Daily Devotionals

Devotional: February 14th

THE NATURAL A TYPE OF THE SPIRITUAL

He that is spiritual judgeth all things. - 1 Corinthians 2:15

THE natural impulse of us all is to find shadows and symbols of spiritual life in natural existence. He who spake as never man spake, spake in parables, and, knowing all things, took bread and said, "This is My body." Surely, besides all the other purposes of that institution, there is this also to teach us to see everywhere emblems of Him. Every day we walk amidst the " outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace," and in that meaning of the word sacrament, the true and Christian view of this wonderful world is that it is all one great sacrament. All the elements stand as types of spiritual things. The sunshine is to speak to us of the "light of the world," the life of men. The wind blows - an emblem of that Spirit which, though He comes low and soft, as befits a "Comforter," can rise and wax into a tempest against all " the lofty and lifted up." The water speaks of the stream of life and the drink for thirsty souls; and the fire, of His purity and of His wrath. All objects are consecrated to Him. The trees of the field, in a thousand places, speak of the "root of David," and the vine of which we are all branches. The everlasting mountains are His "righteousness"; the mighty deep, His judgments." All the Processes of nature have been laid hold of by Him. The gentle dew falls a promise, and the lashing rain forebodes another storm, when many a sand-built house shall be swept away. Every spring is a prophecy of the resurrection of the dead, every harvest a promise of the coming of His kingdom and the blessed issues of all service for Him. All living things, in like manner, testify of Him. In that sense, as in others. He is lord over the fish of the seas, and over the fowls of the air, and over the beasts of the field. The eagle "stirring up its nest," the "hen gathering her chickens under her wings," speak of Him, His functions, and His relations to us. The " Lion of the tribe of Judah" and the "Lamb of God" were His names. All occupations of men, also, are consecrated to reveal Him. He laid His hand upon the sower and the vine-dresser, upon the ploughman and the shepherd, upon the merchant and the warrior, upon the king and the prophet and the judge, upon the teacher and the lawgiver, as being emblems of Himself. All relations between men testify of Him. Father and mother, brother and friend, husband, parent, and children, they are all consecrated for this purpose.

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