We lose a considerable amount both in reading and in hearing, by not conferring with our souls about the truth we may have received and at the time felt to be applicable to us. The ant is set before us as an example of one who prepares for the winter. Now we find that God supplies us with provision for some difficult time that is coming, but instead of being like the ant when winter comes, want comes on us "as an armed man." It is not only winter, but we have no food, and all because we have merely enjoyed ourselves during the summer. Nothing reveals this (even to ourselves, if we are really honest) so much as the contrast of our spiritual state in summer and in winter. In summer we seem to enjoy everything, we could almost imitate the lark, but when winter comes, the frost and pitiless blast supervene. All the supposed spiritual joy of the summer's day is gone, and we talk and think only of the inclemency of the air which surrounds us. This painful discrepancy, or exposure of our want, would not occur if we really had stored provisions for the exigencies to which we are exposed. The Apostle could say he had learned in whatsoever state he was, therewith to be content. He knew how to be abased and how to abound (Phil. 4:11, 1211Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (Philippians 4:11‑12)).
I believe the soul, when it takes in any truth, ought to say, Well, some day I shall want it; let me now see how it fits me and whether I have it from God—in a word, whether I have made it as much my own as any other acquisition of which I have real possession.
Receiving and not pondering, only leaves the soul more barren in the end, simply for the reason that you lose your appreciation of anything if you find that it only charmed you, but had no place of abiding use or benefit to you. A clean animal must be also a ruminating one! Good feeding alone will not do; the chewing of the cud must follow. Meditate and find the true applicability to yourself of all you hear or learn, and what you really learn (certainly in divine things), you will never forget.