STEADY!

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23044, 21 November 1936, Page 2

STEADY!

Written for the Otago Daily Times By the Rev. J. Gardner Miller.

There is a passage in Isaiah to which I find myself returning very often in these uncertain days. It is in the twenty-eighth chapter where the prophet says some very plain things to the religious leaders and to those who had the conduct of public affairs. Indeed his statements are so realistic that one could wish he had never made them. And then right in the midst of his phophntic blast he says something (verse 16) that is for ever true and which, to me, is like what a second anchor is to a pitching ship. Here are his words: “He that believeth shall not make haste.” At first sight that simply means that the man who believes in God shall live leisurely. You and I know that can’t be true. It is that word “ haste ” that confounds us at first sight. As a matter of fact the original word has nothing whatever to do with speed or leisure. It has reference to an inward disposition based upon a settled belief. One great scholar renders it “He that believeth shall not become panicky.” Another scholar puts it this way; “ He who has faith in Me will never flinch.” Either interpretation is magnificent. You catch the meaning, don’t you? The man who. amidst all the upset and turmoil and misgivings of the world in which he lives, believes in God, or has an unshaken faith in God, will not lose his head, but will “ carry on ” quietly, leaving the issues in higher and firmer hands. That, I submit, is a very much needed assurance In this our day. * * * I can understand people these days being fearful. The nations of the world seem to be in the first stages of hysteria. Old authorities, if they are not flouted, are simply ignored. The churches are really feeble in the face of a terrific landslide from organised religion. A preacher of world-wide reputation sends me a letter in which he says, after conducting great campaigns in the Old Land and elsewhere within the Empire, “ the drift from the churches is universal and terrific. You can see where the world is heading, very fast.” And then comes a characteristic word, “Pray on; don’t worry: God reigns.” To many people, the anxiety of the situation is so depressing that their faith has become feeble and they wonder if God cares—aye, they wonder if He reajly knows. To such people, and we all, more or less, touch bottom in our bewilderment and anxiety, there comes this bracing word from Isaiah: “If you believe in God, don’t get into a panic.” Of course, you see at once that it all depends on what kind of faith we have in God. I am sure that is where most of us are beaten. Our faith in God is needing reinforcing. The world seems to be so out of hand that we are inclined to think that it has dropped out of God’s hands. When you get to that stage, you are just one step from sheer despair which ends in dull unbelief. There never was a bigger mistake made by God’s tired and bewildered children. God did not make the world and leave it to its own devices. The world is not going to the devil. It is still God’s world, and the ultimate responsibility rests with Him as to what will happen to it. We are not responsible for world government. Cannot you and I trust Him to see to it that the world fulfils His purpose and not destroys it? After all, we don’t see very far and we see very little at a time. God secs the universe at a glance. To Him the world is not like a drifting iceberg; It is a living and responsive creation subject to its Creator. ><: * jf: We really need the story of a great belief in God. I do not advocate a kind of jocular, care-free faith that shuts its eyes to stern realities. That wouldn’t be faith;*it would be plumb foolishness. 9 No, faith is not afraid of realities: it defies them to swamp it. To get panicky, to flinch and give way before the Irreligion of the present day, the feebleness of the churches and the hysteria of fear that seems to be sweeping through the nations, is to deny the Divine government and to fail, through lack of faith, Him Whose we are and Whom we so inadequately serve. We are never sure of ourselves unless we are sure of God. Only a gripping belief in God can nerve us to strike the blows for truth and honour and that faith in each other without which the world reels into greater darkness. Let me put my admonition by way of a story. A wellknown journalist was once on board a British warship writing up for his paper the Southampton navy manoeuvres. Standing on the deck beside a sailor who was busy coiling a rope, the journalist suddenly noticed another ship bearing down on them. It seemed as if a collision was inevitable and he shouted to the sailor near him, “We’ll be struck.’” The sailor looked up and said, “There’s a man on the bridge whose business it is to look after this," and then quietly went on with his job. Instead of colliding, the approaching ship passed by with room to spare. “ There’s a man on the bridge.” Do you see the significance of that in world affairs, church affairs and your own affairs? ” He who believes, really believes, in God won’t get panicky about collisions, and disasters, because God is on the Bridge. I don’t suggest there is no occasion for concern and alertness, but I do say emphatically that the ultimate Issues are safe in God's hands. He knows where He is steering. Out of the world welter I do not see coming irreparable disaster. Trouble there will be. Conscience will be tested in ways hitherto unknown to us. The Church will reel, but she won’t be submerged. The pressure of organised forces of a certain character will be almost—but not quite—overwhelming. Through it all. faith will hold on. God is not dead: He is on the Bridge. And because He is there we will not become panicky. We will trust and not be afraid.