A Promise of Future Blessing: Zechariah devotional, part 2

Have you ever been tempted to think that God has given up on His Church?  The Jews in the time of Zechariah, were.  Zechariah proceeds to illustrate God’s loving attitude to His chosen people in a series of visions.  These visions are like word pictures, images seen by the prophet which have a meaning that the Lord intends to convey to those to whom Zechariah is prophesying, the inhabitants of Jerusalem.  Remember that the Jewish people had returned from their captivity in Babylon, but that nations which did not know God had been oppressing them and impeding their progress in rebuilding the temple which had been destroyed.  Nothing had been built but the foundation.  The first vision of Zechariah starts off like this:

Zechariah ^1:8 I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white. ⁹ Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be. ¹⁰ And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.  ¹¹ And they answered the angel of the Lord that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.

The nations which did not know God were resting at ease.  They had harmed the Jewish people, God’s chosen nation, and now were easing back in the saddle as if nothing could endanger them.  But what they don’t realize is that God was merely using them for His purpose.  Though they have been victorious over God’s people, they were just a tool in His almighty hand to correct, to chasten those whom He loves, in order to bring His people to mourn for their sins, and to come back to obedience to Him.

So often in our own generation, it may seem as though God’s power has left His holy Church.  So much of the church is either falling from the true faith, conforming to the world, being caught sleeping in time of battle, or is simply dying out.  The world with all its forces of unbelief, skepticism, and idolatry is oppressing the souls of those who trust in the Lord.  The very air we breathe is completely polluted by the emptiness of mankind’s disregard for the Creator.  That holy city, the Church of Jesus Christ where His word is proclaimed in truth, where baptism and the Lord’s Supper are faithfully practiced, and where Christians are walking together in love and discipline seems to be either vanishing before our eyes, or rendered completely irrelevant.  These are things that can be distressing to the one who forgets that great God who rules over human events, the One who chastens His people in love and smites to heal.  But even in all of these things, God is working His purpose.  And the good of His people whom He loves is what He is working toward, whether we can see it or not.  In the following verses, He goes on to say,

¹² Then the angel of the Lord answered and said, O Lord of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?  ¹³ And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.  ¹⁴ So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. ¹⁵ And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. ¹⁶ Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem. ¹⁷ Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.

The Church of Jesus Christ is that holy city, the Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 3:16, Revelation 21:2) and Israel of God (Galatians 6:16.)  It is composed of all those of every nation, Jew and Gentile, who trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  It is this Church of Christ which meets in particular locations in particular congregations at set times all over the world.  God is not done with her!  God promises to the inhabitants of Jerusalem through the mouth of Zechariah, that those nations which troubled His people will finally and fully be eliminated from the picture.  He used them for His purpose, but when He sees what they have done to her, He is jealous for her!  This is a prophecy about the kingdom of Jesus Christ.  The Jewish nation as a political entity was never restored to full sovereignty or liberated from Gentile rule.  Rather, this prophecy about the restoration of the full freedom of Israel finds its fulfillment in the renewed and restored nation that Jesus established at Pentecost, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you,” (Acts 1:8)  We, the Church of Jesus Christ, the Israel of God, can look forward in faith to the day when we will be fully liberated from all our enemies.  For although the world may criticize and marginalize us as weak and insignificant; our great God is the One who will judge those who have come against His people.  Our place, brothers and sisters, is to keep the faith, to have hope, and continue to be obedient to Him, no matter what the world may throw at us.  We are to be about the business of building His temple.  And we have this comforting promise, that no opposition of the world, no sadness, death, or demonic forces will thwart God’s blessing upon us as His holy Church.

“I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem. …My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.”

Let us, brothers and sisters, love, cherish, contribute our time and talents, to this Holy Bride, the Church of Jesus Christ, which gathers regularly as His people.  And as we continue to build this temple of the living God, let us have faith and hope that the one who has blessed her in the past, will continue to bless.

