God's Providences

God's Providences

We are not permitted to view the future providences of God; we know not whither its wheel may next turn. But looking back upon the past providences of God we can know with full assurance that those yet to come will be for our best.

“Hear Him”

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“Hear Him”                                                                                                          

Mark 9:7 “And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.”

Much has been written, and much has been said and preached regarding following Christ, but little is heard regarding hearing Him. It seems fitting at the beginning of a New Year to consider this most important subject, and the command given in the text, for Jesus plainly stated that before we can follow him we must first hear his voice. (John 10:4, 27)

Yet before we can look at hearing Him, there is the subject of our personal salvation that must be considered. If we are to “hear him”, it is necessary that we belong to him. John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice”. Throughout John chapter 10, Jesus makes it clear that his sheep hear his voice and follow him; he also made it very clear that those who are not his sheep do not hear his voice – “Ye believe not because ye are not of my sheep”. 2Pet. 1:10 says, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” There is little use in studying how to follow Jesus unless we are first certain that we are his; for we cannot follow him rightly unless and until we truly know him.

To hear means to give audience or allowance to speak. It means to attend favorably to, to regard; to listen to. In the text, it carries with it the assumption of obedience. To hear means to learn, to approve, and embrace. It means to lend, turn, or incline the ear.

God said to “hear” Jesus. That is, we are to attend favorably to him; we are to approve and embrace his words. If we are to “hear him” we must be listening. We are always listening for the voice of one we love; and when we hear them speak, we listen to them, eagerly desiring to catch every word. Are we listening for the voice of Jesus? If to hear means to give allowance to speak, then are we devoting time to listening for our Saviour? Or do we only speak to Him? When he would speak to us, when the Spirit prompts to prayer, do we incline our ear to him? Or do we offer some excuse of inconvenience (Songs 5:3)?

We are told to “hear him”. We are not told to hear any other but Jesus. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice”; and in John 10:5 he said that, “they know not the voice of strangers.” How sad that so many of God’s professed people better know the voice of others, yet cannot even hear the voice of the One who loves them and gave his life for them! The apostle Paul said that there are “many kinds of voices in the world”; how true that is! There are voices of friends and foes; voices of family and loved ones; voices of employments and cares. These can be true and right, or they may be false and wrong. However, the reality is that the many kinds of voices may be categorized into two: the voice of the Word, and the voice of the world. The many kinds of voices are constantly calling, and if we are not listening for and to his voice, the “many kinds” will so distract us that we will not be able to hear him when he calls. And if we cannot hear him when he calls, then we will not follow.

In the command to “hear him” there is the suggestion that we are not to hear others. We are not to listen to them, we are not to give them allowance to speak, we are not to regard or obey them, nor even give them the time of day. We are only to “hear him”. And this thought suggested by the text is verified by Jesus himself when he said, “for they know not the voice of strangers.” Yes, it is true that God can and does at times speak through some or all of these; only if we know him will we be able to discern when it is his voice through others, and when it is the voice of others. The Scriptures are the rule to give us discernment in this.

While no specific time of hearing is stated, and while we know that we are always to “hear him”, listening for his voice, yet the text suggests a particular time of which it is helpful to note. The text says, “And there was a cloud… and a voice came out of the cloud”. God is not always so near when the sun is shining, for then we do not feel our need of him; and J.R. Miller rightly points out (speaking of Luke 24:28, 29) that Jesus “loves to be constrained. He does not go where he is not really and earnestly desired, where his presence is not eagerly sought after.” When life is dark and the clouds seem to hang low, then, as much as ever, we ought to “hear him”. Many times we are tempted when facing some trouble to think that Jesus is not near, that he does not care; we often feel alone and forsaken. Yet this is not so, and it is during the cloudy days that the Lord’s gentle leading may be the most evident, when he speaks most tenderly to his sheep. Jesus is near on cloudy days.

This year, whether it be one of sunshine or clouds, triumphs or troubles, may we “hear him”; not just with the hearing of the ear, but of the heart and life. May we hear the Word and not the world. May we hear him in obedience and faith, and not in rebellion and unbelief.

May it be the resolve of God’s people to “hear him” in 2013!

PBC

Where Will You Be One Year From Now?
Rise up... and go

New Years often mark new beginnings.  New beginnings are begun by first considering where we have been (or are), then where we desire to be. It is sometimes helpful to look back and see where we have been in life, yet at the same time it can be something that causes us to stumble if we have regrets of where we have been. Let us each carefully and prayerfully consider the following questions, asking God to speak to our hearts: 1. How long have I been a child of God? 2. What has changed in my life since I was born again? 3. Where have I been since that day? 4. Am I where God wants me to be? 5. What am I doing to reach the place God wants me?

In these questions, I am not asking “where” in the physical sense (though that could also apply), but in the spiritual sense. Looking back to the time of conversion, and considering all of the changes that took place as a result of the saving grace of God in granting faith and repentance, all of the love for Jesus Christ that was felt and manifest, and the desire to live every aspect of my life in a manner pleasing to Him, how does that compare to where I am now?

Many times when looking back, we see little but failure: failure to love the Lord as we ought; failure to love family and friends as we ought; failure to love the lost as we ought; failure to live a holy life as we ought. We see sins both of commission and omission. In truth, if we are honest, we will find that many of the sins that were present in our hearts before conversion are still present in our flesh, although (hopefully) by the sanctifying work of God they are not as manifest as they once were. If we are honest, we must still look at our past life as a child of God and say ‘I am of all men most miserable a sinner.’

The difficulty with looking back and seeing all our failures is that often despair and discouragement come to plague our thoughts. This is one of Satan’s greatest and most successful weapons against the child of God, for the one who is discouraged and in despair is one who is stuck in his past and is not reaching the place of holiness and sanctification that God desires us each to reach.

It was during a time of such despair in my life brought on by the thoughts of my failures that God in his merciful kindness and love brought to me the Scripture “Rise up, let us go” through a devotional by J.R. Miller. (See Mark 14:32-42) This word was spoken by Jesus to the disciples in the garden when they had fallen asleep, when they had failed the Lord at a time when they had great opportunity to minister to the Lord. They had lost the time, the opportunity was gone, never to return. Never again would they have that same opportunity, never again would they be able to use that time. It is often the same with us as we look at our past; those opportunities of the past to minister to the Lord, to speak a word of love to both the lost and saved, to spend that time in prayer, are gone; the time has already been wasted, never to return.

While it is true that when we are made aware by God of past sins and failures that we are to deal with those by repenting of them and seeking to make right whatever wrong we have done, yet we must be careful lest we dwell on the past in a manner which would cause us to despair. Note that above I emphasized “by God”: we must not spend our time constantly combing over our past life looking for sins and failures.  This will contribute to despair, and will open a door  for Satan to tempt us; it will effectively keep us from ever reaching the place of sanctified service God would have us, as we will not have time left to focus on where we should be for focusing on where we have been.

It is quite clear from the words of Jesus that he did not desire his disciples to dwell on how they had just failed him, neither to remain sleeping as if nothing had happened. He told them to “Rise up”. As we begin a New Year, we need to do the same. We need to set aside the failures of the past (aside from making them right and remembering the lessons learned), to ‘Rise up,... and go’. Men and women who live constantly dwelling in the failures of the past are not needed; these may be found in great plenty. Men and women are needed who will rise up from the failures of the past, learning the lessons of those failures, and go forward to live a victorious life of service for and to God. It is this to which Jesus called the disciples.

A great comfort is to be found in the words “let us go”. Jesus did not intend that the disciples should go without direction and help; he said “us”, thus showing that they were to go together. We must never endeavor to forge ahead of our failures without the presence and help of Jesus Christ. The account that follows of Peter’s denial shows this in great clarity.

For many of us, looking back at 2011 might be discouraging as we think of its failures, the times we have given in to temptation, the sorrows and tears. But let us determine by the help of God to let past failings be a goad to greater faithfulness, to incite us to more careful watchings, to encourage us to spend more time in prayer and study of God’s Word, to be a lesson of our constant need of the presence of the Holy Spirit.  Miller says “Yet why should a man squander all because he has squandered the best?” “ Because we have failed in one duty we must not give up in despair. There are other opportunities waiting...”

So we have failed, what then? Let us repent, ‘Rise up, and go’. Waste not precious time this year dwelling in the past but rather reach for the place God desires you to be.  We may well ask ‘Where have I been?’, but we would better ask ‘Where will I be?’ This time one year from now, will you have gone forward in your spiritual life, or will you be where you are now?

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philip. 3:13,14



Those who desire to be a different person tomorrow must begin change today.

"The Lord trieth the righteous:" Psalm 11:5

 Those who seek after the holiness and righteousness of God to rule in their lives must not shy away from the afflictions and trials allowed/sent by the Lord.

"All events are under the control of Providence; consequently all the trials of our outward life are traceable at once to the great First Cause. Out of the golden gate of God's ordinance the armies of trial march forth in array clad in their iron armour, and armed with weapons of war. All providences are doors to trial. Even our mercies, like roses, have their thorns. Men may be drowned in seas of prosperity as well as in rivers of affliction. Our mountains are not too high, and our valleys are not too low for temptations: trials lurk on all roads. Everywhere, above and beneath, we are beset and surrounded with dangers. Yet no shower falls unpermitted from the threatening cloud; every drop has its order ere it hastens to the earth. The trials which come from God are sent to prove and strengthen out graces, and so at once to illustrate the power of divine grace, to test the genuineness of our virtues, and to add to their energy. Our Lord in his infinite wisdom and superabundant love, sets  so high a value upon his people's faith that He will not screen them from those trials by which faith is strengthened. You would never have possessed the precious faith  which now supports you if the trial of your faith had not been like unto fire. You are a tree that never would have rooted to well if the wind had not rocked you to and fro, and made you take firm hold upon the precious truths of the covenant of grace. Worldly ease is a great for to faith; it loosens the joints of holy valour, and snaps the sinews of sacred courage. The balloon never rises until the cords are cut; affliction doth this sharp service for believing souls. While the wheat sleeps comfortably in the husk it is useless to man, it must be threshed out of its resting place before its value can be known. Thus it is well that Jehovah trieth the righteous, for it causeth them to grow rich towards God." Copied from Morning and Evening by C.H. Spurgeon, Sept. 3rd.

