As this issue goes to the printer the nation and much of the world is in a state of great agitation over the sudden and unexpected removal of General Douglas MacArthur as Supreme Commander in the Far East. Strong feelings both of approval and disapproval are being expressed about his dismissal.
But what should be the attitude of the child of God who knows his Bible? It should be one of quiet confidence, knowing that in this, as in everything else, God is only working out His purposes. We are the children of Him who knows the end from the very beginning, and whose purposes will never be frustrated. We should be able to look on the scene with perfect serenity. We belong to Him who is never troubled, and to another place which is above all the confusion and strife of men. We should be able to say with the poet T. Kelley:
"Calm amidst tumultuous motion,
Knowing that the Lord is nigh: Waves obey Him,
And the storms before Him fly."
May God grant us to be more mindful of our heavenly citizenship as we behold the evidences of apprehensions and forebodings of the men of this world. Everything seems to be shaking, and commotion is everywhere, so it is little wonder if those who have nothing beyond this world are agitated and perplexed. These upheavals are to become more frequent, and the time is not far off in which there will be "distress of nations, with perplexity" (Luke 21:2525And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (Luke 21:25)). But very soon, fellow-Christian, we shall be off to scenes where sin and strife can never come. Our inheritance is undefiled and unfading. It is reserved for us in heaven, and we are kept for it, through faith, by the power of God. (1 Pet. 1:3-53Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3‑5)). What security we have! What a hope! and it will never make us ashamed (Rom. 5:55And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:5)).
We do not attempt to evaluate the sudden shift of Far Eastern commanders, or any change of national or international policy. These things are beyond our province, except as we see God moving behind the scenes. He works "all things after the counsel of His own will," and none can say unto Him, "What doest Thou?"
We do not say that everything that has happened or that is going to happen in this nation, or in the world, is to work out for what man will call the good of the world. After all, what good does this wicked world deserve? The marvel is that God bears with it, and continues to grant any peace or tranquility. It cast out His beloved Son, nailing Him to a cross after spitting in His face and crowning Him with cruel thorns. What would any man, if he were omnipotent, do to a place that so treated his only son? Another has said that if a man had to rule this world he would not endure its wickedness for a single hour. Trouble is determined for this Christ-rejecting world, and the hour of tribulation is not far off.
Germany will serve as an example of how God may give a nation that which is not good. At this time we think most will concede that, in the end at least, Hitler was not good for that nation, but brought upon it the worst scourge in its history; and yet God "set up" Hitler—"the powers that be are ordained of God" (Rom. 13:11Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (Romans 13:1)). He gave that ruler in His governmental dealings. If this seems strange, we may observe the same thing in the history of the children of Israel. Was Saul God's choice for them? No, indeed. God even warned them of the consequences of demanding a king.
Nebuchadnezzar had to learn that the "Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men." Dan. 4:1717This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. (Daniel 4:17). And why should Germany be so signally crushed? Remember that that nation was the cradle of the reformation. It was there that the truth of "justification by faith" and not by works was revived after the dark ages. It was there that the Bible was circulated early. Their advantages were great, and God judges according to the principle that "unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required." Luke 12:4848But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:48). God is yet going to judge all the Gentile nations who have not continued in His goodness (Rom. 11:2323And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. (Romans 11:23)). Did Germany continue in His goodness? Alas, it was from that nation that "modernism" spread over the world. It was there that infidelity among those professing the name of Christ largely had its beginnings. It was given a great impetus among the "learned Germans," as various writers speak, and there they had the audacity to tamper with the Word of God under the misnomer of "higher criticism." They dared to set themselves up to judge of what was worthy of God, and what was not; they tampered with His Holy Word. Do you suppose that God was indifferent to this? We believe not.
The lesson of Germany is solemn, but what shall we say of the United States, Canada, Great Britain, France, and other countries? Are they far behind in this departure from the faith? Isaiah God truly acknowledged? Do men generally tremble at His Word? Each one of us knows the answers; they are No, No, No. What then, dear reader, do you think is in store for the nation in which you live? Or let us put it this way, What do you think the nation deserves? If in God's mercy we have been blessed with a stable government, let us thank Him for it. Let us praise Him and acknowledge His goodness to us. But woe to the world after the Church is gone! A time is coming when peace shall be taken from the earth (Rev. 6:44And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. (Revelation 6:4)).
"Child of God, by Christ's salvation,
Rise o'er sin and fear and care-
Joy to find in ev'ry station,
Something still to do or bear;
Think what Spirit dwells within thee-
Think what Father's smiles are thine-
Think that Jesus died to win thee-
Child of God, wilt thou repine?
"Haste thee on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith and winged by prayer,
Heaven's eternal day's before thee,
God's right hand shall guide thee there;
Soon shall close thine earthly mission,
Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days,
Hope shall change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise."