Three "One Things"

SAYS David, "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple." Ps. 27:4.

Here a blessing of no ordinary character is desired,—one which "shall not be valued with pure gold." The mind is raised above earth and earthly treasures, to Him from whom all blessings flow. This desire includes the three following points: 1. That he might dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life; 2. To behold the beauty of the Lord; 3. That he might inquire in his temple. This desire implies that there are exquisite beauties connected with the service of the Lord, and that channels for the most fruitful and profitable inquiry are opened to the soul panting after God and holiness. This intimate and holy connection with the Most High and his service, enabling one to behold his divine power, and to experience the Saviour's pardoning love brought to light and revealed through the plan of salvation, David did not expect would fall upon him without a consecrated effort on his part; hence the resolution, "That will I seek after." Precious resolution!

Passing down to the days of the mission of the Son of God to this earth, we have the record of one born blind—one who had never looked upon one of his friends, nor seen the beauties of the Creator's works everywhere spread out before us. The divine power of the Saviour opened these blind eyes, performing a miracle, and conferring a blessing hitherto unheard of Surely this man's faith in Christ and his decision of character must and will be tested. Where are the parents of this man? Are their hearts filled with gratitude, and are songs of thanksgiving upon their lips? Oh, no; nothing of this kind! They are too fearful of being disfellowshipped to say more than "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not; he is of age, ask him; he shall speak for himself."

Where are the professedly pious and devout Jews? Do they laud and adore the Son of God for this miracle? No; they are filled with displeasure, anger, and revenge. Of him who performed this wonder, they say, "We know that this man is a sinner." And further, they gave vent to the gall and wormwood of their hearts by saying to the one upon whom the miracle had been wrought, "Thou wast altogether born in sins." And anon came his excommunication.

But now it is the time for the young man to speak: "One thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see." John 9:25. While the parents tremble with fear, and dare not acknowledge the solid convictions of their hearts, the son worships Jesus, separating himself from the parents, and connecting with the world's Redeemer. How wise the choice! What untold treasures will greet his vision in the judgment, if he was faithful till the end.

Coming down to the Cristian experience of the great apostle to the Gentiles, the genuineness of whose conversion is unquestioned, and whose commission was "to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God," hungering for growth in grace, and perfection in the school of Christ, the Ianguage of his heart is, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Phil. 3:13, 14.

All the renown which might have encircled one so able and distinguished, all the honor which might have crowned him as a man of learning, influence, and official power among his people were left behind, forgotten. "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ." Here is self-denial. Here is a sacrifice, but it is one of gain and glory. Language is inadequate to express the depth of wisdom manifested in this exchange,—an exchange which in this life brings in return "a hundred-fold, . . . and in the world to come eternal life." And who of us desires to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of our life, that we may behold the beauty of the Lord, and that we may inquire in his temple? Who, once blinded by sin, can now see its heinousness, and with songs of joy behold the beauty of the Lord? And who, henceforth, will "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus"?

Dear reader, will you receive and walk in the rays of light as they may fall upon you from the word of God? Will you, in the Christian warfare, "Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ"? Can you say, "What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ"? Are you resolved, through grace, to be an overcomer? If so, bear in mind the words of the Captain of our salvation, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."