Present Day Evangelism # 1
"The glorious gospel of the blessed God, which He entrusted to me" (1 Timothy 1:11).
Most of the so-called evangelism of our day is a grief to genuine Christians, for they feel that it lacks any scriptural warrant, that it is dishonoring unto God, and that it is filling the churches with empty professors! They are shocked that so much frothy superficiality, fleshly excitement and worldly allurement should be associated with the holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ. They deplore the cheapening of the Gospel, the beguiling of unwary souls, and the carnalizing and commercializing of what is to them, ineffably sacred! It requires little spiritual discernment to perceive that the evangelistic activities of Christendom during the last century have steadfastly deteriorated from bad to worse - yet few appear to realize the root from which this evil has sprung. It will now be our endeavor to expose the same. Its aim was wrong, and therefore its fruit faulty.
The grand design of God, from which He never has and never will swerve, is to glorify Himself - to make manifest before His creatures what an infinitely glorious Being He is. That is the great aim and end He has - in all that He does and says. For that, He allowed sin to enter the world. For that, he willed His beloved Son to become incarnate, render perfect obedience to the divine law, suffer and die. For that, He is now taking out of the world a people for Himself, a people which shall eternally show forth His praises. For that, everything is ordered by His providential dealings. Unto that, everything on earth is now being directed, and shall actually affect the same. Nothing other than that, is what regulates God in all His actings: "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen." (Romans 11:36).
This grand and basic truth is written right across the Scriptures with the plainness of a sunbeam, and he who sees it not is blind. All things are appointed by God - for His glory. His saving of sinners is not an end in itself, for God would have been no loser had every one of them eternally perished. No, His saving of sinners is but a means unto an end - "to the praise of the glory of His grace!" (Eph. 1:6).
Now from that fundamental fact, it necessarily follows that we should make the same our aim and end: that God may be magnified by us - "whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31). In like manner, it also follows that such must be the preacher's aim, and that everything must be subordinated thereto, for everything else is of secondary importance and value. But, is it so?
If the evangelist fails to make the glory of God his paramount and constant aim, he is certain to go wrong, and all his efforts will be more or less a beating of the air. When he makes an end of anything less than that, he is sure to fall into error, for he no longer gives God His proper place. Once we fix on ends of our own, we are ready to adopt means of our own. It was at this very point, that evangelism failed two or three generations ago, and from that point it has farther and farther departed. Evangelism made "the winning of souls" its goal, its summum bonum, and everything else was made to serve and pay tribute to the same. Though the glory of God was not actually denied, yet it was lost sight of, crowded out, and made secondary. Further, let it be remembered that God is honored in exact proportion as the preacher cleaves to His Word, and faithfully proclaims "all His counsel," and not merely those portions which appeal to him.
To say nothing here about those cheap-jack evangelists who aim no higher than rushing people into making a formal profession of faith, in order that the membership of the churches may be swelled. Take those who are inspired by a genuine compassion and deep concern for the perishing, who earnestly long and zealously endeavor to deliver souls from the wrath to come - yet unless they be much on their guard, they too will inevitably err. Unless they steadily view conversion in the way God does - as the way in which He is to be glorified - they will quickly begin to compromise in the means they employ. The feverish urge of modern evangelism is not how to promote the glory of the triune Jehovah - but how to multiply conversions. The whole current of evangelism activity during the past fifty years has taken that direction. Losing sight of God's end, the churches have devised means of their own!
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, June 29, 2019
Burden Bearing # 2
Burden Bearing # 2
Others are, perhaps, determined from availing themselves of this privilege - through regarding God as being of such greatness and majesty, that it would be presumption to suppose He notices our petty trials and troubles. In the human realm, high office and pomposity usually go together, for those in authority rarely pay much attention to the personal affairs of those under them. But far different is it with the Lord. The One who created the universe - also planted the blade of grass. The One who governs the planets - also numbers the hairs of our heads. The One who is worshiped by the angels - also observes the fall of a sparrow.
The One who holds our souls in life - bids us to cast our "burden upon" Him. It is true that He is Almighty - but He is also our Father. If I called upon the king of England, or the president of the United States, he would not receive me; but he would receive His own child! Cultivate the thought of God's Fatherhood! It implies nearness, access, sympathy, readiness to sustain.
Another thing which hinders many, is the limitations which they place upon the Lord. They believe that Christ bore their sins in His own body on the tree - but that is as far as their faith goes. They trust Him with the eternal interests of their souls - but largely lose sight of Him for their temporal supplies. They betake themselves to Him as their spiritual Physician - but not as their bodily. We read, "Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses" (Matt. 8:17). He took them upon His spirit, entering sympathetically into the condition of the sufferers. And today, He is "touched with the feeling of our infirmities" (Heb. 4:15). Then contemplate Him as the compassionate One who has at heart your temporal interests, who is willing to supply all your need. He is not only a Deliverer from the wrath to come - but a Sustainer in trouble, a Strengthener in weakness, a Succourer in trials. Then make use of Him as such, and cast your burden upon Him.
Note well, it is not "burdens" but "burden" - for we are not to allow them to accumulate. As soon as you are conscious of one - cast it on the Lord, by taking Him fully into your confidence, freely unbosoming yourself to Him, and familiarly acquainting Him with what weighs upon you. If it is the burden of sin, confess it frankly to Him and plead the promise of 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." If the burden of sustenance, anxiety over the future, troubled about meeting your obligations, acknowledge your fear, unbelief and distress, and remember it is "the Father of mercies" (2 Cor. 1:3) you are talking to. If of sorrow, grief over wayward children, or the anguish of bereavement, pour out your lamentations into the ear of Him who wept by the grave side of Lazarus! Then plead His promise, "He shall sustain you" (Psalm 55:22), expect Him to make it good in your case, and you shall prove the grand truth, "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Cor. 12:9).
"Bear each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). A very needful word is that in this exceptionally selfish age, when, beyond contributing to public appeals for charity, few have any regard for the needs and rights of others, and when so many of the present and the rising generation are devoid of even "natural affection." True Christianity fulfills both tables of the Law. Genuine piety consists not only of giving God His proper place in my life - but in seeking the welfare of my neighbors. I may be diligent in keeping the Sabbath, singing Psalms, and attending church - but if I am lacking in love to those I profess are my brethren and sisters in Christ - then my religion is no better than that of the Pharisees. If the love of God has been shed abroad in my heart - then I shall sympathize with His children in their varied trials and troubles, be ready to counsel and comfort, and assist them so far as lies in my power. Only thus shall I fulfill the law of Christ's precepts and the law of His example (John 13:14, 15), for He enjoins us to be compassionate to others, and is Himself touched with the feeling of our infirmities.
"For every man shall bear his own burden" (Galatians 6:5). Needless to say, there is no conflict between this verse and the others which have been before us. There is a "burden" of which we cannot rid ourselves - and that is, the discharge of our responsibility, the performance of duty. For the fulfillment of that, we may - we should seek grace from the Lord; but to be relieved of it, we must not pray. Nor may we legitimately look to our brethren and sisters to shoulder it for us. We are not warranted in imposing on their benevolence, or so trading on their kindness, that we become drones. If a man will not work - neither shall he eat! (2 Thess. 3:10). If he refuses to use the strength and talent God has given him he has no right at all to expect others to come and feed him.
~A. W. Pink~
(The End)
Others are, perhaps, determined from availing themselves of this privilege - through regarding God as being of such greatness and majesty, that it would be presumption to suppose He notices our petty trials and troubles. In the human realm, high office and pomposity usually go together, for those in authority rarely pay much attention to the personal affairs of those under them. But far different is it with the Lord. The One who created the universe - also planted the blade of grass. The One who governs the planets - also numbers the hairs of our heads. The One who is worshiped by the angels - also observes the fall of a sparrow.
The One who holds our souls in life - bids us to cast our "burden upon" Him. It is true that He is Almighty - but He is also our Father. If I called upon the king of England, or the president of the United States, he would not receive me; but he would receive His own child! Cultivate the thought of God's Fatherhood! It implies nearness, access, sympathy, readiness to sustain.
Another thing which hinders many, is the limitations which they place upon the Lord. They believe that Christ bore their sins in His own body on the tree - but that is as far as their faith goes. They trust Him with the eternal interests of their souls - but largely lose sight of Him for their temporal supplies. They betake themselves to Him as their spiritual Physician - but not as their bodily. We read, "Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses" (Matt. 8:17). He took them upon His spirit, entering sympathetically into the condition of the sufferers. And today, He is "touched with the feeling of our infirmities" (Heb. 4:15). Then contemplate Him as the compassionate One who has at heart your temporal interests, who is willing to supply all your need. He is not only a Deliverer from the wrath to come - but a Sustainer in trouble, a Strengthener in weakness, a Succourer in trials. Then make use of Him as such, and cast your burden upon Him.
Note well, it is not "burdens" but "burden" - for we are not to allow them to accumulate. As soon as you are conscious of one - cast it on the Lord, by taking Him fully into your confidence, freely unbosoming yourself to Him, and familiarly acquainting Him with what weighs upon you. If it is the burden of sin, confess it frankly to Him and plead the promise of 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." If the burden of sustenance, anxiety over the future, troubled about meeting your obligations, acknowledge your fear, unbelief and distress, and remember it is "the Father of mercies" (2 Cor. 1:3) you are talking to. If of sorrow, grief over wayward children, or the anguish of bereavement, pour out your lamentations into the ear of Him who wept by the grave side of Lazarus! Then plead His promise, "He shall sustain you" (Psalm 55:22), expect Him to make it good in your case, and you shall prove the grand truth, "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Cor. 12:9).
"Bear each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). A very needful word is that in this exceptionally selfish age, when, beyond contributing to public appeals for charity, few have any regard for the needs and rights of others, and when so many of the present and the rising generation are devoid of even "natural affection." True Christianity fulfills both tables of the Law. Genuine piety consists not only of giving God His proper place in my life - but in seeking the welfare of my neighbors. I may be diligent in keeping the Sabbath, singing Psalms, and attending church - but if I am lacking in love to those I profess are my brethren and sisters in Christ - then my religion is no better than that of the Pharisees. If the love of God has been shed abroad in my heart - then I shall sympathize with His children in their varied trials and troubles, be ready to counsel and comfort, and assist them so far as lies in my power. Only thus shall I fulfill the law of Christ's precepts and the law of His example (John 13:14, 15), for He enjoins us to be compassionate to others, and is Himself touched with the feeling of our infirmities.
"For every man shall bear his own burden" (Galatians 6:5). Needless to say, there is no conflict between this verse and the others which have been before us. There is a "burden" of which we cannot rid ourselves - and that is, the discharge of our responsibility, the performance of duty. For the fulfillment of that, we may - we should seek grace from the Lord; but to be relieved of it, we must not pray. Nor may we legitimately look to our brethren and sisters to shoulder it for us. We are not warranted in imposing on their benevolence, or so trading on their kindness, that we become drones. If a man will not work - neither shall he eat! (2 Thess. 3:10). If he refuses to use the strength and talent God has given him he has no right at all to expect others to come and feed him.
~A. W. Pink~
(The End)
Saturday, June 22, 2019
Burden Bearing # 1
Burden Bearing # 1
"Cast your burden upon the Lord - and He shall sustain you" (Psalm 55:22).
What a remarkable statement is that! Probably our very familiarity with it, has prevented any sense of wonderment over it. Try to conceive what would be its first effect upon a converted heathen! He has been brought to a saving knowledge of the living God and granted a measure of light on His glorious Being and Majesty. he has learned that by His mere fiat, the universe was called into existence; that so infinitely is He exalted above all creatures, that the nations of the earth are regarded by Him as but a drop in the bucket; that He sits enthroned on High, where myriads of creatures bow before Him in worship crying, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord Almighty" (Isaiah 6:3).
And now he learns that this King of kings and Lord of lords invites him to "Cast your burden upon the Lord". Must not such a discovery be overwhelming to his mind and heart! And ought it not to have the same effect on us? - that He who "humbles himself to even behold the things that are in heaven" (Psalm 113:6) deigns to bid us lay upon HIM what we find too heavy to carry!
What a striking thing it is, that when a Christian has perceived the amazingness of such an invitation, or at least is acquainted with it - that he is so slow in profiting from it. We know not which is the more astonishing: that the Lord should be so condescending in granting us such a privilege - or that we should be so slow and reluctant to avail ourselves of it! We know not which is the more surprising: That we are given the opportunity of easing ourselves and laying on the Lord what is too heavy for us to carry; or our failure to embrace such an opportunity - and in consequence, continuing to stagger beneath a load which cripples us. It makes us think of a famished man being so foolishly proud as to refuse food when it is offered to him; or one in daylight closing and bandaging his eyes, and then complaining that he cannot see. Like Martha of old, many of the saints are "careful and troubled about many things" - when "but one thing is needful" (Luke 10:41, 42).
The one thing needful for ease of mind and peace of heart - is to "cast your burden upon the Lord", instead of attempting to carry it yourself. There is our blessed recourse! That is the grand remedy for anxiety. Why, that was the very thing we learned at the beginning, was it not? When convicted of our lost condition, when "heavy laden" with a sense of guilt and the wrath of God upon us, how did we obtain relief? Was it not by heeding that blessed Gospel invitation? We found rest of conscience and soul by coming to Christ just as we were, by acknowledging our wretchedness, by casting ourselves on His grace and mercy. And, my reader, we are to obtain relief of heart and mind from the cares of this life - in precisely the same way that we obtained relief of conscience at the beginning - by unbosoming ourselves to the Lord, by asking Him to undertake for us, by trusting Him to do so.
While it is true that an apprehension of the infinite greatness and absolute supremacy of God will fill us with wonderment at His amazing condescension in bidding us cast our burden upon Him - yet it needs to be pointed out that a sense of His dominion and all-mightiness will never move the soul to respond to this invitation. The contemplating of Jehovah upon His throne will awe us; but unless we also view Him in other relations and consider other aspects of the Divine character, our heart will never be melted before Him and drawn out to have free dealings with Him. There is a balance which needs observing here too. God is not only transcendent - but imminent. He not only resides in the highest Heaven - but "he be not far from everyone of us" (Acts 17:27). He not only dwells "in the light which no man can approach unto" (1 Tim. 6:16) - but He is also "a very present help in trouble" (Psalms 46:1); and for the believer, "a friend that sticks closer than a brother" (Prov. 18:24).
The last quoted passages need to have a real place in our hearts if we are to respond to the invitation of our opening text. They need to be frequently meditated upon and require faith to be mixed with them. To view the Lord only as in Heaven, produces a sense of remoteness in the soul. We should also cultivate a sense of His nearness to us. The Lord is constantly near us: "I will never leave you, nor ever forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5); which is not only a blessed fact - but one that needs to be acted on. Since He is constantly by your side, "Cast your burden upon the Lord." "Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil - for you are with me" (Psalm 23:4).
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 2)
"Cast your burden upon the Lord - and He shall sustain you" (Psalm 55:22).
What a remarkable statement is that! Probably our very familiarity with it, has prevented any sense of wonderment over it. Try to conceive what would be its first effect upon a converted heathen! He has been brought to a saving knowledge of the living God and granted a measure of light on His glorious Being and Majesty. he has learned that by His mere fiat, the universe was called into existence; that so infinitely is He exalted above all creatures, that the nations of the earth are regarded by Him as but a drop in the bucket; that He sits enthroned on High, where myriads of creatures bow before Him in worship crying, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord Almighty" (Isaiah 6:3).
And now he learns that this King of kings and Lord of lords invites him to "Cast your burden upon the Lord". Must not such a discovery be overwhelming to his mind and heart! And ought it not to have the same effect on us? - that He who "humbles himself to even behold the things that are in heaven" (Psalm 113:6) deigns to bid us lay upon HIM what we find too heavy to carry!
What a striking thing it is, that when a Christian has perceived the amazingness of such an invitation, or at least is acquainted with it - that he is so slow in profiting from it. We know not which is the more astonishing: that the Lord should be so condescending in granting us such a privilege - or that we should be so slow and reluctant to avail ourselves of it! We know not which is the more surprising: That we are given the opportunity of easing ourselves and laying on the Lord what is too heavy for us to carry; or our failure to embrace such an opportunity - and in consequence, continuing to stagger beneath a load which cripples us. It makes us think of a famished man being so foolishly proud as to refuse food when it is offered to him; or one in daylight closing and bandaging his eyes, and then complaining that he cannot see. Like Martha of old, many of the saints are "careful and troubled about many things" - when "but one thing is needful" (Luke 10:41, 42).
The one thing needful for ease of mind and peace of heart - is to "cast your burden upon the Lord", instead of attempting to carry it yourself. There is our blessed recourse! That is the grand remedy for anxiety. Why, that was the very thing we learned at the beginning, was it not? When convicted of our lost condition, when "heavy laden" with a sense of guilt and the wrath of God upon us, how did we obtain relief? Was it not by heeding that blessed Gospel invitation? We found rest of conscience and soul by coming to Christ just as we were, by acknowledging our wretchedness, by casting ourselves on His grace and mercy. And, my reader, we are to obtain relief of heart and mind from the cares of this life - in precisely the same way that we obtained relief of conscience at the beginning - by unbosoming ourselves to the Lord, by asking Him to undertake for us, by trusting Him to do so.
