FEBRUARY, 1969
■
t c m t t e y memoRiàL feiBLe conference Jan . 26-31
See back cover
February, 1969 / Volume 9 / Number 2
MONTHLYPUBLICATIONOF THEBIOLA FELLOWSHIP president ................ S. H. SUTHERLAND editor ....................... AL SANDERS production .............. BILL EHMANN design .................... JOHN OZMON printing .................. CHURCH PRESS
CO N T EN T S
ON T H IS M O N T H 'S C O V E R
The Rose of Sharon Prayer Chap el on Biola’s 75-acre campus pro vides a quiet atmosphere where students may prayerfully consider God’s direction in their lives. Standing at the entrance of the chapel are Biola students Keith Wells, of Denver, Colorado and Virginia Holbrook of Santa Maria, California. Second Class postage paid in La Mirada, Calif. Printed in U.S.A. by Church Press, Glendale, Calif. Address: Biola Broad caster, 13800 Biola Ave., La Mirada, California 90638.
CONFIDENCE, COMMUNION, COMPASSION AND COURAGE — Al Sanders . . 3 PSALM 139— Richard Bennett 17 GOD’S INTEREST IN US Thomas H. Lawrence...... 19 TODAY’S COLLEGE STUDENT Hudson T. Armerding ... .21 PANEL DISCUSSIONS ........23 PARABLES AND P E A R L S ___ 28 STUDIES IN I JOHN Lloyd T. Anderson ........32
t h e b i o t a h o u r
San Bernardino-Rivorsido
CALIFORNIA Arroy Grande-San Luis Obispo
1570 9:30 A.M. MTWTF 590 7:30 A.M. Sun.
KACE KFXM
10:00 A.M. MTWTF 4:00 P.M. Sun. 9:30 A.M. MTWTF 7:00 A.M. Sun. 8:00 A.M. MTWTF 8:30 A.M. MTWTF 8:30 P.M. MTWTF 8:00 A.M. MTWTF 8:30 A.M. MTWTF 9:00 A.M. MTWTF 11:00 A.M. MTWTF 9:30 P.M. MTWTF
KÓAG
1280
Santa Cruz KSCO
Bakarsfiold-Wasco KAFY
1080 8:30 A.M.Sun.
550 1050
8:30 A.M. Sun.
99.1 (FM)
KSCO
KWSO Burbank KBBQ
San Diego
8:00 A.M. MTWTF 9:30 P.M. MTWTF
KBBW 102.9 (FM)
1500
Chico-Paradise KEWQ Fresno-Dinuba KRDU Lodi-Stockton KCVR Los Angeles KBBI
910 4:00 P.M. Sun. 860 8:00 a.m. MTWTF 1100 8:30 A.M. MTWTF
KDEO XEMO
930
San Francisco KFAX Santa Maria KCOY
1130
1440 10:30 P.M. Sun.
1570
OTHER STATES OREGON
107.5 (FM)
K T Y M 1460 Los Angeles-Long Beach KGER 1390 KGER 1390 Oxnard-Ventura-Santa Barbara
Albany-Eugene KW IL KW IL Ashland-Medford KW IN
8:00 A.M. MTWTF 3:00 A.M. MTWTf 11:10 A.M. MTWTF 7:00 A.M. Sun.
790 790 580
H j f llH
910
8:00
A.M.MTWTF
KO XR
Redding-Red Bluff KQMS
8:30 A.M. Sun.
1400
on Page 34
CONFIDENCE,
fommunwn,
QompaA&ionand COURAGE O N E O P t h e most majestic por tions of God’s Word is the 27th Psalm. There has been much specu lation as to when David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote this testimony. Some believe, based on the 10th verse, that he may have been led to do so when his parents passed away. Others think that it may have been the time when Doeg betrayed him before Saul. This al most caused David to lose his life. Still others have an idea that the Psalm was penned during the time of Absalom’s insurrection against his father. This tragedy must have bro ken poor David’s heart. You can imagine how you would have felt. Whatever the specific time it was written, there are truths and practi cal applications for our lives even today. The first six verses show the tri umph of the writer. The next verses, 7 through 14, reveal the tribulation which so often faces the believer. Again, verses 1 to 3 point out “the confidence we have in salvation;” verses 4 to 6, “the communion for the soul;” verses 7 to 12, “the com passion of the Saviour;” verses 13 to 14, “the courage or the contentment of the saints.” In verse 1 of Psalm 27 a testi mony is given which should thrill every trusting heart. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Three important areas of our daily existence are mentioned here. We are assured of light, salva tion and strength. Actually these three can never be separated one from the other. Oxford University has as its motto “The Lord Is My Light.” The truth of the matter is
that to believe God provides light is not all that David has in mind. He is thinking of a great deal more. He’s talking about light, salvation, and strength. They are inseparable! First of all, consider this matter of light! Tracing through Scripture, we are brought face to face with the fact that producing light was the first of God’s creative acts, showing forth visible things. In Genesis 1 :2-3 we read that the earth was without form and void. Darkness covered the face of the deep. Then four mono syllabic words, divinely u tte red , wrought a tremendously dramatic change. God said, “Let there be light!” We can even see here a per fect contrast as well as parallel in our own existence. Before salvation, we were without any destination, any purpose, any goal or any hope. God through our Lord Jesus Christ de creed, “Let there be light.” John, in the description of “the beginning of the unbeginnings,” as 1:4-5 is some times called, tells us, “In Him [that is, Christ] was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the dark ness comprehended it not.” We were all born in iniquity. We all have been in terrible spiritual darkness. We all must have God’s light. The Lord has graciously promised to give it to us, if we will but look to Him by faith. In II Corinthians 4:4 we read, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which be lieve not, lest the light of the glori ous gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” To know that God is light is one thing. James reminds us, however, that the demons also believe, and they tremble. What we’re saying is 3
