Deu 28:13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
If we obey the LORD, He will compel our adversaries to see that His
blessing rests upon us.
Though this be a promise of the law, yet it
stands good to the people of God; for Jesus has removed the curse, but
He has established the blessing.
It is for saints to lead the way among men by holy influence...
They
are not to be the tail, to be dragged hither and thither by others.
We
must not yield to the spirit of the age, but compel the age to do homage
to Christ.
If the LORD be with us, we shalt not crave toleration for religion...
But we shall seek to seat it on the throne of society.
Has not the LORD
Jesus made His people priests?
Surely they are to teach and must not
be learners from the philosophies of unbelievers.
Are we not in Christ
made kings to reign upon the earth?
How, then can we be the servants of
custom, the slaves of human opinion? Have you, dear friend, taken up your true position for Jesus?
Too
many are silent because timid, if not cowardly.
Should we allow the
name of the LORD Jesus to be kept in the background?
Should our religion
drag along as a tail?
Should it not rather lead the way and be the
ruling force with ourselves and others?
Psalm 5:9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.
This is the identifying mark of the "hireling," the false pastor.
He aims at pleasing his hearers...
Making them feel satisfied with
themselves...
Ever patting them on the back.
But he who has My Word--let him speak My Word faithfully.
Jer 23:28 The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.
No matter how unpalatable it may be to the
flesh...
How much of a weariness to those who wish to have their
ears tickled with novelties...
Or how loud the outcry against it is!
Ministerial faithfulness includes...
Loyalty to his Master...
Devotion to HIS interests...
Steadfast adherence to the preaching of His Word...
Dispensing the truth unto those whose souls are committed
to Him...
Not mixing it with his speculations...
Much less substituting false
doctrine.
A far higher motive than the pleasing of his hearers must
actuate and regulate ministerial service.
Faithful preaching will render the minister unpopular, and
will empty churches...not fill them!
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Souls are caught fast in the meshes of
Satan's lies...
And nothing but The Sword Of God's Truth can cut them free!
A faithful man--who can find?
Pro 20:6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
Why is this?
Because it is the part of fallen human nature to take the line of
least resistance, and choose the path easiest to the flesh.
But
remember, my reader, whoever you are, that, Lying lips are
abomination to the Lord-but those who deal faithfully are His
delight.
Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Be faithful unto death-and I will give you a crown of life!
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
If none of God’s saints were poor and tried, we should not know half so well the consolations of divine grace.
When we find the wanderer who has not where to lay his head, who yet can say, “Still will I trust in the Lord;”...
When we see the pauper starving on bread and water, who still glories in Jesus...
When we see the bereaved widow overwhelmed in affliction, and yet having faith in Christ...
Oh! what honour it reflects on the gospel.
God’s grace is illustrated and magnified in the poverty and trials of believers.
Saints bear up under every discouragement, believing that all things work together for their good...
And that out of apparent evils a real blessing shall ultimately spring...
That their God will either work a deliverance for them speedily, or most assuredly support them in the trouble, as long as he is pleased to keep them in it.
This patience of the saints proves the power of divine grace.
There is a lighthouse out at sea...
It is a calm night...I cannot tell whether the edifice is firm...
The tempest must rage about it, and then I shall know whether it will stand.
So with the Spirit’s work: if it were not on many occasions surrounded with tempestuous waters, we should not know that it was true and strong...
If the winds did not blow upon it, we should not know how firm and secure it was.
The master-works of God are those men who stand in the midst of difficulties, stedfast, unmoveable...
Calm mid the bewildering cry, Confident of victory.
He who would glorify his God must set his account upon meeting with many trials.
No man can be illustrious before the Lord unless his conflicts be many.
If then, yours be a much tried path, rejoice in it, because you will the better show forth the all-sufficient grace of God.
As for his failing you, never dream of it...hate the thought.
The God who has been sufficient until now, should be trusted to the end. ~Charles Spurgeon~
