Shut Your Door # 1
"But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (Matthew 6:6).
Jesus gave very definite instructions concerning prayer. We are to enter into our private room and shut the door. This does not necessarily mean that we must actually be in an private room in a house. We may be out in the field, in the heart of the forest, or on a quiet hillside. When Jesus Himself prayed, it was often in a garden or on a mountain - somewhere apart from the multitude. He teaches us to do the same. We need to be alone. The presence of others disturbs our thoughts. We cannot become wholly absorbed in the purpose of our errand to God - if there are others about us. The chatter of voices interrupts us.
Prayer is a great deal more than we sometimes supposed it to be. We may have thought of it as little more than a daily routine of devotion. We rise in the morning and through force of habit kneel down for a minute or two of what we call praying. We run hurriedly through a form of words, without giving serious thought to what we are saying. We scarcely know when we are through - what we have asked God for! Indeed our petitions were mere rote work - there were no strong desires in our hearts, corresponding to the words we used. We say we have been praying. But have we? That is not what Jesus meant when He said, "Go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret." We may have been in the private chamber in a literal sense, and the door may have been shut - but we have not been with our Father!
Christ means that when you enter the private room - you and God are alone together. The world is far away. Its noises break not in upon your ear. You have put your business, your ambitions, your pleasures, far from you. No eye sees you. No ear hears what you say. Then God is near - and you are alone with Him.
We must have the shut door - for all the most sacred experiences of life. Love will not reveal its holiest thoughts in public. Sorrow wants to be alone in its deepest moods. We wear masks before the world; only when the door is shut - do we reveal our truest selves.
There are moments and experiences in real true human friendships, when two souls are alone and come very close together. The door is shut upon the outside world. No stranger intermeddles. No eye looks in upon the sweet communion. No ear hears what the two say one to the other. No tongue breaks in with any word upon the talk they are having together. Their communion seems really full and close.
Yet not even with the most faithful human friends, is the intimacy ideally perfect. Not even our tenderest friends and those closest to us, know half the reasons why we smile or sigh. Every human heart is a world by itself. We really understand very little of what goes on in the brain and heart of the friend we most intimately know. You say you are perfectly acquainted with your friend. But you are not. You read his smiles and you say, "My friend is very happy today." But in his heart are cares and griefs of which you do not suspect.
The marriage relation, when it is what it should be, represents the most complete blending of lives, and the most intimate mutual knowledge, the one of the other. "We tell each other everything," says a happy husband or wife. "We have no secrets from one another. We know all that goes on in each other's mind and heart." But they really do not, they cannot. There may not be any desire or intention to hide anything from the other. Yet a life is so large - that no one can possibly understand it perfectly. We cannot know either all the good or all the evil in others. We cannot comprehend all the mystery there is in any friend's life. We cannot fathom the sorrow of our friend when the tears stream down his cheeks; or his joy when his heart is overflowing with gladness.
There are suggestions of the incompleteness of human communion and fellowship. You and your friend come together in the most sacred intimacy possible - and yet he knows only a little of you. Your life and his - touch at only a few points.
But when you enter into your private chamber and shut the door upon you and God - you are in the presence of One who knows you perfectly! It was said of Jesus, "He knew what was in men." That is, He looked into the life of everyone who came into His presence, and saw everything that was in it. He read the thoughts and feelings, He saw the insincerities, the hypocrisy, the intrigue, the enmity of those who were plotting against Him. He saw the heart hungers, the cravings, the shy love of those who wished for His friendship. He knew what was in every man and woman. When Jesus asked Peter, "Simon, do you love me?" The answer was, "Yes, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." He knew all.
This brings us to the very heart of the meaning of prayer. You may not find great comfort in communion with even your best human friend, for he does not fully understand you. He sees too little of your heart and life. But it is your Father who is in the private chamber with you, and knows all, understands all - and He loves you with a love that is infinite in its compassion and its grace!
~J. R. Miller~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, September 28, 2019
The Devil and the Church # 2
The Devil and the Church # 2
There are signs everywhere unmistakable and of dire import that Protestantism has been blinded and caught by satan's dazzling glare!
We are being seriously affected by the material progress of the age. We have heard so much of it, and gazed on it so long - that spiritual things are tame to us. Spiritual views have no form nor loveliness to us. Everything must take on the rich colorings, luxuriant growth and magnificent appearance of the material - or else it is beggarly. This is the most perilous condition the Church has to meet, when the meek and lowly fruits of piety - are to be discounted by the showy and worldly things with which material success crowds the Church.
We must not yield to the flood. We must not for a moment, not the hundredth part of an inch, give place to the world. Piety must be stressed in every way and at every point. The Church must be made to see and feel this delusion and snare, this transference of her strength from God to the world, this rejection of the Holy Spirit by the endowment of "might and power," and this yielding to satan. The Church more and more is inclined not only to disregard, but to despise the elements of spiritual strength and set them aside - for the more impressive worldly ones.
We have been and are schooling ourselves into regarding as elements of church prosperity - only those items which make showings in a statistical column, and which impress an age given up to worldly facts and figures. And as the most vital spiritual conditions and gains cannot be reduced to figures, they are left out of the column and its aggregates, and after a while they will neither be noted nor estimate of the strength of a church will be supremely worldly. However imposing our material results may be, however magnificent and prosperous the secular arm of the Church appears - we must go deeper than these for its strength. We must proclaim it, and iterate and reiterate it with increased emphasis, that the strength of the Church does not lie in these things.
These may be but the gilded delusions which we mistake for the true riches, and while we are vainly saying, "We are rich and increased in goods," God has written of us that we are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked!" They will be, if we are not sleeplessly vigilant - but the costly spices and splendid decoration which embalm and entomb our spirituality. True strength lies in the vital godliness of the people. The aggregate of the personal holiness of the members of each church - is the only true measure of strength. Any other test offends God, dishonors Christ, grieves the Holy Spirit, and degrades religion.
A church can often make the fairest and best showing of material strength when death in its deadliest form is feeding on its vitals. There can scarcely be a more damaging delusion than to judge of the conditions of the Church by its material exhibits or churchly activity. Spiritual barrenness and rottenness in the Church are generally hidden by a fair exterior and an obtrusive parade of leaves and an exotic growth. A spiritual church converts souls from sin soundly, clearly, and fully.
This spirituality is not a by-play; not to be kept in a corner of the Church, not its dress for holiday or parade days, but it is its chief and only business. If God's Church is not doing this work of converting sinners to holiness and perfecting saints in holiness, wherever and whenever this work becomes secondary, or other interests are held to be its equivalent - then the Church has become worldly! Wherever and whenever the material interests are emphasized until they come into prominence, then the world comes to the throne and sways the scepter of satan.
