GRACE GAZETTE
Volume XIXIssue36
/Published occasionally for mourners in Zion/
/Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;And
make straight pathsfor your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out
of the way; but let it rather be healed.Hebrews 12::12-13/
THE DESTROYER//
/Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and /
/were destroyed of the destroyer. I Corinthians 10:10///
We have looked on the events of the past few days with mixtures of
amazement and sadness as we have beheld a once proud and unwavering
nation humiliated in the eyes of the world by a rabble of thugs and
barbarians, not mention the incompetence and timidity of its leaders.On
the one hand we are thankful that such events serve to remind the
children of GOD not to trust in the arm of the flesh.Yet on the other
hand we cannot rejoice when we see the needless human sufferings brought
on by poor decision making and inept planning. What is even worse is
that those who are to blame for this fiasco are even now boasting of
their “success” in solving a problem which they caused by their
fecklessness and ineptitude.
We would most certainly despair except that we realize that HE who knows
the end from the beginning has ordered all things to occur exactly
according to HIS purpose.While men will demonstrate their ignorance,
weakness, and fallibility, the LORD of GLORY will manifest HIS sovereign
sway over all events and have all in derision who question HIS
AUTHORITY./“Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out
my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel,
and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will
mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and
your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh
upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they
shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated
knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of
my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of
the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.” (Prov
1:24-31/)
This ONE of whom we read here is indeed the “/UNKNOWN GOD/” among the
vast majority of those who call themselves Christians in the present
day.Most preachers among the religious multitudes declare a “pipsqueak”
god who wouldn’t hurt a flea and is falling all over himself to try to
get them to mend their ways and give him the opportunity to help them
out in the daily struggles of life.According to them, he is just hoping
that they will let him give them an abundant life and teach them how to
be prosperous in their finances, relationships, and worldly
pursuits.Little if any thought is given to the true and living GOD’s
sovereign rule and the abject poverty of mankind in devising a means
whereby to approach unto HIM who dwells in the LIGHT to which none can
approach.It is impossible that a man can have any appreciation for the
mercy and kindness of HIM until they have come face to face with HIS
utter glory and their own shame.
In contrast to the ineffectual guidance of our own nation’s leaders, we
recognize that the GOD of whom David speaks is a supreme RULER, “/But
our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.”
(Psa 115:3/)HE is that ONE who is a “/MAN of WAR”/whose hand cannot be
staid nor can HIS motives and purpose be questioned as Nebuchadnezzar
learned.Destruction is in HIS hand and HE is not ashamed to declare HIS
use of it./“I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools
of water: and I will sweep it with the besom (/i.e.; broom/) of
destruction, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Isa 14:23/)
The LORD raised up the nation of Babylon and exalted Nebuchadnezzar
above all the kings of the earth in order to use him for the chastening
of Israel by bringing her into captivity and destroying the temple.Then
the LORD brought destruction upon Babylon for daring to lift its hands
against the anointed of the LORD.The destroyer of Israel, was destroyed
by HIM who is the DESTROYER of all who glory in themselves.
Paul admonishes the Corinthians against murmuring, here in I Cor.
10:10.The sin of murmuring was quite prevalent among the Israelites and
they often felt the lash of the LORD’s hand in the midst of
such.Murmuring, or questioning our lot and position in various
circumstances of life is the epitome of man’s selfish pride. That which
would cause a man to “murmur” before the LORD is his penchant to
consider that he is worthy of better circumstances.It was that which
urged Adam to eat of that fruit which Eve was deceived into partaking
of.Paul goes on to say to the Corinthians, “/Wherefore let him that
thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1Cor 10:12/)It is the
same thing that he warned the Galatians of./“For if a man think himself
to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” (Gal 6:3/)
This is the same attitude which is described by Solomon, “/Seest thou a
man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.”
(Pro 26:12/)He also pointed out the outcome of such a mind.“/Pride goeth
before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Pro 16:18/)
So Paul speaks of falling into the hands of the “DESTROYER”.Even as we
read of HIM in Hebrews, “/It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands
of the living God.” (Heb 10:31/)HE is a jealous GOD and will not share
HIS glory with any.Let us flee from murmuring and may we be given grace
to follow in our LORD’s footsteps as HE said, “/Even so, Father: for so
it seemed good in thy sight.” (Mat 11:26)“Nevertheless not my will, but
thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42/)
CHRIST is the DESTROYER of the wicked. “/The Lord Jesus shall be
revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking
vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction
from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” (2Thes
1:7-9) /HE told HIS disciples who it was that was to be feared. “/And
fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul:
but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in
hell.” (Mat 10:28/)
CHRIST is the DESTROYER of the enemies of HIS people. /“Blotting out the
handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us,
and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled
principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing
over them in it.” (Col 2:14-15/)HE has triumphed over all of the foes of
HIS people. Neither the law, sin, death, hell, or their accusers can
bring them into condemnation.
CHRIST is the DESTROYER of the pride of those whom HE loves with an
everlasting love.Herein is seen the fullness of the blessing of the LORD
to HIS chosen bride.HE gives the wicked over to a reprobate mind and
leaves them in the pathway that results in their destruction, but HE
will not allow HIS people to be destroyed along with them. Rather, HE
calls them out of darkness and into the LIGHT.Their self-reliance must
be destroyed as we see HIM illustrate in his dealings with Peter, as
Peter boasted of his willingness and supposed ability to stand with the
LORD in all things.The DESTROYER unsheathed HIS sword of kindness and
brought Peter to tears and remorse.David assumed that he had hid his sin
from GOD and the people, yet the DESTROYER sent the prophet Nathan to
confront him and slew the confidence of David, as he cried out, “/For I
acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against
thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that
thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou
judgest.” (Psa 51:3-4/)
Jonah assumed that he would circumvent the call of GOD but the DESTROYER
brought him to the very pit of hell, causing him to exclaim, “/And said,
I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out
of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.” (Jon 2:2/) It
was then that he learned in an unforgetful manner that “/Salvation is of
the LORD.” (Jon 2:9/)Saul of Tarsus confidently trod the road to
Damascus with letters of reprisal against the people of GOD.But the
DESTROYER kindly met him on that road striking him blind and revealing
HIMSELF as the LORD of all.“/Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is
within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget
not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth
all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth
thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies.” (Psa 103:1-4/) Have you
met the DESTROYER?mam