Evening, May 9
Go To Morning Reading
“Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field ... let us see if
the vine flourish.”
Song of Solomon 7:11,12
The church was about to engage in earnest labour, and desired her
Lord’s company in it. She does not say, “I will go,” but “let us go.” It is blessed working when Jesus is at our side! It is the business
of God’s people to be trimmers of God’s vines. Like our first parents, we are put into the garden of the
Lord for usefulness; let us therefore go forth into the field. Observe
that the church, when she is in her right mind, in all her many labours
desires to enjoy communion with Christ. Some imagine that they cannot
serve Christ actively, and yet have fellowship with him: they are
mistaken. Doubtless it is very easy to fritter away our inward life
in outward exercises, and come to complain with the spouse, “They made me keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I
not kept;” but there is no reason why this should be the case except our own
folly and neglect. Certain is it that a professor may do nothing,
and yet grow quite as lifeless in spiritual things as those who are
most busy. Mary was not praised for sitting still; but for her sitting at Jesus’ feet . Even so, Christians are not to be praised for neglecting duties
under the pretence of having secret fellowship with Jesus: it is not
sitting, but sitting at Jesus’ feet which is commendable. Do not think that activity is in itself
an evil: it is a great blessing, and a means of grace to us. Paul
called it a grace given to him to be allowed to preach; and every
form of Christian service may become a personal blessing to those
engaged in it. Those who have most fellowship with Christ are not
recluses or hermits, who have much time to spare, but indefatigable
labourers who are toiling for Jesus, and who, in their toil, have
him side by side with them, so that they are workers together with
God. Let us remember then, in anything we have to do for Jesus, that
we can do it, and should do it in close communion with him.