All this is to be deeply deplored. It demands our serious attention, both as assemblies and as individuals—in our public reunions and in our private devotions. Why is the tone of our public meetings frequently so low? Why such feebleness, such barrenness, such wandering? Why are the hymns and prayers so wide of the mark? Why is there so little that really deserves the name of worship? Why is there such restlessness and aimless activity? Why is there so little in our midst to refresh the heart of God?—so little that He can really speak of as “_His_ bread, for _His_ sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savor unto Him”? We are occupied with self and its surroundings—our wants, our weakness, our trials and difficulties; and we leave God without the bread of His sacrifice. We actually rob Him of His due, and of that which His loving heart desires. Is it that we can ignore our trials, our difficulties, and our wants? No; but we can commit them to Him. He tells us to cast _all_ our care upon Him, in the sweet and tranquilizing assurance that He careth for us. He invites us to cast our burdens upon Him, in the assurance that He will sustain us. He is mindful of us. Is not this enough? Ought we not to be sufficiently at leisure from ourselves, when we assemble in His presence, to be able to present to Him something besides our own things? He has provided for us; He has made all right for us; our sins and our sorrows have all been divinely met; and most surely we cannot suppose that such things are the food of God’s sacrifice. He has made them His care, blessed be His name; but they cannot be said to be His food. Christian reader, ought we not to think of these things?—think of them in reference both to the assembly and the closet? for the same remarks apply both to the one and the other. Ought we not to cultivate such a condition of soul as would enable us to present to God that which He is pleased to call “His bread”? The truth is, we want more entire and habitual occupation of heart with Christ as a sweet savor to God. It is not that we should value the Sin-offering less (far be the thought!); but let us remember that there is something more in our precious Lord Jesus Christ than the pardon of our sins and the salvation of our souls. What do the burnt-offering, the meat-offering, and the drink-offering set forth? Christ as a sweet savor, Christ the food of God’s offering, the joy of His heart. Need we say it is one and the same Christ? Need we insist upon it that it is the same One who was made a curse for us that is a sweet savor to God? Surely, surely, every Christian owns this. But are we not prone to confine our thoughts of Christ to what _He did for us_, to the virtual exclusion of what _He is to God_? It is this we have to mourn over and judge—this we must seek to have corrected; and we cannot but think that a careful study of Numbers xxviii, xxix. would prove a very excellent corrective. May God, by His Spirit, use it to this end.