David was keeping sheep in the wilderness with no eye upon him
but God's. In prompt obedience to his father he went to the valley
of Elah, taking loaves and cheeses to his brethren: if we are
content to serve God in mean things, God will bring us forth
in greater. In the valley of Elah was Goliath ready for David's
sling. (1 Sam. 17:17-23.)
Obedience to Christ brings upon us opposition from Satan, the
world, the flesh in ourselves, and the unbelief, ignorance, and
lack of mind of Christ in our brethren. To meet all these aright,
let it be our business, even in the smallest matters, _to please
Christ_, that we may have His power and His truth for our strength
and guidance. He trod this path before us, and has also given
His Holy Spirit to lead us and to comfort us through the journey.
The highest attainment in the spiritual life is to be able always
and in all things to say, "Thy will be done!" Gen. 22 gives us
a perfect sample of the obedience of faith.
There is no prevailing against our enemies without full obedience
to God. When Israel must fight, Joshua must take heed that they
are keeping God's commandments. (See Joshua 7)
He that allows himself in small sins will at length break out
in great ones: be it our business, then, to watch against the
beginnings of departure from God, or these will surely lead to
bitter endings.
The Word of the Lord, and the attentive ear of the faithful servant,
are all we need to carry us safely and happily onward.
Whatever imperfections were in Abraham, whatever his haltings
and stumblings, he never settled down, as to purpose, into half-hearted
obedience; so if any child of God, howsoever he may fail, have
a steady, fixed purpose to please God, he will surely become
strong in faith at the last.
All the children of God receive Christ as Redeemer from curse
and wrath; but they do not all take Him for their portion and
inheritance: if we do this, we cannot fail to be witnesses for
Him, and lights in this dark world.