Morning and Evening | CH Spurgeon
"The myrtle trees that were in the bottom."-Zechariah 1:8
The vision in this CH 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 & 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 splendor is not yet come.
The idea of tranquil security is also suggested to us:
for the myrtle grove in the valley is still & 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
makes 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 & persecuted, she has a peace
which the world gives not, & which, therefore, it cannot
take away: the peace of GOD which passes all
understanding keeps the hearts & 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;
& the Church in her worst time still has 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, & a
significant token of triumph.
The brows of conquerors were bound with myrtle
& with laurel; & 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?
"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, & 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, & 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, & sleep
quietly when the solemn funeral peals are startling the air.
May we regard death as the most weighty of all events,
& 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, & the edge is sharp-let us not play with it.
Those 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 & sycamore, & elm & cedar, alike
hear the sound thereof.
Be ready, servant of CHRIST, for your MASTER
comes on a sudden, when an ungodly world
least expects HIM.
See to it that you be faithful in HIS work, for the grave
shall soon be dug for you.
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, & that you serve GOD with all your hearts,
Psalm 48:13-14 | ¹³ consider her ramparts, tour her
citadels, that you may tell the next generation.
¹⁴ For this GOD is our GOD forever & ever; HE will
be our guide even till death.
John Piper @JohnPiper · Feb 27
Tell them when they are 2. Tell them when they are 12.
Tell them when they are 20. Tell them when they are 40.
Till you are gone.
for the days of your terrestrial service will soon
be ended, & 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 & faithful servant"
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