September 26 - Morning"The myrtle trees that were in the bottom." — Zechariah 1:8
The vision in this chapter describes the condition of Israel in Zechariah's
day; but being interpreted in its aspect towards us, it describes the Church
of God as we find it now in the world. The Church is compared to a
myrtle grove flourishing in a valley. It is hidden, unobserved, secreted;
courting no honour and attracting no observation from the careless gazer.
The Church, like her head, has a glory, but it is concealed from carnal eyes,
for the time of her breaking forth in all her splendour is not yet come. The
idea of tranquil security is also suggested to us: for the myrtle grove in the
valley is still and calm, while the storm sweeps over the mountain
summits.
Tempests spend their force upon the craggy peaks of the Alps,
but down yonder where flows the stream which maketh glad the city of
our God, the myrtles flourish by the still waters, all unshaken by the
impetuous wind. How great is the inward tranquility of God's Church!
Even when opposed and persecuted, she has a peace which the world gives
not, and which, therefore, it cannot take away: the peace of God which
passeth all understanding keeps the hearts and minds of God's people.
Does not the metaphor forcibly picture the peaceful, perpetual growth of
the saints? The myrtle sheds not her leaves, she is always green; and the
Church in her worst time still hath a blessed verdure of grace about her;
nay, she has sometimes exhibited most verdure when her winter has been
sharpest. She has prospered most when her adversities have been most
severe. Hence the text hints at victory. The myrtle is the emblem of peace,
and a significant token of triumph. The brows of conquerors were bound
with myrtle and with laurel; and is not the Church ever victorious? Is not
every Christian more than a conqueror through Him that loved him? Living
in peace, do not the saints fall asleep in the arms of victory? September 26 - Evening"Howl, fir tree, for the cedar is fallen." — Zechariah 11:2
When in the forest there is heard the crash of a falling oak, it is a sign that
the woodman is abroad, and every tree in the whole company may tremble
lest to-morrow the sharp edge of the axe should find it out. We are all like
trees marked for the axe, and the fall of one should remind us that for every
one, whether great as the cedar, or humble as the fir, the appointed hour is
stealing on apace. I trust we do not, by often hearing of death, become
callous to it. May we never be like the birds in the steeple, which build
their nests when the bells are tolling, and sleep quietly when the solemn
funeral peals are startling the air.
May we regard death as the most
weighty of all events, and be sobered by its approach. It ill behoves us to
sport while our eternal destiny hangs on a thread. The sword is out of its
scabbard — let us not trifle; it is furbished, and the edge is sharp — let us
not play with it. He who does not prepare for death is more than an
ordinary fool, he is a madman. When the voice of God is heard among the
trees of the garden, let fig tree and sycamore, and elm and cedar, alike hear
the sound thereof.
Be ready, servant of Christ, for thy Master comes on a sudden, when an
ungodly world least expects Him. See to it that thou be faithful in His
work, for the grave shall soon be digged for thee. Be ready, parents, see
that your children are brought up in the fear of God, for they must soon be
orphans; be ready, men of business, take care that your affairs are correct,
and that you serve God with all your hearts, for the days of your
terrestrial service will soon be ended, and you will be called to give account
for the deeds done in the body, whether they be good or whether they be
evil. May we all prepare for the tribunal of the great King with a care
which shall be rewarded with the gracious commendation, "Well done,
good and faithful servant" September 26 |