April 2, 2020
FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
ARE WE GOD’S ALERT AND COURAGEOUS WATCHMEN AND SOLDIERS?
“Son of man, I have made you watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and given them warning from Me.” Eze. 3:17, 18-21; cf. 33:1-20. The gospel-prophet declares of the unfaithful “watchmen.”: “His watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant; they are all dumb dogs that will not bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yes, they are greedy dogs which never have enough. And they are SHEPHERDS who cannot understand; they all look their own way, everyone for his own gain, from his own territory.” Isa. 56:10,11,NKJV.
These no doubt refers to the “prosperity gospel” minister/pastors who are nowhere to be found with their “prosperity” during this terrible time of adversity. I fear for my soul and yours too, if I fail or refuse, for whatever reason or excuse, to hold back the testing truths and warnings for this very time! And so here are more of God’s warnings, not to cause more fear or discouragement but to encourage and challenge all to put on the whole armor of God and be ready “to fight the battles of the Lord where champions are few.”
“The time of trouble such as never was” is soon to open before us; and we shall need an EXPERIENCE which we do not now possess and which many are too indolent to obtain. It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality; but this is not true of the [greater] crisis [than the COVID-19] before us. The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal. In THAT time of trial, every soul must stand FOR HIMSELF. ‘Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in the land, as I live, says the Lord, they shall deliver neither sin nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.” Eze.14:20.” GC 622-3. Indeed! Salvation is individual because we are free moral agents given a will, freedom to choose, by the Creator and Lord of the Sabbath.
“Those who place themselves under God’s control, to be led and guided by Him, will catch the steady tread of events ordered by Him to take place. Inspired with the Spirit of Him who have His life for the life of the world, they will no longer stand still in impotency, pointing to what they cannot do. Putting on the armor of heaven, they will go forth to the warfare, willing to DO and DARE for God, knowing that His omnipotence will supply their need.” 7T 14.
Rejoice in the strength of the Lord today! NMF