ALL here will fade away but “the word of the Lord” and “he that doeth the will of God.”
Everything will be wrecked; but the word of the Lord and the doer of His will shall survive the crash and ruin of everything. All that the eye rests upon, all that the heart counts most dear, all that charms the senses, will vanish.
Life, with all its pleasures, is described as a vapor that for a little time appears and then vanishes away (James 4:1414Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (James 4:14)). Vain show, this poor world! and vainer still is he who clings to it as an enduring thing. Only while the breath is in the body can it be possessed, yet, by a strange infatuation, young and old, rich and poor, are hurried along by its enchantments. Doomed it is, but men will not believe so; the day appointed, too, and the judge ordained to carry out the sentence (Acts 17:3131Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:31)). Facts are these of intense solemnity.
I admit the world’s attractions, I allow the fact that it holds out present advantages, and I know that as the ivy clings to the wall, so it tenaciously entwines itself around the human heart; but nevertheless it is all vanity, and never yet has it given satisfaction to its votaries.
“But the word of the Lord endureth forever” (1 Peter 1:2525But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (1 Peter 1:25)). Have you turned to His word, and heard its searching statements of what your state is, what sin is, and what the world is? “Heaven and earth,” says Christ, “shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away.”
But not only does the Lord’s word abide forever, but also the doer of God’s will. Christ said that it was God’s will that we should believe on Him whom He sent. Have you done this, dear reader―really turned from yourself to the Christ of God? To do so is eternal life, and oh what blessedness is this! Your own will I know you have done, your own pleasure you have followed, and your own happiness sought; and as God looks at your history, He sees it to be one of disobedience, carelessness, and rebellion, though doubtless man would pronounce differently. Oh, turn now to One who spake as never man spake, and who in untold love went to the cross and gave up His precious life as a sacrifice for sin, which had offended the majesty of God; who broke through death, and now lives enthroned at the Father’s right hand! Himself thy portion, the joys and lights of earth will wane, for His excellency surpasses all.
Reader, everything around warns thee; God’s voice addresses thee, and “today, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart.”
T. T. E.