按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
301
〃beauty for ashes； the oil of joy for mourning； the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness。〃 Isa。 61：3。
And for those also who mourn in trial and sorrow there is comfort。 The bitterness of grief and humiliation is better than the indulgences of sin。 Through affliction God reveals to us the plague spots in our characters； that by His grace we may overcome our faults。 Unknown chapters in regard to ourselves are opened to us； and the test comes； whether we will accept the reproof and the counsel of God。 When brought into trial； we are not to fret and complain。 We should not rebel； or worry ourselves out of the hand of Christ。 We are to humble the soul before God。 The ways of the Lord are obscure to him who desires to see things in a light pleasing to himself。 They appear dark and joyless to our human nature。 But God's ways are ways of mercy and the end is salvation。 Elijah knew not what he was doing when in the desert he said that he had had enough of life； and prayed that he might die。 The Lord in His mercy did not take him at his word。 There was yet a great work for Elijah to do； and when his work was done； he was not to perish in discouragement and solitude in the wilderness。 Not for him the descent into the dust of death； but the ascent in glory； with the convoy of celestial chariots； to the throne on high。
God's word for the sorrowing is； 〃I have seen his ways； and will heal him： I will lead him also； and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners。〃 〃I will turn their mourning into joy； and will comfort them； and make them rejoice from their sorrow。〃 Isa。 57：18； Jer。 31：13。
〃Blessed are the meek。〃 The difficulties we have to encounter may be very much lessened by that meekness which hides itself in Christ。 If we possess the humility of our Master； we shall rise above the slights； the rebuffs； the annoyances； to which we are daily exposed； and they will cease to cast a gloom over the spirit。 The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self…control。 He who under abuse or cruelty fails to maintain a calm and trustful spirit robs God of His right to reveal in him His own perfection of character。 Lowliness of heart is the strength that gives victory to the followers of Christ； it is the token of their connection with the courts above。
〃Though the Lord be high； yet hath He respect unto the lowly。〃 Ps。 138：6。 Those who reveal the meek and lowly spirit of Christ are tenderly regarded by God。 They may be looked upon with scorn by the world； but they are of great value in His sight。 Not only the wise； the great； the beneficent； will gain a passport to the heavenly courts； not only
302
the busy worker； full of zeal and restless activity。 No； the poor in spirit； who crave the presence of an abiding Christ； the humble in heart； whose highest ambition is to do God's will；these will gain an abundant entrance。 They will be among that number who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb。 〃Therefore are they before the throne of God； and serve Him day and night in His temple： and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them。〃 Rev。 7：15。
〃Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness。〃 The sense of unworthiness will lead the heart to hunger and thirst for righteousness； and this desire will not be disappointed。 Those who make room in their hearts for Jesus will realize His love。 All who long to bear the likeness of the character of God shall be satisfied。 The Holy Spirit never leaves unassisted the soul who is looking unto Jesus。 He takes of the things of Christ and shows them unto him。 If the eye is kept fixed on Christ； the work of the Spirit ceases not until the soul is conformed to His image。 The pure element of love will expand the soul； giving it a capacity for higher attainments； for increased knowledge of heavenly things； so that it will not rest short of the fullness。 〃Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness； for they shall be filled。〃
The merciful shall find mercy； and the pure in heart shall see God。 Every impure thought defiles the soul； impairs the moral sense； and tends to obliterate the impressions of the Holy Spirit。 It dims the spiritual vision； so that men cannot behold God。 The Lord may and does forgive the repenting sinner； but though forgiven； the soul is marred。 All impurity of speech or of thought must be shunned by him who would have clear discernment of spiritual truth。
But the words of Christ cover more than freedom from sensual impurity； more than freedom from that ceremonial defilement which the Jews so rigorously shunned。 Selfishness prevents us from beholding God。 The self…seeking spirit judges of God as altogether such a one as itself。 Until we have renounced this； we cannot understand Him who is love。 Only the unselfish heart； the humble and trustful spirit； shall see God as 〃merciful and gracious； long…suffering； and abundant in goodness and truth。〃 Ex。 34：6。
〃Blessed are the peacemakers。〃 The peace of Christ is born of truth。 It is harmony with God。 The world is at enmity with the law of God；
305
sinners are at enmity with their Maker； and as a result they are at enmity with one another。 But the psalmist declares； 〃Great peace have they which love Thy law： and nothing shall offend them。〃 Ps。 119：165。 Men cannot manufacture peace。 Human plans for the purification and uplifting of individuals or of society will fail of producing peace； because they do not reach the heart。 The only power that can create or perpetuate true peace is the grace of Christ。 When this is implanted in the heart； it will cast out the evil passions that cause strife and dissension。 〃Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree； and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree；〃 and life's desert 〃shall rejoice； and blossom as the rose。〃 Isa。 55：13； 35：1。
The multitudes were amazed at this teaching； which was so at variance with the precepts and example of the Pharisees。 The people had come to think that happiness consisted in the possession of the things of this world； and that fame and the honor of men were much to be coveted。 It was very pleasing to be called 〃Rabbi；〃 and to be extolled as wise and religious； having their virtues paraded before the public。 This was regarded as the crown of happiness。 But in the presence of that vast throng； Jesus declared that earthly gain and honor were all the reward such persons would ever receive。 He spoke with certainty； and a convincing power attended His words。 The people were silenced； and a feeling of fear crept over them。 They looked at one another doubtfully。 Who of them would be saved if this Man's teachings were true？ Many were convicted that this remarkable Teacher was actuated by the Spirit of God； and that the sentiments He uttered were divine。
After explaining what constitutes true happiness； and how it may be obtained； Jesus more definitely pointed out the duty of His disciples； as teachers chosen of God to lead others into the path of righteousness and eternal life。 He knew that they would often suffe