Hold Fast
Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:23, 24).
The God of all the universe delights in loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness. And just as any father is gratified to see qualities he holds dear reflected in his children, so likewise does our heavenly Father delight in seeing us reflect His glorious virtues. When we know Him as our Father, any glory we may have will shine directly back toward Him in clear, strong rays, for it is only His own image that is being reflected.
With such a loving Father as we have, why would we ever need to worry or fear? Why would we ever feel the need to question and bicker with the firm platform of truth which has been painstakingly built upon piece by piece and has served as a strong foundation thus far on our heavenward journey? Why would we ever dream of ambitiously stirring up strife against a fellow laborer who is conscientiously seeking to do his or her share, sweating shoulder to shoulder with us in the Lord’s vineyard? “If that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him” (Matthew 24:48-50).
Yet, sadly, all these things are prophesied to occur as we near the very borders of Canaan. “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear” (Luke 21:25, 26). The hearts of the people are indeed failing them for fear. They worry about losing whatever pitiful glory they may possess in their mere thimbleful of human wisdom, their mortal physical prowess, or their molehill of earthly riches.
“We live amid the perils of the last days. Because iniquity abounds, the love of many waxes cold. The word ‘many’ refers to the professed followers of Christ. They are affected by the prevailing iniquity and backslide from God, but it is not necessary that they should be thus affected. The cause of this declension is that they do not stand clear from this iniquity. The fact that their love to God is waxing cold because iniquity abounds shows that they are, in some sense, partakers in this iniquity.”1
As a tragic result, over time “the leaven of false doctrine will be accepted in preference to the truth. ‘Beware,’ writes Paul, ‘lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ’ (Colossians 2:8). Under whose banner are we standing? Where are we? and what is Christ to us? By our course of action we decide our own destiny.”2
“How would you have felt had you been in the camp of Israel, and seen the people groaning and shrieking in distress because of their swollen and painful wounds, when the brazen serpent was uplifted, and when by one look they might be healed? Would you not have exclaimed, ‘why do they not look at the uplifted serpent? How strange it is that they do not perform the one simple act by which they may receive healing!’ But is it not as inconsistent for you to refuse to look at the crucified Saviour?”3
“The disciples should have learned the lessons of the Master - that it is not reputation, natural talent, acquired skill, professional standing, nor any honor given them of men, that weighs at all in the decisions of heaven; ‘but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father’ (Matthew 20:23). Had they thought of the lessons given them in reference to humility, they would have had altogether different opinions of the ones who should be honored in the kingdom of God.”4
“Our simplicity will accomplish much in this work. We are not to try to climb up to high positions or to gain the praise of men. Our aim should not be to be the greatest. We are to have an eye single to the glory of God. We are to work with all the intelligence that God has given us, placing ourselves in the channel of light, that the grace of God can come upon us to mold and fashion us to the divine similitude.”5
“Take firm hold of [Christ] who is mighty, who will lift up for you a standard against the enemy. Close the windows of the soul earthward, against the malarious atmosphere of doubt, and open them heavenward that the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness may shine upon you.”6 Only this way can Heaven’s glory be truly reflected in the heart and life of mere earthen vessels.