This article has a history. Some time ago a western correspondent sent us an earnest letter urging his view of holiness, and putting certain questions to us to be answered. The letter was so frank and cordial as well as earnest that we fully intended to reply to it at length, and took it with us on a journey to prepare an answer. But somehow it became mislaid or was left behind on the train, and the circumstance dropped out of mind. Later the notes we had prepared in reply came to light, and we believe their publication will interest …
“As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me, Barnabas and Saul, for the work whereunto I have called them.” —Acts 13:2
I come this morning, I am sure, with a surprise, in a sense, to this audience.
For some little time before I left on my trip around the world, there was a discussion as to what my future relationship to The Moody Church should be. At that time I handed in my resignation and then left for the trip.
Since I have returned, I have been much in prayer, as has the Committee, …
Before you really understand the import of this question you probably would like to look at its setting in the Word of God. Job was a man marvelously blessed of God, blessed because he honored God, because he served God, because he testified about God, because he was a living, walking example of what God could do in a man’s life. Job had so walked before God, so obeyed God, so listened to the dictates of the voice of God that God could afford to bless him. He had many cattle, …
(Helpful to Sunday School Lesson of May 16, 1920, 1 Samuel 7:2–17)
“The time was long.” This has been the testimony of all the saints of God when the glory of the presence of God has dimmed, and when the heart has been far from His will. Here the ark was far from the heart of the people. One of the poets has said:
“The midsummer sun shines but dim, The fields strive in vain to look gay,”
Whenever the Lord is not near, and His presence real.
“Return unto the Lord with all your hearts.” This was Samuel’s first …
(Helpful to Sunday School Lesson of May 9, 1920, 1 Samuel 4:5–18)
“The ark of the Lord was come into the camp.” The Lord was revealing Himself to Samuel in Shiloh, where was the ark of the Lord. The sons of Eli had cut off the presence of God and the vision of God. Samuel had arisen as the known and accepted prophet of God, and manifestations of the presence of God were again taking place in Shiloh. The Philistines were arrayed against all Israel, the Israelites were losing, and, knowing of the power in the ark of God, and …
“Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.” —John 12:1–3
Here is a beautiful home picture. In these verses God has opened the doors and let us look …
(Helpful to Sunday School Lesson of May 2, 1920, 1 Samuel 1:24–28; 3:1–21)
“The Lord called Samuel.” It is easy to understand that this was not a voice which others could hear or Eli could have heard it. The voice was very clear indeed to Samuel; Samuel was sure that someone had called him. This Scripture should show us that while others may be used of the Lord in clearing up our call and proving to us that it is the Lord and not man that is calling, yet the call must be heard by the one called and by …
“The Lord called Samuel.” It is easy to understand that this was not a voice which others could hear or Eli could have heard it. The voice was very clear indeed to Samuel; Samuel was sure that some one had called him. This Scripture should show us that while others may be used of the Lord in clearing up our call and proving to us that it is the Lord and not man that is calling, yet the call must be heard by the one called and by him alone.
How foolish we are when we expect others to understand …
“And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.”—Mark 15:24
The Roman soldiers at the foot of the cross of Calvary, shook dice to see which was the lucky man to win the different garments of the crucified Christ. You must remember that God has garments, that God has clothed Himself as with a garment. To God the sun is a sparkling gem upon His finger, the stars are wonderful pearls about His neck, the Earth covered with its vegetation and water is but the garment that God slips over …
“And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.” —Mark 15:24
The Roman soldiers at the foot of the cross of Calvary, shook dice to see which was the lucky man to win the different garments of the crucified Christ. You must remember that God has garments, that God has clothed Himself as with a garment. To God the sun is a sparkling gem upon His finger, the stars are wonderful pearls about his neck, the Earth covered with its vegetation and water is but the garment that God slips …
