XXXIII.

A STRONG CRY.

They rebuked him, that he should hold his peace. But he cried out much more: “Son of David, have mercy on me”.--_Luke_ xviii. 39.

There are moments when we fling ourselves before the Tabernacle with a desire too vehement for words. These translate our thoughts and needs up to a certain point. Beyond that, we must betake ourselves to the cry of the heart.

What a relief to know that that cry passes instantly into the presence of Him Who made us, and is welcomed there. Nay, it has not even a presence-chamber to seek, for “He is not far from any one of us”.[101] “His ear lies ever on our lips.” And this is yet too far. As the sponge in mid-ocean so are we borne up, environed, penetrated, saturated with Him. “In Him we live and move and have our being.”[102] This is He to Whom we cry. Nor need we even cry. For “all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to Whom our speech is”.[103] Our God is nigh unto us; He is within us; more present to us than we are to ourselves. He knows the need that casts us on our face before Him. He saw our trouble before it took shape in our soul. He knows each thrill of pain, and the agony of helplessness, and the fear that holds us as in a vice. All this He knows. And He is not displeased with the passionate earnestness of our cry for help. Job was blameless before God when his misery forced from him bold words of expostulation. Jacob was blessed for being strong against God. Our Almighty Father loves to be overcome by His children. He is willing to have His gifts wrested from Him by the intensity of prayer. Nor will He have such prayer to be disconcerted or turned aside by the evidence of its untimeliness. No, not even when He ignores or denies it. He loves the trust that catches up the rebuff and flings it back, a passionate plea for mercy:--

“It is not good to take the children’s bread and to cast it to the dogs.”[104]

“Yea, Lord; for the whelps also eat of the crumbs that fall from the table of their masters.”

Oh, that I had this strength of purpose, this trust that sweeps all before it! Here on the altar I have my model in prayer--Him “Who in the days of His flesh with a strong cry offered up prayers and supplications[105]: Abba, Father, all things are possible to Thee, remove this chalice from me, but not what I will, but what Thou wilt.”[106] “And being in an agony, He prayed the longer.”[107] “And He prayed the third time, saying the self same word.”[108]

* * * * *

Our prayer can never be too urgent, too persistent, if only we kneel by Your side and follow Your lead, O Lord. We may return again and again upon the same plea: _Abba, Pater, omnia Tibi possibilia sunt._ All things, all things are possible to Thee; take this chalice from me. Yet--for Thou knowest best, and I am shortsighted and self-seeking, and know not the things that are for my peace--_not my will, but Thine be done_. Let that will be done which in a little while, when I look down upon this trial from the unclouded brightness of my place in heaven, I shall joyfully own to have been for the best, better a thousand times than anything I could have devised. “Father, if Thou wilt, remove this chalice from me. But if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, Thy will be done.”

[101] Acts xvii.

[102] Acts xvii.

[103] Heb. iv.

[104] Mark vii.

[105] Heb. v.

[106] Mark xiv.

[107] Luke xxii.

[108] Matt. xxvi.