March 12

Revelation 3:12—I will make... a pillar in the Temple of my God.

All who lived on the seaboard of Asia Minor were familiar with the vast and beautiful temples, in which Oriental lavishness and Greek art combined to realize the utmost magnificence. Their ruins strew the deserted sites of former cities to this day. The Lord therefore used familiar imagery in this promise. A column hewn from its rocky bed, richly sculptured, and conveyed to the rising temple-structure!

Stability.—"Shall go no more out." God Him. self shall establish, strengthen, and settle, the soul which trusts Him, and is willing to follow at all costs where He leads. He will make such a one to be as Jachin or Boaz, the two mighty pillars which Solomon erected in the Temple court, their names signifying establishment and strength. There is no spectacle more inspiring than to behold the steadfastness of the soul that wavers and swerves not, but stands to its post, though all nature rocks.

Responsibility.—The pillar bears up some part of the structure; and it is Christ’s good pleasure to call us to share with Him the weight of ministering to his Church. As you show yourself true and faithful, God will allow you to bear up the common life of his people by ministering comfort, direction, encouragement, to such as could not stand by themselves.

Beauty.—The mediaeval architects and masons took great pleasure in their designs. In many cases each pillar is sculptured as to its capital in its own fashion. There is infinite variety and beauty in the patterns. So Jesus is cutting deep into us the name of his Father and Himself, and making us bear new revelations to the world. Do not shrink from the deep cutting of his chisel.