While it is true that an apprehension of the infinite greatness and absolute supremacy of God will fill us with wonderment at His amazing condescension in bidding us cast our burden upon Him - yet it needs to be pointed out that a sense of His dominion and all-mightiness will never move the soul to respond to this invitation. The contemplating of Jehovah upon His throne will awe us; but unless we also view Him in other relations and consider other aspects of the Divine character, our heart will never be melted before Him and drawn out to have free dealings with Him. There is a balance which needs observing here too. God is not only transcendent - but imminent. He not only resides in the highest Heaven - but "he be not far from everyone of us" (Acts 17:27). He not only dwells "in the light which no man can approach unto" (1 Tim. 6:16) - but He is also "a very present help in trouble" (Psalms 46:1); and for the believer, "a friend that sticks closer than a brother" (Prov. 18:24).
The last quoted passages need to have a real place in our hearts if we are to respond to the invitation of our opening text. They need to be frequently meditated upon and require faith to be mixed with them. To view the Lord only as in Heaven, produces a sense of remoteness in the soul. We should also cultivate a sense of His nearness to us. The Lord is constantly near us: "I will never leave you, nor ever forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5); which is not only a blessed fact - but one that needs to be acted on. Since He is constantly by your side, "Cast your burden upon the Lord." "Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil - for you are with me" (Psalm 23:4).
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 2)
Finding God's Comfort # 7
Finding God's Comfort # 7
God was pleased with Job's sincerity and humility - but He was displeased with Job's friends, and he said to them, "I am angry with you, because you have not spoken of Me what is right." We must be careful never to misrepresent God. We must be careful not to profess to be His interpreters, telling others what God means, why He does this or that - lest we speak wrongly of Him. The friends of Job made that mistake. They thought they understood God's meaning and purposes in Job's trials, and they pressed the thoughts upon the suffering man, adding to his pain and grief. But they had spoken of that of which they knew nothing, and had done only harm. We had better not try to explain God's meanings in his darker providences. We may interpret them wrongly, thus misrepresenting and dishonoring God - and hurting feeble, sensitive souls. We had better leave God to be His own interpreter.
God did not turn from the friends, without a message of comfort: "My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly." It is a great thing to have for a friend - one who has God's ear. We think ourselves happy, when we need a great favor, if we have a friend in high places who can speak for us with his influence. Still greater privilege is it when we have an intercessor who can present our names to heaven's King, and whose voice has power with God. There are human friends who can, and do serve us in this way. They lie near to the heart of Christ and can speak to God - sure of being heard. "The supplication of a righteous man avails much."
Job did as God suggested. He prayed for his friends, and his prayer for others brought blessing to himself. "Jehovah restored his prosperity when he prayed for his friends." This is an important statement. There seems to have been a barrier in the way of the blessing of Job, which was not removed until he began to pray for his friends. Probably he had a feeling of unkindness in his heart toward them, because of what they had said to him about his trials and the reasons for them. We are not surprised that Job felt in this way toward his friends, for they were not wise and gentle comforters, and they doubtless gave him more pain than they soothed. A good many people who try to be comforters, only lay thorns under aching heads - instead of a soft pillow.
No art needs a more delicate touch, than the art of being a comforter. The hands of most of us are too rough and clumsy to be laid on throbbing human hearts, in efforts to soothe their pain. No wonder Job felt that his friends were miserable comforters, and that he was not at first in a mood to pray for them. But until he could pray for them, blessing could not come to him. Unloving hearts cannot receive God's divine love.
The lesson is for us. Others may have injured us or grieved us in some way, and we may not be ready to forgive them. But while we feel so - we are shutting divine blessing away from ourselves. Job's praying at length for his friends, showed that his heart was now softened toward them, that its bitterness was gone, that he had forgiven their cruel words and taken them back into his heart. Then blessing came to him, as God restored his prosperity. Just so, when we can pray for one who has wronged us, or misjudged us, or said unkind things of us - we are in a condition to receive blessing from God.
Job was also ready now to come out of his sorrow, to try to help others. This, too, is a good thing. We do not find comfort by staying in the darkness of our own grief, by thinking only of it; we must forget ourselves, and begin to serve others and seek their good before we can find the light of God's comfort. Selfishness in sorrow is - selfishness, and selfishness in any form, misses God's blessing. We begin to find joy - only when in self-forgetfulness, we begin to help others.
~J. R. Miller~
(The End)
God was pleased with Job's sincerity and humility - but He was displeased with Job's friends, and he said to them, "I am angry with you, because you have not spoken of Me what is right." We must be careful never to misrepresent God. We must be careful not to profess to be His interpreters, telling others what God means, why He does this or that - lest we speak wrongly of Him. The friends of Job made that mistake. They thought they understood God's meaning and purposes in Job's trials, and they pressed the thoughts upon the suffering man, adding to his pain and grief. But they had spoken of that of which they knew nothing, and had done only harm. We had better not try to explain God's meanings in his darker providences. We may interpret them wrongly, thus misrepresenting and dishonoring God - and hurting feeble, sensitive souls. We had better leave God to be His own interpreter.
God did not turn from the friends, without a message of comfort: "My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly." It is a great thing to have for a friend - one who has God's ear. We think ourselves happy, when we need a great favor, if we have a friend in high places who can speak for us with his influence. Still greater privilege is it when we have an intercessor who can present our names to heaven's King, and whose voice has power with God. There are human friends who can, and do serve us in this way. They lie near to the heart of Christ and can speak to God - sure of being heard. "The supplication of a righteous man avails much."
Job did as God suggested. He prayed for his friends, and his prayer for others brought blessing to himself. "Jehovah restored his prosperity when he prayed for his friends." This is an important statement. There seems to have been a barrier in the way of the blessing of Job, which was not removed until he began to pray for his friends. Probably he had a feeling of unkindness in his heart toward them, because of what they had said to him about his trials and the reasons for them. We are not surprised that Job felt in this way toward his friends, for they were not wise and gentle comforters, and they doubtless gave him more pain than they soothed. A good many people who try to be comforters, only lay thorns under aching heads - instead of a soft pillow.
No art needs a more delicate touch, than the art of being a comforter. The hands of most of us are too rough and clumsy to be laid on throbbing human hearts, in efforts to soothe their pain. No wonder Job felt that his friends were miserable comforters, and that he was not at first in a mood to pray for them. But until he could pray for them, blessing could not come to him. Unloving hearts cannot receive God's divine love.
The lesson is for us. Others may have injured us or grieved us in some way, and we may not be ready to forgive them. But while we feel so - we are shutting divine blessing away from ourselves. Job's praying at length for his friends, showed that his heart was now softened toward them, that its bitterness was gone, that he had forgiven their cruel words and taken them back into his heart. Then blessing came to him, as God restored his prosperity. Just so, when we can pray for one who has wronged us, or misjudged us, or said unkind things of us - we are in a condition to receive blessing from God.
Job was also ready now to come out of his sorrow, to try to help others. This, too, is a good thing. We do not find comfort by staying in the darkness of our own grief, by thinking only of it; we must forget ourselves, and begin to serve others and seek their good before we can find the light of God's comfort. Selfishness in sorrow is - selfishness, and selfishness in any form, misses God's blessing. We begin to find joy - only when in self-forgetfulness, we begin to help others.
~J. R. Miller~
(The End)
Saturday, June 15, 2019
Finding God's Comfort # 6
Finding God's Comfort # 6
No artist ever paints on his canvas - all the beauty of his ideal. No great singer ever expresses all the music that burns within him as he sings. No eloquent orator ever utters all that he feels, as he pleads for truth or for justice.
So in all our life - we do only a little of what we strive to do. We set out in the morning with purposes of usefulness, of true living, of gentle-heartedness, of patience, of victoriousness; but in the evenings we find only little fragments of these good intentions actually wrought out. Much of our living is but faded blossoms, which never grow into ripe fruit.
But it is not so with God. No purpose of His can be thwarted. His thoughts all take form. He speaks - and it is done. His intentions are all carried out. No power can withstand Him or thwart His will. He does all his good pleasure. There is great comfort in this truth for us.
It was in this thought, that Job found peace after his long, sore trial. All things were in God's hands, and nothing could hinder His designs of love. There is comfort here for us. Our God is infinitely strong. He can do anything He wills to do. No human power can thwart any purpose of God's. In all earthly confusions, strifes, troubles, sorrows - His hand moves, bringing good out of evil, gain out of loss, for those who trust in Him. We need never be afraid to leave our life absolutely in God's keeping - for He is our Father and nothing can thwart His love for us!
The thought of God's majesty leads Job to confession: "Therefore have I uttered that which I understood not." That is the trouble with most of us. We talk about things - of which we know nothing. We chatter about God and God's ways - as if He were a next door neighbor, just like ourselves, whose thoughts and plans and feelings and motives - we understand from our own. We seem to forget that He is infinitely greater than we are, that His ways are astonishing, past finding out. Zephar, in one of his speeches to Job, put it thus: "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens - what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave - what can you know?" (Job 11:7-8).
Job himself, speaking of God's works in nature and in providence, adds, "These are but the fringes of His ways, merely a whisper of His power. Who can understand the thunder of His power?" (Job 26:14).
We ought to learn the lesson. God is not a man - not one of ourselves. If we could understand Him - He would not be God. His greatness puts Him beyond our comprehension. We cannot hope to know the reasons for His acts. Some of His ways with us - are strange ways. We are perplexed. We say, "God cannot love me - or He would not do these things, send these sorrows!" As if we could know why He does these inscrutable things! We ought to learn to trust God even in the deepest mysteries, not expecting to know - but sure of His love and goodness, even when it is darkest and when His face is veiled in most impenetrable mists. We ought to be silent unto God - even when we cannot understand. That is the truest faith!
Job was not satisfied with anything short of most humble confession: "My ears had heard of you - but now my eyes have seen You! Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes!" (Job 42:5-6). That is always the way. Seeing God, humbles us. When we are far from God - we see only dim revealings of Him, and have no true conception of His glory and holiness. The stars we see in the heavens are really vast suns, like our own - and much larger and brighter. But to our eyes they appear as only little points of light, because of their immense distance from us. Yet if we could fly away through space and draw near to them, they would appear more and more brilliant, until, at length, their radiance would dazzle and blind us.
So it is, that men are not impressed with the greatness and the majesty of God - while they are far from Him. But as they come near to Him - He is revealed to them in glory and grandeur, and this revelation shows them their own littleness, their own sinfulness. The more we know of God - the less do we think of ourselves. When Isaiah saw the vision of God in the temple, he cried, "Woe is me for I am undone! because I am a man of unclean lips - for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty!"
Once when Jesus had wrought a miracle - filling the nets of the disciple-fishermen; Peter fell down on his knees and said, "Depart from me - for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" The work of power had given Peter a glimpse of the glory - the deity of Christ - and the revealing had shown the disciple such a sight of His own unworthiness that could not endure the holy presence. Yet, the humbling experience is most wholesome. It is only as we learn our own true condition - that we grow in spiritual life. Seeing Christ - transforms us into His own likeness - by showing us our sins, and leading us to depart from them - and by showing us His blessed beauty, and drawing us toward it.
~J. R. Miller~
(continued with # 7)
No artist ever paints on his canvas - all the beauty of his ideal. No great singer ever expresses all the music that burns within him as he sings. No eloquent orator ever utters all that he feels, as he pleads for truth or for justice.
So in all our life - we do only a little of what we strive to do. We set out in the morning with purposes of usefulness, of true living, of gentle-heartedness, of patience, of victoriousness; but in the evenings we find only little fragments of these good intentions actually wrought out. Much of our living is but faded blossoms, which never grow into ripe fruit.
But it is not so with God. No purpose of His can be thwarted. His thoughts all take form. He speaks - and it is done. His intentions are all carried out. No power can withstand Him or thwart His will. He does all his good pleasure. There is great comfort in this truth for us.
It was in this thought, that Job found peace after his long, sore trial. All things were in God's hands, and nothing could hinder His designs of love. There is comfort here for us. Our God is infinitely strong. He can do anything He wills to do. No human power can thwart any purpose of God's. In all earthly confusions, strifes, troubles, sorrows - His hand moves, bringing good out of evil, gain out of loss, for those who trust in Him. We need never be afraid to leave our life absolutely in God's keeping - for He is our Father and nothing can thwart His love for us!
The thought of God's majesty leads Job to confession: "Therefore have I uttered that which I understood not." That is the trouble with most of us. We talk about things - of which we know nothing. We chatter about God and God's ways - as if He were a next door neighbor, just like ourselves, whose thoughts and plans and feelings and motives - we understand from our own. We seem to forget that He is infinitely greater than we are, that His ways are astonishing, past finding out. Zephar, in one of his speeches to Job, put it thus: "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens - what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave - what can you know?" (Job 11:7-8).
Job himself, speaking of God's works in nature and in providence, adds, "These are but the fringes of His ways, merely a whisper of His power. Who can understand the thunder of His power?" (Job 26:14).
We ought to learn the lesson. God is not a man - not one of ourselves. If we could understand Him - He would not be God. His greatness puts Him beyond our comprehension. We cannot hope to know the reasons for His acts. Some of His ways with us - are strange ways. We are perplexed. We say, "God cannot love me - or He would not do these things, send these sorrows!" As if we could know why He does these inscrutable things! We ought to learn to trust God even in the deepest mysteries, not expecting to know - but sure of His love and goodness, even when it is darkest and when His face is veiled in most impenetrable mists. We ought to be silent unto God - even when we cannot understand. That is the truest faith!
Job was not satisfied with anything short of most humble confession: "My ears had heard of you - but now my eyes have seen You! Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes!" (Job 42:5-6). That is always the way. Seeing God, humbles us. When we are far from God - we see only dim revealings of Him, and have no true conception of His glory and holiness. The stars we see in the heavens are really vast suns, like our own - and much larger and brighter. But to our eyes they appear as only little points of light, because of their immense distance from us. Yet if we could fly away through space and draw near to them, they would appear more and more brilliant, until, at length, their radiance would dazzle and blind us.
So it is, that men are not impressed with the greatness and the majesty of God - while they are far from Him. But as they come near to Him - He is revealed to them in glory and grandeur, and this revelation shows them their own littleness, their own sinfulness. The more we know of God - the less do we think of ourselves. When Isaiah saw the vision of God in the temple, he cried, "Woe is me for I am undone! because I am a man of unclean lips - for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty!"
Once when Jesus had wrought a miracle - filling the nets of the disciple-fishermen; Peter fell down on his knees and said, "Depart from me - for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" The work of power had given Peter a glimpse of the glory - the deity of Christ - and the revealing had shown the disciple such a sight of His own unworthiness that could not endure the holy presence. Yet, the humbling experience is most wholesome. It is only as we learn our own true condition - that we grow in spiritual life. Seeing Christ - transforms us into His own likeness - by showing us our sins, and leading us to depart from them - and by showing us His blessed beauty, and drawing us toward it.
~J. R. Miller~
(continued with # 7)
Finding God's Comfort # 5
Finding God's Comfort # 5
Just how much Job really did know of the character of God, we cannot tell. He certainly believed now, that if he could come before God he would meet a friend. We live in full gospel light, and we know that God is our truest and best friend! He is our Father - we need never fear to go to Him. His almighty power is not used to oppose us, to break us and crush us. He gives heed unto our cries. He loves us. All His omnipotence is on our side. No mother's heart was ever so full of love for her child - as is the heart of God for us, His children.
Though clouds darkened his sky, Job's faith was not clouded. He said, "He hides himself...that I cannot see Him. But He knows the way that I take." God is invisible - and we cannot see Him - but our eyes get no glimpse of Him. We cannot lay our hand upon Him. We cannot see His face. Yet we know that while He is not visible to our sight - He sees us always and knows our way. He knows where we are, what we are doing, what our circumstances and experiences are. There is wonderful comfort in this for us, especially when we are in the midst of dangers and trials. "He knows!"
There is a beautiful illustration of this in the Gospels. One night Jesus sent His disciples out upon the sea, in the boat, to go to the other side - but He did not go with them. In the night a great storm arose, and the disciples were alone. They were in great distress. We can imagine their looking to the right and to the left, forward and back - but they could not find their Master. Meanwhile, however, though unseen by them, He was looking down upon them in tender love from the mountain top. He knew the way that they took in the darkness on the sea. His eye was upon them in all their danger; and we well know, that they could not have perished in the storm, for He was caring for them. In our experience, it may often be that we cannot find God; that we cannot see Him; that He shall elude our search, and not answer to our cry, and not come when we call for Him. Yet it is a precious comfort that in all such cases - He knows the way that we take, where we are, and what we are suffering. We are never out of His sight! We are never forgotten by His love! Always "He knows," and that is enough. "Your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask him." "The Lord knows those who are His." "The eyes of Jehovah are toward the righteous. And His ears are open unto their cry."
Job's faith enabled him to say, "When He has tried me - I shall come forth as gold!" Another translation of this verse is: "He is trying me - I shall come forth as gold." Job had caught the true meaning of his suffering. It was trial - testing, as gold is tried and tested. He felt sure, too, that the trials, sore as they were - would not do him any real harm. We have all the light of divine revelation, on this mystery of pain and suffering, and we know that what Job had here learned as in a glimmering shadow - is the blessed truth about trial. God chastens, always to profit His children. He sends trouble - to prove us and to establish us, to make us strong, to cleanse us from sin, and to bring out in us the divine graces. We are all the while being tested and proved. Trials show us what is in us.
Someone says that afflictions are to the soul - as a driving rain to a house. The water comes through the roof. The owner did not know in the long dry season, that there were holes and crannies in the roof. The storm simply revealed them. Just so, we do not suspect our weak points - until temptation comes; then we find them out. So in many Christians, there are noble qualities of character which do not appear in the common experiences of life - but which come out in severe afflictions.
