Disappointed, But Not Dismayed

At the meeting of our Curatorium on May 29, it was decided to promote Student E. Adams to the second year of his study. One person with an attest was heard, but there was no freedom to admit him to the Theological School. May the Lord, who ruleth over all things, remember us.

The above announcement was sent out to all the consistories following the meeting of the Curatorium. As is evident, it is a disappointment for our congregations, since no student will begin with the lessons at our Theological School, and therefore there is no additional work for the instructors, Rev. C. Vogelaar and Rev. P. van Ruitenburg. Where otherwise in four years a new minister would be installed, it will result in a so-called “empty” year. Just as when one does not sow in the springtime, there is no expectation of a harvest in autumn.

Our sister denomination in the Netherlands was privileged to receive two new students. It is a matter of gladness when men may be received from God's hand to be prepared for service in His vineyard. Yet we also must acknowledge the Lord. Perhaps you will say, “For what, for we are speaking about a disappointment?”

In the first place, we must acknowledge the Lord that the present student may have passed the examinations of his first year of study. He was enabled to study diligently to accomplish this. His second year, the Lord willing, will be a preparation to speak an edifying word in the midst of the congregations.

In the second place, at the time we are writing this, eight of our congregations are served by their own minister, and soon an additional minister, Rev. A. M. den Boer, will be installed, D.V., in the congregation of Grand Rapids (Covell Avenue). He is well known to our congregations, having served for quite a number of years in the United States and Canada. In addition, we have our missionary minister, Rev. H. Hofman, Jr., in Bolivia.

The question arises whether this is acknowledged and appreciated by us as it should be? Must it not be said that we so soon take these things for granted, and do so repeatedly? In the beginning there is a certain gladness when something is received, whether it is a new home, a new job, a recovery from sickness, etc., but it soon becomes normal. This is also true with the receiving of a minister. It must honestly be said that it is soon not such a wonder, and also does not remain a wonder very long. We in ourselves are a miserable people. The sin of ingratitude is a deeply rooted sin and is wide-spread among us and our children.

The Lord has so many reasons to pass us by; may it please Him not to do so, but to remember us as a denomination. Soon our General Synod hopes to meet, and may the Lord grant a meeting in peace and unity, putting our shoulders together under the concerns of our congregations, so that we may be one in love and true dependence in our respective offices as watchmen upon the walls of Jerusalem.

May the Lord's divine help be granted also in our Theological School. This need may not be forgotten, not in our prayers, but also not in the collections for financial support. Student Adams and his instructors also need divine guidance in the coming year, so that in due time the congregations may have the profit of his education, but also the proof of his calling to that holy work of preaching the gospel to all creatures.

Beloved readers, God's Word tells us of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 9:36- 38, “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest.” Note that He was moved with compassion, He who is the Son of God, God and Man in one person. He gave His soul to be a ransom for many, and outside of Him there is no salvation possible. According to John 3:16, He is given by the Father to this world, and in Him, the second Adam, is all that we need to be restored unto God. Oh, what a wonderful work it is to be called and ordained to be a preacher of that only Name given under heaven whereby man must be saved.

“He was moved with compassion.” However, that did not exclude the prayers of His disciples, and that is still the same. All the benefits in the life of God's children are from God, but the way of means is never excluded. For us as human beings these work together in such mysterious ways. But may this prayer be multiplied, also in this year when no student was accepted. And, dear readers, do not rest before you may know for yourself who this Jesus is that went about all the cities and villages, preaching in their synagogues the gospel of the kingdom and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

Is He this also for you? It is a personal need. May the Lord bless to that end the labors of your own minister or of the elders in the reading of sermons. Prayer for the Lord's help in the vacant congregations is also necessary. People of God, the Lord Jesus said to His own disciples, “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest.” Oh, seek the Lord's countenance continually in your inner chambers, for the need of His church upon earth is a great need. The times are dark, and many sheep have no shepherd. Call upon His Name. Lift up your heads out of your many personal shortcomings and backslidings. How fitting for you is the prayer of David in Psalm 51:9, “Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.”

The power of unbelief is so strong, and the enemies of spiritual life are many. Satan's devices are countless, and the world is both a burden and a temptation. Yet be not dismayed! Christ is at the right hand of God as that great Intercessor. When our stammering sighs come there before His throne, He will sanctify them and will lay our supplications before the Father. He has said of Him in John 11:42a, “And I knew that Thou hearest Me always.”

Then we shall see the fulfillment of His promises to His church in spite of all that is against it, for He shall have dominion over land and sea. That dominion is according to His truth, and it is evidenced when faith is in exercise. Then how sweet and suitable His Word is! Then God's servants are, as we read in Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!”

May the Lord so remember us and our children. Young people of the congregations, you must also ask of the Lord that He may remain among us with His Word and Spirit. So be it!

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