The Most Helpful Statement of the Trinity and the Person of Christ

[1] Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith; [2] Which faith unless every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.

[3] And the catholic faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; [4] Neither confounding the persons, nor dividing the substance. [5] For there is one person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit. [6] But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is all one, the glory equal, the majesty co-eternal.
[7] Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit. [8] The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, and the Holy Spirit uncreated. [9] The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Spirit incomprehensible. [10] The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal. [11] And yet they are not three eternals, but one eternal. [12] As also there are not three uncreated nor three incomprehensibles, but one uncreated and one incomprehensible. [13] So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, and the Holy Spirit almighty; [14] And yet they are not three almighties, but one almighty.
[15] So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God; [16] And yet they are not three Gods, but one God. [17] So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Spirit Lord; [18] And yet they are not three Lords, but one Lord. [19] For like as we are compelled by the Christian truth to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; [20] So are we forbidden by the catholic religion to say: There are three Gods or three Lords.
[21] The Father is made of none, neither created nor begotten. [22] The Son is of the Father alone; not made nor created, but begotten. [23] The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding. [24] So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits. [25] And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. [26] But the whole three persons are co-eternal, and co-equal. [27] So that in all things, as said before, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped. [28] He therefore that will be saved must thus think of the Trinity.

[29] Furthermore it is necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believe rightly the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. [30] For the right faith is that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and man. 

[31] God of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds; and man of the substance of His mother, born in the world. [32] Perfect God and perfect man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting. [33] Equal to the Father as touching His Godhead, and inferior to the Father as touching His manhood.

[34] Who, although He is God and man, yet He is not two, but one Christ. [35] One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by taking of the manhood into God. [36] One altogether, not by confusion of substance, but by unity of person. [37] For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and man is one Christ; [38] Who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead; [39] He ascended into heaven, He sits on the right hand of the Father, God Almighty; [40] From there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. [41] At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies; [42] And shall give account of their own works. [43] And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting, and they that have done evil into everlasting fire.
[44] This is the catholic faith, which unless a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved.
Amen.

The Athanasian Creed, early 6th century.

William of Orange born on this Day in 1533

William of Orange, Born April 24, 1533

Willem Van Oranje, also known as “William the Silent”, was a Christian statesman, a patriot, and a martyr.  With constant faith, true courage, and loyalty to rightful authority, found himself a leader in the Dutch Revolt against Spain.  His native Netherlands won their independence, and the harsh persecution of Dutch Protestants by Roman Catholic Spain came to an end.  He was assassinated by an agent of the Spanish crown on July 10, 1584, when he went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Willem is the subject of the world’s oldest national anthem, a beautiful song about his life, faith and combat called Het Wilhelmus (1574):

Translated from Dutch, from Wikipedia:

William of Nassau
am I, of German blood.
Loyal to the fatherland
I will remain until I die.
A prince of Orange
am I, free and fearless.
The king of Spain
I have always honoured.

To live in fear of God
I have always attempted.
Because of this I was ousted
bereft of my land and my people.
But God will direct me
like a good instrument.
So that I may return
to my domain.

Hold on my subjects,
who are honest by nature.
God will not abandon you
even though you now are in despair.
He who tries to live piously,
must pray to God day and night,
that He will give me strength
that I may help you.

My life and fortune altogether
I have not spared you.
My brothers high in rank
have shown you this as well:
Count Adolf died
in battle in Frisia
His soul in eternal life
awaits the final judgement.

Noble and high-born,
of imperial descent,
Chosen a prince of the empire,
Like a pious Christian,
for the honoured word of God,
I have without hesitation
like a fearless hero,
ventured my own noble blood.

My shield and reliance
are you, o God my Lord.
It is you on whom I want to rely,
never leave me again.
[Grant] that I may remain brave,
your servant for always,
and [may] defeat the tyranny,
which pierces my heart.

