367
T h e K i n g ’ s B u s i n e s s
August 1932
Although the subject is “ Other Gods,” the most effective way to win others to the true God is by magnifying and glorifying His holy name. Hence, the hymns, special music, and benediction have been chosen for their positive note of worship and praise. Meditation on the Lesson As God’s W ord warns us against false gods, it is the part o f wisdom to be cog nizant of them and thus be prepared to be on our guard against them. God has been exceedingly jealous o f His own name and place in the hearts o f men from the very beginning. Hear Him speak: “ For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God.” Punishment by death was to be inflicted on any who served “other gods.” “ Thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people” (Deut. 13:9). So you see how very important it is that we be true to the one true God. In the very essence of His perfect being, the holy triune God cannot allow a rival to His affections. While today, most Chris tians admit such to be the truth, and recoil with horror at the coarse and sometimes ludicrous idols o f heathen countries, yet they at the same time are worshiping “other gods” which, while not so sensuous, are nevertheless robbing God o f His right ful due. The danger of these “ other gods” is in their insidious attacks. The victims are, for the most part, unaware o f the presence o f these in their lives. Should the average Christian be ad monished against worshiping gold, ambi tion, power, or pride, very likely he would declare that he was not guilty. Such re fined sins as these attack the spirit as noiselessly and unnoticed as cancer attacks the body; and they work havoc before they are discovered. How necessary, then, is it that each Christian should obey Ephe sians 6:10, 11: “ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power o f his might. Put on the whole armour o f God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles o f the devil.” Examples from history o f those who forsook God for “other gods” should serve as solemn warnings to us to go not in their way. Jeroboam, Rehoboam, Ahab, Ahaz, Manasseh, and many of the other kings of Israel and Judah left sad records of ig nominy and shame because they served “other gods.” Absalom served the god o f ambition--^ and perished (2 Sam. 15:3-6; 18:9-17). Nebuchadnezzar served the god of pride —notice his end (Dan. 4:28-37). Judas served the god o f gold (Lk. 22: 3-5). Illustrations I. D ownfall through I dol W orship In 1 Kings 12:28 to 30, we have the story o f Jeroboam as he began to teach Israel to sin. A fter speaking o f the erec tion o f the two golden calves, the record says, “This thing became a sin.” The sec ond commandrrient broken, it grew easier to break the first. You may not be in dan ger of relapsing into idolatry, but there are subtle forms o f evil you need to watch closely against. Beware o f every species o f spiritualism; they are all diabolical de lusions o f the devil. Beyvare o f Christian Science, “ falsely so-called,” which declares
judges, and on through the kings, we read over and over o f the tender, loving care o f the God o f Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And still, today, He is keeping the Jews as they are being returned to Palestine in fulfillment o f prophecy. No thoughtful person can deny the existence o f a Supreme Being, if he im partially and unprejudicedly reads the Word of God in regard to the Jewish race. And reading it, he is impressed with God’s keeping care. Going on over into the New Testament, we are again struck with His mighty keep ing power as displayed in the lives o f the apostles. Through persecution, imprison ment, perils of water, land, and air, God was always present to comfort, encourage, and protect. Praise His holy name ! Illustration At Shanghai, the streets were being pa raded, and every preparation was being made for an attack. W e learned with deep sorrow of the death o f many dear friends at the hands of the Boxers. Ordered home by the first steamer, without any thing left to us but the old clothes we had on at the time o f the attack, how could we get ready in such a short time for the long home voyage? There was no lack of money, fo f our board had cabled all we needed. The question that faced us was how I could get clothes made for six of us in such a short time, with Chinese tailors too busy to help, no machine to be had, and no ready-made clothes to be bought except for Mr. Goforth and Paul. Again I found that man’s extremity was God’s opportunity. He was true to His promise, “God shall supply all your need.” Even as I knelt in an agony o f prayer, beseeching God’s help and asking definitely that some one should be sent to me to help with the sewing, two ladies were at the door asking for me. These were perfect strangers, but had seen our names among the recent refu gees, and God had moved them to come and offer their assistance 1 They worked for me night and day until we had to get on board the steamer. Never shall I forget their Christian fellowship and practical help at that time.—M rs . G oforth in “ How I Know God Answers Prayer.” Discussion Material I. B ehind the C louds Never—once—since the world began, Has the sun ever once stopped shining; His face very often we could not see, And we grumbled at his inconstancy; But the clouds were really to blame, not he. For, behind them, he was shining. And so—behind life’s darkest clouds, God’s love is always shining; We vail it at times with our faithless fears, And darken our sight with our foolish tears, But in time the atmosphere always clears, For His love is always shining. ■—OxENHAM. II. O n the T wenty -T hird P salm In “pastures green” ? Not always; some times He Who knoweth best, in kindness leadeth me In weary ways, where heavy shadows be. And by “still waters” ? No, not always so; Ofttimes the heavy tempests round me blow,
Prayer and Faith
So silent, yet irresistible, Thy God shall do the things impos sible. Oh, question not henceforth what thou const do; Thou const do nought. But He will carry through The work where human energy had failed, Where all thy best endeavors had availed Thee nothing. Then, my soul, wait and be still; Thy God shall work for thee His perfect will. I f thou wilt take no less, His best shall be Thy portion now and through eternity. —F reda H anbury . And o’er my soul the waves and billows go. But when the storm beats loudest, and I cry Aloud for help, the Master standeth by, And whispers to my soul, “Lo, it is I.” So, where He leads me, I can safely go, And in the blest hereafter, I shall know,- Why, in His wisdom, He hath led me so. —A uthor U nknown . HL “W e may trust Him fully All for us to d o ; Those who trust Him wholly, Find Him wholly true.” TV. B ible V erses for U se in the M eeting “ Casting all your care upon him ; for he careth for you” (1 Pet. 5:7 ). “ Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Psa. 55:22). “ The eternal God is thy refuge, and un derneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them” (Deut. 33:27). “ Call upon me in the day of trouble: and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glo rify me” (Psa. 50:15). V. H elpful O utside R eading for L eaders How I know God Answers Prayer, by Mrs. Jonathan Goforth. Lives of George Muller, Hudson Tay lor, and Mary Slessor. SEPTEMBER 18, 1932 SOME “ OTHER GODS” Hymn—“ Holy, Holy, Holy.” Hymn—“ Oh, Worship the King.” Prayer—Closing with the Eighth Psalm, by all in concert. Scripture Lesson — E x o d u s 20:1-3; 1 John 5 :21. Special Music—“Nothing Between.” Leader’s Talk. Testimony and Praise Service. Quiet Hour. Offering and Announcements. Hymn—“ Crown Him w i t h M a n y Crowns.” Benediction—Jude 24, 25. E xodus 20 :3 ; 1 J ohn 5 :21 Suggestions for the Meeting
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