To E. M., Saturday Morning.
Much-beloved friend,
My heart has just been much drawn out towards you in Isaiah 28:26, "His God
instructs him and teaches him the right way"--desiring that you may have the
experience of it in those domestic and secular cares which must necessarily
devolve upon you; that you may not set them as a "wall between" your soul
and your God. May each concern and perplexity, which seems to have more of
Martha than of Mary--be to you just an errand to Jesus, that
you may commune with Him in them and by them, and thus walk with God while
you walk in the duties of your family and station. How beautiful to read
from the 23d verse of the same chapter, and to see that the Lord so minutely
instructs the laborer how to prepare the ground and sow the seed, as also
how to prepare the corn for food. Also in Exodus 31:3-6, 35:25, 26, and
36:2, how encouraging to read of the Lord putting wisdom into the hearts of
men and women to guide their hands, though their work was for the
Tabernacle, and ours for the circumstances in which He has placed us,
saying, "Occupy until I come." He will as really instruct us as He did them.
How touching also to read of David going to inquire of
the Lord about everything with such sweet simplicity, asking whether he
should go against his enemies, (2 Sam. 5:19) and pursue those who had robbed
him, (1 Sam. 30:8) even telling the Lord of a report he had heard about
Saul, and asking if that were true. (1 Sam. 23:10, 11) Satan and the carnal
mind would say, "It is not right to approach the Lord in such inward
confusion; wait until the mind is more calm and spiritual." But David came
in the midst of all, bringing his doubts and uncertainties with him, and in
all the Lord answered him, so that it was with him as with Jotham—"He became
mighty because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God." (2 Chron.
27:6)
I cannot tell you how precious these thoughts have been
to me, or how often I have resorted to them to encourage my heart to trust
in the Lord in secular things, and to expect His teaching in daily
concerns--great and small. Though I have mentioned it before, I just
stir up your mind by way of remembrance, because you seem to be laid upon my
heart in this matter. I know the enemy will fight hard to keep you out of
this privilege, trying to make it appear that in 'different circumstances'
you could walk more closely with the Lord. This is one of his "devices" to
separate us from our God. Oh, for the Spirit's light to discover his snares
of darkness!
We are each in the best place to glorify the Lord; and
present events, whether pleasing or painful, are those in which to be
seeking Him. In this sense we may safely say, "Whoever is wise, and will
observe these things, even they shall understand the loving-kindness of the
Lord." (Psalm 107:43.) That the Lord may give you this heavenly wisdom in
earthly things is the affectionate wish of,
Ruth Bryan.