LOOKING UNTO JESUS...

"Jesus said, I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight." —Matthew 11:25, 26 [KJV]

The true ministers of Christ are greatly encouraged in their labours, knowing they serve that sovereign Lord, who hath declared, "My word shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please: it shall prosper in the thing whereunto I sent it."—Isaiah 55:11. "To some the gospel is a savour of life unto life; unto others of death unto death." To some Jesus is revealed, to others the gospel is hid. Nevertheless, His ministers "are unto God, a sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved, and in them that perish."—II Corinthians 2:15. What shall we say to these things? shall we dare to cavil against the sovereign dispensations of God, or arraign Him at the bar of our weak judgments? shall the potsherds of the earth contend with Jehovah, and say, What doest Thou? Shall the pride of our carnal reason, and the rebellion of our corrupt nature, vent itself with, 'I will not allow it at all; I cannot believe it is just and righteous that the Lord should act with sovereignty, give or withhold His special grace as it seemeth good unto Him!' St. Paul sharply reproves such daring speeches. "Nay, but O man, who art thou that repliest against God?"—It is plain that such walk not humbly; they have not the mind of Christ. The Father's will was His joy: Jehovah's purposes His delight: and with sovereign dispensations Jesus most cheerfully acquiesced; "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight." Herein He hath left us an example. This is beyond all other reasons we can assign for God's dealings in grace and providence. Such sentiments shew, that we have been taught of God, are little in our own eyes, passive as babes in our own judgment, and are submissive children to our Father's will.

A spiritual revelation of the hope of the gospel, is by the sovereign grace of the Holy Spirit, "who divideth to every man severally as He will." It ever begets humility of heart. Why me, Lord! creates amazement of soul. What am I? ever excites love and gratitude. Am I called to the faith of Jesus, and the hope of salvation, while others, of the wise and prudent of this world, are left in the darkness, pride and rebellion of their nature? O what shall I render unto the Lord? How fearful to offend, how studious to please, how joyful to glorify the Lord my God ought I to be from day to day? "Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith."

"Thus doth the Lord of heav'n and earth 

His great decrees fulfil, 

And orders all His works of grace 

By His own sov'reign will.

Bow then, my Lord, my proud will, 

To own Thy sov'reign hand; 

And humbly to adore Thy ways 

Which I can't understand."

 

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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