0218. "YES, LORD."
"YES, LORD."
Introduction.
1. There is in our language one wee word of great import-"Yes."
2. No word so frequently used.
3. It is a word we learn to say before, "Thank you."
4. No word falls upon the ear of the fond mother with greater joy than this word "Yes."
5. Seven times in the Book of God do we find these words. Five times the Greek Nai Kurie is translated "Yes, Lord." Twice it is "Even so, Lord."
"Thy wonderful grand will, my God,
With triumph now, I make it mine;
And faith shall cry a joyous "Yes,"
To every dear command of Thine."
6. "Yes" to the Lord is the secret of salvation, holiness, hopefulness, helpfulness, happiness.
I. Lowliness. The "Yes" of lowliness, of deep humility in presence of great need (Mar_7:28).
1. The first "Yes" comes from the lips of a poor Gentile heathen.
2. She was in deep distress on account of another- her child.
3. Parents are wise when they take their dear ones to the Lord.
4. The disciples made a great mistake. She was not crying after "us," but Him.
5. Why the Lord’s silence? Until she took her rightful place.
6. He spoke to His disciples, not to her; or rather, spoke to them so that she could hear.
7. She took the lowly place. If she was a dog, she was only a wee puppy dog, allowed to enter the home and pick up the crumbs.
8. This is the secret of:
a. Salvation. Have you acknowledged your sinner-ship?
b. Success in prayer life.
II. Trust. The "Yes" of trust, in presence of blindness (Mat_9:28).
1. Two blind men. Though blind, they saw the value of following Jesus even in the dark.
2. He invited them to consider His power, and they confidently replied "Yes."
3. This was a challenge to their faith.
4. The secret:
a. Of salvation.
b. Of success in dealing with difficult cases.
III. Acceptance. The "Yes" of acceptance of His Word (Mat_13:51).
1. But did they really understand?
2. He had been giving them wonderful parables.
3. He throws down this challenge.
4. Ask this question of yourself as you read His Word.
5. Whilst the Spirit of Inspiration is no longer with us, the Spirit of Illumination is.
IV. Appreciation. The "Yes" of a growing appreciation and appropriation (Joh_11:25-27).
1. The Lord had declared to Martha wonderful things.
2. Did she really grasp the full significance of His words?
3. The question is not, "Believest thou that I am able to do," but, "I am." Not a question of ability, but what He is Himself.
4. This is the secret of comfort.
V. Abandonment. The "Yes" of abandonment to the Divine searching (Joh_21:15).
1. After feasting with the Lord.
2. The "Yes" of love.
3. The secret of communion.
VI. Submission. The "Yes" of loyal submission (Rev_16:7).
1. Many mysteries happening to-day.
2. Here is the response of conviction.
VII. Expectation. The "Yes" of bridal expectation (Rev_22:20).
"Yes, Lord-O breathe the answer soft and low.
The one unchanging answer love can know.
Amen! Thy will be done on earth below-
Alleluia!
"Yes-if across our path the shadows fall;
Yes, blessed Master, though Thy clarion call
Bids us to follow Thee, forsaking all-
Alleluia!
"Yes, when the Spirit’s prompting voice is heard;
Yes, to each ancient promise of the Word;
Yes, though fulfilment seem so long deferred-
Alleluia!
"Yes, though a thousand bid us answer "No;"
Faith cleaves a passage through the ambushed foe;
We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.
Alleluia!
Autor: James Smith