David said in Psalm 51:6, “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts:..” Have you ever heard anyone say, “What’s gotten into you?” II Timothy 5:5 describes a group of people that only have “a form of godliness,..” Something is missing on the inside…in the heart! In the message of Jesus in Matthew 23 to the “religious” leaders of the day, He said in verse 27, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” What’s on the inside is important. God spoke to the Prophet Ezekiel in chapter 33:31,32, “And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.” “And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.” A mother repeatedly told her little boy to sit down. The boy continued to stand, disobeying his mother. Finally, the mother went to him, and plopped him down in a chair. Fuming, the boy said, “I may be sitting down on the outside, but I’m standing on the inside.”

How do you get the Bible from the outside to the inside? How do you get the truth of God from the outside to the inside? I Thessalonians 2:13, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” Woodrow Wilson said, “I am sorry for men who do not read the Bible every day. I wonder why they deprive themselves of the strength and the pleasure.” “Unto you which believe he is precious:..” I Peter 2:7. The Bible speaks of precious promises, precious faith and the precious blood of Christ. Why is it precious? It got on the inside…by faith, by believing. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12.

When Holman Hunt had finished painting “The Light of the World”, he invited a fellow artist into his studio and asked his opinion of it. The artist looked long and carefully at the painting and his experienced eye noted the wonderful expression of tenderness and patience on the face of the Savior, the light shed by the lamp He carried, and the tangle of thorns about the doorway. “It is almost perfect”, he said, “but you have forgotten one thing – a handle on the door.” “Ah!” said Hunt, “you have missed the significance of my picture; the handle is on the inside!

Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

I Timothy 6:2 tells us that as believers we are …partakers of the benefit. The psalmist says “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.” Hebrews tells us that we are “partakers of the heavenly calling,…” A partaker is one who has or takes a part, share or portion in common with others; a sharer; a participator; usually, followed by of. Christians are partakers of the divine nature. II Peter 1:4. This is our heritage, our inheritance.

There is a story about a man named Fred who inherited $10 million, but the will provided that he had to accept it either in Chile or Brazil. He chose Brazil. Unhappily it turned out that in Chile he would have received his inheritance in land on which uranium, gold and silver had just been discovered. Once in Brazil he had to choose between receiving his inheritance in coffee or nuts. He chose nuts. Too bad! The bottom fell out of that market, and coffee went up significantly. Poor Fred lost everything he had to his name. He went out and sold his solid gold watch for the money needed to fly home. It seems that he had enough for a ticket to either New York or Boston. He chose Boston. When the plane for New York taxied up he noticed it was a brand-new super 747 jet with red carpets. The plane for Boston arrived. It was a 1928 Ford trimotor with a sway back and it took a full day to get off the ground. It was filled with crying children and tethered goats. Over the Andes, one of the engines fell off. Our man Fred made his way up to the captain and said, “I’m a jinx on this plane. Let me out if you want to save your lives. Give me a parachute.” The pilot agreed, but added, “On this plane, anybody who bails out must wear two chutes.” So Fred jumped out of the planes, and as he fell dizzily through the air he tried to make up his mind which ripcord to pull. Finally he chose the one on the left. It was rusty and the wire pulled loose. So he then pulled the other handle. This chute opened, but its shroud lines snapped. In desperation, the poor fellow cried out, “St. Francis, save me!” A great hand from heaven reached down and seized the poor fellow by the wrist and let him dangle in midair. Then a gentle but inquisitive voice asked, “St. Francis Xavier of St. Francis of Assisi?”

Thank the Lord, our “inheritance”, our “heritage”, our “benefits”, are as sure as the promises of God. We are “partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.” Ephesians 3:6. “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:” Colossians 1:12. Today we enjoy the blessings and benefits of an abundant life in Christ. In eternity, we will enjoy pleasures forevermore. “Blessed 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.” “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” I Peter 1:3-4. Rest in His promise today.

For many today, there is real confusion and anxiety about what is true and whom to follow. Politics is described by one as a combination of two words. “Poly” – a many sided figure and “tick” – a blood sucking insect. Some information we receive is human error, but it seems the vast majority are blatant lies. The Bible states that “if the blind lead the blind, they both shall fall into a ditch”. Jesus said in Matthew 4:19 and 16:24, “Follow me”. But following God is not always the easy road and herein lies the problem. Many would choose to be comforted rather than to be a comforter. Nothing keeps people from following God like comfort does. Proverbs 20:4, “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold;…” There is certainly a spiritual application to this text. A.B. Simpson wrote, “If we would be enlarged, we must accept all that God sends us to develop and expand our spiritual life. We are so content to abide at the old level that God often has to compel us to rise higher by bringing us face to face with situations that we cannot meet without much greater measures of His grace. It is as though He had to send a tidal wave to flood the lowlands where we dwell to compel us to move into the hills beyond. God, like the mother bird, sometimes has to break up the comfortable, downy nest, letting us drop into empty space. There we must either learn to use an entirely new and higher method of support or sink into failure and loss. We must do or die, fly or fall to our destruction.”

