As the Holy Spirit gives us understanding of the precious Word, there will be intelligent delight in the Lord; we joy in God. Is it to be all for ourselves? Oh no! “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions.” And all the people did so because they had been helped “to understand the reading” (Neh. 8:8).

It is a great mistake merely to seek our own personal blessing and edification. It is spiritual selfishness. We must be personal; we must feed on all the sweet perfections of Christ, that to which the fat of the burnt offering pointed—the inmost thoughts and affections of our own precious Jesus; the loveliness of His walk here below; and His present unchanging love. Does not the sweet perfume of His adorable person fill the heaven of heavens? Oh, let us “drink the sweet”; let us be full of Christ! And then our happy work is to send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared.

O child of God, this is to be your constant work, even to those who do not understand you, and who slander you, who misrepresent you, and who speak all manner of evil of you ignorantly. Do not return evil for evil, railing for railing, but instead, seek the spiritual good of all: “send portions” to the whole Church of God. Remember how the Lord met the mad persecutor, Saul of Tarsus. And not a few in our day who were bitter opponents, have been taught of the Father to come out of the camp to the Lord Jesus Christ, the true center. Let what is pleasing to Him be pleasing to us: “For the joy of the Lord is your strength.”