THE GREATNESS AND GLORY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
14. A TRAGIC AND INSTRUCTIVE EPISODE
Reading: 2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13, 16.
IN tracing the history of the Ark of the Testimony we have been deeply impressed with its foreshadowing of the Testimony of Jesus in the New Testament. What a varied and instructive history that has been! In its journey from its formation to its ultimate and final rest in the House of God and glory, what deep and important lessons it has taught! As it sets forth the greatness and glory of the Lord Jesus the way of that Testimony has been seen to touch the life and history of God's people at every point in their pilgrimage. Both as positively for them when their life was in keeping with it, and as against them when it was otherwise. That is a first lesson of which we must take notice in our relationship with the "Lord of Glory". The Testimony of God in Jesus Christ is not just a doctrine, a system of truth, the fundamentals of the Christian faith; but a vital relationship with a living Person; a relationship jealously watched and checked by God the Holy Spirit Himself. The greatness and glory of Jesus Christ is something given to the custodianship of the Spirit of God, who has "the seven eyes" of perfect spiritual intelligence and discernment, and who never eventually overlooks any details which affect that Testimony, for good or evil. This is what we have been seeing in these messages thus far.
In this present message we come to an episode which contains some of the most vital, solemn, and instructive lessons for God's people personally, and His Church universally and locally. Upon the lessons of this incident hang -- for our own time -- issues as serious as was the case when it actually happened. This is indeed a very real example of the words: "The things which were written aforetime were written for our learning" (Romans 15:4).
Let us, then, come to the elements of this episode.
David, after his chequered history, discipline, troubles, in preparation for his anointed kingship, has at length been made king after the tragic death of Saul -- man's choice (note) -- and Saul's sons, including that fine man, Jonathan, who was caught between the two regimes, a victim of divided loyalties. Upon this confirmed anointing of David it is not long before his thoughts turn to the ark of God, which still lingered on its way to fulness and finality. He had the right idea as to what was due to that sacred figure. His motive was sincere and true. The question was how to realize the Divine intention. Let us pause there and look forward to what eventuated from the point of that question. We will return there presently.
There has been a tragedy. Disaster has overtaken the enterprise and venture. The ark is turned aside. One man closely associated with the proceedings is dead, smitten by the hand of God. The people are in consternation and confusion. David is dismayed and "angry". The whole process has been cut short, and for a long time the atmosphere of frustration hangs over everything. Arrest, death, abortion, frustration, suspense, disappointment, confusion -- these are the features which hang over the life of the people of God. They had, with one accord, "made David king", first in Hebron, and then in Jerusalem. That was a right and excellent thing, and the portents and potentialities of that were very great. It was as God meant it, and that was accompanied by much Divine favour. Hebron was "Fellowship". Jerusalem was "His Foundation of Peace". But now "the radiant morn has passed away, and spent too soon her golden store". Shadows have descended. Disintegration of hearts, and bewilderment of purpose have overtaken.
David is somewhere, first nursing his grievance and fretting his spirit; murmuring against the [13/14] Lord's non-co-operation with his good-intentioned purpose. The spirit of unity and responsibility, as symbolized by David, is disconcerted and paralysed. "And the time was long."
I wonder whether, thus far, we are able to discern corresponding features in the Church and the Testimony in our own times. Let us pause, think, and ask the question!
Now we return to David where we left him before the tragedy. He is thinking out a scheme, a plan, a programme, a method, a means, for advancing the Testimony. It ought to "get a move on". Something must be done to remove "stalemate". 'It has been in the house of that man Abinadab too long.' So, to action to release the Testimony! 'Let's have a committee. Let's confer with some men of substance.' 'I have an idea,' said David. 'Do you remember how the Philistines returned the ark after they had captured it, and God had so honoured it with judgments? Why, God was in that . They were quite respectful and made a perfectly new cart for the ark. They had common sense and used their own good judgment. That's an idea for our work for God !' So David instructed the carpenters and wheelwrights to make a new cart such as the Philistines made. Best wood, well put together, wheels well oiled, ornate coverings; some well-chosen beasts to be the power and volition; and when we get going, let Ahio go in front, and -- in case of difficulty -- let Uzza be nearby to steady things. Yes, man's idea, man's creation, organization, technique; man's leadership, man's custodianship, man's enthusiasm! Very well. Off we go! The shouting and the singing and the dancing begin. The make believe and artificiality. There is something hollow in it all. But, isn't it all for God? Isn't the object and the end that we have what God wants? Surely that is the guarantee of prosperity and success! Well, was it? And is it?