There is no readier and surer way to make the Church worldly - than to put its material prosperity to the forefront; and no surer, readier way to put satan in charge. It is an easy matter for worldly assessments to become of first importance, by emphasizing them until a sentiment is created that these are paramount. When collecting money, building churches, and statistical columns are to stand as evidences of real church prosperity - then the world has a strong lodgment, and satan has gained his end.
Another scheme of satan is to eliminate from the Church all the lowly self-denying ordinances which are offensive to unsanctified tastes and unregenerate hearts, and reduce the Church to a more human institution - popular, natural, fleshly and pleasing.
satan has no scheme more fearfully destructive and which can more thoroughly thwart God's high and holy purposes - than to transform God's Church and make it a human institution according to man's views. God's right arm is thereby paralyzed, the body of Christ has become the body of satan, light turned into darkness, and life into death.
~E. M. Bounds~
(continued with # 3)
There are signs everywhere unmistakable and of dire import that Protestantism has been blinded and caught by satan's dazzling glare!
We are being seriously affected by the material progress of the age. We have heard so much of it, and gazed on it so long - that spiritual things are tame to us. Spiritual views have no form nor loveliness to us. Everything must take on the rich colorings, luxuriant growth and magnificent appearance of the material - or else it is beggarly. This is the most perilous condition the Church has to meet, when the meek and lowly fruits of piety - are to be discounted by the showy and worldly things with which material success crowds the Church.
We must not yield to the flood. We must not for a moment, not the hundredth part of an inch, give place to the world. Piety must be stressed in every way and at every point. The Church must be made to see and feel this delusion and snare, this transference of her strength from God to the world, this rejection of the Holy Spirit by the endowment of "might and power," and this yielding to satan. The Church more and more is inclined not only to disregard, but to despise the elements of spiritual strength and set them aside - for the more impressive worldly ones.
We have been and are schooling ourselves into regarding as elements of church prosperity - only those items which make showings in a statistical column, and which impress an age given up to worldly facts and figures. And as the most vital spiritual conditions and gains cannot be reduced to figures, they are left out of the column and its aggregates, and after a while they will neither be noted nor estimate of the strength of a church will be supremely worldly. However imposing our material results may be, however magnificent and prosperous the secular arm of the Church appears - we must go deeper than these for its strength. We must proclaim it, and iterate and reiterate it with increased emphasis, that the strength of the Church does not lie in these things.
These may be but the gilded delusions which we mistake for the true riches, and while we are vainly saying, "We are rich and increased in goods," God has written of us that we are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked!" They will be, if we are not sleeplessly vigilant - but the costly spices and splendid decoration which embalm and entomb our spirituality. True strength lies in the vital godliness of the people. The aggregate of the personal holiness of the members of each church - is the only true measure of strength. Any other test offends God, dishonors Christ, grieves the Holy Spirit, and degrades religion.
A church can often make the fairest and best showing of material strength when death in its deadliest form is feeding on its vitals. There can scarcely be a more damaging delusion than to judge of the conditions of the Church by its material exhibits or churchly activity. Spiritual barrenness and rottenness in the Church are generally hidden by a fair exterior and an obtrusive parade of leaves and an exotic growth. A spiritual church converts souls from sin soundly, clearly, and fully.
This spirituality is not a by-play; not to be kept in a corner of the Church, not its dress for holiday or parade days, but it is its chief and only business. If God's Church is not doing this work of converting sinners to holiness and perfecting saints in holiness, wherever and whenever this work becomes secondary, or other interests are held to be its equivalent - then the Church has become worldly! Wherever and whenever the material interests are emphasized until they come into prominence, then the world comes to the throne and sways the scepter of satan.
There is no readier and surer way to make the Church worldly - than to put its material prosperity to the forefront; and no surer, readier way to put satan in charge. It is an easy matter for worldly assessments to become of first importance, by emphasizing them until a sentiment is created that these are paramount. When collecting money, building churches, and statistical columns are to stand as evidences of real church prosperity - then the world has a strong lodgment, and satan has gained his end.
Another scheme of satan is to eliminate from the Church all the lowly self-denying ordinances which are offensive to unsanctified tastes and unregenerate hearts, and reduce the Church to a more human institution - popular, natural, fleshly and pleasing.
satan has no scheme more fearfully destructive and which can more thoroughly thwart God's high and holy purposes - than to transform God's Church and make it a human institution according to man's views. God's right arm is thereby paralyzed, the body of Christ has become the body of satan, light turned into darkness, and life into death.
~E. M. Bounds~
(continued with # 3)
Saturday, September 21, 2019
The devil and the Church # 1
The devil and the Church # 1
The devil is too wise, too large in mental grasp, too lordly in ambition, to confine his aims to the individual. He seeks to direct the policy and sway the scepter of nations. In his largest freedom, and in his delirium of passion and success, "he goes out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth." he is an adept in deception, an expert in all cunning arts. An archangel in execution, he often succeeds in seducing the nations most loyal to Christ, leading them into plans and principles which pervert and render baneful all Christly principles. The Church itself, the bride of Christ, when seduced from her purity, degenerates into a worldly ecclesiasticism.
The "gates of hell shall not prevail" against the Church. This promise of our Lord stands against every satanic device and assault. But this immutable word as to the glorious outcome, does not protect the Church from the devil's stratagems which may, and often do, pervert the aims of the Church and postpone the day of its final triumph.
The devil is a hydra-monster. He is hydra-headed in plans and wisdom - as well as in monstrosities. His master and supreme effort is to get control of the Church, not to destroy its organization, but to abate and pervert its Divine ends. This he does in the most insidious way, seemingly innocent, no startling change, nothing to shock nor to alarm. Sometimes the destructive change is introduced under the disguise of a greater zeal for Christ's glory. Introduced by someone high in church honor, often it occurs that the advocate of these measures is totally ignorant of the fact that the tendency is subversive.
One of the schemes of satan to debase and pervert, is to establish a wrong estimate of church strength. If he can raise false measurements of church power; if he can press the material to the front; if he can tabulate these forces so as to make them imposing and aggregating in commands, influence, and demand - he has secured his end.
IN the Mosaic economy, the subversion of the ends of the Church and the substitution of material forces was guarded against. Their kings were warned against the accumulation, parade, and reliance on material forces. It was in the violation of this law, that David sinned when he yielded to the temptation of satan to number the people.
To this, the third temptation of our Lord was directed. In measure, such temptation by which the devil tried Jesus was intended to subvert the ends of His kingdom by substituting material elements of strength, for the spiritual.
This is one of the devil's most insidious and successful methods to deceive, divert and deprave. He marshals and parades the most engaging material results, lauds the power of civilizing forces and makes its glories and power pass in review - until Church leaders are dazzled, and ensnared, and the Church becomes thoroughly worldly while boasting of her spirituality.