assures us, “Neither is there salva tion in any other; for there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.” No wonder David could ask the question, “Whom shall I fear?” Fear here means not just anxiety as it does at the end of the verse, but also represents the consideration that there is no one else deserving of our reverential trust. Who is there I can praise as I ought to praise the Lord ? There is a natural and holy fear of offending God. There is a concern that we might yield to temptation. There is a realization of the result of pride in our lives. All of these things are very evident. They must be considered. God is the only One whom we can truly fear in the sense of reverential trust. The Psalmist continues, “The Lord is the strength of my life!” In what or in whom do you find your strength? Do you have a lo t of money? Do you have a good many friends? Is your health quite good? Do you count on things being the same tomorrow as they are today? Whether we are willing to face it or not, they won’t be in the future. Do you know that some day you could suffer a mental breakdown? Physi cians tell us that one out of every two hospital beds is occupied today with an individual who is suffering from a mental problem. It could hap- to you. The very word strength signifies the idea of being twisted together. Let me put it this way: when my life is intertwined with God’s life, my weakness is made His strength. Imagine that I’m holding a piece of thread in my hands. It can be bro ken easily. Yet if I take this thread and intertwine it with a stronger piece of cord or rope, it becomes im possible to break. It has taken on the strength of that around which it has been intertwined. This is like the strength you have available
that David is confessing far more that the fact that God is light. He’s testifying that the Lord is his light. There is the personal and practical application. David found life and light in a Person. “The Lord is my light and my sal vation.” There’s only one Person in whom we can t r u s t confidently. There’s only one Saviour. There are not a dozen. There are not even two Saviours. There’s only one way to NOT THE PLACE BUT HIM It would be sweet could I see it, That land where the Saviour walked, The quiet roads in the glowing, The hills where He sat and talked. My heart would be ever searching For some dear trace of Him there, His footprints in the meadows. The tones of His voice in the air. My hand would be ever questing, With fingertips athrill, For an ancient wall or a rock where His touch might linger still. My feet would falter in anguish At the place where my dear Lord died My very soul would be sobbing, My heart would be crucified. Yes, it would be sweet, could I see it, My cup is filled to the brim With the blessed hope of seeing soon Not the place where He dwelt, — but Him! — Martha Snell Nicholson find eternal life. I heard a man testi fy that it had taken him 40 years to learn just three simple truths. First of all, he finally came to appre ciate that he couldn't do anything to save himself; second, that God didn’t expect him to ; and finally, that Christ absolutely had done it all. The Lord is my salvation. That word is El Shaddai. I t means the Covenant-Keeper, the One who never goes back on His promises. Acts 4:12 4
through God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Now David asked the question, “Of whom shall I be afraid?” There’s one thing which intrigues me. It’s this word shall. Fear usually con cerns itself with something that’s in the future. The worries about which I find myself concerned are not things that took place yester day, nor even are they things that are taking place right now. They are really all in the future. David said, “Of whom shall I be afraid?” I don’t need to be concerned about anyone. “If God be for us, who can be against us;?” As we think of these three things: light, salvation, strength, they give us a perfect portrait of the believer. The opposite of them is quite an other picture. Instead of light, sal vation and strength there are dark ness, destruction and weakness. If God is not ruling in your life, you’re in darkness. You may be headed for destruction, and certainly you are weak, succumbing con stan tly to temptations. You desperately need light, salvation and strength. That’s the natural progression of the Chris tian life. CHAPTER TWO David explains, “When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.” Reading this, you may think to yourself, “David must have had many problems. I know there may be people who don’t care for me but as far as I know I don’t have any real enemies who are bent on my destruction.” Remember that Scripture gives us the revelation that as Christians, knowing Christ as our Saviour, we do have enemies that are very real! The Bible defines them as the world, the flesh, and the devil. They must be reckoned with. As an example, Satan is described as a roar ing lion, who paces back and forth, seeking whom he may devour. David
knew well the devil’s enticing pow ers. These enemies, according to the Psalmist, stumbled and fell. The sweet singer of Israel had met all kinds of adversaries. He encountered a lion which he killed with his bare hands, as well as a ferocious bear. He found the truth to be that the larger the brute, the clumsier the attack. Had the old gospel song been written in David’s day, I’m BEARING FRUIT It is the branch that bears the fruit, That feels the knife. To prune it for a larger growth, A fuller life. Though every budding twig be lopped, And every grace Of swaying tendril, springing leaf, Be lost apace. Oh thou, whose life of joy seems reft. Of beauty shorn; Whose aspirations lie in dust, All bruised and torn. Rejoice, though each desire, each dream, Each hope of thine Shall fall and fade; it is the hand Of love divine That holds the knife, that cuts and breaks With tenderest touch, That thou, whose life has borne some fruit May'st now bear much. —Annie Johnson Flint sure he might have sung often the familiar melody, “What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms?” It is true that Christians may stumble. The Bible teaches us that though a believer may trip, he shall not be utterly cast down. The wicked on the other hand completely fall. The Christian never does, for he is kept by the power of God. Zephaniah 5
