I SUPPOSE almost every little boy and girl, as well as larger ones, are very happy, now that the dull days of Winter are gone and the bright Spring sunshine has come, with the singing of the birds; and seeing the grass springing up so green, and the little flowers that venture to put their little heads above the ground so early, and the trees and shrubs which have stood all the Winter looking so lifeless without their green foliage, now sending forth their leaves and flowers to us.
It seems wonderful when we look at the rose trees in the Winter time and remember what beautiful flowers we picked from that now dead looking tree in the Summer.
But this all reminds us that there is a power that does this beautiful work, which we cannot see with these natural eyes. And let us remember, how dependent we are upon Him who exercises that power, and causes’, the earth to send forth her fruit.
Let us also remember how faithful God is in bringing everything in its order, sending the rain as it is needed, and the hot sunshine, and the snow to keep the earth warm in the Winter. Everything is brought in its order, and if it pleased Him to withhold one of these blessings from us when it is needed, we should soon realize how helpless we are, without His watchful care.
I have no doubt, too, that when the trees and the earth are clothed in their new foliage, that the little boys and girls are thinking that they must appear in their new clothes as well as the trees and the earth.
I remember a little girl who was always very glad when the time came to have new clothes on, but I am afraid it was only a proud heart that made her glad, for she was always glad to go out and show them.
But, dear children, let us remember that those of us who are in God’s fold have a better robe than all the silks or velvets that money can buy; a robe which costs no less than the blood of God’s only begotten Son. “Of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who has been made to us wisdom from God and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” (1 Cor. 1:3030But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30).) “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might become God’s righteousness. in Him.” (2 Cor. 5:2121For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21).) And all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ shall shine in this robe throughout eternity.
Little ones who do not know Him, and have not this robe, come now to Him.
But while it is very nice to know that God has clothed us with such a rich robe as His own righteousness, our hearts must not be occupied with that, but with the One who has purchased it; with Him who, though He knew no sin, when He knew that it was God’s will to make Him to be sin for us, and that He should suffer and bleed, and die, in our stead, said, “Not My will, but Thine be done.” He is the One who loved us, and gave Himself for us, and who is coming again to receive us unto Himself, that where He is, there we may be also. (John 14:33And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:3).) And it is with Him our hearts are to be occupied now, and all through eternity.
ML 04/28/1918