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
THE WILL AND THE DEED
THE WILL AND THE DEED
[Harry Foster]
THE oboe is a rather unusual reed instrument and is difficult to play, but little Leon's father and mother had very special reasons for wanting him to learn to play it. Their reason had started because of the grandfather's wish, but they had taken up the idea wholeheartedly and made it their own.
Leon was still very young, but already he had shown signs of musical instincts. The problem was how to get him interested enough to go through with all the discipline and effort which would be needed if he were to make the grade as a good oboe player. They felt that he needed the will first if it were to be followed by the deed.
Leon's father was himself a gifted musician, in fact, he conducted the orchestra at the Opera House. It so happened that many of the operas had oboe solo parts in them, and it was this that gave the father his idea. As he thought the matter over, he decided on a plan which would need his own orchestra and Leon's mother to work out. And this is what it was.
Whenever there was a solo oboe part in the score, little Leon was taken to hear the opera. His mother would tell him when the oboe part was about to be played and get him specially interested in listening for it. At first he could not follow it well, but little by little he came to recognize the clear reed instrument, so that when he was warned to watch for it he got very excited and was very pleased with himself for being able to distinguish it.
As time went on he got better and better, so that in the end he did not need his mother to tell him to listen for the oboe but proudly told her as soon as he heard it. So it was that the months went by with the constant visits to the opera, not so much to hear the rest of the music as to listen for the oboe, which the boy Leon was learning to appreciate and enjoy. In fact, the instrument was becoming one of the main interests in his life.
Now, thought his father, the time has come for the next step. So on a suitable occasion, when oboes were being mentioned, he asked Leon: "How would you like to learn to play the oboe?" Like it! Leon could hardly answer for excitement. There was nothing he would like more! It had been such a joy to hear it, so much so that he could not think of a greater unless it was to play it for himself.
So the lessons began. It was not easy. His longing to play did not take the place of much hard work and constant exercise. But somehow work seems easier when you want to do it. So it was that in due course Leon not only learned to play the instrument but became a very great oboeist indeed.
Everything became possible once he wanted to do it, and his father had very wisely worked to get him to want it before he worked to get him to do it. So the family plan and pleasure became a fact.
This is a true story, and it is a good one for explaining the text which says: "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). Our heavenly Father has a plan for our lives, just as Leon's father had for Leon. And He also begins by arousing in us a desire to do His pleasure. He works in us "to will ...".
That is why we read the Bible if we are Christians. There we find how the Lord Jesus lived, and the more we read it the more we shall find ourselves [12/13] identifying Him, appreciating Him, and in the end longing to be like Him. When God has aroused in us the will to be like Christ then He is able to work in us to bring it to pass. When Leon wanted to play the oboe he had taken the first step towards playing it. This first step had to be followed by many others, for it was not enough to "will" it; he had to "do" it. Too many Christians wish to be like Christ but do not press on with the lessons in daily life which will work the likeness into them. Our heavenly Father is willing to teach us these lessons and to work out His will in us if we really want Him to do so. H. F.
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[Harry Foster]
THE oboe is a rather unusual reed instrument and is difficult to play, but little Leon's father and mother had very special reasons for wanting him to learn to play it. Their reason had started because of the grandfather's wish, but they had taken up the idea wholeheartedly and made it their own.
