September 26, Morning

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"The myrtle trees that were in the bottom." — Zechariah 1:8 · KJV

The vision in this chapter describes Israel's condition in Zechariah's day; but read in its bearing on us, it pictures the Church of God as we find her now in the world. The Church is compared to a myrtle grove flourishing in a valley — hidden, unnoticed, tucked away, courting no honor and drawing no notice from the careless passerby. Like her Head, the Church has a glory, but it is hidden from carnal eyes, for the time of her breaking forth in all her splendor is not yet come. The picture also suggests quiet security, for the myrtle grove in the valley is still and calm while the storm sweeps over the mountain summits. Tempests spend their force on the craggy peaks of the Alps, but down where the stream flows that makes glad the city of our God, the myrtles flourish by the still waters, unshaken by the raging wind. How great is the inward tranquility of God's Church! Even when opposed and persecuted, she has a peace the world does not give and therefore cannot take away; the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keeps the hearts and minds of God's people. Does not the image forcibly picture the peaceful, perpetual growth of the saints? The myrtle does not shed her leaves; she is always green; and the Church in her worst times still has a blessed verdure of grace about her — indeed, she has sometimes shown most green when her winter was sharpest, and prospered most when her adversities were most severe. So the text hints at victory too. The myrtle is the emblem of peace, and also a token of triumph; the brows of conquerors were bound with myrtle and with laurel. And is not the Church ever victorious? Is not every Christian more than a conqueror through Him that loved him? Living in peace, do not the saints fall asleep in the arms of victory?