The Manner of God’s Saving Work(1)

Beloved Congregation:

In a previous letter I offered some comments regarding the various periods or seasons in which God regenerates His elect, in accordance with His eternal and unsearchable counsel. Oh, how infinitely sovereign are God’s dealings with His people! Here, too, it becomes manifest that no one can stay His hand, or say unto Him, “What doest Thou?” Those who labored only one hour in the vineyard still received the same wages as those who labored there their entire life’s day. Accordingly, regardless of how early or late the Lord calls His people, the main thing for us will be to belong to those who are called out of darkness to God’s marvelous light. Assuredly, the one as well as the other will praise and glorify that divine miracle of free and sovereign grace forever and ever in the new Jerusalem above.

In this letter I intend to write something more regarding the manner in which God magnifies His work in the hearts of His people, continuing the subject which I began to discuss in a former letter.

The manner may often differ greatly, too. The seed of the gospel may at times remain hidden in the earth of the heart for a long period. Just think of the case of Nicodemus and of Joseph of Arimathea. Some receive a severe blow in their heart at a certain time, but they nevertheless go on in sin for a shorter or longer period. God’s Word speaks of those who do not have the strength to bring forth. Sometimes the work of grace can lie dormant in the heart for many long years, to sprout forth only in the evening of their life. When the seed does begin to sprout, when heart and lips begin to speak, then they refer to events of years gone by, of warnings, of conscience disturbances, of convictions in their souls, which they nevertheless disregarded, until finally the snorting steed surrenders.

With others it may be that the Lord drags and pulls them along the brink of the abyss, as it were. The judgment of God, the curse of God, is declared in their soul in a fearful manner. Hell is opened to them. The wrath of God burns in their soul. Sin as it is dishonoring to God is discovered to them; sin in its true character is presented to their mind. “Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of God’s waterspouts.” They are dismayed in their hearts, and wail and lament, declaring that it is forever too late. They have no rest at all, and are brought almost to despair, as we read of the jailor at Philippi. However, God does not permit them to perish in despair. God holds them in His hand, grants deliverance, and gives liberty to their souls. David declares in Psalm 116:3-4, “I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the Lord.” The ancients used to say, “It matters not how strong the convictions are, but how true and genuine they are.” Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of.

It pleases the Lord to draw some in a very loving manner. David says in Psalm 23:2, “He leadeth me beside the still waters.” Some are quickened in a very pleasant and loving manner; not by the thunders of Sinai, but by the delights of the gospel. God opens their hearts, enlightens their understanding, inclines their will, regulates their affections, sets their feet on the pathway of life, causes them to taste the sweetness of God’s precious Word, unfolds the gospel to them, pours out His love in their hearts by the Holy Ghost, and makes room in their souls for Christ. They behold His glory by faith, surrender themselves to Him unconditionally, and their heart declares within them, “With my whole heart have I sought Thee; O let me not wander from Thy commandments.” What delightful experiences the Lord gives to such persons! Usually they participate much in God’s love and are overwhelmed with thoughts regarding the greatness of God’s free and sovereign compassion.

Still others receive the life of God in a calm and quiet manner. Such persons generally do not have that depth of experience which others have. This is so with regard to convictions, sorrows and distresses on the one hand, but also deliverances, joys and happiness on the other. Accordingly, their vhole inner life as a rule is covered, concealed, little manifest to others; nevertheless God reveals and declares the mysteries of His grace in Christ in their hearts by His Spirit. They have moments, too, when the kingdom of heaven is opened to them by the Word, and by God Himself.

Finally, the state of mind of some whom God regenerates by His Spirit, as an ancient divine wrote regarding such, may be subject to many changes: They fall and rise again; they experience many conflicts and victories; they have many ups and downs; one day they believe and the next they doubt; they are either very happy or very sad.

Such people do not live very calm and quiet lives, but rather one of contrasts. At one time they may be on a high mountain; at another time in the lowest valley.

Oh, what a privilege it is if we may find our name written in God’s testimony.

It is true, it may be that it is there but that we cannot read it. At all times we have need of the light of the Holy Spirit, and something of that true faith which excludes all doubt, that faith which consists in knowledge, assent and trust. Most blessed are they who may declare with Job: “I know that my Redeemer liveth,” and with Paul, “I know whom I have believed.”

May God also manifest and confirm His divine work in the days in which we live.

Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken

Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee;
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
Thou, from hence, my all shalt be:
Perish every fond ambition,
All I’ve sought, and hoped and known;
Yet how rich is my condition,
God and heaven are still my own!

Let the world despise and leave me,
They have left my Savior, too;
Human hearts and looks deceive me;
Thou are not, like man, untrue;
And, while Thou shalt smile upon me.
God of wisdom, love, and might,
Foes may hate, and friends may shun me;
Show Thy face, and all is bright.

Man may trouble and distress me,
‘Twill but drive me to Thy breast;
Life with trials hard may press me,
Heaven will bring me sweeter rest.
O ’tis not in grief to harm me,
While Thy love is left to me;
O ’twere not in joy to charm me.
Were that joy unmixed with Thee.

Haste thee on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith and winged by prayer;
Heaven’s eternal day’s before thee,
God’s own hand shall guide thee there.
Soon shall close thy earthly mission,
Swift shall pass thy pilgrim days,
Hope shall change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight and prayer to praise. Amen.

Rev. W.C. Lamain (1904-1984) pastored the Netherlands Reformed Congregations of Leiden (1929-1932), Rotterdam-South (1932-1943), Rijssen-Wal (1943-1947), and Crand Rapids, Michigan (1947-1984).

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen