771. 1SA 10:26. THE CONSECRATED BAND
1Sa_10:26. The Consecrated Band
"And there went with him a band of men whose hearts God had touched."’971Sa_10:26.
The text is literally connected with the desire of Israel to have a king, and the setting apart of Saul to that high and dignified office. In this desire they exhibited discontent with the form of government which God had set over them, and incurred his holy and just disapprobation. Samuel was directed to expostulate with them, and to state the evils which their choice would bring upon them. Still they persisted, and God allowed them to see their hearts’ desire. God often refuses our requests, in mercy. How important that prayer should be according to the will of the Lord! Well, Saul was anointed king, and some of the factious of the people were displeased with him on account of his humble station and his rural mode of life, and said, contemptuously, "How shall this man save us?" &c. Saul, however, returned home to Gibeah, and "there went with him a chosen band," &c. We desire not to occupy your attention with the character and history of Saul, but we have chosen the passage to refer you to another king, even Jesus, and to the character of his loyal and obedient servants. Observe,
I. The characters described.
"A band," &c. An appropriate representation of the disciples of Jesus, the followers of the Lamb. Now here we observe, that the heart of man is naturally sinful and disloyal; not subject to Christ, nor obedient to his authority. Now in the transformation of the soul we notice,
1. Divine influence is essentially necessary. Nothing but this can renew the soul.
Education cannot. Human authority or influence cannot. It is the Spirit’s peculiar province to take away the heart of stone, &c.; to implant the new nature, &c. That which is spiritual in man, must be moderated by the Spirit.
2. Divine influence in the heart will be evident.
The mode and process may not be evident. "The wind bloweth," &c. As the rain, &c., in vegetation, operates effectually, yet invisibly and silently; so divine influences on the soul. But still the effects will be manifest, the evidences will be clear and palpable. When the Spirit of God touches the heart,
(1.) It will become tender and affectionate.
It will lose its hardness and be melted down’97its callousness, and be susceptible of holy feelings, &c.’97its malevolence, and become kind, and benevolent, and merciful. It will be the seat of love to God, and love to man. He that is of God loveth, &c.
(2.) It will become contrite and humble.
The high look, the towering imagination, the lofty spirit, will all be brought down into the depths of self-abasement; clothed, as it were, in sackcloth; sin will be mourned over, and confessed; and God will be praised and extolled. The divinely touched heart is always lowly and humble.
(3.) It will become spiritual and devout.
Until spiritually moved, we do not know the things of the Spirit, not being spiritually discerned. As spiritual, the desires and feelings will be such, the thoughts and meditations such. And with these will be united the spirit of devotion. The heart that has been touched, moves towards God in prayer. Prayer is the atmosphere it breathes, &c.; the language of the renewed soul.
(4.) It will be self-denying and zealous.
The natural mind is earthly and selfish; loves ease; under the incubus of sloth and indifference. God’s glory and man’s welfare never enter into his designs, &c. The opposite of this is the heart torched by the finger of God: self is mortified, and goodness and zeal actively cherished. The love of Christ constrains; the Spirit of Christ excites; the power of grace impels to holy and devoted activity for the good of souls, and for the glory of Christ. Observe the hearts God hath touched are,
(5.) United and associated together.
"A band." Not isolated beings; not cold, unsocial beings; but collected together, enrolled and united in the bonds of the truth, and in the service of Christ. Grace unites man to man. The Church is a flock, an army, a family, "a band," united, not by ties of relationship, of learning, rank, or color; but cemented in the love and faith of the gospel.
II. The statement made.
"And there went with him," &c. Now Christ’s disciples go with him. They may not go with the learned and philosophical; not with politicians; not with earthly warriors, &c. No, they are followers of Christ; his attendants; they hear his voice, &c.; they go with him,
1. To confess him as the trophies of his grace.
Christ’s living witnesses; monuments of divine mercy; the fruit of his crimson labors. As such, they testify of Christ, and confess him before men.
2. To obey his commands, as his loyal subjects.
In this they act consistently with their profession. In this they prove their love to Jesus. In this they recommend Christ’s religion to the world. "Have their fruit unto holiness," &c.
3. To extend his kingdom, as his devoted friends.
They live to Christ, and for him. They are identified with Christ’97seek his glory preeminently. They are not their own, &c.; Christ is all and in all. Give up all to Christ.
Application
1. Are we the characters?
Has the heart been set right? Have we the signs upon us? &c.
2. Are we going forth with Christ?
Is this the chief end of life? our meat, our delight, our highest aim? &c. If so, how pleasing the prospect, how blessed the cause, how glorious the reward!
3. Urge others to unite. Who is for Christ? who will love, serve, and glorify the Redeemer? &c.
4. Are not our chief hopes in reference to this band to be found associated with our Sabbath-schools?
Here the talent of our churches is to be expended, and from these the army of the Saviour is chiefly to be replenished. Many of our future ministers and deacons are to be reared in these hallowed seminaries of Bible education and Sabbath training.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS