." So in the passage before us. The word has shed light on the heart, and the prophet can no longer "sit in the assembly of the mockers." But though he did not sit there he did sit somewhere. Though he could find no resting-place among the mockers he did find a resting-place with God. "I sat alone," he says. Ah! there is the true resting-place of the soul-" alone" with God. This is where the Word ever leads when it is indeed hid in the heart, its "joy and rejoicing." Trials sweep over the soul like a flood and make the Word of God and God's presence inestimably precious. In that presence how do all its riches come forth to view! There we look God in the face and come forth with His impress upon us. Alone with God! Precious shelter from every stormy wave, from every sweeping torrent, from every swelling flood. Though the storm rages wildly outside what calmness there is there! Though midnight darkness spreads its curtain over us what light there is there! Though sorrow rends the troubled heart what balm there is there! Though fainting and bleeding the heart sinking beneath its load of grief, what rest, what consolation, what a bosom there is there! Dear refuge of our weary souls! May we ever be found near to thy sure and certain hiding-place, bathing our tears in the ocean fulness of Thy sympathy and love! "Alone" with God! Why are we not oftener there! Why need we the pruning knife, the cutting stroke, the bleeding heart, the scalding tear, to bring us to that sweet spot? Is there aught outside to attract our souls? Is there attraction in a dreary desert, in the wintry blast and deepening death shadows! Is there beauty in the withering blossom, the fading flower, the seared and lifeless stem? Is there joy in the world's mirth, or rest amid the sounds of revelry, the wailings of despair, and the cries of the lost? Lord lead us into Thy presence and keep us there! May it be our dwelling-place till Thou shalt come and all shadows flee away for ever! "Alone" with God! Why are we not oftener there? For want of this our light is half darkness, our wakefulness half slumber, our very life more than half death. For want of this we shine not, we burn not. For want of this the palsy of the world creeps over us, we become earthly, and speak so little for Jesus. Our testimony lacks clearness and brightness, strength and vigour. Only one thing can make us what we ought to be, what God would have us always be,-being " alone" with God. There is one more effect the Word eaten and rejoiced in by the heart produces-"Thou hast filled me with indignation." It fills the soul with righteous indignation at what is going on around. When God is dishonoured, the Saviour's blood trampled on, His offers of mercy despised, His laws trodden under foot, and wickedness reigns on every side, the child of God cannot look on unmoved. He weeps in secret. The Spirit of God within him is stirred. He is filled with the indignation of the Lord and cries, "Lord, how long? Oh come quickly and end creation's sighs and tears and blood! Creation groans and travails in pain. Thy Church has waited long to see Thy face. Come back, Lord, and bring with Thee the precious treasures Thou hast taken to Thyself of which death has robbed us here! Come and wipe all tears from our eyes, the serpent's trail from Thine own fair world, and make it shine again with Thine own matchless beauty!" Reader, remember the three golden links of the chain in the beautiful passage we have been considering. Mark them. They are first, the love of God's Word-" Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart." Secondly, the love of holiness—“I sat not in the assembly of the mockers.” Thirdly, the love of prayer-"I sat alone.” These are the three links of heaven in this Divine chain. Snap any one of these links and the chain becomes useless! God grant that each link may be strong and powerful round our own hearts! May you love that Word, love holiness, love God's presence! Then will you be ready whenever the Lord shall send for you. "Rock of Ages, cleft for me; Sang as little children sing; Sang as sing the birds in June; "Rock of Ages, cleft for me, "Let me hide myself in Thee;" Fell from lips untouched by care, I "Rock of Ages, cleft for me;" 'Twas a woman sung them now, Pleadingly and prayerfully ; Every word her heart did know. "Rock of Ages, cleft for me;" Lips grown aged sung the hymn, Trustingly and tenderly— Voice grown weak and eyes grown dim, "Let me hide myself in Thee." Trembling though the voice and low, Ran the sweet strain peacefully, Like a river in its flow; Sung, as only they can sing, Who life's thorny paths have pressed; Sung, as only they can sing, Who behold the promised rest "Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee." "Rock of Ages, cleft for me;" Sung above a coffin lid; Underneath, all restfully, All life's joys and sorrows hid, Never more, O storm-tossed soul, Never more from wind or tide, Never more from billows roll, Wilt thou need thyself to hide. |