Spurgeon: July PM
* 07/18/PM
"Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every
one in his path."
--Joel 2:8
Locusts always keep their rank, and although their number is
legion, they do not crowd upon each other, so as to throw their
columns into confusion. This remarkable fact in natural history
shows how thoroughly the a Lord has infused the spirit of order
into His universe, since the smallest animate creatures are as
much controlled by it as are the rolling spheres or the seraphic
messengers. It would be wise for believers to be ruled by the
same influence in all their spiritual life. In their Christian
graces no one virtue should usurp the sphere of another, or eat
out the vitals of the rest for its own support. Affection must
not smother honesty, courage must not elbow weakness out of the
field, modesty must not jostle energy, and patience must not
slaughter resolution. So also with our duties , one must not
interfere with another; public usefulness must not injure
private piety; church work must not push family worship into a
corner. It is ill to offer God one duty stained with the blood
of another. Each thing is beautiful in its season, but not
otherwise. It was to the Pharisee that Jesus said, "This ought
ye to have done, and not to have left the other undone." The
same rule applies to our personal position , we must take care
to know our place, take it, and keep to it. We must minister as
the Spirit has given us ability, and not intrude upon our fellow
servant's domain. Our Lord Jesus taught us not to covet the high
places, but to be willing to be the least among the brethren.
Far from us be an envious, ambitious spirit, let us feel the
force of the Master's command, and do as He bids us, keeping
rank with the rest of the host. To-night let us see whether we
are keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace, and
let our prayer be that, in all the churches of the Lord Jesus,
peace and order may prevail.