WE live in a time when the apostasy of recent generations from the Word of God and the pure gospel of God’s grace is evidenced by the corrupt fruits of the same. Many have acted in fulfilment of the truth which says: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears, and they shall turn their ears away from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (II Tim. iv. 3 and 4). And multitudes have entirely ceased to interest themselves in, or recognise, either true or false religion, being given over entirely to the minding of earthly things. Yet it is the case that there are, on the other hand, some places where fairly large numbers manifest regard to and respect for the Word of the truth of the Gospel, and where a substantial remnant of God-fearing men and women are to be found. In such localities goodly gatherings may be seen in the courts of God’s house, where fellowship in the Gospel of Christ Jesus is enjoyed from time to time as the Lord is pleased to grant His divine and blessed presence.
Yet there are many places where “the day of small things” spiritually and in relation to the scriptural ordinances of Christ’s Church is only too evident. In such cases there may be but two or three who make a humble and gracious profession of being saved by grace, and along with them a few persons who indicate outwardly, at least, some respect for the name of God and divine things. Some of God’s people are more liable than others to be deeply and keenly discouraged by such conditions. And Satan may well harass an exercised child of God associated with a weak and small Christian congregation or community and cause him to conclude, and others with him, that the Lord could not possibly be among them, or be expected to countenance or bless them in any spiritual manner. Worldly wisdom, even in the believer, is inclined to associate the enjoyment of the divine favour and presence principally with the appearance of visible and outward prosperity in the Church of Christ. And it may not be inappropriate here to cite what the Lord said to Samuel prior to David being anointed King, viz., “. . . For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (I Sam. xvi. 7).
Then such as have love to the Lord and His cause of truth, and gather together with but few of their fellow sinners to worship His blessed and Holy Name, may well be given to self-reproach and a smiting upon their breasts, feeling that they are guilty of such as prayerlessness, lack of faith, and want of gracious zeal for Christ’s glory. And yet, as before the Most High, they are being enabled by divine grace to walk according to His will in a goodly measure and a Gospel manner. But, albeit His people have their imperfections, the Lord, irrespective of this, orders it so that His cause of truth is outwardly circumscribed and weak in many parts of His vineyard. Yet those connected therewith have their encouragements to weigh and value, where and when gathered together in faith and love toward the Name of the glorious Redeemer, taking His inspired Word as their rule in all things, having a true concern for the honour of Christ, seeking a blessing for their needy souls and the souls of others, and asking humbly for the presence of the Lord by His Holy Spirit.
The two or three thus gathered together have the precious volume of the Book to read, search, and have expounded to them where a man sent of God is provided. Surely the Holy Scriptures are the means through which Christ makes Himself known to dark and ignorant sinners, and by which He enlarges the knowledge of His people in the glorious truths of His obedience, sufferings and death, and all that concerns their growth in grace and their eternal happiness. And so the few have the same Bible, as in other more prosperous parts of the Church. This is a blessing greater than all the gold of Ophir.
Where two or three believing and God-fearing persons are, there is inevitably the spirit of prayer, a crying to Him who is the hearer and answerer even of the groaning of poor believers. Such, by the common nature and activity of grace in their respective hearts, will undoubtedly be seeking at the Throne of Grace the forthcoming and presence of the Holy Spirit of truth and power. And so according to the sovereign mercy of God, they have a scriptural right to quietly hope for and expect, according to God’s promise, a measure of His heavenly power and presence. And for the sake of His only Son, the Father of mercies does fulfil the following part of His Word, in that degree which is determined by His holy and heavenly will, viz., “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke xi. 13). This, surely, has been experienced by and among the two or three gathered together in Christ’s name; and their fewness and weakness was no barrier to tasting that the Lord is gracious in visiting His needy people in the means of grace.
And two or three blessed with drops from heaven of the Lord’s presence can truly experience and be refreshed by fellowship in the Gospel of Christ, honouring the same Saviour, feeding upon the same spiritual food, desiring the same blessings of the New Covenant, having the same needs of soul, having the same complaints about the flesh in themselves, and agreed that Christ Jesus can supply all their needs according to His unsearchable riches. Surely this soul comforting fellowship is not confined to large concourses of believers? Certainly not. Paul and Silas, with the Philippian jailer and his household, were indeed a small company; but what spiritual fellowship and joy they experienced together!
Then, but two or three faithful and consistent followers of the Lamb, in their doctrine, worship and practices according to the Scriptures, can be a God-honouring remnant in a community. The Scriptural and godly example and testimony of such can far outweigh their apparent limitations as to numbers. And the Most High may preserve a small remnant of His Witnesses in a locality, even for a testimony in judgment against ungodly rejecters of His Word and Name. Noah, as a preacher of righteousness, and as obedient to the directions of God in faith, had few of his generation who adhered to him. “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith” (Heb. xi. 7). And so the Lord may accomplish righteous and solemn, as well as loving, purposes by the two or three who gather together in His Name. They are therefore not to be thought an impotent entity within the borders of the visible Church of Christ in the world.
And so those who find themselves among a few who fear and serve the Lord, and whose consciences testify that they truly desire to honour Him in all their ways, let them not be unduly discouraged. Let them seek grace to continually wait upon the Lord in secret, and publicly in His House with the two or three, respecting whom the Head of the Church declares: “There am I in the midst of them” (Matt. xviii. 20). And when the divine Prophet, Priest and King is in the midst, through His Holy Word and by His Holy Spirit, then the “two or three” will find the tabernacles of His grace to be amiable indeed, and to be the House of God, and at some seasons “the very gate of heaven.”
God’s regard for a broken heart (Ps. li. 17).
Augustine found so much sweetness in this promise that he had it written on the wall opposite his bed, where he lay sick and where he died. Matthew Henry, when about 13 years of age, wrote: “I think it was three years ago that I began to be convinced, hearing a sermon by my father on Ps. li. 17. I think it was that that melted me; afterwards I began to enquire after Christ.”