Judges 9:36

"Handfuls of Purpose"

For All Gleaners

"Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men." Judges 9:36 .

This text may be used as showing how possible it is to be magnifying dangers, or creating illusory enemies. Whilst this is historically true, it is spiritually indisputable. There is a tendency in the spiritual life to magnify all difficulties, and so to discourage the soul. Who has not been frightened by shadows? Who has not shrunk from the conclusions of his own just reasoning? The hill always looks to be highest when viewed from a distance. When approached it subsides and becomes really easy of ascent. We may turn some men into enemies by looking upon them from a great distance, or seeing them under unfavourable circumstances. We must come near them, and estimate them at their proper strength. Approach is sometimes the best solution of difficulties. Boldness often dissolves the mystery which it has feared. The Christian should set it down as an article of his faith that they can be only shadows which are arrayed against the Lord and against his anointed. Even Pharaoh, king of Egypt, was "but a noise." The mightiest men who set themselves against Christ are not so much men as shadows. All this has been proved again and again in history, and the proof should be taken as an inspiration and an encouragement by the age now living and by all the ages to come. All clever arguments, all elaborated scepticisms, all new heterodoxies are but so many shadows, and are on no account to be feared by the soldiers of Christ. Remember that shadows are not to be destroyed by swords and guns, or by violence of any kind; the shadows can only be chased away by light: "Ye are the light of the world." If we were more radiant we should see fewer shadows, or the shadows would flee away before the approaching glory. Pray for an increase of luminous-ness, that the whole character may be as a sun, shining in his strength, and dissolving and dispersing every shadow.