Israel said, “Who shall give us flesh to eat, we remember the fish which we did eat in Egypt freely, the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks and the onions and the garlic. But now our soul is dried away; there is nothing at all beside this manna, before our eyes” (Num. 11).
Do we count ourselves free to ask such questions? Do we always find our heavenly manna sufficient for us? What means the frequent inquiry raised by professing Christians as to the right or wrong of such and such worldly pursuits and pleasures? Have we not even heard from the lips of persons making the very highest profession such words as these, “How are we to fill up the day? We cannot always be thinking about Christ and heavenly things. We must have some little recreation.”
We should like to ask all who speak thus, “How will you fill up eternity?” Shall not Christ be sufficient to fill up its countless ages? Shall you want recreation then? Will you sigh for light literature, vain songs and frivolous pursuits there? It will perhaps be said, “We shall be different then.” In what respect? We have the divine nature, we have the Holy Ghost, we have Christ for our portion, we belong to Heaven, we are brought to God. But we have an evil nature in us. Well, are we to cater to that? Must we try to help our wretched flesh, our corrupt nature, to fill up the day? Nay, we are called to deny it, to reckon it dead.
We specially call the attention of young Christians to these things. We are deeply impressed with a sense of their danger of falling into the very sin of Israel in the verses with which we began. No doubt we are all in danger but the young among us are particularly so. The young will have a dash of the world. They long to taste it for themselves.
Well, then is not the blessed Lord Jesus in the deep mystery of His person, in the moral glory of His ways, in the brightness and blessedness of His character—is not He enough for our hearts? Do we want anything besides? Must we get some light magazine to fill up the vacuum in our souls? Must we turn from Christ to a flower show or a concert?
Alas that we should have to write thus.
It is most sad but it is most needful; and we here put this question most pointedly, “Do you really find Christ insufficient to satisfy your heart?”
Have you cravings which He does not fully meet? If so, you are in a very alarming condition of soul, and it behooves you to look at once, and to look closely into this solemn matter. Get down on your face in honest self-judgment. Pour out your heart to Him. Tell Him all. Own to Him how you have fallen and wandered—as surely you must have done, when God’s Christ is not enough for your heart. Have it all out in secret with God, and take no rest until you are blessedly restored to communion with Himself, to heart fellowship with Him about the Son of His love.