Jottings

by Miller, J. | Category: Jottings | Apr 1955

David was in an excellent frame of mind when he wrote Psalm 131,

"LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty;

Neither do I exercise myself in great matters,

Or in things too wonderful for me."

These are the words of a truly great man, if we may speak of any man being great. It may in the absolute sense be said that only God is great, as only God is good, but in a relative sense, comparing men with men, David was great among his fellows. There were prophets in his time, such as Nathan and Gad, but he was greater than these. There were poets and writers in his day, but David was greater than any such. There were warriors, both giants and men of smaller stature, but David outstripped them all in valour. There were singers and musicians, but David was

"the sweet psalmist of Israel." But though he was so gifted and qualified to adorn both palace and field, to sing praises in God's house and to win the LORD'S battles, yet his heart was not haughty, nor his eyes lofty.

There is a simple story told of a farmer and his son.

"A farmer went with his son into a wheatfield to see if it was ready for the

harvest. 'See, father,' exclaimed the boy, 'how straight these stems hold up their heads! They must be the best ones. Those that hang their heads down I am sure cannot be good for much.' The farmer plucked a stalk of each kind, and said, 'See here, foolish child! This stalk that stood so straight is lightheaded, and almost good for nothing, while this that hung its head so modestly is full of the most beautiful grain.'"

It is said,

"When the full corn is in the ear, it bends down because it is full."

Here is a lesson from nature, learned by those who live nearest to it. But we also may profit by it.

In Psalm 101. David speaks of his behaviour and of his desire for communion with God in his own house. He knew (as we all know or should know) that unless his behaviour was right he could not expect the presence of God with him. He says, "Oh, when will Thou come unto me?" Amongst the things he says he speaks of the ways of certain men, such as turn aside, those who have a froward heart, slanderers, deceitful workers, liars, and he says, "Him that hath an high look and a proud heart will I not suffer" (verse 5). David, being a humble man himself, could not bear a proud coxcomb near him. He was like his Divine Master, of whom he says,

"For though the LORD be high, yet hath He respect unto the lowly:

But the haughty He knoweth from afar" (Psalm 138.6).

The words of Isaiah give clear guidance on the matter of knowing the presence of God, and of having communion with Him.

"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones" (Isaiah 57.15).

What condescending grace is here revealed! How many exclude themselves from that real enjoyment of knowing God's abiding presence and communion with Him! Pride, the condemnation of the devil, excludes them from this joy, which is the true sweetness of the Christian's life here below. For though he may not be privileged to enjoy a great deal of communion with fellow-Christians, fellowship with the Father and the Son, made possible by the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, gives to his heart and spirit that reviving of which Isaiah speaks. If we may speak of heaven begun while we are still on earth, this is it, in the Most High coming down to dwell with men.

Three times the Lord used the same words,

"Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted" (Matthew 23- 12; Luke 14. 11; 18. 14).

Where the Lord is found repeating Himself it is of great importance that attention should be paid to what is said. We have the Spirit through Paul thrice quoting important passages from the Old Testament. The words of Habakkuk 2.4. "The just shall live by his faith," are quoted in Romans I - 17, to show how a man is righteous in God's sight, and that to faith this righteousness is revealed. In Galatians 3.12 the quotation is given to prove that it is not by law that a man is righteous, that is, by legal works and ceremonies, but by faith; and in Hebrews 10.38, the one who is righteous lives by faith. The emphasis is upon righteousness in Romans, faith in Galatians, and life in Hebrews.

The words of Psalm 2.7, "Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee," are quoted three times. In Acts 13.33 this quotation is given to show who Jesus is who was raised up according to promise, that He is the Divine and Eternal Son of God, One who though He became David's Son, yet He was David's Lord (Matthew 22.41-46), being both the Root and the Offspring of David. In Hebrews 1.4, 5 the words are quoted to show what the more excellent name is that He has by inheritance. That name is Son, the Son who is God's appointed Heir, and by whom the worlds were made (Hebrews 1.2), a Son who is consubstantial with God the Father, "being the effulgence of His glory, and the very image of His substance" (verse 3). This substance is the substance of Deity, not that created human substance which He took when He became incarnate, when He became Man by the substance of His mother. He is God's only begotten Son, begotten before all worlds. Then in Hebrews 5.5, 6 the words of Psalm 2.7 are used to show that our High Priest is not a mere man, like the priests of the house of Aaron who were taken from among men and appointed for men in things pertaining to God, who needed to offer for their own sins. Our High Priest, though Man in very deed, who prayed with strong crying and tears, yet is He the Son of God, begotten, not created. God has many sons by creation, both angelic and human, but He has one Son who is only begotten, hence He is the Beloved, God's beloved Son. Such is our great high Priest.

Such repeated portions contain foundational truths of the greatest importance, which we do well to keep in mind and meditate upon.

Adverting now to the words with which we commenced this page, on the importance of humility; the Lord in Matthew is warning His disciples against the works of the scribes and Pharisees. Pride and oppression the Lord could not bear. They bound their heavy burdens on the poor, loved earthly riches, and delighted to strut about as peacocks in their ceremonial robes with enlarged borders, and with the distinguishing marks of their broad phylacteries. Theirs too were the chief places at feasts, chief seats in the synagogues, and when they walked abroad they were well pleased to be saluted in the market places and to be called Rabbi. The disciples were to eschew all such behaviour. They were not to be called, Father (how fearfully astray Rome has gone in this, in which system there are fathers galore, who are no fathers, or perhaps I should say, ought not to be in their celibate orders!), nor were they to be called, Master. The greatest of all was to be the servant of all.

In Luke 14.1-11 we find the Lord in the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees into which he had been invited to eat. He watched the antics of the other guests as they angled to get themselves into the chief seats, and He there spake a parable as to how to behave at a marriage feast, to take the lowest place, and if worthy of a higher place, that place would be given, and given in the presence of the assembled guests. Alas, when it is the case that the person who has chosen the chief place is asked to take a lower seat!

Then in Luke 18.9-14 we have the parable of the Pharisee and the publican, the proud Pharisee and the humble and sin-stricken publican, which shows how necessary conviction of sin and humiliation are to justification by faith. We should be careful not to encourage a false faith in any where there is no repentance in regard to sin.

Miller, J. | Apr 1955
Jottings