Though not everyone had arrived for Sunday school, the singing had begun. The voices of the little group were rather subdued except for one little fellow sitting with his parents. His clear, sweet voice was enthusiastically singing the words which he intently followed in his song book.
Other children who were sitting in the front row began stealing furtive glances at the source of the vibrant, happy sound. Smiles began playing over their faces (as had already appeared on adult faces) and then, without realizing it, they too began to sing more enthusiastically. Stirred by the energy of one happy, eager, young voice, other heads began diligently bending over song books, voices sang out with fresh energy and hands eagerly waved to choose the next song. The Sunday school was now filled with a noticeably more spirited, joyous singing from young and old alike inspired in large measure by one little singer oblivious to the influence his example had exerted.
The present spiritually dark and cold day needs just such encouragers to “lift up the hands which hang down, and [strengthen] the feeble knees” (Heb. 12:1212Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; (Hebrews 12:12)). Such service, however, can only be effective in the measure it is produced by real love for Christ and those for whom He died “that they all may be one” (John 17:11,21-2211And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. (John 17:11)
21That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: (John 17:21‑22)).
Second Timothy describes a time very much like the present day a time of confusion and disorder in professing Christianity a time when individual faithfulness to Christ is essential. In this epistle the Spirit of God gives us several examples of such individual faith in action. Though all in Asia had turned from Paul, still there was a Timothy, an Onesiphorus, a soldier, a husbandman, a servant, a man of God, and a Luke, the beloved physician each characterizing some aspect of personal faithfulness and love for the Lord. Like the little singer, these examples should encourage and stir our hearts afresh to walk the path of faith in love and energy.
A Christian walking in the joy of fellowship with the Lord Jesus will have a positive, attracting effect on others. This is beautifully illustrated in the words of the bride: “Draw me, we will run after Thee.... We will be glad and rejoice in Thee, we will remember Thy love more than wine” (Song of Sol. 1:44Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee. (Song of Solomon 1:4)).
Notice how her joy increases, attracting and energizing others. (1) Her heart, captivated by the bridegroom’s love, desires his company draw me. (2) Her desire attracts others to the object of her heart’s affection we. (3) Her enthusiasm seizes and stirs up others run after thee. (4) Her happiness becomes the happiness of others we will be glad and rejoice. (5) The object of her thoughts becomes the object of others’ thoughts we will remember. (6) His love being her chief delight becomes the delight of others thy love. (7) Her pleasure and satisfaction in him become the pleasure and satisfaction of others more than wine.
Ed.