Spurgeon Meditations

 

His camp is very great.

Joe 2 11

Consider my soul the mightiness of the Lord who is thy glory and defence. He is a man of war Jehovah is His name. All the forces of heaven are at His beck legions wait at His door cherubim and seraphim; watchers and holy ones principalities and powers are all attentive to His will. If our eyes were not blinded by the ophthalmia of the flesh we should see horses of fire and chariots of fire round about the Lord's beloved. The powers of nature are all subject to the absolute control of the Creator: stormy wind and tempest lightning and rain and snow and hail and the soft dews and cheering sunshine come and go at His decree. The bands of Orion He looseth and bindeth the sweet influences of the Pleiades. Earth sea and air and the places under the earth are the barracks for Jehovah's great armies; space is His camping ground light is His banner and flame is His sword. When He goeth forth to war famine ravages the land pestilence smites the nations hurricane sweeps the sea tornado shakes the mountains and earthquake makes the solid world to tremble. As for animate creatures they all own His dominion and from the great fish which swallowed the prophet down to "all manner of flies which plagued the field of Zoan, all are His servants,and like the palmer-worm, the caterpillar, and the cankerworm,are squadrons of His great army, for His camp is very great. Mysoul, see to it that thou be at peace with this mighty King,yea, more, be sure to enlist under His banner, for to waragainst Him is madness, and to serve Him is glory. Jesus,Immanuel, God with us, is ready to receive recruits for the armyof the Lord: if I am not already enlisted let me go to Him ere Isleep, and beg to be accepted through His merits; and if I bealready, as I hope I am, a soldier of the cross, let me be ofgood courage; for the enemy is powerless compared with my Lord,whose camp is very great.% 07/25/PM In their affliction they will seek Me early." --Hosea 5:15 Losses and adversities are frequently the means which the great Shepherd uses to fetch home His wandering sheep; like fierce dogs they worry the wanderers back to the fold. There is no making lions tame if they are too well fed; they must be brought down from their great strength and their stomachs must be lowered and then they will submit to the tamer's hand; and often have we seen the Christian rendered obedient to the Lord's will by straitness of bread and hard labour. When rich and increased in goods many professors carry their heads much too loftily and speak exceeding boastfully. Like David they flatter themselves My mountain standeth fast; I shall never bemoved. When the Christian groweth wealthy is in good repute hath good health and a happy family he too often admits Mr. Carnal Security to feast at his table and then if he be a true child of God there is a rod preparing for him. Wait awhile and it may be you will see his substance melt away as a dream. There goes a portion of his estate--how soon the acres change hands. That debt that dishonoured bill--how fast his losses roll in where will they end? It is a blessed sign of divine life if when these embarrassments occur one after another he begins to be distressed about his backslidings and betakes himself to his God. Blessed are the waves that wash the mariner upon the rock of salvation! Losses in business are often sanctified to our soul's enriching. If the chosen soul will not come to the Lord full-handed it shall come empty. If God in His grace findeth no other means of making us honour Him among men He will cast us into the deep; if we fail to honour Him on the pinnacle of riches He will bring us into the valley of poverty. Yet faint not heir of sorrow when thou art thus rebuked rather recognize the loving hand which chastens and say I willarise, and go unto my Father.


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