Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

September 26– Morning

 by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“…among the myrtle trees in the glen.” 

—Zechariah 1:8

The vision in this chapter describes the condition of Israel in Zechariah’s day, but, being interpreted for us, it describes the Church of God as we find it now in the world. The Church is compared to a grove of myrtle trees flourishing in a valley.

The first thing to notice is that the grove is hidden and unobserved by most. So the Church, like her head, has a glory that is concealed from human eyes because the time of her breaking forth in all her splendor hasn’t yet come.

Secondly, the church is seen in a state of tranquil security. The myrtle grove in the valley is still and calm. While storms spend their force upon the craggy peaks of the Alps, down where the stream flows in the valley the Myrtles flourish by the still waters, unshaken by the impetuous wind. How great is the inward tranquility of God’s Church! Even when opposed and persecuted, she has a peace that the world can’t give, and, therefore, a peace the world can’t take away.

There is here a great picture of the peaceful, perpetual growth of the saints. The myrtle tree doesn’t shed her leaves but is always green; even so, the Church in her worst time still has a blessed hue of grace about her; indeed, she has sometimes shown her best colors in the worst of winters. She has prospered most when her adversities have been severe.

And, finally, the text portrays the church at victory. The myrtle is the emblem of peace and a significant token of triumph. The brows of conquerors were bound with myrtle and with laurel, and isn’t the Church ever victorious? Isn’t every Christian more than a conqueror through him that loved us? [M&E]