A Ribband of Blue | Page 8

that the
Scripture does not speak of the fruits of the SPIRIT, in the plural, as
though we might take our choice among the graces named, but of the
fruit, in the singular, which is a rich cluster composed of love, joy,
peace, longsuffering, etc. How blessed to bring forth such fruit in its

season!
IV. Continuous Vigour.--"His leaf also shall not wither." In our own
climate many trees are able to maintain their life throughout the winter,
but unable to retain their leaves. The hardy evergreen, however, not
only lives, but manifests its life, and all the more conspicuously
because of the naked branches around. The life within is too strong to
fear the shortened day, the cold blast, or the falling snow. So with the
man of GOD whose life is maintained by hidden communion through
the Word; adversity only brings out the strength and the reality of the
life within.
The leaf of the tree is no mere adornment. If the root suggests to us
receptive power in that it draws from the soil the stimulating sap,
without which life could not be maintained, the leaves no less remind
us of the grace of giving, and of purifying. They impart to the
atmosphere a grateful moisture; they provide for the traveller a
refreshing shade, and they purify the air poisoned by the breathings of
animal life.
Well, too, is the tree repaid for all that it gives out through its leaves.
The thin stimulating sap that comes from the root, which could not of
itself build up the tree, thickens in giving out its moisture, and through
the leaves possesses itself of carbon from the atmosphere. Thus
enriched, the sap goes back through the tree, building it up until the
tiniest rootlets are as much nourished by the leaves as the latter are fed
by the roots. Keep a tree despoiled of its leaves sufficiently long and it
will surely die. So unless the believer is giving as well as receiving,
purifying his life and influence, he cannot grow nor properly maintain
his own vitality. But he who delights in the Law of the LORD, and
meditates in it day and night--his leaf shall not wither.
V. Uniform Prosperity.--"Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Could
any promise go beyond this? It is the privilege of the child of GOD to
see the hand of GOD in all his circumstances and surroundings, and to
serve GOD in all his avocations and duties. Whether he eat or drink,
work or rest, speak or be silent; in all his occupations, spiritual,
domestic, or secular, he is alike the servant of GOD. Nothing lawful to

him is too small to afford an opportunity of glorifying GOD; duties in
themselves trivial or wearisome become exalted and glorified when the
believer recognises his power through them to gladden and satisfy the
loving heart of his ever-observant MASTER. And he who in all things
recognises himself as the servant of GOD may count on a sufficiency
from GOD for all manner of need, and look with confident expectation
to GOD to really prosper him in whatever he does.
But this prosperity will not always be apparent, except to the eye of
faith. When Chorazin and Bethsaida rejected our LORD'S message, it
needed the eye of faith to rejoice in spirit and say, "Even so, FATHER;
for so it seemed good in Thy sight." Doubtless the legions of hell
rejoiced when they saw the LORD of Glory nailed to the accursed tree;
yet we know that never was our blessed LORD more prospered than
when, as our High Priest, He offered Himself as our atoning sacrifice,
and bore our sins in His own body on the tree. As then, so now, the
path of real prosperity will often lie through deepest suffering;
followers of CHRIST may well be content with the path which He trod.
But though this prosperity may not be immediately apparent, it will
always be real, and should always be claimed by faith. The minister in
his church, the missionary among the heathen, the merchant at his desk,
the mother in her home, the workman in his labour, each may alike
claim it. Not in vain is it written, "Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
VI. Finally, let us notice that these promises are all in the indicative
mood, and, provided the conditions are fulfilled, are absolute. There is
no "may be" about them. And further, they are made to individual
believers. If other believers fail, he who accepts them will not; the word
is, "Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
THE CONTRAST. "The ungodly are not so."
It is not necessary to dwell at any length upon the contrast. The
ungodly cannot enjoy the happiness of the child of GOD, for they
cannot carry out the