A Message For The Faithful Remnant

by M.H. Reynolds Jr 
 

IN A DAY WHEN "bigness" is exalted and "smallness" is despised, when it seems that the righteous suffer and the sinners prosper, when compromise flourishes and obedience to the Word of God is looked upon with disdain, what a blessing it is to be reminded that God knows all about the situation of his faithful remnant and that He has special words of encouragement for them. God's faithful remnant should not expect the approval of the world, false prophets or disobedient brethren. Our desire should still be to have His approval-"Well done, thou good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).

Many of the Lord ' s faithful ones are passing through times of trial or testing. This should not surprise us. God has already told us, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened unto you; But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy" (1 Peter 4:12-13). Therefore, to all those pastors who are suffering because so few churches will tolerate a strong, biblical, separatist ministry; to all those believers who have had to leave churches and friends rather than compromise with worldly church programs and unscriptural teachings; to those believers who are suffering financially, physically, mentally and emotionally because of their stand for Christ and the Bible; to those who, like Job, can find no reason for their present suffering; and to all God's faithful ones in these last days we write to remind you (as well as ourselves) of His great and precious promises to us.

First, let us remember that Jesus said, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12: 32). Note that He did not say "big flock, " but rather "little flock"-so we should not be concerned about numbers. The world may despise smallness, but our Lord reminds us that "there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few" (1 Samuel 14:6).

Second, let us remember that God says, "Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb" (Psalm 37: 1, 2). Disobedience may appear to produce success but it is only a prelude to judgment.

Third, let us remember that God expects us to walk by faith, not by sight. Only in this way will we be able to have the proper perspective of both the present and the future for God says, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look, not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:17, 18).

Fourth, let us remember that we need to recognize our weakness and God's strength. Our Lord had to teach the apostle Paul this truth as we read in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, "For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for the: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. "

Fifth, let us remember that we are invited to wait (depend) upon the Lord, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31). We are also invited to "... wait for His Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus which delivered us from the wrath to come" (1 Thessalonians 1:10). God has fully provided for our present needs and our future deliverance. What else could we ask?

Finally, let us never forget that our labor is not in vain. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord " (1 Corinthians 15:58). Some will tell you that you will never amount to anything; you will never get anywhere; you will never realize your full potential if you hold to "old-fashioned" Bible standards and principles in your life and ministry. Remember, the God who cannot lie not only tells us to be "steadfast, unmoveable" and "always abounding" in His work, but He also promises the grace to do so. All such labor is not in vain, no matter what men may think or say.

Beloved, as we face what may seem to be uncertainty in the days ahead, may our dear Lord bring His Holy, eternal Word to our hearts with fresh clarity and assurance. It may not be too much longer before we meet Him in the air- Hallelujah! In the meantime, we know He wants us to "occupy till He comes" (Luke 19:13) so we should "press toward the mark" (Philippians 3:14). If these words come to your mind and heart in a time of weakness, weariness or discouragement-here is His special message to you, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6:9). "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them " (Psalm 119:165). "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).