Leon was still very young, but already he had shown signs of musical instincts. The problem was how to get him interested enough to go through with all the discipline and effort which would be needed if he were to make the grade as a good oboe player. They felt that he needed the will first if it were to be followed by the deed.
Leon's father was himself a gifted musician, in fact, he conducted the orchestra at the Opera House. It so happened that many of the operas had oboe solo parts in them, and it was this that gave the father his idea. As he thought the matter over, he decided on a plan which would need his own orchestra and Leon's mother to work out. And this is what it was.
Whenever there was a solo oboe part in the score, little Leon was taken to hear the opera. His mother would tell him when the oboe part was about to be played and get him specially interested in listening for it. At first he could not follow it well, but little by little he came to recognize the clear reed instrument, so that when he was warned to watch for it he got very excited and was very pleased with himself for being able to distinguish it.
As time went on he got better and better, so that in the end he did not need his mother to tell him to listen for the oboe but proudly told her as soon as he heard it. So it was that the months went by with the constant visits to the opera, not so much to hear the rest of the music as to listen for the oboe, which the boy Leon was learning to appreciate and enjoy. In fact, the instrument was becoming one of the main interests in his life.
Now, thought his father, the time has come for the next step. So on a suitable occasion, when oboes were being mentioned, he asked Leon: "How would you like to learn to play the oboe?" Like it! Leon could hardly answer for excitement. There was nothing he would like more! It had been such a joy to hear it, so much so that he could not think of a greater unless it was to play it for himself.
So the lessons began. It was not easy. His longing to play did not take the place of much hard work and constant exercise. But somehow work seems easier when you want to do it. So it was that in due course Leon not only learned to play the instrument but became a very great oboeist indeed.
Everything became possible once he wanted to do it, and his father had very wisely worked to get him to want it before he worked to get him to do it. So the family plan and pleasure became a fact.
This is a true story, and it is a good one for explaining the text which says: "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). Our heavenly Father has a plan for our lives, just as Leon's father had for Leon. And He also begins by arousing in us a desire to do His pleasure. He works in us "to will ...".
That is why we read the Bible if we are Christians. There we find how the Lord Jesus lived, and the more we read it the more we shall find ourselves [12/13] identifying Him, appreciating Him, and in the end longing to be like Him. When God has aroused in us the will to be like Christ then He is able to work in us to bring it to pass. When Leon wanted to play the oboe he had taken the first step towards playing it. This first step had to be followed by many others, for it was not enough to "will" it; he had to "do" it. Too many Christians wish to be like Christ but do not press on with the lessons in daily life which will work the likeness into them. Our heavenly Father is willing to teach us these lessons and to work out His will in us if we really want Him to do so. H. F.
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Paul's subject!
(James Smith, "Rills from the Rock of Ages", 1860)
Paul was . . .
an extraordinary man,
called to an extraordinary office, and
being sent to perform an extraordinary work
—he chose an extraordinary subject.
He knew history,
he was acquainted with philosophy, and
he was well versed in tradition.
There were . . .
few subjects that he could not handle,
few themes that he could not discuss,
few congregations that he could not interest.
But he made the conversion of sinners the object of his life—and he chose Christ crucified to be the subject of his ministry!
No matter where he went—he took his subject with him.
No matter whom he addressed—he directed their attention to this point.
He knew what man required—and what man preferred; but it made no matter to him. As he wrote to the Corinthians, so he always acted, "Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified—a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and thewisdom of God!" 1 Corinthians 1:22-24
Paul's subject then, was Christ Crucified!
Paul CHOSE this subject—and he had good reasons for doing so!
First, it is a most comprehensive subject,
for it is the center where . . .
time and eternity,
God and man,
sin and holiness,
life and death—meet!
for it is the center where . . .
time and eternity,
God and man,
sin and holiness,
life and death—meet!
It is the theater where God . . .
displays His perfections,
unfolds His purposes,
maintains His rights,
confounds His foes, and
secures His glory!
displays His perfections,
unfolds His purposes,
maintains His rights,
confounds His foes, and
secures His glory!
It is the instrument by which . . .
death is destroyed,
sin is conquered,
rebels are reconciled,
saints are sanctified, and
heaven is opened!
death is destroyed,
sin is conquered,
rebels are reconciled,
saints are sanctified, and
heaven is opened!
It is an object which . . .
confounds reason,
astonishes angels,
attracts sinners,
imparts holiness, and
furnishes matter for endless praise!
confounds reason,
astonishes angels,
attracts sinners,
imparts holiness, and
furnishes matter for endless praise!
Second, it is the most honored subject.
It tunes the harps of heaven.
It fills the sweetest songs on earth.
It is that by which the Holy Spirit works . . .
in the conversion of sinners,
in the consolation of saints,
in the sanctification of believers, and
in the establishment of the church of God.
It tunes the harps of heaven.
It fills the sweetest songs on earth.
It is that by which the Holy Spirit works . . .
in the conversion of sinners,
in the consolation of saints,
in the sanctification of believers, and
in the establishment of the church of God.
By the preaching of Christ crucified . . .
the oracles of the heathen were silenced,
the altars of the heathen were cast down, and
the temples of the heathen were transformed into houses of prayer.
the oracles of the heathen were silenced,
the altars of the heathen were cast down, and
the temples of the heathen were transformed into houses of prayer.
By the preaching of the cross . . .
society is elevated,
nations are honored, and
millions are snatched from Hell!
society is elevated,
nations are honored, and
millions are snatched from Hell!
Third, it is a subject that is intensely hated!
Devils hate it, and try to prevent its publication.
Erroneous men hate it, and try to substitute something of their own for it.
And just in proportion as men are influenced by the prince of darkness, or yield to the pride of their own fallen natures—will they hate the doctrine of the cross!
Devils hate it, and try to prevent its publication.
Erroneous men hate it, and try to substitute something of their own for it.
And just in proportion as men are influenced by the prince of darkness, or yield to the pride of their own fallen natures—will they hate the doctrine of the cross!
But all Christians love it,
all the ministers of Christ glory in it,
all poor perishing sinners need it!
all the ministers of Christ glory in it,
all poor perishing sinners need it!
The more we know of God's nature and government—the more we see of man's natural state and condition.
And the more we feel of our own weakness and depravity—the more shall we prize and value the doctrine of the cross!
And the more we feel of our own weakness and depravity—the more shall we prize and value the doctrine of the cross!
Christ, and Him crucified shall be . . .
the subject of my ministry,
the theme of my songs,
the joy of my heart, and
the foundation of my everlasting hope!
the subject of my ministry,
the theme of my songs,
the joy of my heart, and
the foundation of my everlasting hope!
O my soul, look to Jesus—as crucified for your sins!
Think of Jesus—as dying in your stead!
Speak of Jesus—as full of grace and love!
Christians! WHAT do we preach?
We are ALL preachers—and we preach daily!
But do we preach Christ?
Do we speak of Him with our tongues?
Do we write of Him with our pens?
Do we honor Him with our lives?
Is Christ and His glory—the grand end and aim of our life?
WHY do we preach Christ?
Is it out of love to Him?
Is it that we may do good to souls?
Is it that we may please God?
Christ crucified should be preached by every Christian.
Christ crucified should be preached in all companies.
Christ crucified should be preached every day.
Beloved,
if we would save souls from death,
if we would rescue sinners from eternal misery,
if we would make believers happy,
if we would cover Satan with shame,
if we would deprive death of its sting, and
if we would make the road to glory plain—
we must preach Christ crucified;
we must exercise faith in Christ crucified;
and we must daily meditate on Christ crucified!
May Christ and His cross be all my theme!
May Christ and His cross be all my hope!
May Christ and His cross be all my joy!
Cross of Jesus! Jesus crucified!
To you would I look in life—and all its troubles!
To you would I look in death—and all its pangs!
To you would I look in glory—when filled with all its joys!
