A timely challenge to my own heart.
"And He said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, and are sad?" (Luke 24:17)
Does it not often happen that when we come together or when we walk by the way our "communications" are anything but what they ought to be? It may be gloomily moping together over the depressing circumstances that surround us -- the weather -- the prospects of the country -- the state of trade -- our poor health -- the difficulty of making ends meet -- anything and everything, in short, but the right thing. Yes, and so occupied do we become with such things that our spiritual eyes are "holden," and we do not take knowledge of the Blessed One who in His tender faithful love is right at our side, and He has to challenge our vagrant hearts with His pointed and powerful question, "What manner of communications are these that ye have?"
Let us think of this. It really demands our earnest consideration. We are all far too apt to allow our minds to fall under the power and pressure of circumstances, instead of living in the power of faith. We get occupied with our surroundings instead of dwelling on "things above" (Colossians 3:1-3) -- those bright and blessed realities WHICH ARE OURS IN CHRIST.
And what is the result? Do we better our circumstances, or brighten our prospects by gloomily moping over them? Not in the smallest degree. What then? We simply make ourselves miserable and our communications depressing; and, worst of all, we may bring dishonor to the cause of Christ. There is a vast amount of intellectual traffic in truth which leaves the conscience unreached, the heart untouched, the life unaffected. We know we are dead and risen in Christ (and seated with Him in heavenly places!); but when anything occurs to touch US, either in our persons, in our relations, or in our interests, we speedily show how little these precious truths have taken real dominion over our hearts.
May the Lord give us grace to apply our hearts very seriously and earnestly to these things, so that there may be, in our daily course, a more faithful exhibition of a robust, triumphant Christianity, such as shall glorify our most gracious God and Father, and our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ -- and such, too, as shall afford to those who come in contact with us a fair specimen of what pure spirituality really is in its action upon the entire course and character. May we all realize more A RISEN SAVIOUR'S PRESENCE, and find therein the triumphant answer to all the dark suggestions of the enemy, the depressing reasonings of our own hearts, and the deadening influence of surrounding circumstances. God, in His infinite mercy grant it, for Jesus' sake!" -- C. H. Mackintosh
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, FOR THOU ART WITH ME, thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4)
"I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Psalm 34:1)