Biola Broadcaster - 1968-02

by Rev. Gordon Wishart Pastor, Omaha Tabernacle Omaha, Nebraska The next scene is of the men armed with their axes, chopping wood along the banks of the Jordan River. As one worked industriously, the axe head flew off and quickly sank to the deep part of the water. He shouted for help from his master. This axe head was a small thing, yet it meant much for the user. It was an indis­ pensable tool which represented this young man’s usefulness. Without it, he was powerless. For us today, once the axe head of spiritual power is lost, we become powerless. The work of God has stopped as far as we are concerned. This is what has hap­ pened in many of our churches to­ day. There is much chopping being done only with the handles; the pow­ er is gone. Note that this young man went right to Elisha to make confession. So we need to go immediately to God with our failures. Elisha wanted to know where it fell. My friend, where is the place you lost your testimony? Where was it that you departed from the Lord ? We must retravel the same path back to the point of departure. We must go to the Lord and confess, “Here is the place where I have sinned.” The axe head lies where Rev. Gordon Wishart, Bible Teacher and pastor of the Omaha Gospel Tabernacle, Omaha, Neb.

DISCIPLINE

W hat does ONE do when his liv­ ing quarters become too small? In II Kings 6:1-5 we have a very interesting story about some young theological students who were ex­ tremely dissatisfied with their resi­ dence. It was no longer big enough for them. They decided to enlarge the dormitory after first of all con­ sulting Elisha. They rightly would not begin until he knew their plans. This clearly shows that they were disciplined young people. So it should be in all of the rela­ tionships of life. We desperately need discipline in the family, the church, and the nation. There must be regard for constituted au th o rity . (Little wonder that there is disregard for authority in the nation today when it is not properly taught or insisted upon in the home.) For these dedicated men, they de­ sired not only Elisha’s permission, but also that the prophet would go with them. With all of the stirring impulses of youth, still they knew their need of counsel. How we need to abide by this fundamental truth! We can do nothing which would ex­ clude our Saviour. It is interesting to note that these students knew how to work. When faced with the task of expansion, they proposed to meet the need, not by financial drives of questionable procedures, but by the employment of their own energy. “Let us go down,” they said, “and cut our own timber and enlarge our school with our own hands.” (Note how strangely this contrasts with our modern methods.) Elisha responded willingly and cheer­ fully. So, our Lord assures us, “Lo, I am with you.” We need to learn the import of Christ’s simple for­ mula for success, “Without Me, ye can do nothing.”

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