On a sinking ship there was only one life belt, and it was the captain's. There was a poor lad on board - a stowaway. The captain took his own life belt and gave it to the boy, himself perishing in the waters. No one would have suspected this grandeur of soul in the captain an hour before. Like revealings of character are made continually in life - on the playground, in homes, in times of danger, in the sickroom. People whom we supposed, thought only of themselves, are found to have hearts of unselfish love. Those whom we thought weak or timid, are proved strong and heroic. We are on trial all the time, and the experiences of life show what is truly in us. Well is it for us - if we always come forth as gold!
Confession and Restoration
After Job's three friends had talked with him for a time, a new speaker appeared. This was Elihu. His anger was kindled both against Job and his three friends, and his speech was intended to justify God. He was a young man - but his words were wise and wonderfully full of instruction on the great problem of suffering.
Finally, God Himself answers Job out of the storm. Job is awed and humbled by the words of God, by the sense of His majesty and holiness, and he speaks penitently and softly. God spoke with His power, and Job said: "I know that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted." Man's power is limited. We cannot do what we desire. Many of our purposes are restrained. We want to do good and beautiful things, and we try - but our achievements fall far below our aspirations. Our clumsy hands cannot fashion the lovely Christian character, that our hearts dreamed. Our faltering weakness cannot do the brave things our souls aspire to do.
~J. R. Miller~
(continued with # 6)
Just how much Job really did know of the character of God, we cannot tell. He certainly believed now, that if he could come before God he would meet a friend. We live in full gospel light, and we know that God is our truest and best friend! He is our Father - we need never fear to go to Him. His almighty power is not used to oppose us, to break us and crush us. He gives heed unto our cries. He loves us. All His omnipotence is on our side. No mother's heart was ever so full of love for her child - as is the heart of God for us, His children.
Though clouds darkened his sky, Job's faith was not clouded. He said, "He hides himself...that I cannot see Him. But He knows the way that I take." God is invisible - and we cannot see Him - but our eyes get no glimpse of Him. We cannot lay our hand upon Him. We cannot see His face. Yet we know that while He is not visible to our sight - He sees us always and knows our way. He knows where we are, what we are doing, what our circumstances and experiences are. There is wonderful comfort in this for us, especially when we are in the midst of dangers and trials. "He knows!"
There is a beautiful illustration of this in the Gospels. One night Jesus sent His disciples out upon the sea, in the boat, to go to the other side - but He did not go with them. In the night a great storm arose, and the disciples were alone. They were in great distress. We can imagine their looking to the right and to the left, forward and back - but they could not find their Master. Meanwhile, however, though unseen by them, He was looking down upon them in tender love from the mountain top. He knew the way that they took in the darkness on the sea. His eye was upon them in all their danger; and we well know, that they could not have perished in the storm, for He was caring for them. In our experience, it may often be that we cannot find God; that we cannot see Him; that He shall elude our search, and not answer to our cry, and not come when we call for Him. Yet it is a precious comfort that in all such cases - He knows the way that we take, where we are, and what we are suffering. We are never out of His sight! We are never forgotten by His love! Always "He knows," and that is enough. "Your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask him." "The Lord knows those who are His." "The eyes of Jehovah are toward the righteous. And His ears are open unto their cry."
Job's faith enabled him to say, "When He has tried me - I shall come forth as gold!" Another translation of this verse is: "He is trying me - I shall come forth as gold." Job had caught the true meaning of his suffering. It was trial - testing, as gold is tried and tested. He felt sure, too, that the trials, sore as they were - would not do him any real harm. We have all the light of divine revelation, on this mystery of pain and suffering, and we know that what Job had here learned as in a glimmering shadow - is the blessed truth about trial. God chastens, always to profit His children. He sends trouble - to prove us and to establish us, to make us strong, to cleanse us from sin, and to bring out in us the divine graces. We are all the while being tested and proved. Trials show us what is in us.
Someone says that afflictions are to the soul - as a driving rain to a house. The water comes through the roof. The owner did not know in the long dry season, that there were holes and crannies in the roof. The storm simply revealed them. Just so, we do not suspect our weak points - until temptation comes; then we find them out. So in many Christians, there are noble qualities of character which do not appear in the common experiences of life - but which come out in severe afflictions.
On a sinking ship there was only one life belt, and it was the captain's. There was a poor lad on board - a stowaway. The captain took his own life belt and gave it to the boy, himself perishing in the waters. No one would have suspected this grandeur of soul in the captain an hour before. Like revealings of character are made continually in life - on the playground, in homes, in times of danger, in the sickroom. People whom we supposed, thought only of themselves, are found to have hearts of unselfish love. Those whom we thought weak or timid, are proved strong and heroic. We are on trial all the time, and the experiences of life show what is truly in us. Well is it for us - if we always come forth as gold!
Confession and Restoration
After Job's three friends had talked with him for a time, a new speaker appeared. This was Elihu. His anger was kindled both against Job and his three friends, and his speech was intended to justify God. He was a young man - but his words were wise and wonderfully full of instruction on the great problem of suffering.
Finally, God Himself answers Job out of the storm. Job is awed and humbled by the words of God, by the sense of His majesty and holiness, and he speaks penitently and softly. God spoke with His power, and Job said: "I know that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted." Man's power is limited. We cannot do what we desire. Many of our purposes are restrained. We want to do good and beautiful things, and we try - but our achievements fall far below our aspirations. Our clumsy hands cannot fashion the lovely Christian character, that our hearts dreamed. Our faltering weakness cannot do the brave things our souls aspire to do.
~J. R. Miller~
(continued with # 6)
Saturday, June 8, 2019
Singleness of Eye # 3
Singleness of Eye # 3
I am not, for a moment, questioning your motives. I cannot question my own motives as I know them on the surface. You would all say, "All that I am and all I have is for the Lord; it is at the Lord's disposal. I do not want to have any secondary interest at all." We are all like that, but so often we are our own greatest enemies, and I am not speaking to you about the things of which you may be conscious. We shall, of course, have to face things which come into this realm as we know them; as we are able to discern them, we have to face them quite seriously. But I know this, that "the heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt" (Jer. 17:9). Deceitful - and we really do not always know our own motives, and the motive is only manifest sometimes when the Lord has given us a little extra rope of liberty and blessing, and then we begin to be very pleased with it and with ourselves, instead of humbly, broken-heartedly, going down before the Lord in worship that such as we, could ever be considered in the realm of His using. It is what is there. That is why I speak of circumcision of heart, getting right down inside.
Well, the opposite to singleness, of course, is dividedness, and you know how often the Lord Jesus, when He was here in the flesh, used that word "cannot," and how often He used the phrase that is here in our portion: "No man does this or that to things." "Men do not put new wine into old bottles" (Matt. 9:17) - two opposite things; "men do not put a piece of new cloth upon an old garment" - two different things. "Ye cannot serve God and mammon". "Unless you leave all, you cannot be My disciples". These "cannots" just touch this: there can be no two things where the Lord is concerned, only one thing, singleness of eye. Pride and jealousy are only forms of self-interest. When David returned from slaying the giant, the women came out and sang, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands". Saul said, "They have ascribed David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands. And Saul eyed David from that day and forward," eyed him with an evil eye. He was jealous, and I think it was David's singleness of eye hat was the great characteristic of his life.
The Heart the Seeing Organ
The eye is the seeing organ, and eye and body here must not be interpreted physically. The Lord is not talking about the literal, physical eye, and the literal, physical body. He is speaking in symbols, as always in the Gospels. The eye and body here are symbolical. If you follow through the rest of the New Testament, you know that the heart is the spiritual eye of man, and the body is his personal presence in any location. If it is the heart that is the seeing organ, then it is an affection. The heart is the seat of affection, of love. Love then becomes the great seeing organ, the thing which is the lamp of a man's presence, that makes him luminous in this world. Love - not teaching, not what he has, but what he is: the embodiment of Divine love. Now we are caught. All of us are brought right to the last issue by that. For is not love essentially singleness? True love is single, has one object, one interest, one motive. A lot of other things have got to be done, but they are done in order to get them out of the way in order that the object of love might be the occupation.
Love is singleness. Love is utterly selfless. Oh, God have mercy upon us that our love is so often not that kind of love. We think it is love, but there is a good deal of selfishness about what we call love, drawing to ourselves, making even the object of love, our professed love, serve our ends. That is the tragedy of the world today, of married life. It is called love, but what is it? Serving the selfish ends of man. But true love "seeks not its own" (1 Cor. 13:5) says the apostle, but is utterly selfless, and when it is like that, we are luminous. Men can see by our presence, they can see God, see Christ, see a lot, perhaps all that they need to see, by our being here or there. We are luminaries - not by a teaching, not by what we have, but we are that. That is singleness of eye, that is purity of heart, and again I say at the end, that is the only ground on which the Lord is free to commit Himself to us. If we turn the light of the Lord's glory upon every situation, every matter, and we do not say, "This is quite permissible and harmless" for that is negative. We are positive; we say, "Is this to the glory of God?" That is the positive side, that is the single eye. The Lord grant it to us!
