1959 DECISION (continued) Christ were silenced, for it exposes sin. People .want an easy religion today, one that is light upon sin. Jeremiah significantly pointed up this truth that the w ork of fa ls e prophets in Israel had benumbed the spiritual senses of the people. “Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee; and they have not discovered thine iniquity.” The false cults of our times make light of sin, and serve Satanic purposes. One would think the only kernel of real ity in Christianity is to ease one’s self of nerve tension. What about per sonal righteousness and faith? Where is the Lordship of Christ in daily liv ing? Evangelical preachers, we must call God’s people to “ awake to right eousness and sin not.” We must learn again how God feels about our world. We must face the fact that God will not compel personal righteousness, that men can forsake their mercies. “ 0 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I . . . but ye would not.” A willing God, an unwilling people— then judgment! If love and mercy cannot be our instructors, then judg ment must come to be our teacher. How plaintively Jeremiah states this in this book of Lamentations, “ where fore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins. Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens. We have trans gressed and we have rebelled; thou hast not pardoned. Thou hast cov ered with anger and persecuted us; thou hast slain and not pitied” (3: 39-43). The alertness which is needed in our generation, or at any time in his tory, must begin with individuals who get right with God, and purpose to live pleasing to the Lord. Is it not past time to ask ourselves, Am I drifting with the currents of this age, or am I gloriously out-of-step with this Christless society? Am I chilled with indifference and among those of whom Christ said, “ because ini quity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold” ? Am I one of those “ lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God” ? Where is God’s Word in my daily living? Where is the power of prayer? Are others thirsting for God because they see His grace in me? J. Edgar Hoover has said, “ If there
is any hope for the future of America, we as a nation must return to the practice of daily family prayer and to the days when God was a part of each household.” Even in judgment God remembers mercy, and that was Jeremiah’s song of praise, “ it is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” Shall we not say from humbled hearts before God, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” As we consider now the third and. final lesson, the supreme contribution the individual believer can make for the welfare of the nation, let us brief ly review. We have seen that Jere miah looked beyond circumstances. About him desolation, suffering and deep sorrow—but God. God’s faith fulness had not failed. The very judgment was His faithfulness, yet in it He had remembered mercy and the nation was not wholly consumed in His wrath. Then we thought upon the searching truth, that Israel lost her freedom because she lost her faith. The way back was through confession, “ let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.” (3:40) Personal righteousness, vital connections with the Almighty in a living faith — these are the effective contributions of individual Christians in their own nation. And finally, Jeremiah prayed for his nation. He could reach the throne of the moral universe, and speak with God. Others who were saturated with idolatry in their hearts were not praying. There are conditions to be met if we would experience prevailing prayer on be half of others, and for our country. “ Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens” (3: 41) . . . “ I called upon thy name, O Lord, out of the low dungeon. Thou hast heard my voice” (3:55, 56) . . . “ Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider and behold our re proach” (5:1) . . . “ Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.” (5:21) . . . “Thou, 0 LORD, remain- est for ever; thy throne from genera tion to generation.” (5:19) Must America wait until calamity overtakes us, the judgment of God upon our sins, before we return from our backslidings and return to the Lord? May God grant that the church of Christ in this land, His true church, and individuals» composing it shall seek spiritual revival, pay the price of genuine contrition and confession — then and then only can we reach the throne of judgment and mercy on behalf of our nation. END.
On thè Air . . . from. Times Square !
WORD OF « LIFE
w i t h J a c k
W y r t : a n
America's Only Coast to Coast Gospel Youth Broadcast n
|
THEMUTUAL RADIO NE
FORK
every Saturday night
E A S T...........7 : 3 0
P .M .
C E N T R A L . . . . 6 :3 0 P .M . .M O U N T A IN . . . 7 :0 0 P .M . P A C I F I C.....7 :0 0 P .M . NOTE: Some stations at different times Write far free radio log— OF LIFE, Box|511, hew York 8, N. Y. SACRED PIANO SOLOS "There's a Wideness to God's Mercy" "Blessed Be the Fountain" "Safe in the Arms of Jesus" Classical arrangements. Original introductions. Rich harmonies. Brilliant cadenzas. Modulations. Chimes. Suitable for radio performances. Each 35c. ALL THREE $1.00 postpaid. Order from GORDON E. HOOKER 558 So. Hope St. Los Angeles 17, Calif.
___ not our TTord Jesus Christ say "Go ye into all the world "and preach the Gospel"? Jesus Wr has never rescinded that great rcommond. If you are unable to go you can support through prayer and gifts this dedicated ministry. Write for Free folder describing our Soul-winning work in many foreign lands.
magi
Send to Prayer Time, The King’s Business zine,558 So.Hope, LosAngeles 17, California.
28
THE KING'S BUSINESS
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker