At a time when the world is legalizing pot and homosexual marriage there is a lot to be discouraged over. When the economy is in a depression and said to be recovering, when crazed people are killing innocent children in their school rooms, something is amiss. We have been warned of what would come upon the world just prior to the second coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It becomes more disturbing when we hear of women being placed on the front lines of battle and made rulers of men even in the church. When Protestant Christian churches begin teaching evolution in their schools we can know the world is as it was in the days of Noah when good was called evil and evil called good.
In contemplating today's situation, I was torn between wanting to address the wrongs or forgetting about the evil in the world and focusing on the good news. As I was doing some research and seeking counsel, I was pointed to the work that is going on in our church around the world. Many are absorbed in their day-to-day difficulties and are not aware of the work that is beyond their borders, which is often times defined by the community in which they live.
I was reminded of Elijah who considered what he could see with his eyes the extent of the faithful in the nation. "Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life." Romans 11:3. Have you ever felt that way? If it were not for Scripture and the precious promises of God, I would have many a day. The Bible is my rule of faith and it tells me that God answered this discouragement of Elijah by telling him "I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal." So, today God has reserved "a remnant according to the election of grace." You are not alone in your love of God and belief in Scripture.
Then, my mind went to others who were tempted to discouragement. Some even yielded, but were not forsaken by God. The story of Job is one that we all cringe at. The poor man was "perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil," yet that did not protect him from all the evil that came upon him. He lost all that was dear to him, except his wife. The devil could have taken her, but he knew that he could use her to depress Job and encourage him to curse God, which she did. She was so undone that she told Job to "Curse God, and die." That was only the beginning of sorrows for Job. We then listen for thirty chapters to Job's despondency. He never cursed God, but he said everything else. What is the lesson for us?
Let's look at Moses' life. Was he ever discouraged? Did he ever face great difficulties? We could begin with the trials he faced while living in Egypt. Or, we could think of him wandering in the desert as he learned patience tending sheep. We could think on the many times that Israel in their murmuring blamed him for their troubles. But, the great disappointment in the life of Moses came when he crucified Christ by misrepresenting Him before the nation of Israel. All of the long 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, Moses had always been faithful. God said, Moses "is faithful in all mine house." Numbers 12:7. Then that day came when Moses lost sight of Jesus. He allowed his mind to wander away from his Savior and his fallen human nature rose up and manifested pride and anger. "Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?" Numbers 20:10. For this great sin, Moses must not be allowed to go into the promised land of Canaan, and he must die. It pained Moses that he had disgraced God and His Word by misrepresenting Him and all that he had been teaching God's chosen people. His repentance was quick and deep. But, the transgression must be met with stern justice. Had not the life of Moses been marred with that one sin, in failing to give God the glory of bringing water from the rock at Kadesh, he would have entered the Promised Land, and would have been translated to heaven without seeing death.
Now Moses was to be separated from the people whom he loved and had labored for. It was indeed a great disappointment. Did Moses murmur now as did Job or Elijah? No, he did not. He trusted God and accepted the verdict. He could not lead his beloved nation into the promised land. Herein is the lesson for us today who are facing great trials. Job suffered greatly, but after repenting of his sin of self righteousness, God blessed him greatly. "So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.He had also seven sons and three daughters." Job 24:12, 13.
And how was it with Elijah who wanted to die? On Mount Carmel he had been exalted. While under the inspiration of God, he had stood the severest trial of faith; but now with Jezebel's threat sounding in his ears, he loses his hold on God. "It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers." God did not take Elijah at his word, but rather brought him to repentance then translated him to heaven in a chariot of fire.
Moses is my favorite example in our study, for his sin had been so great, his disappointment so real, and the end so wonderful. Yes, Moses was tried greatly as the leader of Israel. We read in Psalms 106:33 "Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips." Yet, there is no excuse for sin. God did not excuse his sin, he killed Moses because of it. Yet, at the most difficult time in Moses life, we find the character that had been imputed and imparted to Moses revealed a man of God. By faith, Moses got up off of his face in repentance, picked up his cross and moved forward in the few short days left to him. His righteousness was by faith in the Savior who was always at his right hand, whose Spirit was even in his heart. Moses knew his sin was forgiven and shook off the disgrace and discouragement brought about by his one sin.
Now, the rest of the story that is such a blessing for us who are great sinners also. Moses knew that he must die. Yet, he had not for a moment faltered in his care for Israel. He had faithfully sought to prepare the congregation to enter upon the promised inheritance. At the divine command Moses and Joshua repaired to the tabernacle, while the pillar of cloud came and stood over the door. Here the people were solemnly committed to the charge of Joshua. The work of Moses as leader of Israel was ended. Still he forgot himself in his interest for his people. In the presence of the assembled multitude Moses, in the name of God, addressed to his successor these words of holy cheer: "Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee." He then turned to the elders and officers of the people, giving them a solemn charge to obey faithfully the instructions he had communicated to them from God.
That very day there came to Moses the command, "Get thee up . . . unto Mount Nebo, . . . and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession: and die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people." Moses had often left the camp in obedience to the divine summons, to commune with God; but he was now to depart on a new and mysterious errand. He must go forth to resign his life into the hands of his Creator. Moses knew that he was to die alone; no earthly friend would be permitted to minister to him in his last hours. There was a mystery and awfulness about the scene before him, from which his heart shrank. The severest trial was his separation from the people of his care and love--the people with whom his interest and his life had so long been united. But he had learned to trust in God, and with unquestioning faith he committed himself and his people to His love and mercy.
As did Moses, we must press against the darkness and take hold of the mighty arm of God. We have but a little time to prepare for eternity. May the Lord help us to overcome and win the crown and see the King in His beauty. Then we shall not have lived in vain. The cross comes before the crown. Jesus tells us to "take up the cross, and follow me." We are to learn from the lessons given in Scripture. The blessing awaits us, by faith in God's promises.
Moses did not remain in the grave. He knew God had a better place for him than the promised land of Canaan, but he did not know that he would be there so soon. For the first time Christ was about to give life to the dead. Satan disputed over the body of Moses. "Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee." Jude 1:9. Incontrovertible evidence was then given that Christ has the "keys of hell and of death." Can you imagine the joy in the heart of Moses as he entered into the heavenly city with Jesus at his side!! Moses received the reward of his faith in Christ. "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather  to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible." Hebrews 11:24-27. Moses understood that it was his privilege to suffer for Christ. "Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." Philippians 1:29. Of all the gifts that Heaven can bestow upon men, fellowship with Christ in His sufferings is the most weighty trust and the highest honor.
So it is to be with us. By faith we are to look unto Jesus, to understand that the invisible things are eternal and the things which we now see will pass away. Elijah, Job, and Moses were faithful until each sinned. But, understanding their Creator, their Savior, they knew of His great love and grace. They refused to listen to the words of Satan regarding their unworthiness of God's forgiveness. They accepted God's grace and received the blessings that came forth from the hand of our most wonderful Savior. By faith we are to look beyond our own failures, the failures of our families, our friends, the church, and its institutions. We are to move forward in the power of His Spirit seeking to share the news of a God that loves the world so much that He gave His only Son that the sinner might live. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." The evil in the world is evidence that the time is at hand when our Lord and Savior is to return and take us home!
"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry." Hebrews 10:35-37. Look up, for our redemption draweth nigh!
|
|
If you know of one who would benefit from our newsletter,
|