~T. Austin-Sparks~
(The End)
I am not, for a moment, questioning your motives. I cannot question my own motives as I know them on the surface. You would all say, "All that I am and all I have is for the Lord; it is at the Lord's disposal. I do not want to have any secondary interest at all." We are all like that, but so often we are our own greatest enemies, and I am not speaking to you about the things of which you may be conscious. We shall, of course, have to face things which come into this realm as we know them; as we are able to discern them, we have to face them quite seriously. But I know this, that "the heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt" (Jer. 17:9). Deceitful - and we really do not always know our own motives, and the motive is only manifest sometimes when the Lord has given us a little extra rope of liberty and blessing, and then we begin to be very pleased with it and with ourselves, instead of humbly, broken-heartedly, going down before the Lord in worship that such as we, could ever be considered in the realm of His using. It is what is there. That is why I speak of circumcision of heart, getting right down inside.
Well, the opposite to singleness, of course, is dividedness, and you know how often the Lord Jesus, when He was here in the flesh, used that word "cannot," and how often He used the phrase that is here in our portion: "No man does this or that to things." "Men do not put new wine into old bottles" (Matt. 9:17) - two opposite things; "men do not put a piece of new cloth upon an old garment" - two different things. "Ye cannot serve God and mammon". "Unless you leave all, you cannot be My disciples". These "cannots" just touch this: there can be no two things where the Lord is concerned, only one thing, singleness of eye. Pride and jealousy are only forms of self-interest. When David returned from slaying the giant, the women came out and sang, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands". Saul said, "They have ascribed David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands. And Saul eyed David from that day and forward," eyed him with an evil eye. He was jealous, and I think it was David's singleness of eye hat was the great characteristic of his life.
The Heart the Seeing Organ
The eye is the seeing organ, and eye and body here must not be interpreted physically. The Lord is not talking about the literal, physical eye, and the literal, physical body. He is speaking in symbols, as always in the Gospels. The eye and body here are symbolical. If you follow through the rest of the New Testament, you know that the heart is the spiritual eye of man, and the body is his personal presence in any location. If it is the heart that is the seeing organ, then it is an affection. The heart is the seat of affection, of love. Love then becomes the great seeing organ, the thing which is the lamp of a man's presence, that makes him luminous in this world. Love - not teaching, not what he has, but what he is: the embodiment of Divine love. Now we are caught. All of us are brought right to the last issue by that. For is not love essentially singleness? True love is single, has one object, one interest, one motive. A lot of other things have got to be done, but they are done in order to get them out of the way in order that the object of love might be the occupation.
Love is singleness. Love is utterly selfless. Oh, God have mercy upon us that our love is so often not that kind of love. We think it is love, but there is a good deal of selfishness about what we call love, drawing to ourselves, making even the object of love, our professed love, serve our ends. That is the tragedy of the world today, of married life. It is called love, but what is it? Serving the selfish ends of man. But true love "seeks not its own" (1 Cor. 13:5) says the apostle, but is utterly selfless, and when it is like that, we are luminous. Men can see by our presence, they can see God, see Christ, see a lot, perhaps all that they need to see, by our being here or there. We are luminaries - not by a teaching, not by what we have, but we are that. That is singleness of eye, that is purity of heart, and again I say at the end, that is the only ground on which the Lord is free to commit Himself to us. If we turn the light of the Lord's glory upon every situation, every matter, and we do not say, "This is quite permissible and harmless" for that is negative. We are positive; we say, "Is this to the glory of God?" That is the positive side, that is the single eye. The Lord grant it to us!
~T. Austin-Sparks~
(The End)
Finding God's Comfort # 4
Finding God's Comfort # 4
Each of Job's friends, in turn, argued his case, and to each of these Job replied. Three times the discourse went around in this way, excepting that in the last round, Zophar was silent - a confession of defeat. The friends, urged Job to confess and repent, promising that then God would restore him to favor. They believed that it was for sin of his, that the hand of God rested so heavily upon him. Job was bewildered - but indignantly repelled the charge that he was being punished for sin.
But in all the great hurt of Job's loss and sorrow, and in all the intensity of his own personal affliction, he did not breathe a murmur against God. Once, indeed, he did say, "Even today is my complaint rebellious." But he meant that his sufferings were so great that he could scarcely, if at all, repress his complaint. He does not mean that he was rebellious against God, for he was not; but that with his faith in God and his submission to the divine will - he could hardly keep his grief and pain from breaking out in cries and groanings. Though crushed by the terrible blows which had fallen upon him, his heart gave way to no bitter or unbelieving words.
There is here a beautiful lesson for us. Eventually, we must all have troubles which will sorely try our souls to endure. If we are God's children, we should bear even the sorest trials and the greatest sufferings without complaining against God. It may not always be possible to repress the outcries of anguish, though as far as possible we should do this; but even if our complaint is rebellious, too full of pain to be repressed, we should not have in our heart any rebellious feeling toward God.
One writer tells of two birds and how they acted when caught and put into a cage. One, a starling, flew violently against the wire walls of its prison, in unavailing efforts to escape - only battering and bruising its own wings. The other bird, a canary, perched itself on the bar and began to pour forth bursts of sweet song, from its little throat. We know which bird was the wiser and happier.
Some people are like the starling - when they are in any trouble, they chafe and fret and complain and give way to wretchedness! The result is, they only hurt themselves, make themselves more miserable, and do not in any sense lessen their trouble. It is wiser always, as well as more pleasing to God, for us to bear our trials patiently, singing songs of faith and love - rather than crying out in rebellion and discontent.
Patient Job wanted to get near to God in his trouble; he cried, "Oh that I knew where I might find Him!" He felt sure that that would be the best and safest place for him to be. We ought not to lose this lesson. When trouble in upon us - the true thing for us to do, is to flee to God! Some people, in their affliction and sorrow, flee away from God. They pray less, rather than more. They become afraid of God, at times almost distrustful of Him. They even think God cannot be their friend - or He would not cause them such suffering. Many people in time of sorrow, get away from God. Thus they lose their joy and peace, missing the comfort which they would get if only they kept God's very presence. This is the only safe refuge, when the storms of trouble break upon us.
The reason Job wanted to get face to face with God, was stated by him: "I would set my cause in order before Him." He had confidence that God was his friend and that if he could stand before Him and tell Him all about his life, it would be well.
We may have the same confidence - if we are God's children. This does not mean that we have no sins, and that we can appear in God's presence and explain our acts and show Him that we have done nothing wrong. We are sinners and can come before Him only with penitence and confession. But when we come thus and cast ourselves on His love and mercy, we may order our cause before Him without fear, not pleading innocence - but pleading the grace of Christ.
We know that God is pitiful toward our infirmities. "Like as a father pities his children, So Jehovah pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust." Ah! still sweeter truth than that which is uttered here - is that we have One who can order our cause before God and who will always seek acceptance for us. "If anyone sins," said the beloved disciple, "we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous!" We may go to God in His Name, in the time of trouble - sure that in His hands all our interests will be safe, for He ever lives to make intercession for His children.
Job was sure that if he could only get to God, that he would find Him a Friend. "He would give heed unto me!" was his expression of faith. He had been learning more and more of God's real nature, and had at least some gleams of the true character of the mighty God. Especially does he seem to have gotten some glimpses of the divine Redeemer who was his friend. Thus a little earlier he said: "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes - I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:25-27).
~J. R. Miller~
(continued with # 5)
Each of Job's friends, in turn, argued his case, and to each of these Job replied. Three times the discourse went around in this way, excepting that in the last round, Zophar was silent - a confession of defeat. The friends, urged Job to confess and repent, promising that then God would restore him to favor. They believed that it was for sin of his, that the hand of God rested so heavily upon him. Job was bewildered - but indignantly repelled the charge that he was being punished for sin.
But in all the great hurt of Job's loss and sorrow, and in all the intensity of his own personal affliction, he did not breathe a murmur against God. Once, indeed, he did say, "Even today is my complaint rebellious." But he meant that his sufferings were so great that he could scarcely, if at all, repress his complaint. He does not mean that he was rebellious against God, for he was not; but that with his faith in God and his submission to the divine will - he could hardly keep his grief and pain from breaking out in cries and groanings. Though crushed by the terrible blows which had fallen upon him, his heart gave way to no bitter or unbelieving words.
There is here a beautiful lesson for us. Eventually, we must all have troubles which will sorely try our souls to endure. If we are God's children, we should bear even the sorest trials and the greatest sufferings without complaining against God. It may not always be possible to repress the outcries of anguish, though as far as possible we should do this; but even if our complaint is rebellious, too full of pain to be repressed, we should not have in our heart any rebellious feeling toward God.
One writer tells of two birds and how they acted when caught and put into a cage. One, a starling, flew violently against the wire walls of its prison, in unavailing efforts to escape - only battering and bruising its own wings. The other bird, a canary, perched itself on the bar and began to pour forth bursts of sweet song, from its little throat. We know which bird was the wiser and happier.