From all those that burden me
and are my pursuers,
my God, do save
your loyal servant.
That they may not surprise me
with their wicked plans
nor wash their hands
in my innocent blood.

Like David, who was forced to flee
from Saul, the tyrant.
I had to sigh,
as did many other nobles.
But God raised him,
relieving him of despair,
and gave him a kingdom
very great in Israel.

After this sourness I will receive
from God my Lord the sweetness
For that longs so much
my noble mind
which is that I may die
with honour in the fields,
and gain an eternal realm
as a faithful hero.

Nothing makes me pity so much
in my adversity,
then that are seen to be impoverishing
the good lands of the King
That you are molested by the Spaniards,
O Noble Netherlands sweet,
when I think of that,
my noble heart bleeds.

Seated [on horseback] like a prince,
with my armed forces,
Defied by the tyrant,
I awaited the battle.
Those dug in at Maastricht
were afraid of my might
People saw my horsemen ride
bravely through the fields.

If it had been the Lord’s will,
at the time,
I would have gladly relieved
you of this heavy tempest.
But the Lord above,
who rules all,
He who we should always praise,
did not desire so.

Steadfast remained
my heart in adversity
To the Lord I prayed,
from the bottom of my heart,
that He may save my cause,
and proclaim my innocence.

Farewell, my poor sheep,
who are in deep despair.
Your shepherd will not sleep,
even though you are now dispersed.
Turn to God,
accept his curing word.
Live as a good Christian;
soon, it will be finished here .

I want to confess to God,
and to his great power
that I have never
despised the King.
except that to God the Lord,
the highest Majesty
I’ve been obedient
in justice.

Review of J. Gresham Machen: A Biographical Memoir by Ned B. Stonehouse

Gresham Machen (1881-1937) was a figure who towers above most of the rest in the history of Christianity in the 20^th century.  He is best known for his valiant fights against liberalism: at large, for Princeton Seminary and especially in the Presbyterian Church in the USA, for founding an institution, Westminster Theological Seminary, and a denomination, the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.  But his influence on Christianity in America today goes far beyond the latter two accomplishments.  In a biography of Machen by one of his close associates, Ned Stonehouse, Machen is described as a student, a scholar, a professor, a vibrant Christian, a friend, a son, and finally, as a leader of a movement for reformation.

This biography gives many details about Machen’s personal life and character.  Stonehouse draws heavily from personal correspondence between Machen and the most important person in his life, his mother.   This is a book that I had started reading some time ago, but to tell the truth, I had been discouraged by the incessant details toward the beginning of his life detailing his childhood in Maryland and undergraduate studies.  I wanted to get to the exciting stuff!  At times I had the feeling Stonehouse was idealizing the mundane in a way that smacked of hagiography.  But when I finally picked the book back up, and got through the portion on Machen’s early life, my interest picked up quickly in the narrative of Machen’s graduate studies in Germany.

The parts that I benefited from the most in this book were the interesting details of Machen’s life that I hadn’t read about already in various other accounts, especially events other than the events of 1926-1937 concerning Princeton Seminary and the Independent Board of Foreign Missions.  (Imagine a day when events at these institutions was covered intensely by the New York Times!)  When he went to Germany as a graduate student, for instance, he was confronted by the arguments of some of the most renowned voices of liberal theology and biblical interpretation.  I had been unaware of just to what extent Machen was impressed by their version of Christianity and their religious fervor!  He was really shaken in his faith, at moments.  Under the instruction of the leading biblical scholars in the world, he sometimes was driven to doubt basic orthodox Christian tenets like the inerrancy of Scripture and the literal, physical resurrection of Christ.  It was wrestling with the best arguments that the liberals had to offer, and his later coming to terms with the old paths laid out in Holy Scripture, that later made him such a capable defender of biblical orthodoxy.  In his experiences in the German Academy, Machen was being prepared for the work that God would have for him.  It is notable that even after having served for many years as Professor of New Testament at Princeton Seminary where he had built a reputation for stalwart biblical conservatism, he still recommended Germany as the top choice for advanced studies, that is, for students that he believed had real potential.

Machen served during the Great War with YMCA, performing retail duties in France before he got to do any spiritual work near the close of his tour.  But his response to the political climate of World War I shows his continuing love for Germany and the German culture, even as he was convinced that the only acceptable outcome would be an outright victory for the Allies.  His sense of fairness, however, would not permit the Germans to be demonized or those of German decent in the United States to be abused without protest.

Several things stick out in my mind about Machen after reading Stonehouse’ biography.  First of all, his thoroughness and skill as a scholar is prominent.  Machen’s articles and books were universally respected, even by unbelieving liberal scholars, in an age dominated by secular Bible scholarship, despite the fact that his conclusions were solidly orthodox and evangelical.  Here was a man of high intellectual ability, applied to the science of the New Testament, who was known and regarded for his forthright yet congenial manner of writing and speaking, even in important debates.  His major works, The Origin of Paul’s Religion, Christianity and Liberalism, and The Virgin Birth have not lost their relevance to this day.  Secondly, he was a true man of culture.  Here was a man who spoke several languages, enjoyed sports, hiking in the alps, an occasional cigar, and was able to enjoy God’s gifts with humility and thankfulness to the Creator.  His dedication to his work sticks out.  Machen had the freedom to give himself wholeheartedly in the Lord’s service to whatever he laid his mind to.  He remained single throughout his life, and this doubtlessly gave him liberty, time, and energy to contribute many things for the Lord’s cause.

As I review the details of Machen’s concluding judicial process and trial, I can’t help but think of it as an echo of the Protestant Reformation 400 years before his time.  In Machen’s bold yet humble stand for the truth of God’s word and the rule of law in the Presbyterian Church, (when it had come under the influence of unbelieving modernism,) Machen is a 20^th century Luther.  Here was a man that God had raised up just for these moments of crisis.  His childlike faith in the Savior is what sustained him even to the day of his death.  As his final telegraph states, “So thankful for the active obedience of Christ.  No hope without it.”

This book is available for purchase here.

Godly Priorities Following Affliction: Zechariah Devotional, part 1

Zechariah was a prophet of the LORD from a prominent family of the line of priests, who had returned from exile in Babylon with Zerubbabel, the king of Judah.  What joy they must have experienced on their homecoming trip!  “Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.” Psalm 126:2  In 538* BC the Persian emperor Cyrus had allowed the Jewish people to return to their homeland, after he had conquered Babylon, and the people of God was in a state of limited freedom and inferiority, subject to the Persian Emperor.   But by now, around 520 BC the Jewish people felt deeply disappointed that God’s promises had not fully come to pass.  Before the exile, such prophets as Jeremiah and Isaiah had foretold of a glorious period of freedom and blessing after the exile.  God would send His people away in bondage to Babylon to chasten them for their unfaithfulness and their worship of other gods.  But when they returned seventy years later, the kingdom would be restored like never before, and a glorious period would usher in when Judah would be reunited with the northern tribes of Israel, and the nations would be subdued beneath the reign of one from the tribe of Judah, of the seed of Abraham, flowing unto the Lord’s temple to worship there.  And, although, Judah had been restored to his ancestral homeland, and Zerubabbel, of the line of David, had been crowned king, much was yet lacking.  For Judea was a province within the Persian Empire, not a sovereign kingdom.  His king was not much more than an appointed, vassal, governor serving the interest of Persia.

The Jewish people had built the foundation of the temple, but they had slacked off on the building project, focusing attention instead on their own private and family lives, and neglecting the Lord’s house.  Where was the faithful obedience that had been promised?  Where was the promised freedom, and victory over the nations?  In response to the troublesome circumstances in which they found themselves, the Jewish people took the easy road by becoming self-centered instead of being God-centered.  How easy it is for us to begin to look inward after a long period of affliction, when the wrongs don’t seem to be made right, and God is not answering our prayers as quickly as we would prefer?  But God’s message to His people through Zechariah is to take heart, be patient, and finish rebuilding the temple, because the Lord has not forgotten His people.  He will save and bless them once more, and fulfill everything that He has promised.  Their part is to be faithful and obedient to the mission that He has set before them, to build His house.

