The Broken Current

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 6
Going to a meeting in the West, the street car suddenly stopped, the lights as quickly went out, and we were all in darkness. A few lessons came before me as to the state, often, of the Lord’s people. Why were we in such a state? The current of electricity was broken, and so all power and lights were gone—no light, no power, no progress—all at a standstill!
In the person of our risen, ascended and glorified Head in heaven, set above all principality and power, is the whole power of an omnipotent God, and there for us. From that throne above, He views His church with what patience and tenderness, and each one of us also. He sees the declension, and none feels as Himself the lack of progress and of power, and why we have not given a clear, distinct light during the dark night of His absence; and has He not pointed it all out (Rev. Chapters 2, 3). Yet all His warnings and admonitions seem to have little weight upon us.
Again, have we not the power here below? Yes, surely; for it was given His church before she took one step in her journey (Luke 24:4949And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (Luke 24:49); Eph. 3:14-2114For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3:14‑21); 2 Peter 1:33According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (2 Peter 1:3)). His Holy Spirit is the power for devotedness, for service; yet with such a power on the throne, and here also, do we not often lack it? and why? Is it not because the current of communion between our souls and Him is often lacking? Little foxes destroy the tender vines, and the freshness, brightness, spiritual energy and love of Christian life have given place to the energy of the flesh, so detrimental to spiritual growth; or else a sluggish, sleepy indifference. In either case, as to the honor of our Lord, the cars are stopped and the lights gone out—no progress such as Paul desired in Timothy,
“Occupy thyself with these things; be wholly in them, that thy progress may be manifest to all” (1 Tim. 4:1515Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. (1 Timothy 4:15)) (N. Tr.).
Note the contrast between a child of God when out of communion,
O beloved, God’s remedy surely is found, as ever, in a return to Gilgal—the place of self-judgment—owning our grievous sins in departing from Him, the lack of heart for His beloved Son, and His claims upon us, lack of power, of progress in the ways of God. The cry as ever from a soul at Gilgal is,
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me; and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psa. 139:23, 2423Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23‑24)).
Then with purpose of heart it turns afresh to Him. Here communion is restored, the current connected. Things which distress, disturb, and do not glorify our Lord shunned, coldness and formality judged in
His presence. Now the soul fills his right place, the car again moves, power is manifest, progress is seen, the light shines, God is honored, His Son exalted, His Holy Spirit ungrieved, our joy full, and the soul cries out to others as of old;