"God forbid, that I should glory, except in the cross of my Lord Jesus Christ!"
We are ALL preachers—and we preach daily!
But do we preach Christ?
Do we speak of Him with our tongues?
Do we write of Him with our pens?
Do we honor Him with our lives?
Is Christ and His glory—the grand end and aim of our life?
WHY do we preach Christ?
Is it out of love to Him?
Is it that we may do good to souls?
Is it that we may please God?
Christ crucified should be preached by every Christian.
Christ crucified should be preached in all companies.
Christ crucified should be preached every day.
Beloved,
if we would save souls from death,
if we would rescue sinners from eternal misery,
if we would make believers happy,
if we would cover Satan with shame,
if we would deprive death of its sting, and
if we would make the road to glory plain—
we must preach Christ crucified;
we must exercise faith in Christ crucified;
and we must daily meditate on Christ crucified!
May Christ and His cross be all my theme!
May Christ and His cross be all my hope!
May Christ and His cross be all my joy!
Cross of Jesus! Jesus crucified!
To you would I look in life—and all its troubles!
To you would I look in death—and all its pangs!
To you would I look in glory—when filled with all its joys!
"God forbid, that I should glory, except in the cross of my Lord Jesus Christ!"
The Battle for the Mind
The Battle for the Mind
(2 Cor. 11.3, A.V.) "I fear lest, by any means, as the serpent, beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."
THERE is a great battle to-day over the use and control of the mind, not only in the world, but among the children of God.
1. The fact of a "war " declared by Paul.
First note the fact that the Apostle declares that there is. a "war" in which he is engaged. " My warfare ," he says, "is not waged according to the flesh." This is in accord with his statements in other parts of his writings.
2. The battle for the mind described.
We see there is an aspect of the war described in this passage which has to do with the mind . "Thereby can I overthrow the reasonings of the disputer." In verse 4 (A.V.) we read of a "pulling down of strongholds ". The Apostle seems to infer that the mind is a "stronghold" which has to be pulled down, and every rebel thought in it made captive. A "stronghold" is generally held by an enemy , and truly there is an enemy holding the stronghold of the mind, according to 2 Cor. 4. 4, where it says that the "god of this world" (age) has "blinded the minds of them which believe not".
3. The condition of the mind by nature.
In various parts of the Pauline epistles we can gather very clearly the state of mind, when held by the enemy as a stronghold. It is described in some cases as a " reprobate mind " (Rom. 1. 28), a " blinded mind " (2 Cor. 3. 14), a darkened mind, causing men to walk in the " vanity of their minds " (Eph. 4.17-19), intruding into things which the mind cannot fathom, "vainly puffed up" by a " fleshly mind " (Col. 2. 18).
In Rom. 8.7, the Apostle says, "The carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (A.V.). This is confirmed in Col. 1. 21, where those who are unregenerated are described as "enemies" in the " mind ", and therefore alienated from God. We therefore clearly see how, in the natural man, the mind is "darkened", "puffed up" by the flesh, empty and vain in its thoughts, carnal because governed by the flesh, and in all its activities-whether apparently "good" or visibly "bad"-at enmity with God.
4. The unregenerate mind the stronghold of Satan.
The stronghold of the mind of man is therefore the strategic centre of the "war" with the "god of this age", because it is primarily through the mind that he holds his captives in his power, and through the mind of those captives transmits his -
(1) Poison into the minds of others, and his
(2) Plans and schemes for arousing those souls to active rebellion against God.
The mind of the Christian is also the strategic centre of the "war on the saints" which Satan wages with ceaseless and fiendish skill. And for this reason the mind is the vehicle for the Spirit of God , dwelling in the spirit of the believer, to transmit to others the truth of God, which alone can remove the deceptions of Satan which fill the minds of all who are in the darkness of nature.
