Spurgeon: September AM
* 09/26/AM
"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?