No deceiver is so artful in the diabolical trade of deception, as satan. As an angel of light, he leads a soul to death. To mistake the elements of church strength, is to mistake the character of the Church, and also to change its character all its efforts and aims.
The strength of the Church lies in its piety. All else is incidental. But in worldly, popular language of this day, a church is called strong when its membership is large, when it has social position and large financial resources. The church is thought successful when ability, learning, and eloquence fill the pulpit, and when the pews are filled by fashion, intelligence, money and influence. An estimate of this kind, is worldly to the fullest extent.
The church that thus defines its strength, is on the highway to apostasy. The strength of the Church does not consist of any or all of these things. The faith, holiness and zeal of the Church are the elements of its power. Church strength does not consist in its numbers and its money -but in the holiness of its members. Church strength is not found in these worldly attachments or endowments - but in the endowment of the Holy Spirit on its members. No more fatal or deadly symptom can be seen in a church, than this transference of its strength from spiritual to material forces, from the Holy Spirit to the world. The power of God in the Church is the measure of its strength, and is the estimate which God puts on it, and not the estimate the world puts on it. Here is the measure of its ability to meet the ends of its being.
On the contrary, show us a church, poor, illiterate, obscure and unknown, but composed of praying people. They may be men of neither worldly ability nor wealth nor influence. They may be families that do not know one week whee they are to get their bread for the next. But with them is "the hiding of God's power," and their influence will be felt for eternity, and their light shines, and they are watched. Wherever they go, there is a fountain of light, and Christ in them is glorified and His kingdom advanced. They are His chosen vessels of salvation and His luminaries to reflect His light.
~E. M. Bounds~
(continued with # 2)
The devil is too wise, too large in mental grasp, too lordly in ambition, to confine his aims to the individual. He seeks to direct the policy and sway the scepter of nations. In his largest freedom, and in his delirium of passion and success, "he goes out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth." he is an adept in deception, an expert in all cunning arts. An archangel in execution, he often succeeds in seducing the nations most loyal to Christ, leading them into plans and principles which pervert and render baneful all Christly principles. The Church itself, the bride of Christ, when seduced from her purity, degenerates into a worldly ecclesiasticism.
The "gates of hell shall not prevail" against the Church. This promise of our Lord stands against every satanic device and assault. But this immutable word as to the glorious outcome, does not protect the Church from the devil's stratagems which may, and often do, pervert the aims of the Church and postpone the day of its final triumph.
The devil is a hydra-monster. He is hydra-headed in plans and wisdom - as well as in monstrosities. His master and supreme effort is to get control of the Church, not to destroy its organization, but to abate and pervert its Divine ends. This he does in the most insidious way, seemingly innocent, no startling change, nothing to shock nor to alarm. Sometimes the destructive change is introduced under the disguise of a greater zeal for Christ's glory. Introduced by someone high in church honor, often it occurs that the advocate of these measures is totally ignorant of the fact that the tendency is subversive.
One of the schemes of satan to debase and pervert, is to establish a wrong estimate of church strength. If he can raise false measurements of church power; if he can press the material to the front; if he can tabulate these forces so as to make them imposing and aggregating in commands, influence, and demand - he has secured his end.
IN the Mosaic economy, the subversion of the ends of the Church and the substitution of material forces was guarded against. Their kings were warned against the accumulation, parade, and reliance on material forces. It was in the violation of this law, that David sinned when he yielded to the temptation of satan to number the people.
To this, the third temptation of our Lord was directed. In measure, such temptation by which the devil tried Jesus was intended to subvert the ends of His kingdom by substituting material elements of strength, for the spiritual.
This is one of the devil's most insidious and successful methods to deceive, divert and deprave. He marshals and parades the most engaging material results, lauds the power of civilizing forces and makes its glories and power pass in review - until Church leaders are dazzled, and ensnared, and the Church becomes thoroughly worldly while boasting of her spirituality.
No deceiver is so artful in the diabolical trade of deception, as satan. As an angel of light, he leads a soul to death. To mistake the elements of church strength, is to mistake the character of the Church, and also to change its character all its efforts and aims.
The strength of the Church lies in its piety. All else is incidental. But in worldly, popular language of this day, a church is called strong when its membership is large, when it has social position and large financial resources. The church is thought successful when ability, learning, and eloquence fill the pulpit, and when the pews are filled by fashion, intelligence, money and influence. An estimate of this kind, is worldly to the fullest extent.
The church that thus defines its strength, is on the highway to apostasy. The strength of the Church does not consist of any or all of these things. The faith, holiness and zeal of the Church are the elements of its power. Church strength does not consist in its numbers and its money -but in the holiness of its members. Church strength is not found in these worldly attachments or endowments - but in the endowment of the Holy Spirit on its members. No more fatal or deadly symptom can be seen in a church, than this transference of its strength from spiritual to material forces, from the Holy Spirit to the world. The power of God in the Church is the measure of its strength, and is the estimate which God puts on it, and not the estimate the world puts on it. Here is the measure of its ability to meet the ends of its being.
On the contrary, show us a church, poor, illiterate, obscure and unknown, but composed of praying people. They may be men of neither worldly ability nor wealth nor influence. They may be families that do not know one week whee they are to get their bread for the next. But with them is "the hiding of God's power," and their influence will be felt for eternity, and their light shines, and they are watched. Wherever they go, there is a fountain of light, and Christ in them is glorified and His kingdom advanced. They are His chosen vessels of salvation and His luminaries to reflect His light.
~E. M. Bounds~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Discouragement # 4
Discouragement # 4
Daily beg the Lord to place His cooling hand upon your fevered flesh. Only by waiting on God and for Him - shall we maintain peace of mind, cheerfulness of heart, and steadfastness in the performance of duty.
The CURE of discouragement. "And David was greatly distressed...but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God" (1 Sam. 30:6). The context is very solemn, showing that the best of men - are but men at the best. Seeking help from the ungodly, David had placed himself under obligation to the king of Gath. He had pretended to be a friend of the Philistines, and the enemy of his own people. Accordingly, Achish determined to make use of David and his men, in the attack he had planned upon Israel. But the Lord turned the hearts of the other "lords of the Philistines" against David (1 Sam. 29:2-7), and Achish was obliged to dispense with their service, so that they were allowed to depart. Unconscious of the sad disappointment awaiting them, David and his men made for Ziklag, where he had left his wives and children.
Arriving there on the third day, "When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep" (1 Sam. 30:3-4). That was an experience calculated to overwhelm the stoutest soul. Arriving at the place where he had left his family and possessions, the city was a mass of smoking ruins, and those whom he loved were not there to welcome him.
