Luke 14:7-11 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying to them.… Most persons agree to say that their earliest religious days were their happiest and best. May not this be traced, in part at least, to the fact that, at the beginning, we all take "a lower place" than we do afterwards? Was not it that then you were least in your own eyes — that your feelings were more child-like — that you had more abasing views of the wickedness of your own heart than now? Or, you say, "My prayers are not effectual. I do not get answers when I pray, either for myself or others; and, in consequence of this discouragement, prayer has become lately a. different thing to me, a thing without life, a thing without reality — then I remind you, Those that point their arrows high must draw their bows down low. You must "go lower." Remember that it was to one who felt herself "a dog" that our Lord said, "O woman, great is thy faith;" and then gave her everything she asked — "Be it unto thee even as thou wilt." Be sure there is "a lower room" in prayer than you have yet found. You must discover it, and go down into it, or you cannot find real peace of mind. Now, let us go into this matter a little deliberately. You use the ordinances of the Church and the private means of grace. It is well. Do you look for peace because you do this You say, "No; I look for peace because I trust in Christ." That is better. But there is " a lower room" than that; and therefore a better way than that. We get forgiveness — and peace, the fruit of forgiveness — not because we do anything, or believe anything, or because we are anything — but because God is God, and because Christ is Christ. It is the out-flowing of the free sovereignty of God's eternal grace, which, by believing, we take — and we, where are we? — but for that grace, in hell! You are to feel the amazing distance which there is between you and a holy God. "God, be merciful." That is "the lowest room;" and the way home is nearer and quicker — "I tell you that man went down to his house justified." (J. Vaughan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, |
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