Charles Spurgeon Says To Fear Not

Charles Spurgeon

Quoting Charles H. Spurgeon:

“And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2 Kings 6:16).

Horses and chariots and a great host shut up the prophet in Dothan. His young servant was alarmed. How could they escape from such a body of armed men? But the prophet had eyes which his servant had not, and he could see a greater host with far superior weapons guarding him from all harm. Horses of fire are mightier than horses of flesh, and chariots of fire are far preferable to chariots of iron. Even so is it at this hour. The adversaries of truth are many, influential, learned, and crafty; and truth fares ill at their hands; and yet the man of God has no cause for trepidation. Agencies, seen and unseen, of the most potent kind, are on the side of righteousness. God has armies in ambush which will reveal themselves in the hour of need. The forces which are on the side of the good and the true far outweigh the powers of evil. Therefore, let us keep our spirits up, and walk with the gait of men who possess a cheering secret, which has lifted them above all fear. We are on the winning side. The battle may be sharp, but we know how it will end. Faith, having God with her, is in a clear majority: “They that be with us are more than they that be with them.” (Faith’s Checkbook)

A Proclamation Of Thanksgiving By Congress In 1779

1779

By the United States in Congress assembled.

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas it becomes us humbly to approach the throne of Almighty God, with gratitude and praise for the wonders which his goodness has wrought in conducting our forefathers to this western world; for his protection to them and to their posterity amid difficulties and dangers; for raising us, their children, from deep distress to be numbered among the nations of the earth; and for arming the hands of just and mighty princes in our deliverance; and especially for that he hath been pleased to grant us the enjoyment of health, and so to order the revolving seasons, that the earth hath produced her increase in abundance, blessing the labors of the husbandmen, and spreading plenty through the land; that he hath prospered our arms and those of our ally; been a shield to our troops in the hour of danger, pointed their swords to victory and led them in triumph over the bulwarks of the foe; that he hath gone with those who went out into the wilderness against the savage tribes; that he hath stayed the hand of the spoiler, and turned back his meditated destruction; that he hath prospered our commerce, and given success to those who sought the enemy on the face of the deep; and above all, that he hath diffused the glorious light of the gospel, whereby, through the merits of our gracious Redeemer, we may become the heirs of his eternal glory: therefore,

Resolved, That it be recommended to the several states, to appoint Thursday, the 9th of December next, to be a day of public and solemn thanksgiving to Almighty God for his mercies, and of prayer for the continuance of his favor and protection to these United States; to beseech him that he would be graciously pleased to influence our public councils, and bless them with wisdom from on high, with unanimity, firmness, and success; that he would go forth with our hosts and crown our arms with victory; that he would grant to his church the plentiful effusions of divine grace, and pour out his holy spirit on all ministers of the gospel; that he would bless and prosper the means of education, and spread the light of Christian knowledge through the remotest corners of the earth; that he would smile upon the labors of his people and cause the earth to bring forth her fruits in abundance; that we may with gratitude and gladness enjoy them; that he would take into his holy protection our illustrious ally, give him victory over his enemies, and render him signally great, as the father of his people and the protector of the rights of mankind; that he would graciously be pleased to turn the hearts of our enemies, and to dispense the blessings of peace to contending nations; that he would in mercy look down upon us, pardon our sins and receive us into his favor, and finally, that he would establish the independence of these United States upon the basis of religion and virtue, and support and protect them in the enjoyment of peace, liberty and safety. as long as the sun and moon shall endure, until time shall be no more. Done in Congress, ∥ the 20th day of October, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine, and in the 4th year of the independence of the United States of America.

Samuel Huntington, President.

Attest,

Charles Thomson, Secretary.

Removing Pride From “Faith”

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

There is much to help the Christian man who never forgets he was not saved from sin or the consequences of sin by his own efforts. Salvation is by Jesus Christ alone. We are born again to a new life in Him through faith in Him.

We may often be so proud of what we have done in the name of Jesus that we begin to think that our own good efforts will win us the final approval of God. This leads us to base our salvation on “comparative” good works. I use the word “comparative” because we all tend to compare ourselves to what others are doing and not to God’s Holy standards. This only leads to more pride, which leads to sin.

We are tempted to believe that God owes us something because we have accumulated more good deeds in our “self-righteousness bank” than our next door neighbor. These self-righteous feelings would have us look down on our neighbors even though the Bible clearly teaches, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Self-righteousness destroys the doctrine of “by grace you have been saved through faith” as it is taught in the Scriptures.

Even though we should be diligent in our study and the accumulation of Bible knowledge, this too may lead to pride in our understanding and our earnest study. But, even the demons know more about God than us! Yet, who dares to deny that the Bible teaches us that their punishment will be everlasting. We must be born again to enter into the kingdom of God. Faith and understanding are the fruit of the Holy Spirit’s work in us. The Holy Spirit opens the Scriptures to our understanding. We should now be motivated to study the Word of God because it has the words of salvation. Even so, we should not make reading the Bible a work by which we earn a merit badge.

Should we boast of our belief? Do you think you are saved because you chose to believe and your friend is not because he has refused to believe? If so, you are seeking the credit for why you go to heaven and your friend does not. This is not trusting in Jesus as your Savior. It is trusting in “your belief” in Jesus. Again, your good deed of “belief” becomes the basis of your salvation. Saving faith is not a work that you conjure up by your own effort. It is the instrument and gift of the Holy Spirit through which the righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to your life that you may be saved by Christ’s perfect obedience to God the Father.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV) We are sinners, and yet we have been saved by grace. We are not righteous, yet we have been freely given the righteousness of Jesus Christ. We have no grounds on which to boast in ourselves, yet we may boast in Christ. The mercy shown to us by God’s grace is as beautiful as it is wonderful. Therefore, let us boast in God, because the Christian should be the most humble of God’s creatures.