In the Epistle to the Philippians there are, for the apostle, several causes for joy. In chap. 1:18, he rejoices that Christ is preached, even though some did so " in pretense." In chap. 2:17, 18, he rejoices at the prospect of being offered upon the sacrifice and service of their faith, and desires that the Philippians rejoice with him, although to human sight there was nothing to rejoice in. Verses 28, 29 give us further cause for joy; but chap. 3 begins with these words: "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord," as much as to say that whatever may be a cause for joy in our surroundings, is only momentary, but that "in the Lord," is "always." It occurs to me, in speaking of this, that the apostle had shown them at the beginning (Acts 16), when in prison and covered with bruises, he could sing praises to God at midnight, rejoicing notwithstanding the opposing circumstances, but it was "in the Lord;" and he could say to them-not only as to that, but as to many other things-what "ye have both learned and received, and heard and seen in me." (Chapter 4:9.)
I have, of late, been much occupied with a subject, the importance of which I see more and more as I go on, and that is worship.
In Levit. 14:10, 11 we are told that the one who had been a leper was "on the eighth day to take two he lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish, and three-tenths deal of fine flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and one log of oil. And the priest that maketh him clean shall present the man that is to be made clean, and those things before the Lord, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation." We know from the New Testament for what purpose we are brought there. It is indeed that we may be worshippers, worshipping the Father in spirit and in truth. I fear it is a subject but little comprehended, or at least but little realized.
Num. 28 presents us especially with the side less understood, for there we find the part that God has in worship, and not a single word is said of our part, or in the following chapter either. "Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, My bread for My sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savor unto Me, shall ye observe to offer unto Me in their due season." Worship-that which, in worship, is going on in our hearts-does not belong to us, it is for the Lord. True, the Lord has put it in our hearts for our joy, in order that we may be partakers of the sacrifice of Christ, even the joy of God in Christ; but if we appropriate anything to ourselves it is profanation. Let us remember that all our worship belongs to God, that it is in us the expression -of the excellency of Christ. Moreover, when He takes His place in our midst, He says: "I will declare Thy name unto My brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee." (Heb. 2:1212Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. (Hebrews 2:12).) He surely has joy; may we be found in accord with our heavenly Guide! He will conduct our praises well, and in a way pleasing to the Father. The ear of the Father will be attentive when He hears the voice that directs us. How, then, will that voice direct us? Certainly never to self-occupation, but unquestionably to that which God Himself has found in Christ. So in all the succeeding verses in our chapter in Numbers, Christ is prefigured-if as a lamb then we are occupied rather with His death; and how perfect and profound the experience of what is suitable to God must His be who leads our praises! He who in the work of redemption has answered in every way to the mind of God. But with the lamb there was the offering of flour mingled with oil, which represents the humanity of Christ-His grace and His perfection as a living man; all His life and His nature were perfect and acceptable to God, a sacrifice of sweet savor. How much we have to say to God our Father when we contemplate Christ as man in this world, whose will was to do that of His Father, and whose devotedness to the glory of His Father spread a sweet savor on all that He did. All His acts were fragrant with this perfume. There was, in addition to all this, the wine, which we know to be the figure of joy. The Father seeketh worshippers who worship Him in spirit and in truth, and nothing so rejoices His heart as to see those whom He has sought speaking to Him of The One in whom He has found His delight-this is worship: These are a few imperfect thoughts on this precious subject, and we may well say: "Who is sufficient for these things?" "But our sufficiency is of God," for we have received the Spirit who is in us a fountain springing up into everlasting life.
I add a word as to "fountain," as scripture is exact in the use of terms. We know that water in a fountain will rise to the height of its source, and it is precisely so with worship; its source is in God and it rises to God: "All things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee." (1 Chron. 29:1414But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. (1 Chronicles 29:14).) But when the Lord speaks of ministry He uses the word "river," for the source is always in God, but in order that it may be a blessing everywhere in its course, and that is what we should be wherever we go.
If I get hold of the path, the spirit, the mind of Jesus, nothing would be more hateful to me than anything of self. You never find an act of self in Christ. Not merely was there no selfishness, but there was no self in Him. He has given us the immense privilege of always going down to serve others as He did.