IT IS NOTED FOR ITS PERENNIAL FRESHNESS
The palm tree is an evergreen. It always has a fresh, green crown on
top, on the heavenly side. Some parts may wither; some leaves fade and
fall in time, but up at the top is a never-fading, fresh, beautiful
crown that basks in the open sunlight and is a beauty to behold. Now,
pilgrim, press up alongside of this characteristic and see if you have
the mark.
The palm tree blessing is always a fresh blessing. Those who are so
fortunate as to have this experience have a freshness about them that
makes others desire it. There is nothing stale nor dry in their
testimonies or prayers. With this beautiful characteristic, one does not
say over the same old testimony, repeat the same stereotyped prayer at
family worship, nor ask the same blessing at the table over and over.
You might note the next time you say grace at the table, and then ask
yourself if you have the palm tree blessing.
How refreshing some people's testimonies always are! We are sure to get
something new. Even if it is old, it is set forth in a new garb, and
people enjoy it and get blessed. They have a perennial freshness in
their lives, and a storehouse from which to draw, so that they are
always enabled to bless a congregation whenever they are present.
There are some saints that are always in demand in meetings because they
are so juicy and blessed. There is such a crown of rejoicing toward
heaven in it all, that the meeting is sure to rise in interest and power
whenever they take part.
Have you ever noticed a meeting that begins to rise with each succeeding
testimony? One speaks and the spiritual thermometer goes up a little,
then another in the Spirit talks out his heart, and up goes the
temperature another degree or so, and thus it rises till it reaches a
good, warm level, when suddenly some one arises and instantly down goes
the thermometer. The meeting has cooled off several degrees. What was
the matter? Will you kindly notice the next time you testify, and see if
the thermometer goes up or down? Then ask yourself about this blessing,
providing you cooled the meeting off.
What is the reason, when some people talk or pray, the saints seem to be
so glad? They take it for granted that they are going to get something
helpful and interesting, and that the meeting will get a boost. On the
other hand, why is it when certain others take part, there is a sort of
inward sigh, "uttered or unexpressed," and a settling down to endure the
ordeal till he gets through? We will let the reader answer. Oh, to be
fresh, and free, and full of the Spirit all the time!
The Word declares that "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is
liberty." The liberty of the Spirit always makes a meeting fresh and
helpful. One of the prevailing hindrances in the Christian life is
quenching the Spirit. The command is, "Quench not the Spirit" and we
have no right to disobey that injunction any more than any other. We
have seen people pray through at the altar and get wonderfully blessed
and have much of the freedom of the Spirit, and after a few days when
the Spirit desired again to manifest Himself through them, they have
shrunk back through timidity, quenched the Spirit and leaked out in
their experience. Does God make provision for any one to have any less
liberty and freedom of Spirit later on in his Christian life? I trow
not. Look to it then that you do not frustrate the grace of God in your
hearts. If you were ever turned loose in a meeting, or, under the
blessing of God you ran off with the meeting, see to it that you lose
not your liberty, for the Lord may call upon you some other time to
swing loose and take things by storm.
The story is told of Amanda Smith, the colored evangelist, who felt one
time that she should lift her hand in the service and say, "Glory to
God." At first she wondered if that was best under the circumstances,
but felt the prompting was of the Lord, so she lifted her hand and
shouted it out. Immediately the blessing of God was precipitated upon
the congregation and a wonderful time of freedom was the result. We knew
a brother who said he felt impressed once to do a similar thing, but he
allowed something to hold him back, and so grieved the Spirit, and he
declared it took him two weeks to pray back to God. It pays to obey
God. He will surely put His Spirit upon those whom He can trust. He will
give all the liberty we will use. We never need to pray for freedom in
the meetings, for all we have to do is to help ourselves. Imagine a
child coming home hungry, and asking his mother for some bread and
butter. His mother says, "There is the pantry, child, help yourself."
The child teases further for bread and butter. Once more the kind parent
informs him that the cupboard is handy, and he may help himself. But the
child continues to beg. What attitude would that parent finally take? It
would probably result in a good spanking. Imagine a child of God
continually teasing the Lord for liberty, when He is constantly saying,
"Help yourself." The freedom will surely be on hand when we step out and
do our part.
The amusing story is told of Frederick Douglas who rose from slavery to
quite a place in history. When in bondage in the South, he was wont to
pray the Lord to give him his freedom. But he said the Lord did not
answer his prayer. Again and again he prayed, but the Lord did not
answer his petition. "One night," said he, "I went out and set my eyes
on the North Star, and scratched gravel behind, and then the Lord
answered my prayer." No wonder the paper he afterwards edited was called
the _North Star_. If more people who are in bondage to fear, and are
longing at the same time for deliverance, would do as this man of color
did--set their spiritual eyes on the pole star of freedom, and scratch
gravel--they would soon find their prayers for liberty answered.