If the Holy Spirit is dwelling in the regenerate spirit have you considered the question of His outlet ? If it were only by speech you would be an oracle! But there are no "oracles" on earth now. The " oracles of God " are the Scriptures. The Word of God is being displaced not only by the Higher Critics, but by many of God's own people by their taking supernatural" revelations" as being of equal authority with the written Scriptures. There are wrecked lives because they have turned from the Word of God to what they call direct revelation. There is a direct revelation by God the Holy Ghost illuminating the Word of God, and putting it into the spirit, but not apart from the Scriptures.
5. The Holy Spirit and the mind of the believer.
If the mind is the vehicle of the Spirit it is absolutely necessary that the Spirit of God should have full possession of it, with every "rebellious thought" brought into captivity to Christ. The Holy Spirit, dwelling in the spirit, needs the mind as a channel for expression, but it may be so blocked up, and filled with other things that He is unable to transmit all He desires to do. A "blocked" mind means the spirit unexpressed, and a spirit unexpressed is a stoppage of the outflow of the Spirit of God to others.
6. The mind of the Christian not fully delivered.
This explains why numbers of God's children are unable to hold the truth of God which they hear, or to apply it to their lives, or express it to others. The mind has never been fully delivered from the grip of the enemy . Shall I put it crudely, and say that many get new "hearts", but they keep their old "heads!" They do not realize that unless the hold of the adversary, which he has through the fallen nature of man, is removed from the mind, he has a position of vantage in the life of the believer, for attack and for hindrance in active service . How many there are who have "minds" that never "think a thing out".
Devoted children of God, with hearts full of love, but "minds " full of all kinds of mixture-minds that have not been renewed and delivered from the interference of the enemy. Consequently they have a strange lack of spiritual perception. They may get "flashes of light", and follow the "flash" -which often like a will-o'-the-wisp leads them astray-but they are not intelligent in their spiritual vision. They do not know that God is able, not only to deliver the mind from the enemy's grip but also to renew it, so that it becomes as clear as crystal, with "every rebellious thought brought into captivity."
We have seen that one reason why the liberation of the mind is so important is because it is the vehicle of the spirit. Has it never struck you how extraordinary it is that the children of God can hear so much, and express so little? If you will ask one and the other to intelligently transmit something of what they have heard, they cannot do it. They have listened to volumes of truth for years, and yet they have no power to transmit, and help a soul in need. And many of these hearers will tell you that they have received a Baptism of the Spirit!
The reason for this lies in the unrenewed mind . They may truly have received the Holy Spirit, but speaking reverently, He is "locked up" in the spirit, and cannot get through the blocked channel of the mind. One reason is that many children of God do not soak themselves, so to speak, in God's thoughts. They think that to read a text in the morning is enough, and so they do not get the mind fully renewed. All the working of the old mind is emnity against God, and that is why you find people prejudiced over truth. Whenever you find a man prejudiced over some truth he does not understand, it always means that there is some activity of the old mind. The mind is like a seed plot. We do not realize what we are taking in, or sowing in the ground for future use. If you only make a remark about some person you have sown a seed , and if it is a critical thought, it is there ready to blaze into a "prejudice" at the first opportunity.
The reason for this lies in the unrenewed mind . They may truly have received the Holy Spirit, but speaking reverently, He is "locked up" in the spirit, and cannot get through the blocked channel of the mind. One reason is that many children of God do not soak themselves, so to speak, in God's thoughts. They think that to read a text in the morning is enough, and so they do not get the mind fully renewed. All the working of the old mind is emnity against God, and that is why you find people prejudiced over truth. Whenever you find a man prejudiced over some truth he does not understand, it always means that there is some activity of the old mind. The mind is like a seed plot. We do not realize what we are taking in, or sowing in the ground for future use. If you only make a remark about some person you have sown a seed , and if it is a critical thought, it is there ready to blaze into a "prejudice" at the first opportunity.
All this is so true that it is easy to see now why the Apostle describes the "mind" as a stronghold which has to be taken for Christ, and brought into subjection to Him. It may not have occurred to us that much which we have looked upon as "natural" disability in the use of our minds is to some extent the work of the enemy, who pours into the mind which has never been fully taken out of his power, his own visions, thoughts, ideas and ways.
