KB Biola Broadcaster - 1971-12

everything he had. Are we willing to do the same? What will our response be? God's Expendables At a missionary conference a few years ago a young couple earnestly sang, "I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, I'll be what you want me to be." They solemnized their sincerity by quoting that won­ derful verse of Scripture, "Here am I, send me." In full surrender to the Lord, they laid their all on the altar and went forth to the Congo. They laboured at a station where they came in contact with many who were broken in body and soul. The people were sorely in need of the message this couple had come to proclaim. Their surroundings were not very glamorous. This did not bother them for there was a work to be accomplished. After a comparatively short pe­ riod on the field, their baby girl was taken home to be with the Lord. She had sustained repeated attacks of malaria. With broken­ ness of heart the young couple asked the Lord, "Do You want us to give this much here in this part I of Your vineyard?" After quietly ■waiting upon Him, they themselves I answered the question, "How I much for Africa?" Like Mary, the ! sister of Martha, they laid a costly ointment at the feet of the Master. It yielded a sweet smelling savor unto the Lord. They would not give to Him that which cost them noth­ ing. David uttered these same words (II Samuel 24:24-25). Israel and her king had sinned exceedingly against the Lord. Cod's anger was kindled against them.Judgmentwas poured out upon the entire nation. An avenging angel brought on a

plague which took 70,000 lives. David on the threshing floor, dressed in sackcloth, confessed his sin. He decided to purchase the area and build an altar at which to worship the Lord. The owner, in a kind gesture offered it to the king without any cost. David refused because he did not want to give the Lord a gift for which he had to pay nothing. This altar was a place of hum­ bling and heart searching. There was confession and cleansing so that blessing could be brought to the entire nation. The full atone­ ment price had to be paid. Cod was pleased and the plague was stayed. Immediately thereafter David led the children of Israel in plans to build the temple. The very spot that was chosen was the threshing floor. What a fitting place. It was the same spot where Abraham had met Cod erecting an altar on which he had been willing to offer his son, Isaac. Nothing was too price­ less for Cod. It was near this spot, just outside the city walls of Jeru­ salem, that David's greater Son, Jesus Christ, paid the full price for the sins of an entire world. Only this could stay the hand of God's wrath. This provision cost the Lord His richest treasure in heaven. It cost Christ His all. It was at this place that God's program of missions was born. Thus, down through the centuries, that ministry has been carried on by those who have laid their all on the altar. If Cod's outreach is to continue to expand during these days of world crisis it is to the same altar of Calvary the Lord bids us to follow Him. Will we, with­ out reservation, fulfill His perfect Page 29

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