Broken-hearted over this calamity, further trouble now came upon David, for his men murmured and mutinied, "for the people spoke of stoning him!" (1 Sam. 30:6). They blamed their leader for having journeyed to Achish and leaving Ziklag defenseless, and for provoking the Amalekites, who had thus avenged themselves. To add to his grief, David knew that his own folly had brought down upon him this sore chastisement of the Lord. "And David was greatly distressed." He had cause to be so! Never before had he been called upon to drink so bitter a cup.
What then, was his reaction? Did he yield to his sorrow and sink into abject despair? No! He "encouraged himself in the Lord his God." That was where he found relief: that is the grand remedy for faint-heartedness! David had sinned grievously - but conviction and contrition were now wrought in him.
First, then, he took heart from the mercy of the Lord. God had promised His people that "if they shall confess their iniquity" and "be humbled" and "accept of the punishment of their iniquity," He would remember His covenant with their fathers (Lev. 26:40;42). It was on that ground he now acted: "David encouraged himself in the Lord his God" - that is, his covenant God. "I acknowledge my sin unto You...I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and You forgave the iniquity of my sin" (Psalm 32:5). However low the saint may fall, if he humbles himself before God, and confesses his sins, he may encourage himself in the divine mercy, for "the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting" (Psalm 103:17).
Second, he encouraged himself in God's righteousness: "I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, and that you in faithfulness have afflicted me" (Psalm 119:75) - and that took the sting out of it.
Third, David encouraged himself in God's goodness. He reviewed God's favors to him in the past, and recalled how often He had delivered him from trying situations.
Fourth, he encouraged himself in God's omnipotence, realizing that nothing is too hard for Him, no situation hopeless unto His almighty power, assured that He was able to overrule evil unto good, and to bring a clean thing out of an unclean.
Firth, he encouraged himself in God's promises: he "hoped in God" (Psalm 119:74), counting upon Him to undertake for him. When we are at our wit's end - we should not be at faith's end - but trust in God's sufficiency. David had sadly departed from God - but now he turned unto Him in penitence and faith. Nor did the Lord fail him: read the sequel (1 Sam. 30:7-8) and behold how God enabled him to overtake the Amalekites and recover "all" (1 Sam. 30:18-19)! When discouraged, encourage yourself in the Lord your God!
~A. W. Pink~
(The End)
Daily beg the Lord to place His cooling hand upon your fevered flesh. Only by waiting on God and for Him - shall we maintain peace of mind, cheerfulness of heart, and steadfastness in the performance of duty.
The CURE of discouragement. "And David was greatly distressed...but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God" (1 Sam. 30:6). The context is very solemn, showing that the best of men - are but men at the best. Seeking help from the ungodly, David had placed himself under obligation to the king of Gath. He had pretended to be a friend of the Philistines, and the enemy of his own people. Accordingly, Achish determined to make use of David and his men, in the attack he had planned upon Israel. But the Lord turned the hearts of the other "lords of the Philistines" against David (1 Sam. 29:2-7), and Achish was obliged to dispense with their service, so that they were allowed to depart. Unconscious of the sad disappointment awaiting them, David and his men made for Ziklag, where he had left his wives and children.
Arriving there on the third day, "When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep" (1 Sam. 30:3-4). That was an experience calculated to overwhelm the stoutest soul. Arriving at the place where he had left his family and possessions, the city was a mass of smoking ruins, and those whom he loved were not there to welcome him.
Broken-hearted over this calamity, further trouble now came upon David, for his men murmured and mutinied, "for the people spoke of stoning him!" (1 Sam. 30:6). They blamed their leader for having journeyed to Achish and leaving Ziklag defenseless, and for provoking the Amalekites, who had thus avenged themselves. To add to his grief, David knew that his own folly had brought down upon him this sore chastisement of the Lord. "And David was greatly distressed." He had cause to be so! Never before had he been called upon to drink so bitter a cup.
What then, was his reaction? Did he yield to his sorrow and sink into abject despair? No! He "encouraged himself in the Lord his God." That was where he found relief: that is the grand remedy for faint-heartedness! David had sinned grievously - but conviction and contrition were now wrought in him.
First, then, he took heart from the mercy of the Lord. God had promised His people that "if they shall confess their iniquity" and "be humbled" and "accept of the punishment of their iniquity," He would remember His covenant with their fathers (Lev. 26:40;42). It was on that ground he now acted: "David encouraged himself in the Lord his God" - that is, his covenant God. "I acknowledge my sin unto You...I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and You forgave the iniquity of my sin" (Psalm 32:5). However low the saint may fall, if he humbles himself before God, and confesses his sins, he may encourage himself in the divine mercy, for "the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting" (Psalm 103:17).
Second, he encouraged himself in God's righteousness: "I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, and that you in faithfulness have afflicted me" (Psalm 119:75) - and that took the sting out of it.
Third, David encouraged himself in God's goodness. He reviewed God's favors to him in the past, and recalled how often He had delivered him from trying situations.
Fourth, he encouraged himself in God's omnipotence, realizing that nothing is too hard for Him, no situation hopeless unto His almighty power, assured that He was able to overrule evil unto good, and to bring a clean thing out of an unclean.
Firth, he encouraged himself in God's promises: he "hoped in God" (Psalm 119:74), counting upon Him to undertake for him. When we are at our wit's end - we should not be at faith's end - but trust in God's sufficiency. David had sadly departed from God - but now he turned unto Him in penitence and faith. Nor did the Lord fail him: read the sequel (1 Sam. 30:7-8) and behold how God enabled him to overtake the Amalekites and recover "all" (1 Sam. 30:18-19)! When discouraged, encourage yourself in the Lord your God!
~A. W. Pink~
(The End)
Tried By Fire # 3
Tried By Fire # 3
In some moods we are apt to question the wisdom and right of God to try us. So often we murmur at His dispensations. Why should God lay such an intolerable burden upon me? Why should others be spared their loved ones, and mine taken? Why should health and strength, perhaps the gift of sight, be denied me? The first answer to all such questions is, "who are you, O man, to talk back to God?" It is wicked insubordination for any creature to call into question the dealings of the great Creator. "Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it - Why have you made me thus?" (Romans 9:20). How earnestly each of us need to cry unto God, that His grace may silence our rebellious lips and still the tempest within our desperately wicked hearts!
But to the humble soul which bows in submission before the sovereign dispensations of the all-wise God, Scripture affords some light on the problem. This light may not satisfy reason, but it will bring comfort and strength when received in child-like faith and simplicity. In 1 Peter 1:6 we read; "In this (God's salvation) you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." Note three things here. First, there is a needs-be for the trial of faith. Since God says it, let us accept it. Second, this trying of faith is precious, far more so than of gold. It is precious to God (Psalm 116:15) and will yet be so to us. Third, the present trial has in view the future. Where the trial has been meekly endured and bravely borne, there will be a grand reward at the appearing of our Redeemer.
