0372. THE LEANING PILGRIM.

THE LEANING PILGRIM.

"Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness leaning upon her Beloved?" (S. of S. Luk_8:5).

"Come hither, and I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife" (Rev_21:9). The Church of the living God is still coming up from the wilderness of this present world leaning upon her Beloved, while the men of the world still keep asking, "Who is this?"

I. The Unknown One. "Who is this?" Those who know not the Beloved know not them that are His. The world that knew not Christ cannot know those who are Christ’s. The fact is that Christians have been so transformed by the Spirit of God that the world knows them not.

II. The Company She Keeps. "Her Beloved." Despised and rejected by others, but the Beloved of her soul. To her He is the chiefest among the thousands, and the altogether lovely. This is the language of endearment, and speaks of the closest relationship. To the Beloved she is both a sister and spouse (chap. Luk_5:1). Related both by birth and marriage.

III. The Place of Her Fellowship. "The wilderness." There was nothing in her surroundings to satisfy her heart, but the presence of her Beloved filled her soul with gladness. Into the wilderness places He may still allure us that He may speak comfortably to us (Hos_2:14). Here we have no continuing city; we are pilgrims and strangers with Him who has said, "Lo, I am with you alway."

IV. The Position She Occupies. "Leaning upon her Beloved." This attitude is very suggestive, and speaks to us most plainly of-

1. Conscious Weakness. It is when we are weak that we are made strong by leaning on the Strong One. They that be whole need not a physician.

2. Felt Need of Guidance. In the pathless wilderness she needs one to lead her in the right way, as Israel was led by the cloudy pillar (Psa_107:4-7). "He leadeth me beside the still waters" (Psa_23:2).

3. Great Personal Confidence. She has no doubt at all of His wisdom and love, so she leans her whole soul and life upon Him. She proves her faith by leaning hard. A negro servant said to her mistress as she sat leaning upon her for rest, "If you love me, missis, lean hard."

4. Blessed Familiarity. "Leaning upon her Beloved." John leaned upon the bosom of Jesus, and became "the disciple whom Jesus loved." The more we lean by faith upon Him who is our Beloved, the more beloved shall we be to Him.

V. Where She is Going. "Coming up from the wilderness." Her path is an upward path that leads to the city whose Builder and Maker is God. From the wilderness to the many mansions prepared in the Father’s house. It is a journey like Rebekah’s, away to a prepared home, and to a blessed and eternal union with the Beloved (Gen. 24).

Autor: James Smith