Clergyman's Magazine Hosea 14:5-7 I will be as the dew to Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.… I. THE INFLUENCES OF THE SPIRIT, "AS THE DEW." 1. Dew is never far off (humidity of atmosphere); waits around; makes itself felt at proper season by whatsoever thirsts for it. So the Giver of life is ever present with His own; ready to refresh, cleanse, strengthen. He is round about us (Psalm 139.) the atmosphere of His promises, His providences, His presence. 2. Falls in quiet of evening, and believers specially realise God's presence in quietness. "Commune... and be still." Eventide experiences; "cool of the day." Do you serve with quiet mind? Too much excitement, worldly or "religious"; bustling, mechanical? Troubled souls, be comforted. 3. Falls in due measure; never in excess: grasses, flowers, olives, cedars; each receives in proportion to need. Similarly, the workings of the Spirit, infinitely wise, gracious. Dew of "youth," babes, elders. Class, condition, character; our responsibilities,... "the grace that is given to us," — given abundantly, tenderly. 4. Falls silently; not see or hear. So with the ordinary operations of the Spirit. Stillness, secrecy of reception; gradual formation of habits; transformation (2 Corinthians 3:18); growth, "grace for (upon) grace"; renewing of the hidden life with energy invisible; loving influences, mighty, mysterious, silent, but sure (Mark 4:27). 5. Regularly: to-day's dryness, to-day's dew. Even so we pray for "the continual dew" of God's blessing; fresh joy and vigour from the "healthful Spirit" of His grace (Job 29:19). Daily hallowing. Not spasmodic. II. THE RESULTS OF THE SPIRIT'S INFLUENCES. "He shall grow... They that dwell..." 1. Believers blessed. Notice first the position: lilly, cedar, olives, herbs; and grasses; mountain crest, slope, clefts, and rich soil; exposed, admired, hidden. Each plant its own place. So each member of the Church his own vocation: what we are, where we are — of God. The poor and unlearned may as truly, though not as widely, glorify God, as the high-placed and greatly gifted. Notice second, perfection; in all bedewed vegetation, luxuriance and beauty of vigorous life. Special services and pleasantnesses; purity and loveliness — the lily; strength and expansion — the cedar; fruitfulness — the olive; fragrance ("smell") of herbs, and scented tufty "Lebanon." "Diversities of gifts" and "of operations" (1 Corinthians 12:4). A Conway, a Living stone, a Monod, a Lyre, a Selwyn, a Hedley Vicars; "stewards of the manifold grace of God." What variety! Humility, sweetness, purity, fervour, fruitful ness, self-sacrificing patience, courage, steadfastness, etc. But be not contented with some special grace: pray to "worthily magnify" His name in full orbed holiness. 2. Believers a blessing. "They that dwell under His shadow shall return." The influence of consistent Christian living; it wins, helps, warms, comforts. Try thus to be, more and more, a means of grace. (Clergyman's Magazine.) Parallel Verses KJV: I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. |
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