Again, in 1 Peter 4:12, 13 we are told: "Beloved, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed." The same thoughts are expressed here as in the previous passage. There is a needs-be for our trials and therefore we are not to be surprised at them - we should expect them. And, too, there is again the blessed outlook of being richly recompensed at Christ's return. Then there is the added word that not only should we meet these trials with faith's fortitude, but we should rejoice in them, inasmuch as we are permitted to have fellowship in "the sufferings of Christ." He, too, suffered: sufficient then, for the disciple to be as his Master.
"When He has tried me." Dear Christian reader, there are no exceptions. God had only one Son without sin, but never one without sorrow. "We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). It has been so in every age.
3. The Ultimate Outcome
"I shall come forth as gold." Observe the tense here. Job did not imagine that he was pure gold already. "I shall come forth as gold," he declared. He knew full well that there was yet much dross in him. He did not boast that he was already perfect. Far from it. In the final chapter of his book we find him saying, "I abhor myself" (42:6). And well he might - and well may we! As we discover that in our flesh there dwells "no good thing," as we examine ourselves and our ways in the light of God's Word and behold our innumerable failures, we have good reason here for abhorring ourselves. Ah, Christian reader, there is much dross about us. But it will not ever be thus.
"I shall come forth as gold." This was said by one who knew affliction and sorrow as few among the us have known them. Yet despite his fiery trials he was optimistic. Let then this triumphant language be ours. "I shall come forth as gold" is not the language of carnal boasting, but the confidence of one whose mind was stayed upon God. There will be no credit to our account - the glory will all belong to the Divine Refiner. (James 1:12).
For the present there remain two things: first, Love is the Divine thermometer while we are in the crucible of testing - "And He shall sit (the patience of Divine grace) as a Refiner and Purifier
of silver," etc. (Mal. 3:3). Second, the Lord Himself is with us in the fiery furnace, as He was with the three young Hebrews (Dan. 3:25). For the future this is sure - the most wonderful thing in heaven will not be the golden street or the golden harps - but golden souls on which is stamped the image of God, "predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son!" Praise God fur such a glorious prospect, such a victorious outcome, such a marvelous end!
~A. W. Pink~
(The End)
In some moods we are apt to question the wisdom and right of God to try us. So often we murmur at His dispensations. Why should God lay such an intolerable burden upon me? Why should others be spared their loved ones, and mine taken? Why should health and strength, perhaps the gift of sight, be denied me? The first answer to all such questions is, "who are you, O man, to talk back to God?" It is wicked insubordination for any creature to call into question the dealings of the great Creator. "Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it - Why have you made me thus?" (Romans 9:20). How earnestly each of us need to cry unto God, that His grace may silence our rebellious lips and still the tempest within our desperately wicked hearts!
But to the humble soul which bows in submission before the sovereign dispensations of the all-wise God, Scripture affords some light on the problem. This light may not satisfy reason, but it will bring comfort and strength when received in child-like faith and simplicity. In 1 Peter 1:6 we read; "In this (God's salvation) you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." Note three things here. First, there is a needs-be for the trial of faith. Since God says it, let us accept it. Second, this trying of faith is precious, far more so than of gold. It is precious to God (Psalm 116:15) and will yet be so to us. Third, the present trial has in view the future. Where the trial has been meekly endured and bravely borne, there will be a grand reward at the appearing of our Redeemer.
Again, in 1 Peter 4:12, 13 we are told: "Beloved, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed." The same thoughts are expressed here as in the previous passage. There is a needs-be for our trials and therefore we are not to be surprised at them - we should expect them. And, too, there is again the blessed outlook of being richly recompensed at Christ's return. Then there is the added word that not only should we meet these trials with faith's fortitude, but we should rejoice in them, inasmuch as we are permitted to have fellowship in "the sufferings of Christ." He, too, suffered: sufficient then, for the disciple to be as his Master.
"When He has tried me." Dear Christian reader, there are no exceptions. God had only one Son without sin, but never one without sorrow. "We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). It has been so in every age.
3. The Ultimate Outcome
"I shall come forth as gold." Observe the tense here. Job did not imagine that he was pure gold already. "I shall come forth as gold," he declared. He knew full well that there was yet much dross in him. He did not boast that he was already perfect. Far from it. In the final chapter of his book we find him saying, "I abhor myself" (42:6). And well he might - and well may we! As we discover that in our flesh there dwells "no good thing," as we examine ourselves and our ways in the light of God's Word and behold our innumerable failures, we have good reason here for abhorring ourselves. Ah, Christian reader, there is much dross about us. But it will not ever be thus.
"I shall come forth as gold." This was said by one who knew affliction and sorrow as few among the us have known them. Yet despite his fiery trials he was optimistic. Let then this triumphant language be ours. "I shall come forth as gold" is not the language of carnal boasting, but the confidence of one whose mind was stayed upon God. There will be no credit to our account - the glory will all belong to the Divine Refiner. (James 1:12).
For the present there remain two things: first, Love is the Divine thermometer while we are in the crucible of testing - "And He shall sit (the patience of Divine grace) as a Refiner and Purifier
of silver," etc. (Mal. 3:3). Second, the Lord Himself is with us in the fiery furnace, as He was with the three young Hebrews (Dan. 3:25). For the future this is sure - the most wonderful thing in heaven will not be the golden street or the golden harps - but golden souls on which is stamped the image of God, "predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son!" Praise God fur such a glorious prospect, such a victorious outcome, such a marvelous end!
~A. W. Pink~
(The End)
Discouragement # 3
Discouragement # 3
1. Learn then, dear reader, to hold all temporal things with a light hand. Discipline yourself to do so. "Set your affections upon things above - and not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:2). There is nothing whatever under the sun - which can satisfy the heart; and if we seek our gratification therein, then "vexation of spirit" (Ecc. 1:14) will be our certain portion! God is a jealous God - and will brook no rival; and if we make an idol of any object - He will break it to pieces or give us to discover it is made of clay! Be careful then, not to make too much of the creature. The less we expect from others, even from fellow saints, the less shall we be disappointed and discouraged.
2. Cultivate a life of faith. A being unduly occupied with the creature - is an evidence that faith is not in operation, for faith is ever engaged with unseen things. Israel's despondency in the wilderness, was due to their eyes being removed from the Lord. When the disciples became so faint-hearted and affrighted in face of their storm-tossed boat, Christ put His finger upon the seat of their trouble by saying, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" (Matt. 8:26).
And how is a life of faith to the cultivated? By daily meditating on God's Word, for that is its appointed food: "Nourished up in the words of faith" (1 Timothy 4:6). If that spiritual food is neglected, then faith will weaken and languish - more specifically, by laying hold of and making the divine promises your own. If you rest upon the promises of men - they will prove but a broken reed; but if we count upon God's fulfilling His covenant engagements - we shall not be disappointed, for "faithful is he who calls you, who also will do it" (1 Thess. 5:24). "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you" (Isaiah 26:3).
3. Cultivate a spirit of contentment. That was where Israel failed: their discouragement sprang from dissatisfaction with the provision God made for them - lusting after the fleshpots of Egypt, they wearied of the manna. There can be no peace of mind or rest of soul, while we are displeased with the portion God has allotted us. But how is our proneness unto such sinful dissatisfaction to be overcome? By diligently and daily seeking grace to heed that precept, "Keep your lives free from the love of money - and be content with what you have, because God has said: "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
It is the spirit of covetousness which makes real contentment impossible. They who are greedy, cannot enjoy what God has already given them. O how we punish ourselves by our inordinate desires!
It is not the possession of things which brings satisfaction - but the use we make of them and the pleasure we get out of them. Be thankful for God's present mercies, and trustfully leave the morrow with Him. Count your many blessings - and develop the habit of gratitude.
4. Let your surrender to God's sovereignty be more complete and constant. Israel were peeved and dejected because they could not have their own way; and much of our discouragement springs from the same evil root. The corrective lies in yielding ourselves to the good pleasure of God. He apportions His favors as He pleases; and it is not for us to murmur at the same - but rather to say from the heart, "May the will of the Lord be done" (Acts 21:14).
Shall the creature quarrel with the Creator, because He has bestowed this and that upon his fellows - and withheld the same from him? To do so is horrible arrogance and presumption. But how am I to learn the holy art of meekly acquiescing unto divine providence? By living under an habitual sense of your own unworthiness in the sight of God; realizing daily that "It is the Lord's mercies - that we are not consumed" (Lam. 3:22). Nothing will so much render us submissive to God's dispensations, than the remembrance that He is dealing far better with us - than we deserve!
5. "In your patience possess you your souls" (Luke 21:19). Israel's discouragement sprang from their failure at this very point. They became disheartened at the prospect of a circuitous course - rather than a direct approach unto Canaan. Much of our discouragement is really a chafing over God's delays. What is the corrective?
Self-discipline, the mortification of the spirit of restlessness and fretfulness. Cultivate "a meek and quiet spirit" (1 Pet. 3:4). But how is that to be achieved? By faith's recognition that God has charge of our affairs, for that enables us to calmly endure whatever He appoints. "He who believes shall not make haste" (Isaiah 28:16). Israel failed, as we often do, because "they waited not for His counsel" (Psalm 106:13).
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 4)
1. Learn then, dear reader, to hold all temporal things with a light hand. Discipline yourself to do so. "Set your affections upon things above - and not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:2). There is nothing whatever under the sun - which can satisfy the heart; and if we seek our gratification therein, then "vexation of spirit" (Ecc. 1:14) will be our certain portion! God is a jealous God - and will brook no rival; and if we make an idol of any object - He will break it to pieces or give us to discover it is made of clay! Be careful then, not to make too much of the creature. The less we expect from others, even from fellow saints, the less shall we be disappointed and discouraged.
2. Cultivate a life of faith. A being unduly occupied with the creature - is an evidence that faith is not in operation, for faith is ever engaged with unseen things. Israel's despondency in the wilderness, was due to their eyes being removed from the Lord. When the disciples became so faint-hearted and affrighted in face of their storm-tossed boat, Christ put His finger upon the seat of their trouble by saying, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" (Matt. 8:26).
And how is a life of faith to the cultivated? By daily meditating on God's Word, for that is its appointed food: "Nourished up in the words of faith" (1 Timothy 4:6). If that spiritual food is neglected, then faith will weaken and languish - more specifically, by laying hold of and making the divine promises your own. If you rest upon the promises of men - they will prove but a broken reed; but if we count upon God's fulfilling His covenant engagements - we shall not be disappointed, for "faithful is he who calls you, who also will do it" (1 Thess. 5:24). "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you" (Isaiah 26:3).
3. Cultivate a spirit of contentment. That was where Israel failed: their discouragement sprang from dissatisfaction with the provision God made for them - lusting after the fleshpots of Egypt, they wearied of the manna. There can be no peace of mind or rest of soul, while we are displeased with the portion God has allotted us. But how is our proneness unto such sinful dissatisfaction to be overcome? By diligently and daily seeking grace to heed that precept, "Keep your lives free from the love of money - and be content with what you have, because God has said: "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
It is the spirit of covetousness which makes real contentment impossible. They who are greedy, cannot enjoy what God has already given them. O how we punish ourselves by our inordinate desires!
It is not the possession of things which brings satisfaction - but the use we make of them and the pleasure we get out of them. Be thankful for God's present mercies, and trustfully leave the morrow with Him. Count your many blessings - and develop the habit of gratitude.
4. Let your surrender to God's sovereignty be more complete and constant. Israel were peeved and dejected because they could not have their own way; and much of our discouragement springs from the same evil root. The corrective lies in yielding ourselves to the good pleasure of God. He apportions His favors as He pleases; and it is not for us to murmur at the same - but rather to say from the heart, "May the will of the Lord be done" (Acts 21:14).
Shall the creature quarrel with the Creator, because He has bestowed this and that upon his fellows - and withheld the same from him? To do so is horrible arrogance and presumption. But how am I to learn the holy art of meekly acquiescing unto divine providence? By living under an habitual sense of your own unworthiness in the sight of God; realizing daily that "It is the Lord's mercies - that we are not consumed" (Lam. 3:22). Nothing will so much render us submissive to God's dispensations, than the remembrance that He is dealing far better with us - than we deserve!
5. "In your patience possess you your souls" (Luke 21:19). Israel's discouragement sprang from their failure at this very point. They became disheartened at the prospect of a circuitous course - rather than a direct approach unto Canaan. Much of our discouragement is really a chafing over God's delays. What is the corrective?
Self-discipline, the mortification of the spirit of restlessness and fretfulness. Cultivate "a meek and quiet spirit" (1 Pet. 3:4). But how is that to be achieved? By faith's recognition that God has charge of our affairs, for that enables us to calmly endure whatever He appoints. "He who believes shall not make haste" (Isaiah 28:16). Israel failed, as we often do, because "they waited not for His counsel" (Psalm 106:13).
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 4)
Saturday, September 7, 2019
Tried By Fire # 2
Tried By Fire # 2
In the narrower sense of the term Job did know the way which he took. What that "other way" was he tells us in the next two verses. "My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread" (Job 23:11, 12). The way Job chose was the best way, the scriptural way, God's way - "His way". What do you think of that way, dear reader? Was it not a grand selection? Ah, not only "patient," but wise Job! Have you made a similar choice? Can you say, "My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside?" If you can, praise Him for His enabling grace. If you cannot, confess with shame your failure to appropriate His all-sufficient grace. Get down on your knees at once, and unbosom yourself to God. Hide and keep back nothing. Remember it is written "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Does not verse 12 explain your failure, my failure, dear reader? Is it not because we have so lightly esteemed His Word, that we have "declined" from His way! Then let us, even now, and daily, seek grace from on high to heed His commandments and hide His Word in our hearts.
"He knows the way that I take." Which way are you taking? - the Narrow Way which leads unto life, or "the Broad Road that leads to destruction? Make certain on this point, dear friend. Scripture declares, "So every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12). But you need not be deceived or uncertain. The Lord declared, "I am The Way" (John 14:6).
2. Divine Testing
"When he has tried me." "The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord tries the hearts" (Prov. 17:3). This was God's way with Israel of old, and it is His way with Christians now. Just before Israel entered Canaan, as Moses reviewed their history since leaving Egypt, he said, "And you shall remember all the way which the Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you, and to prove you, and to know what is in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments, or not" (Deut. 8:2). In the same way God tries, tests, proves, humbles us.
"When He has tried me." If we realized this more, we should bear up better in the hour of affliction and be more patient under suffering. The daily irritations of life, the things which annoy so much - what is their meaning? Why are they permitted? Here is the answer: God is "trying" you! That is the explanation (in part, at least) of that disappointment, that crushing of your earthly hopes, that great loss - God was, is, testing you. God is trying your temper, your courage, your faith, your patience, your love, your fidelity.
"When He has tried me." How frequently God's saints see only satan as the cause of their troubles. They regard the great enemy as responsible for much of their sufferings. But there is no comfort for the heart in this. We do not deny that the devil does bring about much that harasses us. But above satan is the Lord Almighty! The devil cannot touch a hair of our heads without God's permission, and when he is allowed to disturb and distract us, even then it is only God using him to "try" us. Let us learn then, to look beyond all secondary causes and instruments to that One who works all things after the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11). This is what Job did.
In the opening chapter of Job, we find satan obtaining permission to afflict God's servant. He used the Sabeans to destroy Job's herds: he sent the Chaldeans to slay his servants: he caused a great wind to kill his children. And what was Job's response? This: he exclaimed "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (1:21). Job looked beyond the human agents, beyond satan who employed them, to the Lord who controls all. He realized that it was the Lord, who was trying him. We get the same thing in the New Testament. To the suffering saints at Smyrna John wrote, "Fear none of those things which you shall suffer; behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried" (Rev. 2:10). Their being cast into prison was simply God trying them.
How much we lose by forgetting this! What a stay for the trouble-tossed heart to know that no matter what form the testing may take, no matter what the agent which annoys, it is God who is "trying" His children. What a perfect example the Saviour sets us. When He was approached in the garden and Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, the Saviour said, "The cup which My Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?" (John 18:11). Men were about to vent their awful rages upon Him, the serpent would bruise His heel - but He looks above and beyond them. Dear reader, no matter how bitter its contents, (infinitely less than that which our Saviour drained) let us accept the cup as from the Father's hand.
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 3)
In the narrower sense of the term Job did know the way which he took. What that "other way" was he tells us in the next two verses. "My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread" (Job 23:11, 12). The way Job chose was the best way, the scriptural way, God's way - "His way". What do you think of that way, dear reader? Was it not a grand selection? Ah, not only "patient," but wise Job! Have you made a similar choice? Can you say, "My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside?" If you can, praise Him for His enabling grace. If you cannot, confess with shame your failure to appropriate His all-sufficient grace. Get down on your knees at once, and unbosom yourself to God. Hide and keep back nothing. Remember it is written "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Does not verse 12 explain your failure, my failure, dear reader? Is it not because we have so lightly esteemed His Word, that we have "declined" from His way! Then let us, even now, and daily, seek grace from on high to heed His commandments and hide His Word in our hearts.
"He knows the way that I take." Which way are you taking? - the Narrow Way which leads unto life, or "the Broad Road that leads to destruction? Make certain on this point, dear friend. Scripture declares, "So every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12). But you need not be deceived or uncertain. The Lord declared, "I am The Way" (John 14:6).
2. Divine Testing
"When he has tried me." "The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord tries the hearts" (Prov. 17:3). This was God's way with Israel of old, and it is His way with Christians now. Just before Israel entered Canaan, as Moses reviewed their history since leaving Egypt, he said, "And you shall remember all the way which the Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you, and to prove you, and to know what is in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments, or not" (Deut. 8:2). In the same way God tries, tests, proves, humbles us.
"When He has tried me." If we realized this more, we should bear up better in the hour of affliction and be more patient under suffering. The daily irritations of life, the things which annoy so much - what is their meaning? Why are they permitted? Here is the answer: God is "trying" you! That is the explanation (in part, at least) of that disappointment, that crushing of your earthly hopes, that great loss - God was, is, testing you. God is trying your temper, your courage, your faith, your patience, your love, your fidelity.
"When He has tried me." How frequently God's saints see only satan as the cause of their troubles. They regard the great enemy as responsible for much of their sufferings. But there is no comfort for the heart in this. We do not deny that the devil does bring about much that harasses us. But above satan is the Lord Almighty! The devil cannot touch a hair of our heads without God's permission, and when he is allowed to disturb and distract us, even then it is only God using him to "try" us. Let us learn then, to look beyond all secondary causes and instruments to that One who works all things after the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11). This is what Job did.
In the opening chapter of Job, we find satan obtaining permission to afflict God's servant. He used the Sabeans to destroy Job's herds: he sent the Chaldeans to slay his servants: he caused a great wind to kill his children. And what was Job's response? This: he exclaimed "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (1:21). Job looked beyond the human agents, beyond satan who employed them, to the Lord who controls all. He realized that it was the Lord, who was trying him. We get the same thing in the New Testament. To the suffering saints at Smyrna John wrote, "Fear none of those things which you shall suffer; behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried" (Rev. 2:10). Their being cast into prison was simply God trying them.
How much we lose by forgetting this! What a stay for the trouble-tossed heart to know that no matter what form the testing may take, no matter what the agent which annoys, it is God who is "trying" His children. What a perfect example the Saviour sets us. When He was approached in the garden and Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, the Saviour said, "The cup which My Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?" (John 18:11). Men were about to vent their awful rages upon Him, the serpent would bruise His heel - but He looks above and beyond them. Dear reader, no matter how bitter its contents, (infinitely less than that which our Saviour drained) let us accept the cup as from the Father's hand.
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 3)
Discouragement # 2
Discouragement # 2
What are the more immediate causes of faint-heartedness?
1. Distrust of God. Is not that plainly intimated by the words of David when he was chiding himself for his soul being cast down: Why so distrubed within me? "Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God" (Psalm 42:11). It was because he had allowed the difficulties of the way to take his eyes off the Lord that he had become dispirited.
Was it not also the case with Israel in the above incident? When the Lord turned their course from a direct approach unto Canaan and led them back into the borders of the desert, they were "much discouraged." They doubted God's goodness unto them - and questioned the wisdom of His guidance. And do not the subtle operations of unbelief lie behind our discouragements? Are they not due to a lack of faith that the very objects which dismay us are among the "all things" God has promised He will work together for good! If we concentrate our attention on the seen things, rather than on the unseen - we soon weaken and pine.
2. Discontent with God's provision. When faith in God's goodness and wisdom ceases to operate, then dissatisfaction takes possession of the heart. Unbelief breeds fretfulness with our lot and circumstances, and prevents our enjoying the portion God has given us. Discouragement, when analyzed, is being displeased with the place or portion God has assigned us. It was so with Israel. They did not relish the fare which He had so graciously given them. "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water" was the language of peevishness. The real reason for their disaffection was expressed in "We detest this miserable food!" (Numbers 21:5). Sad condition of soul was that! They were "much discouraged because of the way," because the day and fare of the wilderness ministered not unto their carnal lusts.
3. Self-will. That is the root both of our distrust of God and our discontent with His provision. Discouragement is nothing less than a rebelling against the sovereign dispensations of God! It was so with Israel. They were chagrined because things were not going as they wanted. They desired to press forward in a direct course unto Canaan; and since the Lord determined otherwise, they were cast down - much like spoiled children who are allowed to have their own way, and murmur and sulk if they be denied anything.
And is it not thus, at times, with many of God's children? Most of our discouragements are due to the dashing of our hopes, disappointments in either things or persons from whom we looked for something better. But disappointment is really a quarreling with God's appointment. It is lack of submission unto God. Discouragements issue from our longings remaining unrealized - from our plans being thwarted, our wills being crossed: it is nothing but vexation of spirit and insubordination to the divine will.
4. Impatience. That also appears plainly in the above incident. Israel chafed at the delay. They wanted to reach their objective by the short-cut, and when a roundabout course was appointed them, their spirits fell, and they gave way to complaining. Unless we prayerfully heed that exhortation, "let patience have her perfect work" (James 1:4), we shall often become faint through discouragement.
The work which God has appointed patience to do - is to wait His time. Patience is a contented endurance of trials which enables a Christian to bear up under them; whereas impatience is an ill-humored resentment against anything which checks the attainment of our desires - and a sinking of spirit which saps our energies when the hindrance persists. Like Israel, only too often we are discouraged because of the way. But we ought not to be so, for God has not promises us a smooth and easy passage through this world - but has told us that "we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22).
We turn now to consider the correctives of discouragement; and obviously, these must be a diligent and resolute opposition to those evils which work in us faint-heartedness. As we have previously intimated, most of our discouragements result from disappointments; and they, in turn, issue from unrealized expectations - the dashing of our hopes. Whether it be persons or things, when they yield not that which we look for - our souls are cast down. And the stronger our expectation, the keener our disappointments when it be not fulfilled.
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 3)
What are the more immediate causes of faint-heartedness?
1. Distrust of God. Is not that plainly intimated by the words of David when he was chiding himself for his soul being cast down: Why so distrubed within me? "Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God" (Psalm 42:11). It was because he had allowed the difficulties of the way to take his eyes off the Lord that he had become dispirited.
Was it not also the case with Israel in the above incident? When the Lord turned their course from a direct approach unto Canaan and led them back into the borders of the desert, they were "much discouraged." They doubted God's goodness unto them - and questioned the wisdom of His guidance. And do not the subtle operations of unbelief lie behind our discouragements? Are they not due to a lack of faith that the very objects which dismay us are among the "all things" God has promised He will work together for good! If we concentrate our attention on the seen things, rather than on the unseen - we soon weaken and pine.
2. Discontent with God's provision. When faith in God's goodness and wisdom ceases to operate, then dissatisfaction takes possession of the heart. Unbelief breeds fretfulness with our lot and circumstances, and prevents our enjoying the portion God has given us. Discouragement, when analyzed, is being displeased with the place or portion God has assigned us. It was so with Israel. They did not relish the fare which He had so graciously given them. "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water" was the language of peevishness. The real reason for their disaffection was expressed in "We detest this miserable food!" (Numbers 21:5). Sad condition of soul was that! They were "much discouraged because of the way," because the day and fare of the wilderness ministered not unto their carnal lusts.
3. Self-will. That is the root both of our distrust of God and our discontent with His provision. Discouragement is nothing less than a rebelling against the sovereign dispensations of God! It was so with Israel. They were chagrined because things were not going as they wanted. They desired to press forward in a direct course unto Canaan; and since the Lord determined otherwise, they were cast down - much like spoiled children who are allowed to have their own way, and murmur and sulk if they be denied anything.
And is it not thus, at times, with many of God's children? Most of our discouragements are due to the dashing of our hopes, disappointments in either things or persons from whom we looked for something better. But disappointment is really a quarreling with God's appointment. It is lack of submission unto God. Discouragements issue from our longings remaining unrealized - from our plans being thwarted, our wills being crossed: it is nothing but vexation of spirit and insubordination to the divine will.
4. Impatience. That also appears plainly in the above incident. Israel chafed at the delay. They wanted to reach their objective by the short-cut, and when a roundabout course was appointed them, their spirits fell, and they gave way to complaining. Unless we prayerfully heed that exhortation, "let patience have her perfect work" (James 1:4), we shall often become faint through discouragement.
The work which God has appointed patience to do - is to wait His time. Patience is a contented endurance of trials which enables a Christian to bear up under them; whereas impatience is an ill-humored resentment against anything which checks the attainment of our desires - and a sinking of spirit which saps our energies when the hindrance persists. Like Israel, only too often we are discouraged because of the way. But we ought not to be so, for God has not promises us a smooth and easy passage through this world - but has told us that "we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22).
We turn now to consider the correctives of discouragement; and obviously, these must be a diligent and resolute opposition to those evils which work in us faint-heartedness. As we have previously intimated, most of our discouragements result from disappointments; and they, in turn, issue from unrealized expectations - the dashing of our hopes. Whether it be persons or things, when they yield not that which we look for - our souls are cast down. And the stronger our expectation, the keener our disappointments when it be not fulfilled.
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 3)
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