Many of us have experienced affliction in our Christian lives by losing loved ones or suffering physical ailments.  Many have been hurt or wounded emotionally by hurtful people or circumstances.  Others have slid into dismay at the state of the godless contemporary culture that surrounds us.  So many have begun to look inward, to focus on themselves, and their private and family lives, wealth, and possessions because there doesn’t seem to be much else you can count on.  It’s easy for those who have suffered or been hurt or distressed to give up on prayer and on taking part in public worship among God’s people.  When things seem to be going so wrong, what good has it done?  Where is the blessing?  What happened to the promises?  But God’s message to us is the same as it was to His people long ago.  “Return to me, and I will return to you.”  Zechariah 1:3  Though you have suffered, yet be patient, and you will see showers of spiritual blessing as you’ve never known it before.  God is not through with His people yet, so let us, brothers and sisters, double down on efforts to support, love, cherish, and build His house, the fellowship of the redeemed that meets in the local church, made up of the people whom God has called out of the world into her blessed fellowship.  Let us be built together as stones in the temple walls.  This is that glorious city which God has promised to make happy forever.  Let Him be our God and we His people, and let this reality be expressed in effort and commitment toward our shared life together.

 

*The ESV Study Bible, Online Edition was used as a reference.

A Few Good Men

7 Habits for Holiness

Reblogged from the Harvest Community Church Blog:

In a recent Ligonier article, Pastor (Dr.) Pipa explained from the Bible why Christians don’t have to be enslaved to lust, and then quoted the following counsel from John Flavel as to what can be done about it. This is advice that would be helpful with any sin, and particularly for young men:

In the booklet Impure Lust, John Flavel gave seven directions for dealing with lust:

1. Beg of God a clean heart, renewed and sanctified by saving grace. We must always begin with the heart, for it is the fountain of all else (Matt. 15:19), and God promises to answer our prayers as we pray according to His will (John 14:13–14). We must seek the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit.

2. Walk in the fear of God all the day long, and in the sense of his omniscient eye that is ever upon you. How often our behavior is dictated by who is watching. We forget that He sees all.

3. Avoid lewd company, and the society of unclean persons; they are panderers for lust. Evil company corrupts good manners. Remember that this direction not only includes our personal contacts but those we encounter through movies, music, books, magazines, and computers.

4. Exercise yourself in your calling diligently; it will be an excellent means of preventing this sin. You have heard the adage, “Idleness is the Devil’s workshop.”

5. Put a restraint upon your appetite: feed not to excess. This direction does not mean that we may not enjoy God’s good gifts of food and drink, and the pleasure of feasting with friends, but it is a sober reminder that if we pander to our physical appetites in one area, we will be more prone to fall in other areas.

6. Choose a spouse and delight in the one you have chosen. One of the liberating insights of the Reformation is that within marriage, sex is for pleasure and is a God-given protection against unlawful lusts.

7. Take heed of running on in a course of sin, especially superstition and idolatry: in which cases, and as a punishment of which evils God often gives up men to these vile affections (Rom. 1:25–26). Sin inevitably breeds sin.

In these ways, the church may guard her people. Practice and teach these things.

Eight Truths about the Lord’s Supper Based on 1 Corinthians 11:23-30

Reblogged from Biblical Spirituality:

The Lord’s Supper is a:

1. Celebration with thanksgiving: “and when he had given thanks” (v. 24a).  If Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with gratitude to His Father, should we not also celebrate the Lord’s Supper with gratitude to Jesus for what He has done for us? Through the finished work of Christ we have received eternal life.

2. Commemoration…

Read more… 341 more words

The Word is Central

If you ask church leaders today what is the central act of worship, most would say praise music; a few would say, Holy Communion. But in heaven it is not the praises of God’s people, or of the angels which are central, not the saints’ communion with Him or with one another, but it is the Word who is the center of all.

Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones preaching at Westminster Chapel, London, England.

Revelation 21:22-23 (KJV)

²² And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

²³ And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

A Famine of God’s Word

^{As I look out the window of the parsonage, I can’t help but notice a dense, thick blanket of fluffy white snow layering over the lawns, cars, and buildings on this side of Burlington. And this big snow is come as an answer to prayer, about which there cannot be any doubt. In our numerous prayers offered during Sunday morning worship and during our monthly prayer meetings, we have asked the Lord to provide the moisture that this dry and thirsty land so badly needs, and we ought to be thankful for this small answer to prayer, in the snowstorm that came through. But as we consider the blessing of moisture to alleviate a period of drought, there is something even more important to consider. It is the blessing of the Word of God.}

^{God has provided that His word is proclaimed to us week after week, as fresh manna falling from heaven. But how many are there who take it for granted? There may even be some folks reading this who have not attended church in the last few weeks, or more. But public worship in the church of God is vital to sustain the spiritual life of the Christian, especially the preaching of the word. In the Book of Amos, chapter 8, we read about the most terrible judgment of God which can come against a people. It is a famine, not of food, and not a drought of water, but a famine of God’s word. For in the Word of God proclaimed by his chosen mouthpieces, the precious promises of grace and the forgiveness of sins are offered. In the Word of God, His people get to know Him, to appreciate Him for who He is and what He has done. Can there be any judgment from the Lord, in this world, more fearsome than a withholding of that precious Word?}

^{In the eighth chapter of Amos, that terrible judgment from God is spoken on His people. They had been unfaithful to Him, and instead of paying careful attention to those ordinances that He had commanded, they had set up other activities instead: particularly the worship at a shrine in Dan, toward the north of the land, and at the place in Beersheba where Abraham had worshipped God. This was directly contrary to God’s commandment to seek Him at Jerusalem. In punishment for the disobedience of His people, God declares that He will send upon them a famine of His word, when He would no longer speak to them.}

^{Amos 8:11} Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: ¹² And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. ¹³ In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst. ¹⁴ They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beersheba liveth; even they shall fall, and never rise up again.

In this passage we learn, that when the Word fo the Lord is despised, neglected, and disregarded, He will sometimes take it away entirely as a judgment against those people. This means they will no longer hear of God’s mercy and grace, His covenant of salvation, His precious promises to be a God to them forever. When a people disregards God’s Word, it is only just that He take it away from them as a testimony and a judgment against their disobedience. And there is no judgment more terrible, for this withholding of God’s Word takes away from them His gracious promises of mercy and a means of salvation.

In history this same thing happened many times, for example with the Christian churches in North Africa, who lost their lamp posts, lost the opportunity to hear the Word of God, when the Islamic Arabs invaded in the 7^th and 8^th centuries, after a long period of decline and a gradual increase of worldliness in those churches. And I fear that the same withdrawal of God’s word is experienced in far too many American churches, where a desire for seeker-sensitivity, self-help, popularity, and pop psychology has replaced the serious proclamation of God’s Word in the ministry of the churches. This too is a famine of God’s Word.

Seeing this example from Scripture, and what has happened to other churches throughout history and in our own day, let us, therefore, as the body of Jesus Christ, be diligent to hear the Word when occasion permits. Let us give thanks to God for it, relish it, receive it with gladness and faith, and obey it. For His Word is light and life, it is nourishment for the hungry, and water for the thirsty. For if we continue to receive His Word with gladness, it will never depart from us. Let us also pray that God would not take away the blessing of His Word from the other churches in the community, in the region, and in this nation.