Charles Haddon Spurgeon's Morning Devotional For Tuesday September 26, 2017 |
Morning Time: 10:43 AM PST
"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?
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