7. The need of the mind to be fully renewed.
Now the question is, how can the mind become fully renewed, for if we are children of God, by the very entry of the truth of God, there has been a partial renewal. Conversion itself is described in the Bible as, in the first instance, a " change of mind ." This is the meaning of the word "repent."
Repentance is "to recover one's senses" and come to a "right understanding." So repentance describes on the one hand first a "change of mind", to be accompanied by a change of heart.
8. The Cross the place of deliverance.
But for full renewal of the mind we have to go to the Cross, and learn its message that "our old man was crucified" with Christ. This is inclusive of the old carnal, darkened, fleshly mind. This comes out clearly in the words of Eph. 4.22-23, as following the Apostle's description of the darkened and empty mind in verse 17 and 18. The "old man" crucified is here bidden to be "put off" by the believer so that he may be " renewed in the spirit of his mind. " The way of renewal, therefore, is VIA CALVARY.
The first need is the knowledge of the state of mind by nature, and that a "change of mind" at conversion does not go deep enough to deliver the soul from the power of the enemy in his thought life, and mental activities.
Catalogue of Books
Catalogue of Books
Monday, January 25, 2016
No Miracles
"And the rest, some on boards, some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass that they escaped all safe to land" (Acts 27:44).
The marvelous story of Paul's voyage to Rome, with its trials and triumphs, is a fine pattern of the lights and shades of the way of faith all through the story of human life. The remarkable feature of it is the hard and narrow places which we find intermingled with God's most extraordinary interpositions and providences.
It is the common idea that the pathway of faith is strewn with flowers, and that when God interposes in the life of His people, He does it on a scale so grand that He lifts us quite out of the plane of difficulties. The actual fact, however, is that the real experience is quite contrary. The story of the Bible is one of alternate trial and triumph in the case of everyone of the cloud of witnesses from Abel down to the latest martyr.
Paul, more than anyone else, was an example of how much a child of God can suffer without being crushed or broken in spirit. On account of his testifying in Damascus, he was hunted down by persecutors and obliged to fly for his life. but we behold no heavenly chariot transporting the holy apostle amid thunderbolts of flame from the reach of his foes, but "through a window in a basket," was he let down over the walls of Damascus and so escaped their hands. In an old clothes basket, like a bundle of laundry, or groceries, the servant of Jesus Christ was dropped from the window and ignominiously fled from the hate of his foes.
Again we find him left for months in the lonely dungeons; we find him telling of his watchings, his fastings, and his desertion by friends, of his brutal and shameful beatings, and here even after God has promised to deliver him, we see him for days left to toss upon a stormy sea, obliged to stand guard over the treacherous seaman, and at last when the deliverance comes, there is no heavenly galley sailing from the skies to take off the noble prisoner; there is no angel form walking along the waters and stilling the raging breakers; there is no supernatural sign of the transcendent miracle that is being wrought; but one is compelled to seize a spar, another a floating plank, another to climb on a fragment of the wreck, another to strike out and swim for his life.
Here is God's pattern for our own lives. Here is a Gospel of help for people that have to live in this every day world with real and ordinary surroundings, and a thousand practical conditions which have to be met in a thoroughly practical way.
God's promises and God's providences do not lift us out of the plane of common sense and commonplace trial, but it is through these very things that faith is perfected, and that God loves to interweave the golden threads of His love along the warp and woof of our every day experience.--Hard Places in the Way of Faith
To Know God is to Love Him
By A.W. Tozer
God is love, and is for that reason the source of all the love there is. He has set as the first of all commandments that we love Him with all our hearts, but He knows that the desired love can never originate with us. We love him, because he first loved us, is the scriptural and psychological pattern. We can love Him as we ought only as He inflames our minds with holy desire. Yet there is also a love of willing as well as of feeling.