brought glorious victory to the chil dren of Israel. Fear can be infectious to others. If we have timorous hearts, there may well be those about us who will catch the same disease. We read in Deuteronomy 20:8 that when the children of Israel went forth to make battle against the enemies of the Lord, they were given a very unusual command. “What man is there who is fearful and faint-hearted? Let him go and return unto his house lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his heart.” Did you know that your dis couragement can bring cause for worry, anxiety and frustration for your family as well as to other mem bers of your church? It seems so easy to be thinking constantly about ourselves rather than of the needs of others. It’s been well said that ulcers are something people get from mountain climbing over mole hills. I like that. Verse 2 was a very real situation. David did have wicked enemies and foes. It’s quite an apt definition. In verse 3 of Psalm 27, we have a supposition. David assures him self, “Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fea r: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.” Here we have a picture of the imagination of the very worst. A lot of us are good at that, too. Perhaps there is reason to be pessimistic in these days. A fellow realistically observed, “Just think, what would happen if the communists took over our land. Can you begin to imagine what a terrible situation would come upon us?” I agreed with him. It would be. But, for Christians, is communism our greatest concern? I questioned the man, “What is the worst thing that could happen?” He thought a moment, and then with a dark out look, he rightly observed, “We could lose our jobs. We might not be able to work where we are now. Any se curity we enjoy would be gone.”
3:3 speaks of the lions, as well as the wolves, which “leave nothing un til morning.” In Psalm 14:4 there is the account of how they delight to “eat up my people as they eat bread.” If you’re a born-again Chris tian, seeking to live for the Lord, make no mistake about i t : the wicked will hate you! They have nothing but contempt for those who would live for God. There is always that enmity between the seed of the wom an and the serpent. When you get right down to it, we see that the church never has had a tremendous effect upon the world as it did in the days when it would have absolutely nothing to do with the world. Un fortunately, times have changed. Verse two, then, is David’s personal testimony. This was sufficient ground to shake off any fear that might come. What about our testimony? Here the Psalmist points out that the wicked are enemies and foes. Here are all of them. What odds to encounter! There are many of them, but only one of David. Listen, “If God be for us, who can be against us ?” He still had the upper hand, for the fact is that one with God is a majority. Do you remember the time Goliath came to flaunt himself in the face of the children of Israel? He cursed the young man who had been selected, and profanely he cursed God. David stood before him and de clared, “I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts.” He had al ready been down to the brook, select ing five smooth stones. Just as an aside, it’s my feeling that those five smooth stones must have spelled out the word faith. You know how faith is spelled. Taking the first letter of each word we have: “Forsaking All, I Trust Him!” This is exactly what he did and the Lord, through David,
Influence is what you think you have until you try to use it.
6
That was obvious. “But,” I wanted to know, “what is the worst they could do?” He didn’t have to think long now. “They could take away our families and our homes, along with all of our material goods.” “Yes,” I conceded, “but is that the worst they could do ?” After a few seconds more, his face really fell as he came to grips with what concerns all men. “No,” he said, “they could kill us!” That we agreed was the worst the communists could do. This was the absolute ultimate. Look again at the verse. Notice the potential host encamping against us and the wars which might come on every hand. The Lord Jesus says in Matthew 10:28, “And fear not them who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” This could be quite a scary situation. The host is en camping about us. While there is no actual war, the shadow of war is lurking everywhere. Now is the time when faith’s armor is urgently need ed. Do you have foes encamping about your life? You may feel so boxed in with no way to turn and no place to go for deliverance. Listen, take hold of the armor of God. Through faith you can be a more than a conqueror. Remember, faith means simply, “Forsaking All I Trust Him.” Yes, though our adversaries may some day be numerous, though there rise up an army against one single, individual man, yet hosts can not hurt us if the Lord of hosts pro tects us. CHAPTER THREE I’ve had an enjoyable time recent ly in taking three or four days con ducting a survey among Christian people with whom I came in contact. Before our conversations ended, I made it a point to ask the question, “If you had the opportunity to re ceive one thing from the Lord, what would you desire most of all ?” Would
you like to hear some of the answers ? A high schooler really surprised me by saying, “I’d like to have humili ty.” Some of us might well profit by such a bestowal. A radio personality, whose name you’d know, told me, “I’d like to know that when I ask things in prayer, I’m really asking accord ing to the Lord’s will.” That’s a good idea, isn’t it? A housewife called in with a prayer request. It wasn’t hard for her to figure out her fondest wish, “I would desire that my husband might find the Lord.” A youth evan gelist was earnest in his plea that he might have “power in preaching.” A missionary leader said that he would like to receive from the Lord the type of wisdom with which Solo mon was blessed, that which was dis cerning, discriminating, theoretical, and practical. A businessman, who had been cheated by others more than once, observed, “I’d like to see hon esty in those with whom I work.” Then, as an afterthought, he con fessed, “And in my own life as well.” A youth worker told me that he would like to see his physical and spiritual children “walking in the truth.” There were all sorts of requests of the Lord. A store owner told me rather facetiously over the dinner table that he would like to have a boat. “That’s the one thing I really desire,” he explained. He went on to tell me that it could cost anywhere from eight to ten thousand dollars. He had it all figured out. His wife quickly asked me if I were interested in that for which she was beseech ing the Lord. When I answered in the affirmative, she declared w ith a laugh, “I’m praying he won’t get the boat. If he does, it'll mean no time on Sunday for the Lord’s work!” She was a wise woman. A college freshman told me that she would like,
Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens.
7
more than anything else, “to be used of the Lord.” (These were all pro fessing Christians whom I surveyed). A busy travel agent, beset with peo ple problems, thoughtfully comment ed, “I'd like to have more love so that I could be sweeter and more tolerant of others.” An office man ager replied that he would like to see the salvation and consistency in the lives of his six children. Finally, a financier came up with the fact that he would like to be able to live sinlessly. It was not so much that he wanted to be perfect, but rather that he would not have to know the misery inside, as well as outwardly when fellowship is broken and joy is lost. He concluded, “I'd like to be able to avoid those moments when, because of sin, I feel miserable and rotten inside.” It’s one thing to say we desire the Lord above all else. It’s quite an other thing actually to seek Him. David testified from the depths of his heart, “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to be hold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.” With this one thing what other request would real-
ly be needful? Can we say, too, “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that is, unbroken fellowship with Him?” An interesting account is given to us in the 10th chapter of the Gospel of Luke. Our Lord was visiting the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha. The latter naturally was concerned about a good meal for the Master. Perhaps Mary had been helping to set the table. She listened to the words of the Saviour and was soon drawn to His immediate presence. In rapt attention, she remained at His feet. When Martha saw what was going on, she was greatly troubled. She seemed to be the only one work ing and wanted the Lord to scold her sister. She could use some extra hands in the kitchen. Certainly there is nothing wrong with preparing meals. We need good cooks. The Sav iour reminded her, however, “One thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part.” In an appli cation for today, you can be busy in the choir, teaching in the Sunday school, active in Christian Women’s Club. All of these are commendable, but have you had to sacrifice “that good part?” We need to desire and to seek fellowship with the Lord. Without this we will become spirit ually withdrawn. Desiring and seek ing must go together. Desire repre sents prayer. Seek stands for the actual application. The two are in separably linked. David uses the past tense, “Have I desired.” The future tense is, “that I will seek after.” There must be diligence on our part. An earnest desire alone won’t cause you to grow in the grace of our Sav iour. You need also to seek. David said, “I want to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” This is the way to enjoy Heav en before we ever get to Heaven. Isn’t it true that a man’s house is the place where he feels at home. Do you feel at home in the worship of the Lord when you’re by your self? The ideal life is one of unbro-
Biola has the opportunity of presenting Gospel music in testimony through various teams including its quartets.One of the groups pictured here features from left to right Jim Ladd,Pasadena; Paul Davis, South Gate; Rex Smith.Salem,Ore.; and Jerry Reub, Sacramento.
8
consume it upon your lusts.” In the 73rd Psalm, Asaph was greatly con cerned over the age-old problem: that the ungodly seem to prosper while the righteous suffer. How does one understand this? It just doesn’t seem to make sense. It’s about half way through his soliloquy that he comes to a p ro found realization. “Until I went into the sanctuary of the Lord; then understood I their latter end.” The only understanding we’re going to acquire concerning this perplexity, or any of the other problems of life, is in the sanctuary of the Lord, which is His eternal Word, the Bible. If we want to find strength, peace, satisfaction and con tentment (and who doesn’t? ), we must soon learn that this is only available through the Scripture and the power of God. David wanted to do this all of the days of his life. Underscore the word all. It seems to me that I have a natural inclination to dwell in the house of the Lord when things are going right. When I’m spiritually
ken fellowship with God. I’ve often had people tell me, "Oh, if only I could work in a place like Biola! How wonderful it must be in a Christian organization. Wouldn’t I be happy if I could be there.” Well, it is won derful, but the fact of the matter is that dwelling in the house of the Lord is possible right at your own kitchen sink, even if your husband is not saved as yet. Such a relationship is possible right at your office desk, or at the bench where you work. God’s same presence is with you in the classroom whether it’s a secular or a Christian school. David said, “I want to behold the beauty of the Lord.” The only way we can do it in this life is by faith. Aren’t you thankful that we don’t worship God out of fear, but rather out of love for that which He is and has done for us? “To behold the beau ty of the Lord” means to see His moral character, His holiness, His mercy, grace and love. These things grow the brighter with each day. Isaiah 52:14 speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ, telling us that His visage was marred more than any man’s. In the next chapter, the sec ond verse comments that there is no beauty or comeliness that we should desire Him. This is certainly true of the world’s appraisal of Him. They may not see anything in Christ which they would desire. For Chris tians, however, we see that beauty which is characteristic of every as pect of His character. How long has it been since you sat down and just contemplated the beauty of the Lord ? What a tremendous opportunity for this type of fellowship with Him! The Psalmist wanted to inquire in God’s temple. That meant that he was seeking the wisdom necessary for life’s most pressing problems. Do you ever feel that your prayers avail very little? James gives us a clue as to why this may be. He ex plains, “Ye ask and receive not be cause ye ask amiss, that ye may
A maize of wires have gone to the construction of studios for Radio Station KBBI locatednow at the Biola Campus in Marshburn Hall. Pictured here is Dana Gereczof Des Moines, Iowa, put ing some last minutes touches on one of the studio amplifiers. KBBI started in 1959, broadcasts 24 hours a day.
9
purpose.” What a strong pavilion we find in verses like Exodus 14:13-14: “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation [or the deliverance] of the Lord.” What a mighty pavilion there is in I Samuel 17:47. Our hearts are made bold and strong as we realize, “The battle is not yours, but God’s!” It’s not our fight; it’s the Lord’s. The pavilions available are inexhaustible. The word “pavilion” is from the Latin word papilio which means “a butterfly.” This is exactly what a pavilion looked like in the long ago. It was a tent stretched out with wings on either side. The center was the headquarters where an accurate and constant guard was maintained. In I Kings 2:28 we learn of the offender who could flee to such a tent for refuge. Even if a relative had been slain, the person in whose tent protection was sought, was obligated to protect the fugitive. It was a binding moral obligation to watch over the life of the one who had fled. In the inmost area of the taber nacle was the Holy of Holies. It was a place into which only the high priest could go and then only once a year. Anything else meant certain death. Do you see the gracious invita tion and the realization that David had? He would have the opportunity of such intimate fellowship as was possible in the Holy of Holies. This wasn’t a case of hiding there for safety. He wanted more than any thing else to be right where God dwelt. The same is promised to us: both safety and communion. There is protection here from the enemies, as well as a shelter from the desert heat. For fellowship, he could be no Closer than in the very presence of God at the Mercy Seat. Moving next to verse six, we find the words, “And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing
“up” and have not experienced de pression or discouragement, then I’m quite happy and contented. But that’s not right, nor is it sufficient. David said “All the days,” the dark, as well as the bright. He wasn’t just a “Sun day Christian.” The word inquire is a fascinating one. It literally means to make a survey or a reconnaissance. The French translate it this way. It rep resents a meditative investigation of the Word of God so that the Word of God investigates us. CHAPTER FOUR As David continues his thoughts before the Lord, verse 5 testifies, “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” David admits that difficult times will be coming. He is a realist. Notice, “For in the time of trouble.” Wheth er or not things are going well for you now, you can be assured, and your own heart knows this, in a coming hour things will be difficult. David is not concerned for he knows, “He shall hide me.” Keep in mind that God doesn’t promise to deliver us, or even to keep us out of trouble. He doesn’t say He will take us away from the nagging problems. The promise is that He will hide us. That is suffi cient, isn’t it? The word “hide” means to secrete away, after which we are defended and protected. Have you ever thought of the matchless protection we find in the pavilions of the Word of God? Let me suggest the beautiful pavilion of Romans 8:28. In the time of the loss of a loved one, in financial reversals, discourage ments in the home or business, physi cal ailments, in the forsaking by a friend, you can find hiding, defense and protection here. “For we know that all things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are the called according to His 10
praises unto the Lord.” The widow of the famed composer Schumann was herself a very gifted musician. Whenever asked to perform some of her husband’s compositions, she made it a point, before the presentation, to spend much time reading the old love letters he had sent to her in earlier days. These billetsdoux so in spired her she said she was then able to perform her husband’s greatest compositions with a unique sense of achievement. In our everyday sphere of activities, the world is asking to see the reality of Jesus Christ. The only way we’re going to be able to perform, living before them in a posi tive and convincing manner, is when the Word of God, His love letters to us, become a very real, vital and moving part of our lives. In another figure of speech, you’re not going to drown as long as God keeps your head above water. Luke 21:26 states it correctly, “Lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh.” There are at least two things which cause us to allow our heads to hang down. One is fear. There are worries, anxieties, con cerns, which result in our looking at the things of this world rather than at the things of God. I think the other thing causing a man’s head to hang down on occasion is shame. Many Christians are ashamed be cause of the way they live (and well they might be concerned). It may be that they have forsaken God. It may be that they have no fellowship whatsoever with the Lord. It may be that there is some unconfessed sin in their life. They have gone on, giv ing in to temptations. I John 1:9 tells us as believers, “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Now notice he says, “Therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacri fices of joy.” What is God’s taber nacle of which David speaks? In the strictest sense, we know it to be the