Some people are like the starling - when they are in any trouble, they chafe and fret and complain and give way to wretchedness! The result is, they only hurt themselves, make themselves more miserable, and do not in any sense lessen their trouble. It is wiser always, as well as more pleasing to God, for us to bear our trials patiently, singing songs of faith and love - rather than crying out in rebellion and discontent.
Patient Job wanted to get near to God in his trouble; he cried, "Oh that I knew where I might find Him!" He felt sure that that would be the best and safest place for him to be. We ought not to lose this lesson. When trouble in upon us - the true thing for us to do, is to flee to God! Some people, in their affliction and sorrow, flee away from God. They pray less, rather than more. They become afraid of God, at times almost distrustful of Him. They even think God cannot be their friend - or He would not cause them such suffering. Many people in time of sorrow, get away from God. Thus they lose their joy and peace, missing the comfort which they would get if only they kept God's very presence. This is the only safe refuge, when the storms of trouble break upon us.
The reason Job wanted to get face to face with God, was stated by him: "I would set my cause in order before Him." He had confidence that God was his friend and that if he could stand before Him and tell Him all about his life, it would be well.
We may have the same confidence - if we are God's children. This does not mean that we have no sins, and that we can appear in God's presence and explain our acts and show Him that we have done nothing wrong. We are sinners and can come before Him only with penitence and confession. But when we come thus and cast ourselves on His love and mercy, we may order our cause before Him without fear, not pleading innocence - but pleading the grace of Christ.
We know that God is pitiful toward our infirmities. "Like as a father pities his children, So Jehovah pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust." Ah! still sweeter truth than that which is uttered here - is that we have One who can order our cause before God and who will always seek acceptance for us. "If anyone sins," said the beloved disciple, "we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous!" We may go to God in His Name, in the time of trouble - sure that in His hands all our interests will be safe, for He ever lives to make intercession for His children.
Job was sure that if he could only get to God, that he would find Him a Friend. "He would give heed unto me!" was his expression of faith. He had been learning more and more of God's real nature, and had at least some gleams of the true character of the mighty God. Especially does he seem to have gotten some glimpses of the divine Redeemer who was his friend. Thus a little earlier he said: "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes - I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:25-27).
~J. R. Miller~
(continued with # 5)
Saturday, June 1, 2019
Singleness of Eye # 2
Singleness of Eye # 2
It raises very many practical questions. Can we rejoice in the work of God without being the instrument, without feeling at all bad that we are not the instrument and just rejoice in the work without any place being given to us in it? Or in seeing the work of God being done and going on, do we at once get into it with self-pity or with our own ambition and desire to have some place in that, which is not a pure, utterly selfless desire, completely circumcised in heart? Can we rejoice and be thankful when the gospel is preached even of contention? You remember Paul, "Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife...thinking to raise up affliction for me in my bonds" (Phil. 1:15-17). Oh, their motive! Unholy motive, the evil of that heart that is not singleness of eye, that is not purity of heart. But what was Paul's reaction, "There is something wrong here; people like that ought not to be allowed to preach the gospel. The Lord ought not to use that?" Paul said, "No, whether it be even of contention, whether it is with that evil motive, I rejoice that the gospel is preached anyway!" That is singleness of eye.
Can we be even used of the Lord in any way, many ways, not only in public ministry or spoken ministry, but in other ways - in practical service, in giving - and then disappear? Go right away at once behind the curtain? It is the Lord's interest, not ours - hands off; glad to be used, but out of sight at once, not peeping round to get the appreciation or thanks for what we have helped them. All such matters go to the heart of this whole question of singleness of eye. Can we let go, and stand right back? You must not misunderstand what I am saying because there is another way of interpreting it - being careless, indifferent, "Let them get on with it!" That is only another form to the contrary of purity of heart. But I mean being out of it ourselves, letting go.
A Sole Concern for the Glory of God
It opens up a wide field and involves in very many questions and matters, but it all amount to this, does one thing alone matter - the glory of God? It was the spirit of John the Baptist that made him so great - "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). It was the spirit which made Paul so great a man before God: "I know how to be abased" (Phil. 4:12), to be left out, all this if only the Lord gets His place, gets His ends. This is purity of heart. "The pure in heart...shall see God" (Matt. 5:8). The one man in the Old Testament of whom it is said that he saw God was Moses. "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men that were upon the face of the earth" (Num. 12:3). How utterly selfless in interest Moses was! That is why he saw God. He was pure in heart, pure from this insinuation of self-interest, concern for place, for notice, for gratification,satisfaction, or anything else. Oh, how selfish we are!! There is a lot bound up with this.
The One To Whom God Will Commit Himself
The Lord Jesus did come, and He did come to show in Himself the kind of person to whom God would commit Himself, to whom God would let go Himself. It is a tremendous thing for such as God to let himself go to someone else, commit Himself, so to speak, to put Himself into the hands of another with perfect assurance and content to say, "I can trust Myself with that one, I need not be reserved where they are concerned. I can give them My secrets, I can open up to them, with scope for service, ways of usefulness: I know quite well self will not come in there; it is safe." Who of us could say that of ourselves? I cannot; I do not think you can.
But what leads to this? Is it not our deep, agonizing concern before God that He will be able to commit Himself to us that we might be the more to His glory and more used by Him? Does that not concern you? Do you, with me, desire above all other things that the Lord should be able to be with us and to make us a blessing and to use us and to open the way before us, and not all the time to have to say, "I must go steady there, they are taking it into their own hands to get glory for themselves. They have become masters instead of servants?" Are you concerned about that? If you are not, of course this word has nothing for you, but if so, surely this is a word to our hearts. How will the Lord commit Himself? The Lord Jesus is the great example. He came to show, for God was with Him. That was the testimony of the apostles. He "went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him" (Acts 10:38).Oh, that is what popularity, the publicity, no, but just that God should get glory and have His way. He puts His finger upon the secret - the single eye, purity of heart.
~T. Austin-Sparks~
(continued with # 3)
It raises very many practical questions. Can we rejoice in the work of God without being the instrument, without feeling at all bad that we are not the instrument and just rejoice in the work without any place being given to us in it? Or in seeing the work of God being done and going on, do we at once get into it with self-pity or with our own ambition and desire to have some place in that, which is not a pure, utterly selfless desire, completely circumcised in heart? Can we rejoice and be thankful when the gospel is preached even of contention? You remember Paul, "Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife...thinking to raise up affliction for me in my bonds" (Phil. 1:15-17). Oh, their motive! Unholy motive, the evil of that heart that is not singleness of eye, that is not purity of heart. But what was Paul's reaction, "There is something wrong here; people like that ought not to be allowed to preach the gospel. The Lord ought not to use that?" Paul said, "No, whether it be even of contention, whether it is with that evil motive, I rejoice that the gospel is preached anyway!" That is singleness of eye.
Can we be even used of the Lord in any way, many ways, not only in public ministry or spoken ministry, but in other ways - in practical service, in giving - and then disappear? Go right away at once behind the curtain? It is the Lord's interest, not ours - hands off; glad to be used, but out of sight at once, not peeping round to get the appreciation or thanks for what we have helped them. All such matters go to the heart of this whole question of singleness of eye. Can we let go, and stand right back? You must not misunderstand what I am saying because there is another way of interpreting it - being careless, indifferent, "Let them get on with it!" That is only another form to the contrary of purity of heart. But I mean being out of it ourselves, letting go.
A Sole Concern for the Glory of God
It opens up a wide field and involves in very many questions and matters, but it all amount to this, does one thing alone matter - the glory of God? It was the spirit of John the Baptist that made him so great - "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). It was the spirit which made Paul so great a man before God: "I know how to be abased" (Phil. 4:12), to be left out, all this if only the Lord gets His place, gets His ends. This is purity of heart. "The pure in heart...shall see God" (Matt. 5:8). The one man in the Old Testament of whom it is said that he saw God was Moses. "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men that were upon the face of the earth" (Num. 12:3). How utterly selfless in interest Moses was! That is why he saw God. He was pure in heart, pure from this insinuation of self-interest, concern for place, for notice, for gratification,satisfaction, or anything else. Oh, how selfish we are!! There is a lot bound up with this.
The One To Whom God Will Commit Himself
The Lord Jesus did come, and He did come to show in Himself the kind of person to whom God would commit Himself, to whom God would let go Himself. It is a tremendous thing for such as God to let himself go to someone else, commit Himself, so to speak, to put Himself into the hands of another with perfect assurance and content to say, "I can trust Myself with that one, I need not be reserved where they are concerned. I can give them My secrets, I can open up to them, with scope for service, ways of usefulness: I know quite well self will not come in there; it is safe." Who of us could say that of ourselves? I cannot; I do not think you can.
But what leads to this? Is it not our deep, agonizing concern before God that He will be able to commit Himself to us that we might be the more to His glory and more used by Him? Does that not concern you? Do you, with me, desire above all other things that the Lord should be able to be with us and to make us a blessing and to use us and to open the way before us, and not all the time to have to say, "I must go steady there, they are taking it into their own hands to get glory for themselves. They have become masters instead of servants?" Are you concerned about that? If you are not, of course this word has nothing for you, but if so, surely this is a word to our hearts. How will the Lord commit Himself? The Lord Jesus is the great example. He came to show, for God was with Him. That was the testimony of the apostles. He "went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him" (Acts 10:38).Oh, that is what popularity, the publicity, no, but just that God should get glory and have His way. He puts His finger upon the secret - the single eye, purity of heart.
~T. Austin-Sparks~
(continued with # 3)
Finding God's Comfort # 3
Finding God's Comfort # 3
Since this is so, Job was exhorted by Eliphaz, "Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty." God chastens us to bless us - to do us good. He chastens us because He loves us.
He is not a true parent, who sees his children doing wrong, and yet fails to correct them for fear he may hurt their feelings. He ought to think of their higher good, and chasten them now - to profit them afterward.
This is the way our heavenly Father works. He never loves us better - than when He is correcting us. Therefore we ought not to despise this chastening. We ought not to murmur or complain when God does not give us our own way - but checks us, lays His afflictive hand upon us, and sends trouble upon us! We ought to have such faith in God that we shall submit quietly, confidently, and sweetly to His will - even when it brings a heavy cross into our life.
A great many people need to pause at this line and learn it. They do not treat God's chastening with reverence. Sometimes they are crushed by it, and refuse to look up into God's face with submission and love. Sometimes they grow bitter against God and say hard things of Him!
A letter lies before me while I write, in which one who has met sore experiences, whose lot in life is indeed unhappy, says almost angry things of the God who could permit his child to suffer so. We ought not to despise - we ought to reverence God's chastening as sacred with the sacredness of the divine love. We ought to listen to the voice that speaks to us in our grief or pain.
The way in which God brings blessing through chastening, is emphasized: "For He wounds - but He also binds up; He strikes - but His hands also heal." (Job 5:18). God never smites with both hands at once! When one hand is laid upon us in affliction, the other hand is reached out to help, to uphold, to heal.
The assurance continues, "He will deliver you in six troubles." We have no promise that He will deliver us from troubles - but we have only assurances that in our troubles he will save us from being harmed by troubles. There may be trial after trial - but no evil shall really touch us. We have an illustration in the story of the three young Hebrew children who were cast into the burning furnace in Babylon. They passed through the fire - but the flames did not kindle upon them. This deliverance was supernatural - but it was an illustration of that which God always does for the souls of those who trust Him and do His will, when they are led through trouble. One may be very sick for a long time and may suffer a great deal - and yet his inner spiritual life may not receive any hurt. One may lose money or property - and yet his true treasure remains untouched.
In all earthly troubles we have to submit to God and to do His will, in love and trust - and He will guard our lives from any real harm. The harm from which God guards His people is noted: "You shall be hid from the scourge of the tongue." It seems strange to have the tongue called a scourge. A scourge is a whip with which one smites, inflicting gashes. When we think of it, the tongue is a whip. We sometimes hear the ugly expression "tongue lashing," used when one has slashed another with sharp or severe words. There are many kinds of words that are like scourges. Some people are forever speaking false words of others' calumnies, trying to injure their reputation. There is a good deal of scandal and gossip in the common talk of many. Some speak unkind words - sharp, cutting, wounding words. The tongue is an instrument of cruelty and harm in many instances.
But this verse says that God will hide His own children from the scourge of the tongue. How does He do this? Not always as He hid Daniel when in the den of lions, by shutting the savage creatures' mouths. Oftener He does it by means of the shelter of love, which covers them and keeps them from being hurt by the bitter words. Joseph was lied against and suffered for a time, being cast into prison; but the false words did not really do him any harm in the end. False tongues spoke their calumnies against Jesus - but not one of them hurt Him, for God hid Him meanwhile in the refuge of His own love.
So it will be always with those who put their trust in God and go quietly on in the way of duty, while others deframe them or revile them. God will preserve them from all the evil consequences of men's slanderous or angry words. Only we must take care never to return evil for evil, bitter word for bitter word. When we are reviled, we must not revile in return; when we are deframed, we must not threaten - but must commit ourselves to Him who judges righteously.
"You shall come to your grave in a full age, like as a shock of grain comes in its season." This is a beautiful picture of a godly old age. Of course not all godly people live to be old. Many of the best die in childhood, in youth, in early years, his life is in one sense like a shock of corn, fully ripe in its season. As God looks upon the death of His own people, none die prematurely. He gathers no unripe fruits into His garner. Whether long or short, therefore, the life that is devoted to God and is lived obediently, lovingly, and sweetly - comes home in the beauty of blessed ripeness, into the heavenly Father's bosom!
~J. R. Miller~
(continued with # 4)
Since this is so, Job was exhorted by Eliphaz, "Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty." God chastens us to bless us - to do us good. He chastens us because He loves us.
He is not a true parent, who sees his children doing wrong, and yet fails to correct them for fear he may hurt their feelings. He ought to think of their higher good, and chasten them now - to profit them afterward.
This is the way our heavenly Father works. He never loves us better - than when He is correcting us. Therefore we ought not to despise this chastening. We ought not to murmur or complain when God does not give us our own way - but checks us, lays His afflictive hand upon us, and sends trouble upon us! We ought to have such faith in God that we shall submit quietly, confidently, and sweetly to His will - even when it brings a heavy cross into our life.
A great many people need to pause at this line and learn it. They do not treat God's chastening with reverence. Sometimes they are crushed by it, and refuse to look up into God's face with submission and love. Sometimes they grow bitter against God and say hard things of Him!
A letter lies before me while I write, in which one who has met sore experiences, whose lot in life is indeed unhappy, says almost angry things of the God who could permit his child to suffer so. We ought not to despise - we ought to reverence God's chastening as sacred with the sacredness of the divine love. We ought to listen to the voice that speaks to us in our grief or pain.
The way in which God brings blessing through chastening, is emphasized: "For He wounds - but He also binds up; He strikes - but His hands also heal." (Job 5:18). God never smites with both hands at once! When one hand is laid upon us in affliction, the other hand is reached out to help, to uphold, to heal.
The assurance continues, "He will deliver you in six troubles." We have no promise that He will deliver us from troubles - but we have only assurances that in our troubles he will save us from being harmed by troubles. There may be trial after trial - but no evil shall really touch us. We have an illustration in the story of the three young Hebrew children who were cast into the burning furnace in Babylon. They passed through the fire - but the flames did not kindle upon them. This deliverance was supernatural - but it was an illustration of that which God always does for the souls of those who trust Him and do His will, when they are led through trouble. One may be very sick for a long time and may suffer a great deal - and yet his inner spiritual life may not receive any hurt. One may lose money or property - and yet his true treasure remains untouched.
In all earthly troubles we have to submit to God and to do His will, in love and trust - and He will guard our lives from any real harm. The harm from which God guards His people is noted: "You shall be hid from the scourge of the tongue." It seems strange to have the tongue called a scourge. A scourge is a whip with which one smites, inflicting gashes. When we think of it, the tongue is a whip. We sometimes hear the ugly expression "tongue lashing," used when one has slashed another with sharp or severe words. There are many kinds of words that are like scourges. Some people are forever speaking false words of others' calumnies, trying to injure their reputation. There is a good deal of scandal and gossip in the common talk of many. Some speak unkind words - sharp, cutting, wounding words. The tongue is an instrument of cruelty and harm in many instances.
But this verse says that God will hide His own children from the scourge of the tongue. How does He do this? Not always as He hid Daniel when in the den of lions, by shutting the savage creatures' mouths. Oftener He does it by means of the shelter of love, which covers them and keeps them from being hurt by the bitter words. Joseph was lied against and suffered for a time, being cast into prison; but the false words did not really do him any harm in the end. False tongues spoke their calumnies against Jesus - but not one of them hurt Him, for God hid Him meanwhile in the refuge of His own love.
So it will be always with those who put their trust in God and go quietly on in the way of duty, while others deframe them or revile them. God will preserve them from all the evil consequences of men's slanderous or angry words. Only we must take care never to return evil for evil, bitter word for bitter word. When we are reviled, we must not revile in return; when we are deframed, we must not threaten - but must commit ourselves to Him who judges righteously.
"You shall come to your grave in a full age, like as a shock of grain comes in its season." This is a beautiful picture of a godly old age. Of course not all godly people live to be old. Many of the best die in childhood, in youth, in early years, his life is in one sense like a shock of corn, fully ripe in its season. As God looks upon the death of His own people, none die prematurely. He gathers no unripe fruits into His garner. Whether long or short, therefore, the life that is devoted to God and is lived obediently, lovingly, and sweetly - comes home in the beauty of blessed ripeness, into the heavenly Father's bosom!
~J. R. Miller~
(continued with # 4)
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