Though we may not be conscious of any great degree of inward sensation, we may set our wills to love God and the feeling will come of itself. Let us bring ourselves under obedience to His revealed Word and our love for Him will grow. Obedience will strengthen faith and faith will increase knowledge. And it is a well-known law of the spiritual life that our love for God will spring up and flourish just as our knowledge of Him increases. To know Him is to love Him, and to know Him better is to love Him more.
The Upper Currents
The Upper Currents
By J.R. Miller
Table of Contents
| › Chapter 1 - Catching the Upper Currents - The Upper Currents by J. R. Miller, 1902 PREFACE These chapters contain simple lessons, intended to incite to braver, stronger, truer living ...read |
| › Chapter 2 - In the Beginning God - No life can be complete, however much of beauty it may have in it--which leaves out God. No path can be a safe one, however sheltered it may seem--in ...read |
| › Chapter 3 - When Prayer Is NOT the Duty - There are many commands to pray. We are taught in everything to make our requests known to God. We are bidden to be instant in prayer, to cast our bur ...read |
| › Chapter 4 - God's SLOW Making of us - God does not make us all at once. The process is a long one, running through all the years of our life, however many these years may be. God begins ma ...read |
| › Chapter 5 - Transformation - "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2 "And we, who with unveiled ...read |
| › Chapter 6 - Keeping One's Life in Tune - Pianos have to be kept in tune. Every now and then the tuner comes and goes over all the strings, keying them up, so that there will be no discords wh ...read |
| › Chapter 7 - Putting Away PAST Things - One of the most serious problems of life--is the laying down of things with which we have nothing more to do. It is hard for us to let go of interests ...read |
| › Chapter 8 - The Ripening of Character - Character is a process of growth. It is like fruit--it requires time to ripen. Different kinds of fruits come to ripeness at different seasons; some i ...read |
| › Chapter 9 - Steps on the Stairs - The years ought to be ascending steps in the ladder of life. We should always be going upward. Heaven is high--a place of perfect beauty and holiness. ...read |
| › Chapter 10 - Getting Help from People - We receive help in our Christian lives, through many channels. But more, perhaps, than we are aware of, does God use other human hearts and lives as h ...read |
| › Chapter 11 - This Too, Shall Pass Away - We meet life's experiences wisely--only when we keep in mind their transientness. Whatever they may be, painful or pleasant--they will soon pass away. ...read |
| › Chapter 12 - Choosing to Do HARD Things - "I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me!" Colossians 1:29 The man who seeks only easy things--will never make muc ...read |
| › Chapter 13 - Giving What We Have - "And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is your pound, which I have kept wrapped up in a napkin." Luke 19:20 There always are those who wrap ...read |
| › Chapter 14 - The Ministry of Kindness - "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved--clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossian ...read |
| › Chapter 15 - The Ministry of Encouragement - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 "But encourage one another daily, as ...read |
| › Chapter 16 - The Word that was NOT Said - Many of the sins of most good people--are sins of 'not doing'. We need always to put into our prayer of penitence the confession, "We have left undone ...read |
| › Chapter 17 - Things That LAST - "If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day w ...read |
| › Chapter 18 - Is Self-Denial a Mistake? - One writes in a letter: "A friend of mine was speaking to me about self-denial. She does not think one ought to sacrifice one's self too much, even fo ...read |
| › Chapter 19 - The Christian as a Garden-Maker - God must love flowers--for he has strewn the earth with them! Everywhere they grow--not only in the garden and conservatory, where they are cultivated ...read |
| › Chapter 20 - The Virtue of Dependableness - After all, the old-fashioned virtues mean the most in life--and are of greatest value. Brilliance is well enough, if there is something solid and sure ...read |
| › Chapter 21 - The Art of Living with People - Life's best school--is living with people. It is there we learn our best lessons. Someone says, "It is better to live with others--even at the cost of ...read |
| › Chapter 22 - He Makes Me Lie Down - "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He gu ...read |
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