tent David had in the wilderness. Later it became the temple which David’s son, Solomon, built to re place the transient facility. Today we realize that, based upon New Testa ment Scripture, the body of the be liever is the temple, the tabernacle, or the dwelling place of God’s Holy Spirit. So to our hearts comes the realization that our body is to be the place where we offer the sacri fices of joy. How do we act when pressures come, joyful or woeful? What kind of sacrifices are being offered in your hearts? David tes tified, “I will sing praises unto the Lord.” It wasn’t just a case of easy, well-modulated solo work, but the translation is actually, “I will shout, I’ll let everyone know; it will ring from the house-tops.” So the Lord is lifting up the head. This is salvation by elevation above the old worries, above the old tempta tions, above the old irritations, above the old frustrations. God lifts up the head. We need that, don’t we ? When Mozart was dying, he asked that his musician friends perform for him his famous “Requiem.” As he listened to the moving passages which he had been inspired to write, he was so touched that he lifted himself up as best he could on his elbow and began singing along with them. His tory records that Mozart literally sang himself to death. As the com mercial crudely puts it, “What a way to go!” Would to God that this might be true in our lives, not only physically, but also spiritually! CHAPTER FIVE Coming to verse seven, we enter the second section of this portion of Scripture. You remember, verses 1 through 6 of Psalm 27 showed us the triumph of the saints. Through the first few verses we see the compas sion of our Saviour. Notice David beseeches, “Hear, 0 Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.” Notice what the 11
to do it actually with the heart. There’s another thought which is interesting, too. The invitation “Seek ye my face” is in the plural. In other words, God desires that everyone of His children respond to Him. Unfor tunately there aren’t many Davids to echo back with the personal pro noun. In other words, he humbly vows, “My heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.” Regardless of what others might do, he was avowing that he would personally and individually seek the Lord. This whole section reminds us of the pre eminent fact that God is willing and does desire to be known. Jeremiah 29:13 declares, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” It was St. Augustine of old who had to admit, “God spake often to me, yet I was ignorant of it.” He was right. God never forgets us, al though we so often do forget Him. “Seek my face,” is the lovely oppor tunity He presents.
Psalmist is declaring, “Have mercy also upon me.” I’m glad he didn’t set the pattern by asking for justice. When we, as God’s children fail, the one thing we need desperately is mer cy. Mercy implies failure. The diffi culty is that too often we don’t com mune with the Lord, agonizing in prayer. We’re more interested, nat urally, in His blessings. The rest of the time we fret and worry. There was a certain businessman who had hit upon quite an ingenious idea. He got himself a little notebook which he carried around with him everywhere he went. He called it his Worry Book. Whenever anything came up which bothered him, caus ing real concern, he would write it down in his Worry Book. Monday was then assigned as his official day to worry. When difficulties came, he would just take out his book and put them down. That was the end of it until Monday morning. This was the specific time designated for worry ing. Mondays could be rather grim anyway, he reasoned, so no use spoil ing the entire week. It was quite a revealing experiment. At the end of the seven days, when Monday rolled around, he discovered that most of all the worries he had placed on the pages of his little notebook had either vanished or had been solved already. (I think I may try that!) How we need to agonize in prayer before the Lord! Notice the gracious invitation of verse 8, “When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.” How do we answer God’s gracious invita tions? He’s calling. He offers, “Seek ye my face.” To be perfectly honest, I’d have to say that I’ve sometimes answered God by saying, “I’m aw fully sorry, but I’m too busy. There's just no time. Not right now. Perhaps later in the day, or maybe I can do it tonight,” It’s one thing to say with your mouth that you want to seek the Lord, and it’s another thing 12
Sunday Afternoon Mus ica ls JAN. 26 "Haven of Rost" Quartet Norman Nelson Dan Friberg and Greg O'Haver "The Lyrics" FEB. 2 Howard and Dorothy Harsh Tha Fullerton Evangelical Free Church Choir directed by Mr.Cliff Anderson FEB. 9 Joyce Landorf Rudy Atwood "The Overtones" The Blola Quartet FEB. 16 "The Spectrum Sounds"
With orchestra and chorus directed by Mr. Al Hawker, First Baptist Church, Reseda, Calif.
FEB. 23
"The Skyline Chorale" Directed byRev. Deric Johnson, Sky line Wesleyan Church, Lemon Grove, Calif. BIOLA COLLEGE 3:00 P.M. Jan./March 1969 13800 Biola Ave., La Mirada, Calif.
CHAPTER SIX We find something very significant in verse 9. David, after such a union, strangely prays, “Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, 0 God of my salvation.” Have you ever felt in your life as though there might be something of an eclipse of God? Life is cold; He seems far from you. You don’t know which way to turn. You may be even doubting the reality of Christianity and perhaps even the very existence of God. Listen, if it’s any comfort, there’s no need to wonder where God has gone. He hasn’t moved. He doesn’t orbit around us. He’s right where He’s always been. He hasn’t moved one iota. The problem is one hundred per cent with us. Verse 8 suggests that if we don’t seek God after this gracious invitation, then He’ll be hidden from us, as David suggests in verse 9. The Lord never forces Himself upon anyone. So the prayer, “Forsake me not, leave me not.” The original would give us the beseeching, “Don’t let go of your hold upon me.” In verse 10, we find perhaps one of the most interesting statements in the entire chapter. David observes, “When my father and my mother for sake me, then the Lord will take me up.” It’s interesting to consider our human progenitors. I think of an essay on parents which was written by a child. A part of it declared, “The trouble with parents today is that when we get them, they’re so old that they’re very hard to change!” That’s quite an observation, isn’t it? What did David mean when he sug gested that his father and mother would forsake him? Some Bible scholars have felt that he might be referring to the death of his parents. That’s possible. More than this, how ever, he’s suggesting that this is the ultimate in loneliness. N a tu ra lly speaking, parents would be the last
ones to leave their own children. This envisions the worst thing that could possibly happen. Verse 11 is a continuation of this saint’s prayer. It’s profitable for closer study, “Teach me thy way, 0 Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.” Notice that David doesn’t ask for his own way. Isn’t it true that if we were honest, quite frequently our prayers would in essence sound like this: “Lord, here are my plans; will you please bless them ?” Then we wonder why we’re miserable and have frus trations. It doesn’t work that way. It’s God’s path and only He can re veal it to us in His own time. The twelfth verse continues the prayer of the Psalmist, “Deliver me not over unto the will of mine ene mies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.” There are those who seem bent on our downfall and de struction. There are people who seem to enjoy finding fault with things we do. Do you know anybody like this? The other day someone gave me a card about three by five and in large letters it offers, “We welcome criti cism. Please write yours here.” Then, there’s a little box provided for the writing of the criticism. The square is only about a quarter of an inch square. In other words, no one likes to be told what he’s doing wrong. Criticism can sometimes rankle us, “We’re only human,” we explain. James, the third chapter, is the hall mark of the Word of God concerning teaching on the tongue. In the eighth verse it is stated, “The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” While it’s a fact that no man can tame the tongue, God can and does, as we seek His help and strength. The Lord needs to be given the opportunity to con trol the speech of many of us as Christians. It was Charles Haddon Spurgeon who painted the graphic word picture that, “Slander is an 13
tempt some people have for police officials. And where would we begin to comment on the immorality and sexual debauchery which plagues our land? Now, you look at these things, and think “What’s the use?” The truth of the matter is, as the Lord Jesus taught us, “Men ought always to pray, and not faint.” It’s easy to “throw in the sponge.” The Lord wants us to move on for Him. We need to recognize God’s hand in everything. David said, “I would have utterly collapsed at the condi tions around me if I hadn't believed. Then it was that I saw the Saviour’s hand working.” My friend, you’re not going to see a miracle of the Lord unless you are willing to believe. The two are inseparably coupled to gether. You must believe in order to see. Underscore that in your mind as well as your Bible. We need to hang on, seeing God who is only visi ble through the eye of faith. I recall hearing my wife warn me on occasions, when we’ve been out travelling on the road, “If I don’t get some food, I’m going to faint!” Have you ever felt that way? A lack of proper nourishment may cause you to feel faint. You know what’s com ing, don’t you? How well nourished are you spiritually? Some of us not only have fainted, but we have nearly expired. It’s been so long since we were on a proper balanced diet. One may also faint from discouragement, seeing all of the problems and diffi culties on every hand. If we don’t trust the Lord, it can be devastating. Then, one can faint through chastise ment. Scripture admonishes us, “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked by him.” Disciplining is necessary and we should learn to accept it. CHAPTER SEVEN No doubt you have used Psalm 27:14 in seeking the Lord’s leading. We have heard other people quote it.
old-fashioned weapon which comes out of the armory of hell.” When people despise and malign you, seek ing your downfall and destruction, you have no recourse but to look to the Lord. There are generally two things we can’t stand as Christians. They seem to bother most people to no end. First of all, it’s difficult for us to endure our own failures. What's harder for most people to accept gracefully, however, is the success of others. As a result, in order to even the score, men criticize, complain, find fault, and sow discord. Actually, more people have been hurt by the edge of the tongue than those who have succumbed by the edge of the sword. Job was promised, “Thou shalt be hidden from the scourge of the tongue” (Job 5:21). With the trials he experienced, it was a real grace from the Lord. The Lord takes notice not only of what we give but also more importantly that which we have left. Look at the world today. There’s no mistaking the fact that there are untold difficulties and problems we all have to face. Here in Psalm 27:13, I think we find our own situation. Wouldn’t you say with David, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” ? What he’s say ing is that he would have utterly collapsed unless he had believed God. This is always the way it is. You must believe in order to see. Peter reminds us, “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (I Peter 1:8). It’s sad, but true, that faintness of heart is a very common ailment. Look at all the things about us. Con sider the corruption in every strata of society and government. Think of the lawlessness and the utter con- 14