Where Were You?, Where Are We?, Where Will We Be???

(Before reading any further, I want to ask one favor. If you begin, be sure and read this little article in its entirety. Otherwise you may think I am saying things I that I am not.)

Ten years ago, September 11, 2001, America was attacked. Many Americans lost their lives that day, and since then many others have given their life striving to bring to justice those responsible for the attacks and to preserve the freedoms that we as a nation have enjoyed since our fathers gave their lives to gain freedom and liberty from a  tyrannical government. Freedom and liberty, not to do whatever they pleased, but the freedom and liberty to live their lives in accordance with the Word of God and the dictates of their conscience.

Since that dreadful day ten years ago, the question has often been asked when we meet and that day is brought up in conversation, “Where were you when the Twin Towers fell?” Everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing. I remember. And I will never forget. It’s not that I think I should or shouldn’t forget; I can’t. Whether I want to or not is not the question. Many lives were changed that day, my life was changed. And many more lives were changed by the events of that day in the years to come.

But what I wonder ten years later is not “Where were you?” or “What were you doing?” but “Where are we now?” There is not a doubt in my being that the events of that day, September 11, 2001 were the hand of God’s judgement on America. How can one not see how that America’s idols were stricken that day? The Twin Towers: the icon of America’s financial security. The Pentagon: the icon of America’s military might. The Capitol: the icon of America’s government (although God in mercy did not allow this target to be struck at this time). Everything that we as Americans take pride in: our financial system, our military, and our government, were attacked that day.   

Today, God’s hand of judgement is still on America. Or economy is teetering on the brink of complete collapse. Our debts continue to climb at an astounding rate of speed. Our government has become a noose around the necks of the people, drawing tighter each week, imposing regulations and restrictions on every aspect of our life under the guise of “security”. Our military is not under the authority of the people, but is under the control of ungodly politicians, being sent to areas all over the world for who -knows - what reasons.

We may look at these things in fear and well ask “What happened?” What happened to the leaders who stood on the steps of the Capitol, who stood in Congress, who stood before the nation on the radio and television urging us to seek the face of God and praying for God’s blessing on our nation? What happened to the masses of people in the days following the 9/11 attacks who thronged into churches across this nation, presumably to seek the Lord?

This tenth anniversary will be one of many memorials, a time once again of pain and tears for many people. Once again the phrases “Where were you?” and “Never forget!” will be front and center of our speech and media. But more importantly I want to ask, Where are we? Where are you? Where am I? Ten years later, what has changed in our lives? Have we heeded the judgements of God and sought his face? Have we set aside any and all idols that may have been in our hearts and lives ten years ago? Or like so many, have we gone back, cold and indifferent to the will of God and his Word to do that which is pleasing in our own eyes, to seek our own fleshly pleasure?

Please understand that I am not trying to diminish in any way the significance of the events of September 11, 2001. I am not trying to be callous to the pain that so many feel on this day each year. I am not trying to imply that the sacrifice that those in our military have made since then has been meaningless.  I am not saying that it is wrong to remember where we were, or that we ought to forget. Each year on 9/11 I remember very keenly the pain, the shock, the anger I felt that day ten years ago, and this year will be no different. But what I am saying is that it is far more important where we are today than where we were then. And ten years from now, when we look back, what will have changed in our lives? Where will we be then? Will we be closer to the Lord, or will we go on living as if God did not exist?

Those who desire to be a different person tomorrow must begin to change today.

May God have mercy on America!

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt. 11:28-30

When nothing whereon to lean remains,

When strongholds crumble to dust,

When nothing is sure but that God still reigns,

That's just the time to trust.

'Tis better to walk by faith than sight

In this path of yours and mine,

In the pitch black night with no outer light,

That's the time for faith to shine.

Author Unknown

A WOMAN’S QUESTION

A WOMAN’S QUESTION

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing


Ever made by the hand above?


A woman’s heart, and a woman’s life–


And a woman’s wonderful love.

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing


As a child might ask for a toy?


Demanding what others have died to win


With the reckless dash of a boy.

You have written my lesson of duty out, 


Manlike, you have questioned me.


Now stand at the bars of my woman’s soul


Until I shall question thee.

You require your mutton shall always be hot,


Your socks and your shirt be whole;


I require your heart be as true as God’s stars


And as pure as His heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef,


I require a far greater thing;


A seamstress you’re wanting for socks and shirts—


I look for a man and a king.

A king for the beautiful realm called Home,


And a man that his Maker, God,


Shall look upon as he did on the first


And say: “It is very good.”

I am fair and young, but the rose may fade


From this soft young cheek one day;


Will you love me then, ‘mid the falling leaves


As you did ‘mong the blossoms of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and true,


I may launch my all on its tide?


A loving woman finds heaven or hell


On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true,


All things that a man should be;


If you give this all, I would stake my life


To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot be this, a laundress and cook


You can hire and little to pay;


But a woman’s heart and a woman’s life


Are not to be won that way.

Lena Lathrop