Fellowship of the Saints.
By J. Clarke
"Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies." Ps. cxix, 79. David had much of the presence of God, many inward joys. Often he communed with God, and had many evidences of his love and favor. But with this he was not content; he felt the need of christian fellowship. It was painful to David when the friends of God turned away from him, when those who feared the Lord doubted him. David had sinned, and perhaps these were faithful, holy men who doubted for a time the sincerity of his repentance, and kept aloof from him, and this caused him to pray, "Let those that fear thee turn unto me." Or perhaps, while he was persecuted by Saul, many good men stood in doubt of him, whether the Lord was with him, as many cruel enemies rose up against him, and injured his character as far as possible, while David, for the time, had no means of redress, except in God; then in sorrow and grief of heart he cries out, "Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that love thy testimonies." He did not seek the friendship of the wicked. He says in Ps. ci, "A froward heart shall depart from me, I will not know a wicked person. Whoso privily slandéreth his neighbor, him will I cut off; him that hath a high look and a proud heart, will I not suffer." But he would encourage the good; hear him in verse 6. "Mine eyes shall be upon all the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me." It was the fellowship of the good that he desired, and he was just as averse to the company of the evil. How he abominated the reckless, cruel, revengeful disposition of his servant Joab, although Joab was devotedly serving his interest. How he loved Jonathan, the son of Saul, his deadly foe! No jealousy could cool the friendship of David for Jonathan; for it was based in a love for truth, in mutual confidence as men of truth, and in christian fellowship and love. The most striking example of christian fellowship is recorded in Acts ii. The disciples were with one accord in one place, and after the refreshing those who were converted continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and even sold their goods and parted them to all men as every man had need. All were of one heart and one mind. One spirit inspired them all, even the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. Christian fellowship such as that was the genuine out-bursting of the pure heart, and could only exist where the spirit of holiness swayed all hearts. All forced fellowship is vain and insipid. It must originate in true holiness of heart, and life, fed and kept alive by constant intercourse with God in Christ by the influence of the Holy Spirit.