Here is a very pertinent message for us today. David urges us, “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait I say, on the Lord.” Do you know that waiting is the hardest thing in all of the world any of us have to do? When I was a boy growing up, I well remember how long it was to wait until Christmas. It just seemed as if the calendar and all time slowed down when it came to that season. Then in later years I think back to how long it seemed before I got my own. first car. (It was a 1934 Ply mouth coupe with a rumble seat.) Then in later years I think back to a long wait of three days. That was how long it took Margaret, after I had proposed to her, to make up her mind that she would marry me. Only three days, but it seemed an eter nity! Have you ever had to wait for someone? I’ve been in doctor’s offices where I’ve just about exhausted hope. Recently I had to wait over an hour. I became quite impatient. My eye doctor has said it would be four months before he could see me. Too busy! All of these things seem as nothing when compared to waiting upon the Lord which is so necessary. These are valuable lessons to be learned. Things are revealed to us sometimes only by patience. There’s a real purpose behind it, although it’s not easy. In James 1:4 we have a good explanation for this situa tion as we are exhorted, “But let patience have her perfecting work that ye may be spiritually mature and complete, not lacking anything.” No one likes to wait. We want what we want, when we want it. Perhaps it’s comparable to the lit tle boy whose father was extremely upset. The small child had gone out and picked the blossoms of his cher ished prize roses. The man had in tended to enter them in competition. It was too late now! The lad had gone out before him and had taken the rose buds all apart. When asked
why he did it he reasoned, “Oh, I was just in a hurry to see them bloom, so I went out and blossomed them.” Isn’t this the way so many of us are concerning God’s plans ? We thwart His directive will for us. He brews 10:36 is a verse of Scripture my wife and I took when we were first married. It has remained a text of importance and meaning through out life. Let me share it with you: “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” It was a little more than a hundred years ago, back in 1865, that Thomas Guthrie, a pastor of St, John’s Free Church, wrote these words: "Give God no rest, and take none yourself.” He had David’s exact thoughts, “Wait on the Lord.” Isaiah 40:30 says, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” That’s what David is say- The Christian can only find real satis faction in exactly the same place where he found eternal salvation! ing, too. “Be of good courage and He shall strengthen thine heart.” You see how Scripture coincides with Scripture? They are different hu man writers, but the same divine Au thor. How unfortunate and foolish is a man to put confidence in the laws and forces of nature, and yet for sake the time or opportunity to place his confidence in the Lord. Scripture says, “Cursed be every man who trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.” To wait means to comply with the conditions of God’s promises. When we were growing up, there were al ways things that we as boys wanted to have. I can hear my mother even now as she would say, “Well, perhaps some day, when our ship comes in.” Then in later years, I came to the stark realization that our ship prob ably never would come in. In fact, 15
what Paul needed to deepen his spir itual life. Then again, the Lord met His dis ciples in His resurrected body. They were instructed in no uncertain terms to wait in Jerusalem. Now this doesn’t make sense to me. We would have said: “We’ve got a job to be done. Jesus Christ has just come back from the dead. Let’s get the word out!” But the Lord says, “No, wait and tarry in Jerusalem.” The tarrying was for the Day of Pente cost and the filling of the Holy Spirit. Do you comprehend what we’ve been saying? Wait on the Lord! In Hebrew that word wait is qawah. It simply means to interweave or to intertwine. It speaks of that which is woven in strands like a thread so powerful that it becomes a cable no one can break. Weave in the promises of God throughout life. Weave in the doctrines of the Word. And, as you weave, remember that without the faith, it is impossible to please Him. If, but one message, I would leave behind One single word of courage for my kind, I t would be this: “Oh, brother, sister, friend; Whatever life may bring, whatever God may send . . . No matter whether clouds lift soon or late, Take heart and wait!” Obstacles are those frightful things one sees when he takes his eyes off the eternal goal. One trouble most of us experience is that all too soon our train of thought will reach the caboose. It’s already been settled. No man has to institute a lawsuit in order to collect the wages of sin. A lot of people who wouldn't talk with a full mouth go around speaking with an empty head.
my mother vouched for that fact in suggesting that perhaps the old ves sel had been scuttled long before it reached harbor. I’ve stopped look ing for that ship. There never really was one. But I don’t need it in actu ality. God is already there. The Psalmist isn’t saying that He may strengthen, or that He can strength en, but that God will strengthen thine heart. This promise, as well as all others in Scripture, is based upon our keeping all of the conditions. The Lord Jesus taught us that men ought always to pray and not faint. The fact of the matter is that a prayer less man cannot be said to be wait ing on the Lord. In Psalm 37:5 we read, “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.” God can only keep that which you are willing to commit. Your responsibility is to turn it over to Him unreservedly. This entire Psalm teaches us that eternal relationship with God can only be obtained through faith in Jesus Christ. Wait on the Lord. Moses was forty years at the back side of the mountain. He attended the College of the Desert. He didn’t get out of the class very soon either. In later years, another distinguished leader attended the College of the Desert. His name was Paul. Just after his conversion he was led of God’s Spirit into Arabia. Some Bible teachers believe this could have been for a period of as much as three years. This was before he went on to Damascus. In any case, the Chris tian’s arch enemy, Paul, was con verted. In these times Christian lead ers would say, “Let’s get him on the circuit. Let’s bring him into the Youth for Christ meetings, and the Sunday evening service, and the Christian Women’s Clubs, and the rescue missions. Let’s publicize this and get as much ballyhoo out as possible!” But, no, this wasn’t the Lord’s timing. Personal communion with the Lord, not publicity, was 16
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker