The Prayer of Moses # 2

The Prayer of Moses # 2

But what ANSWER may we suppose that the Lord will give to many of us?

Perhaps He may say that He will not return as we desire - until we separate from the world as He has bidden us. His word is, "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." But, like Ephraim of old, we have mixed ourselves among the people. Politics, business, carnal associations, and worldly thinking had led us astray; so that there is but very little difference between the professing people of God - and those who make no profession. He requires us to stand out in bold relief from the world - to be distinct and distinguishable - to be like a city set upon a hill, which cannot be hidden. While worldly professors have balls, dances, concerts, etc. - we shall be left to cry, "Return, O Lord! How long will it be?"

Again, we may not expect Him to return - until we realize the end of our salvation. We are called with a Heavenly calling. We are called to glory and virtue. Our calling is to publish and preserve God's truth - to represent and set forth the true nature of Christ's holy religion - to endeavor to pluck sinners as brands from the burning, and lead them on to glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life.

We are saved: to live for God - to live like Jesus - to aim at the honor of God in everything we do - to live as saints, or unearthly persons, who are born from above, buried with Christ, risen with Christ, ascended with Christ, and identified with Christ!

We are to act like the temples of the Holy Spirit - the companions of God the Father, and of His Son Jesus Christ, with whom we profess to live in  close, constant, and sensible fellowship.

We are to make God's glory the one great end of our existence, so that, whether we think or speak, rest or work, worship or visit, eat or drink, or whatever we do - we do all to the glory of God.

We may not expect the Lord to return - until we stir up ourselves to take hold upon Him. Like Jacob we must go out into the plain, and there wrestle with God. Like Elijah - we must go to the top of Carmel, and there plead until we prevail. Like Hezekiah we must turn our faces to the wall, and pray until God yields to us. Like the disciples at Emmaus we must constrain Him to turn in and abide with us.

Brethren let us remember, that the energetic prayer of the righteous man avails much; that God will attend to his own elect when they cry day and night unto Him - though He may seem to hold out long. Let us, give Him no rest until He bows the Heavens and comes down, and works wonders in our midst!

Do we feel this to be our state? Is God at a distance from us? Are the ordinances comparatively barren? Is the gospel almost without effect? Are our churches and ministers at a loss to know what to do? Do we pant and long for a change? Is this the rooted, reigning, abiding desire of our souls? Can we be satisfied with no less? Are we becoming impatient and passionately crying out, "Return, O Lord! How long will it be?" Or can we be still, silent, and comparatively indifferent under such a state of things?

Brethren, the Spirit of God is grieved - and we have grieved Him!

Our heavenly Father's heart is wounded - and we have wounded it!

Our adorable Saviour has been crucified again and again - and we have crucified Him!

These things call for deep thought, for bitter tears, for daily repentance, for fervent prayers, for frank confession, for earnest pleadings, and for immediate reformation!

Do we feel upon this subject - as we ought to feel? Do you? Do we act under the circumstances - as we ought to act? Do you? God refuses to be considered the author or the cause of these things, therefore He demands of us, "Is the Spirit of the Lord straitened? Are these His doings? Do not my words do good unto him that walks uprightly? Can we have walked uprightly, then? Impossible, or God would not withhold His presence from us! Hear His own word, "The Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will be withheld from them that walk uprightly!"

~James Smith~

(The End)