When The LORD Shows NO Anger!

Hebrews 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth

There cannot be a greater evidence of God's hatred and wrath than His refusing to Correct men for their sinful courses and vanities!

Where God refuses to Correct...there God resolves to Destroy!

There is no man so near God's ax - so near the flames - so near Hell as he whom God will not so much as spend a rod upon!
 

Revelation 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

God is Most Angry When He Shows No Anger! 

Who can seriously meditate upon this, and not be silent under God's most smarting rod.

Romans 1:28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Rom 1:29  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
 
Rom 1:30  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
 
Rom 1:31  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 

Rom 1:32  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

~Thomas Brooks 

"Stand Firm"

Exodus 14:13  And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

This verse contains God’s command to me as a believer for those times when I am confronted with dire circumstances and extraordinary difficulties. 

What am I to do when I cannot retreat or go forward and my way is blocked to the right and to the left?

The Master’s word to me is,“Stand firm.”

And the best thing I can do at these times is to listen only to my Master’s word, for others will come to me with their suggestions and evil advice.

Despair will come, whispering,“Give up...lie down and die.” 

But even in the worst of times, God would have me be cheerful and courageous, rejoicing in His love and faithfulness.

Cowardice will come and say, "You must retreat to the world’s ways of acting"...

"It is too difficult for you to continue living the part of a Christian."

"Abandon your principles.”

Yet no matter how much Satan may pressure me to follow his course, I cannot, for I am a child of God. 

The Lord’s divine decree has commanded me to go from strength to strength (Ps. 84:7).

Therefore I will, and neither death nor hell will turn me from my course. 

And if for a season He calls me to “stand firm,” I will acknowledge it as time to renew my strength for greater strides in the future.

Impatience will come, crying,“Get up and do something!.. 

"To ‘stand firm’ and wait is sheer idleness.” 

Why is it I think I must be doing something right now instead of looking to the Lord?

He will not only do something...He will do everything.

Arrogance will come, boasting, “If the sea is blocking your way, march right into it and expect a miracle.”

Yet true faith never listens to arrogance, impatience, cowardice, or despair but only hears God saying, “Stand firm.” 

And then it stands as immovable as a rock.

Stand firm. 

I must maintain the posture of one who stands, ready for action, expecting further orders, and cheerfully and patiently awaiting the Director’s voice.

It will not be long until God will say to me, as distinctly as He told Moses to tell the children of Israel,“Move on” (Ex. 14:15).

~Charles H. Spurgeon~

Be quiet! Why this anxious heed About your tangled ways?

God knows them all. 

He gives you speed And He allows delays.

It’s good for you to walk by faith And not by sight. 

Take it on trust a little while. 

Soon will you read the mystery aright In the full sunshine of His smile.

In times of uncertainty..wait.

If you have any doubt...wait, never forcing yourself into action. 

If you sense any restraint in your spirit, do not go against it...wait until the way is clear.

Strong Medicine Has Become Needful For The Nation!

The times are awful; and likely to become more so. 

Rods have been used without effect, and now the scorpions are coming. 

May their bite awaken us, but not destroy us!

National pride, infidelity, and profligacy are growing very rampant...

And will grow from bad to worse unless restrained by heavy judgments.

The worst evil God can bring upon a nation is to say to it, as once He said to Ephraim, "Let him alone!" 

But if the Lord intends our good, He will chastise us sorely. 

This is the Bible-road to reformation.

On this account, however formidable His judgments are, I know not whether I should fear them more, or bid them welcome. 

Strong medicine has become needful for the nation...

And however nauseous to the palate, or painful in the operation, it must be deemed a blessing. 

May the Lord prepare us for the tempest, and prove to be our hiding-place! 

~John Berridge