[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.It is the perseverance of faith which the Lord always rewards, as wasstrikingly demonstrated after Israel had marched around the walls of Jerichothirteen times.No doubt God struck this army of the Philistines with a terroras great as the courage with which He had endowed this hero.It is ever God’sway to work at both ends of the line: if He raises up a sower He also preparesthe soil; if He inspires a servant with courage He puts fear into the hearts ofthose who oppose him.Observe how the glory of the victory is again ascribed tothe Lord, and carefully compare Acts 14:27 and 21:19."And the people returnedafter him only to spoil" (v.10).How like human nature was this: they returnedwhen there was "spoil" to be had!"And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite.And the Philistineswere gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full oflentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines" (v.11).This incidentconcerned an armed force of Israel’s enemies who were out foraging, and whostruck such terror into the hearts of the countryside that the peaceful localsfled.But there was one who refused to yield unto the marauders, determined todefend the food supply of his people, and under God, he completely routed them.Here is another courageous man of whom we know nothing save for this briefreference: what a hint it furnishes that in the Day to come many a one willthen have honor from God who received scant notice among his fellows.No matterhow obscure the individual, or how inconspicuous his sphere of labor, nothingthat is done in faith, no service performed for the good of His people, isforgotten by God.Surely this is one of the lessons written plain across thissimple but striking narrative."But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew thePhilistines: and the Lord wrought a great victory" (v.12).How this reminds usof what is recorded in Acts 14:3: "Long time therefore abode they speakingboldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the Word of His grace and grantedsigns and wonders to be done by their hands." Then let us heed that divineinjunction, "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.Put on thewhole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of thedevil" (Eph.6:10, 11).Let us duly observe how, once more, the victory isascribed to the Lord.No matter how great the ability and courage of theinstruments, all praise for the achievement must be rendered alone unto God."Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory inhis might, let not the rich man glory in his riches" (Jer.9:23), for what hashe that he did not first receive from above! How needful is this exhortation insuch a day as ours, when pride is so much in the saddle and men’s persons are"had in admiration." God is jealous of His glory and will not share it with thecreature, and His Spirit is quenched if we do so
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]