Matthew 7:7
We know of a place in England still existing, where a dole of bread is
served to every passerby who chooses to ask for it. Whoever the traveller
may be, he has but to knock at the door of St. Cross Hospital, and there is
the dole of bread for him. Jesus Christ so loveth sinners that He has built
a St. Cross Hospital, so that whenever a sinner is hungry, he has but to
knock and have his wants supplied. Nay, He has done better; He has attached
to this Hospital of the Cross a bath; and whenever a soul is black and
filthy, it has but to go there and be washed. The fountain is always full,
always efficacious. No sinner ever went into it and found that it could not
wash away his stains. Sins which were scarlet and crimson have all
disappeared, and the sinner has been whiter than snow. As if this were not
enough, there is attached to this Hospital of the Cross a wardrobe, and a
sinner making application simply as a sinner, may be clothed from head to
foot; and if he wishes to be a soldier, he may not merely have a garment for
ordinary wear, but armour which shall cover him from the sole of his foot to
the crown of his head. If he asks for a sword, he shall have that given to
him, and a shield too. Nothing that is good for him shall be denied him. He
shall have spending-money so long as he lives, and he shall have an eternal
heritage of glorious treasure when he enters into the joy of his Lord.
If all these things are to be had by merely knocking at mercy's door, O
my soul, knock hard this morning, and ask large things of thy generous Lord.
Leave not the throne of grace till all thy wants have been spread before the
Lord, and until by faith thou hast a comfortable prospect that they shall be
all supplied. No bashfulness need retard when Jesus invites. No unbelief
should hinder when Jesus promises. No cold-heartedness should restrain when
such blessings are to be obtained.
"And the Lord shewed me four carpenters."
Zechariah 1:20
In the vision described in this chapter, the prophet saw four terrible
horns. They were pushing this way and that way, dashing down the strongest
and the mightiest; and the prophet asked, "What are these?" The answer was,
"These are the horns which have scattered Israel." He saw before him a
representation of those powers which had oppressed the church of God. There
were four horns; for the church is attacked from all quarters. Well might
the prophet have felt dismayed; but on a sudden there appeared before him
four carpenters. He asked, "What shall these do?" These are the men whom God
hath found to break those horns in pieces. God will always find men for His
work, and He will find them at the right time. The prophet did not see the
carpenters first, when there was nothing to do, but first the "horns," and
then the "carpenters." Moreover, the Lord finds enough men. He did not find
three carpenters, but four; there were four horns, and there must be four
workmen. God finds the right men; not four men with pens to write; not four
architects to draw plans; but four carpenters to do rough work. Rest
assured, you who tremble for the ark of God, that when the "horns" grow
troublesome, the "carpenters" will be found. You need not fret concerning
the weakness of the church of God at any moment; there may be growing up in
obscurity the valiant reformer who will shake the nations: Chrysostoms may
come forth from our Ragged Schools, and Augustines from the thickest
darkness of London's poverty. The Lord knows where to find His servants. He
hath in ambush a multitude of mighty men, and at His word they shall start
up to the battle; "for the battle is the Lord's," and He shall get to
Himself the victory. Let us abide faithful to Christ, and He, in the right
time, will raise up for us a defence, whether it be in the day of our
personal need, or in the season of peril to His Church.
