This verse came to me first as a very real message from God in a time of great pressure. We had fourteen guests in the Mission house and were almost without domestic help. I had, perforce, to lay aside correspondence and other duties and give my time and attention to cooking and housework, and was feeling the strain.

Then God’s Word spoke to me with power: “Thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath,” and in a moment I saw there was no need to go under—no need to be overwhelmed by my circumstances. No need to trouble because it seemed as if I could not get through and my ordinary work was getting in arrears—somehow, I could be above it all! “Above only, and not beneath.” How often I used to say as I went about my kitchen, “I refuse to go down,” and how the lesson I learned in those difficult days has been an inspiration ever since. Do you wonder that Deuteronomy 28:13 is one of my favorite verses in the Bible?

I see in it the possibility of a life of constant victory—not up today in heights of blessedness, and down in the depths tomorrow. This is a steady life. It is the life that has been established and settled by the God of all grace.

“Above only” is a position of victory, too. It is that position which is ours in Christ Jesus. “Alive with Christ. . . . in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:5–6). “Your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

When we lived in Alexandria, Egypt, we used to see some fierce squalls of wind and rain, which lashed the sea into fury. The great buoys in the harbor would be covered with spray and foam, but when the wind died down again they were still there in their places, unmoved and steady.

“Above only” for they had that within them which kept them on the top. And have we not power within us, too, which should insure our triumph? Let us absolutely refuse to come down to live and work on a lower level.

A MISSIONARY’S TESTIMONY

“Far above all” (Ephesians 1:21).

One of Satan’s favorite employees is the “switchman.” He likes nothing better than to sidetrack one of God’s express trains, sent on some blessed mission and filled with the fire of a holy purpose.

Something will come up in the pathway of an earnest soul, to attract its attention, and occupy its strength and thought. Sometimes it is a little irritation and provocation. Sometimes it is some petty grievance we stop to pursue or adjust.

Very often, and before we are aware of it, we are absorbed in a lot of distracting cares and interests that quite turn us aside from the great purpose of our life.

We may not do much harm, but we have missed our connection. We have gotten off the main line.

Let these things alone. Let distractions come and go, but press forward steadily and irresistibly with your God-given task. The eagle flying in the upper air pays but little or no attention to what is going on in the earth below him. As children of God we are to occupy our rightful place, “in the heavenlies,” “far above all” these petty things (Ephesians 1:20–21). God would have us to be “eagle saints.” Let us not stoop from our position! A. B. SIMPSON

An eagle does not catch flies!

This man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies may be made his footstool.

Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

He must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

He raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

He shall shew who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.—God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.—Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.—By him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.

Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.—And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.—Of his fulness have all we received.

The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.

Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

They shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

All men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father.

God . . . hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; and hath put all things under his feet.

He had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself . . . KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out.

What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?