on many subjects but when it came to the Lord he was speechless. So many people know all about sports, the new cars, television programs, but when it comes to speaking about God they just don’t know what to say. Do you have this problem? Beware of making excuses. It is so much easier to learn from other people's mistakes. That is why they are recorded for us in Scrip ture. Study them for yourself and then make up your mind to be a use ful, ready witness for the honor and glory of our blessed Lord. * * * When you sing your own praise, the unfortunate problem is that you'll always get the tune too high. * * * A GREATER DELIVERANCE An agnostic rather sneeringly asked a minister, “I f salvation is supposed to be so great, tell me what it did for poor Stephen when he was being stoned to death.” The man of God kindly re plied, “Perhaps that’s the way it seems to you on the surface. Have you for gotten, however, that while an angel wasn’t sent to deliver him, yet he was given the grace to say, ‘Lord, lay not this sin to their charge?’ He couldn’t have done it otherwise. Think of the miracle of forgiveness wrought in his heart! This was a greater triumph for Stephen and a more powerful testi mony to those about him than if a legion of angels had been sent to de liver him.” What a good reply this was to the scoffer’s question. You see, our idea of deliverance generally means to get out from underneath some load or problem. God’s divine way of escape, however, may be something entirely different. Remember that both Peter and John the Baptist were delivered from prison. Peter, in the providence of God, was delivered that he might carry on the ministry entrusted to him. John the Baptist was delivered, too, as he was martyred by the wicked ruler. Now, who can say that Peter’s deliv erance was greater than John’s, for the latter was taken immediately into the presence of the Lord, which for the Christian is far more blessed? May we desire that deliverance which is only and always in accordance with God’s divine will, and purpose, know ing that “He doeth all things well.” 15
people sometimes who don’t know all the answers for this very reason. Moses continued as he complained, “0 my Lord, I am not eloquent.” May I ask you, when did God say anything about eloquence ? This was another feeble excuse. Some people seem to think that if they are going to be witnesses then they have to speak in old-fashioned English, the King James variety. They feel that to be success ful they must get all their “thees” and “thous” in the proper place. The voice has to take on a pious tone, too. Don’t you believe i t ! The whole point of talking to people is that you might communicate effectively. In all proba bility the less eloquent you are, the more effective you will be. Incidental ly, when Moses said he wasn’t elo quent the next two words he used were “neither” a n d “heretofore.” That is pretty good for a man who can’t speak very well. Listen to Moses’ next problem, “I am slow of speech.” Does the Lord ever say how fast one has to talk? No one has to rattle off like a machine gun. Sometimes a slow, thoughtful ouiet voice does more good than the high powered professional approach. Here Moses was trying to tell the God who made his tongue how fast it was supposed to work. The Lord answered Moses in no uncertain terms. He asked. “Who made man’s mouth? Have not I, the Lord? Now, therefore, go Moses. Stop making ex cuses and just get going.” Jeremiah was another young man who was prone to make excuses. God gave direction to him as he was about to make his debut as a prophet. See the wonderful introduction in 1:5. You know it is interesting to have the introductions American chairmen give one sometimes. O ccasionally when they introduce me I have to look around to see who the preacher is talking about. The description doesn’t seem to fit me. When God introduces someone, however, it must be thrill ing. “Je rem iah , come forth and speak.” The first words to come from his mouth are, “Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak.” He was able to talk
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker