“He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap” (Ecclesiastes 11:4). The wise man in these writings still speaks to us today. It will be well for us to exercise a proper and salutary care in the use and disposition of precious seed entrusted to our hand. We should know that, under certain conditions, we
must withhold action, lest there be useless and futile waste. But the diligent and determined man, the fearless and faithful, will not be deterred or turned aside by the threat of difficulty or trial; rather, these will be regarded as challenges to be faced and overcome. Faint-heartedness is no qualification for the Christian warrior.
In the preparation and selection of a Gideon’s band (Judges 7), there must first be eliminated those who are craven and fearful. Such are utterly useless when it comes to the business of being called upon to stand alone “… every man in his place …” (Judges 7:21). The quality of God given courage, when confronted by the seeming might of an outnumbering enemy host, is of great value! But in this realm, human bluster and pretentious bravado break away- they are not enough!
Conquering courage, when facing Satan’s massed multitudes, must depend on that kind of knowledge of God Himself, that is blessed with an experience that is personal and intimate, being wholly independent of outside and extraneous resources. Witness Paul’s words concerning his own experience when facing the devilish cruelty of Nero, “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me …and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion” (2 Timothy 4:16-17).
We are moving through days of immense difficulty in Gospel witness. The chicken-hearted, the hesitant, and the fearful will certainly be likely to counsel that we hold our hand, and wait for more propitious times! No time, this, for either sowing or reaping, they would protest! Unwise counsellors all! We are moving into the teeth of a gale; conditions will probably deteriorate! “…evil men and seducers shall wax worse
and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). Then how dare we wait? There is a great work to be done! “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14). So runs the tremendous declaration of our triumphant Lord and Master.
William Carey’s missionary journey was launched from England in days when the whole continent of Europe was alerted and alarmed by the threat and fear of Napoleonic wars, by the way! “The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the
streets” (Proverbs 22:13). The only satisfying reason why Carey displayed such seeming nonchalance, in such a “do-and-dare” spirit, is that he had listened to the voice of the Lord, and nothing else mattered he must obey!
We believe that, despite all the threats of the enemy, and the hesitancy and fear of the faint-hearted and disobedient, these are the very days in which to call for the advance! God’s divine program must be fulfilled and finalized. He has already issued His call in terms crystal clear. He expects His obedient and faithful servants to fall into line, and
with the resources adequate to the need, which He tells us are available in their abundance, to finish the job. Forward, then, in Christ’s Name!