November 1932
T h e K i n g ’ s B u s i n e s s
469
G O D . . .
r o m i s eis 1
B y FLORA REID CQATE Los Angeles, CalifT
.N the first chapter of the book of Titus, there are five words that enhance the value of every one of the 32,000 promises contained within the covers of the blessed Book : “ God, that cannot lie, promised.” Back of any particular assurance, any promise that we particularly need and would like to claim, are the integrity and the power of a holy and omnipotent God. Knowing this, we can come to the mercy seat with the utmost confidence, assured that, if we have met the divine conditions, heaven’s storehouse is wide open to us, and the Lord of all the earth is ready to grant our request. Even a superficial study o f the prayers of the Bible yields some interesting and profitable suggestions to those who are eager to learn the secret of prevailing with God, and of seeing things brought to pass for the glory of His name. For instance, there are various illustrations of the truth that a special manifestation of God’s power is fre quently prefaced by thanksgiving or praise. One of these is found in the very familiar account of the fall of Jericho. T he W all of J ericho It is interesting to note, in the first place, the prepara tion of the people for the great victory which God was about to give them, and the foundation that was laid for faith. Not until the children of Israel had been circumcised and had partaken of the Passover, did the “ captain of the Lord’s host” reveal himself to Joshua. There was neces sarily real heart preparation before the Lord made the an nouncement to His servant, “ See, I have given into thine hand Jericho.” Note the tense. Although the city was still in the hands of the enemies of Israel and was surrounded with its protecting walls, it was not will give, but have given. Then followed detailed instructions to compass the city once on six successive days and seven times on the seventh day, with the final injunction and promise, “ All the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat.” Day after day, for six days, all the “men of war” tramped around the city, not seeing even the shadow of a result, marching simply because God had commanded them to march. And even on the seventh day, when they had faithfully compassed the city seven times, there was not so much as a crack in the wall: It towered above them as sternly and uncompromisingly as ever. That was a test of faith. What would we have done? Turned a microscope on the wall, trying to find a bit of evidence that the wall was about to crash? And failing to find this evidence, would we have called a prayer meeting, and begun to cry, “ Lord, give us Jericho. Dear Lord, please give us Jericho” ? Or would we have risked the howl of derision that was sure to come from within the walls in the event that the Lord had failed us, and would we have shouted “ with a great shout” before we had a grain of evidence to bolster up the word o f the living God ? Jericho was Israel’s from the moment Jehovah had spoken, but
they had to shout in faith before the walls fell flat. Had they fail ed before this test, the walls of that memorable city might have stood until the present mo ment— if they were built of sufficiently dur able. material. W hen J ehoshaphat S tood S till Consider the marvel ous answer to prayer accorded to Jehosha phat, King of Judah, following the discipline that came through the restoration of the pure worship o f God and the c a r e fu l administration of justice throughout the realm. The people were carefully prepared for a test of faith and a demonstration of the power of God. It came when the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir invaded Ju dah. Jehoshaphat im mediately called his peo ple to prayer. He mag nified the name of Jeho vah ; he reminded the Lord of former favors received at His hand; he called attention to the sanctuary built for di vine worship, and to the fact that they had counted on divine help in the hour of need ; and finally, in a few words, he made his supplica tion. The answer came
He Can Make No Mistake T hrough the inky blackness o f many a night of trouble and stars o f faith and hope and re joicing; and whenever they appear, the night is transformed. Not every eye, alas, can see them. It required the pointing finger of a little son to trace their glories for a distracted father, a Christian business man, who had unexpectedly met with heavy losses and had, begun to doubt the wisdom and love of God in allowing these trials to overtake him. Returning to his home one even ing in a despairing state o f mind, he sat down before the open fire place in his library, tossed with tempest of. doubt and destitute of comfort. Presently his little boy, a child o f six or seven summers, came and sat on his knee. Over the mantlepiece was a large illuminated card containing the words, "His work is perfect.” The child spelled out the words, and pointing to them, said, “Papa, w h a t d o e s 'Perfect’ meant” - And then, before the father, who was somewhat staggered, could make a reply, there came another question from the little prattler: “Does it mean that God never makes a mistake?” This was just the thought that the troubled father needed to have brought before his mind. Clasp ing his little one in his arms, he exclaimed, “ Yes, my precious boy, that is just what it means!” That father’s confidence in God was revived, the radiance of an un faltering trust again lighted up his soul, and his heart was filled with the bright glow of thanksgiving. God had promised; He could make no mistake.
perplexity, shine forth the eternal
immediately: “ Be not afraid . . . the battle is not yours, but God’s . . . Stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” God had promised. Praise took the place of prayer. The king organized a praising corps that should sing unto the Lord and “ should praise the beauty of holiness.” The singers might readily have objected that it was no time
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