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!
How sad this is as applied to the Lord’s people. In our case the power was there just the same, but could not be used because of the broken current; a power above and beneath, yet no connection, and hence no power. How often so with us! Why are the wheels of our personal lives and of our assemblies not moving? Is it because there is no power? Surely not. Yet with us is it not often lacking? (See Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:17-23).
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 24:49; Eph. 3:14-21; 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. 4:15) (N. Tr.).
Note the contrast between a child of God when out of communion,
“Lest there might be strifes, jealousies, angers, contentions, evil speakings, whisperings, puffings up, disturbances.” (2 Cor. 12:20), and the Apostle’s desire for them,
“Till I come, give thyself to reading, to exhortation, to teaching. Be not negligent of the gift that is in thee” (1 Tim. 4:13, 14).
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, 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;
“Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul” (Psa. 66:12-17).