Joseph was sent into Egypt…to save much people alive because no one else in Egypt would care for the Jews. Paul was sent to prison in Phillippi…because no one else in jail would care for the prisoners. Esther was sent before the king at the risk of her life…because no one else could plead for their deliverance. We know there are many, even those very close to us, who would persuade or hinder us from following the Lord. When I was ordained to the ministry in 1980, one of the songs that we sang was “I have decided to follow Jesus”.

I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus,

I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.

The cross before me, the world behind me…

Though no one join me, still I will follow…

When Napoleon was engaged in the great and momentous battle of Waterloo, among those taken prisoner was a Highland piper. Napoleon, impressed by the man’s strange mountain garb and determined air, struck up a conversation with the captured but unvanquished foe. Seeing that he had his instrument with him, Napoleon asked him to play a tune. The highlander obliged. “Now play a march,” said Napoleon. Once again, the Scotchman did as he was told. Finally the Emperor said, “Play a retreat.” “Nay, nay,” said the highlander, that I cannot do. I never learned to play one.”

I have decided to follow Jesus; no turning back, no turning back!

Patience is a virtue. Luke 21:19 states, “In your patience possess ye your souls.” Patience is steadfastness, constancy, endurance, perseverance. The Geneva commentary tells us that though you are surrounded on all sides with many miseries, yet nonetheless be valiant and courageous, and bear out these things bravely. One Pastor wrote, “I have not so great a struggle with my vices, great and numerous as they are, as I have with my impatience.” If you want to help the cause of Christ, work on your patience.

“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” Romans 12:12. “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” I Thessalonians 5:14. The importance of patience cannot be overstated. Spurgeon wrote, “There is not a more God honoring grace of the Christian character than patience….it will enable you to bear with dignity, calmness and submission the rebuke of the world and the wounding of the saints.” With what thoughtless and impatient hands we tangle up the plans the Lord hath wrought. The verses are endless, but let me draw your attention to some of them. “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15. “Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;” Colossians 1:11. “That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.” Titus 2:2.

A.W.Tozer, in his book “The Pursuit of God” writes, “A generation of Christians reared among push buttons and automatic machines is impatient of slower and less direct methods of reaching their goals. We have been trying to apply machine-age methods to our relations with God. We read our chapter, have our short devotions and rush away, hoping to make up for our deep inward bankruptcy by attending another gospel meeting… The tragic results of this spirit are all about us: Shallow lives, hollow religious philosophies,… the glorification of men, trust in religious externalities, quasi-religious fellowships, salesmanship methods, the mistaking of dynamic personality for the power of the Spirit. These and such as these are the symptoms of an evil disease, a deep and serious malady of the soul.”

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;…” Isaiah 40:31. Eugene Peterson writes, “In prayer, we are aware that God is in action and that when the circumstances are ready, when others are in the right place, and when our hearts are prepared, he will call us into the action. Waiting in prayer is a disciplined refusal to act before God acts.” Waiting, for a lot of people, is interpreted as pain, inconvenience, punishment or a waste of time. Waiting in the Bible is interpreted as patience.

“And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5. “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:4.

Psalm 107:27 speaks about those that are “…at their wit’s end.” This reminds us of the story in Acts 27 where the Apostle Paul and the men aboard the ship were in a terrible storm. Verse 20 states, “And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.” Nothing else they could do! Matthew Henry writes, “This may remind us of the terrors and distress of conscience many experience, and of those deep scenes of trouble which many pass through, in their Christian course. Yet, in answer to their cries, the Lord turns their storm into a calm, and causes their trials to end in gladness.” In Exodus 14:13, “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord,…” The Egyptians were behind them and the Red Sea was in front of them. There was nothing else they could do but to stand still. In Exodus chapter 15, Moses was singing a song of deliverance. Isaiah 50:10, “Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.” Let me say today that there are many of us who have been in a storm or great trial and have seen the salvation of the Lord. I have been many times at my wit’s end only to see His hand! STAND STILL. STAY UPON GOD. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10. In Exodus 14, Moses said, “Fear ye not!” In Isaiah 41, God said, Fear thou not!” Let’s speak the same word and take the same advice.

There are three things you can do when you are at your wit’s end. First, you can take a stab in the dark. Not a very wise thing to do. Many foolish decisions are made this way. Next, you can follow someone else who is taking a stab in the dark. Matthew 15:14 states, “…And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” The third thing that you can do is follow God. Now we’re getting somewhere. Bob Jones Sr. said, “Wisdom (God’s wisdom) is knowing how to use knowledge to successfully meet the emergencies of life.”

When we in darkness walk, Nor feel the heavenly flame;
Then is the time to trust our God, And rest upon His name.
And when thy eye of faith is dim, Still trust in Jesus, sink or swim;
Still at His footstool bow the knee, And Israel’s God thy peace shall be.
Not a bad place to be…your wit’s end. It can be the beginning of a whole new path.

“Heavenly Father, it is rather thy business than mine; it is quite beyond me, and I now leave it in thy hands to guide me.”