"Truly, our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." - I John i. 3.
Precious, blessed consideration! Art thou, my soul, at this time in the
full enjoyment of it? Pause over the inquiry. Sometimes, for the want
of this search of soul, and the neglect of it, deadness, or at least
leanness, creeps in. Say then, my soul, how art thou dealing with thy
God? and how is thy God dealing with thee? When were his latest
manifestations? When did he take thee to his banqueting-house; or when
didst thou sit under his shadow? Hast thou very lately heard his voice,
saying, "Fear not, I am thy salvation?" The discovery of these things
are among the sweetest exercises which flow from the indwelling Spirit.
Go on further in the inquiry - how art thou dealing with thy God? When
hadst thou fellowship and communion with the Father, and with his Son
Jesus Christ? What petitions hast thou now awaiting for answers from
the heavenly court? What grateful acknowledgments have lately gone up
for mercies received? How is thine acquaintance there advancing? How
art thou growing in grace, and in the knowledge of thy Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ? If these things are neglected by thee, will not a
strangeness between thy God and thee come on; such as is induced by
earthly friendships, when absence and time, where there is no
correspondence kept up, wears out remembrance? My soul, rouse up, and
consider the vast importance of keeping up constant intercourse with
thy God and Saviour. Precious Jesus! do thou keep the flame of love
alive; manifest to my soul the certainty and reality of my union with
thee, thou sweet Saviour, by causing this blessed communion to be
constant, unceasing, and full of divine communications. Let thy Spirit
call forth in me the exercise of the graces he hath planted; and do
thou come forth in refreshing manifestations of love; so that, while
prayers go up, blessings may come down; and while thou art graciously
saying, "Seek ye my face," my heart may say unto thee, "Thy face, Lord,
will I seek." Oh, the blessedness of such a life to break the power of
sin; to revive and strengthen the spirits; to open and to enlarge to my
view the discoveries of thy Person, thy glory, thy riches, thy
suitableness, thine all-sufficiency. If, dearest Jesus, thou wilt
mercifully keep this fellowship, this partnership, alive in my soul,
how will my poor soul be living upon thee, and with thee; and how shall
I be exchanging with thee all my leanness, poverty, wretchedness, and
weakness, for thy fullness, riches, righteousness, and strength? Come,
then, Lord Jesus, and "until the day break, and the shadows flee away,
turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe, or a young hart, upon the
mountains of Bether."
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