608. ISA 55:10, ISA 55:11. ENCOURAGEMENT TO PERSEVERANCE IN MISSIONARY EXERTIONS

Isa_55:10, Isa_55:11. Encouragement to Perseverance in Missionary Exertions

By Rev. John Hyatt.

"As the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."’97Isa_55:10, Isa_55:11.

Hope of success imparts energy to the mind, whilst it has to contend with opposition and difficulties, in the pursuit of any grand object. If a man of enterprise possess assurance that he shall succeed, nothing can intimidate and compel him to relinquish his pursuit; assurance of success in the issue makes him bold and fearless in the face of a thousand opponents and dangers.

My Christian brethren, the object that has long engaged your attention, and called forth your energies, is infinitely important. In its pursuit, your faith and patience have been exercised; yet you have not despaired of success’97nor will you despair. While you expect that the labors of your missionaries, amongst the idolatrous Gentiles, will be crowned with the blessing of Almighty God, you do not expect "a new thing in the earth."

The gospel of Jesus, preached by feeble men, has made the brazen front of superstition blush; it has riveted the eye of philosophers to the Redeemer’s cross; it has demolished idols and their temples, and taught idolaters to worship "the only true God" in an acceptable manner.

The analogy between the rain in the natural world, and the word of God in the moral world, is the doctrine of the text. We propose to consider four things, in which they are analogous.

I. Both exhibit the sovereignty of Jehovah. Two things exhibit the sovereignty of Jehovah in the rain that cometh down from heaven.

1. The time of its descent. The earth is not watered with rain by chance. All the works of the infinite Creator are constantly subject to his control; the different elements which he hath created, are all under a law which they cannot possibly violate. He

"giveth rain, and fruitful seasons." He "prepareth rain for the earth," Psa_147:8. Every shower of rain depends upon his sovereign pleasure. None but God can raise the clouds’97none but he can discharge their contents.

The time when God sends his word to any of the human race, displays his sovereignty. He gave his word to the Jews, and preserved it amongst them for ages; whilst he left the Gentiles in gross darkness, and gave them up to abominable idolatry.

2. The place upon which the rain descends, exhibits the sovereignty of the Supreme Being. The clouds, whose contents water the earth, are not driven by chance; they steer their course according to the will of God: they are, indeed, driven by the wind; but the wind is controlled by the Almighty Creator, "who maketh the clouds his chariot, who walketh upon the wings of the wind," Psa_104:3.

The sovereignty of Jehovah is displayed in the place to which he sends his word. He sends it to one place, and not to another. One part of the moral world is fertilized by the influence of the gospel, and another remains waste. One part is a garden, producing abundance of the fruits of righteousness; another is a wilderness, abounding with noxious weeds and thistles.

II. Both the rain in the natural world, and the word of God in the moral world, are efficient in their influence.

The great and glorious Governor of the universe doeth nothing in vain: all his works praise him. He gathereth the waters into clouds’97conducts them by the wind to the place of their destiny’97discharges their contents, and waters the earth, "Nor lets the drops descend in vain." God employs the rain as a means to an end; and whatever means he employs must be efficient to produce the end he designs. We are not astonished at the efficiency of the rain, when we consider the power by which it is employed.

God sends not the gospel to any place in vain: "It shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it," is his positive and merciful declaration. Both the rain in the natural world, and the gospel in the moral world, must be efficient in their influence. The efficiency of both is promised, and the promises of Jehovah shall assuredly be accomplished. The promises of God insure the continuance, the promulgation, and the success of his word in the world, till time shall expire. The gospel must prosper, and effect what its eternal Author hath purposed. Its success cannot possibly be prevented. "Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased," Dan_12:4. The way of God shall "be known upon earth; his saving health among all nations."

III. Both the rain in the natural world, and the word of God in the moral world, are advantageous in their effects.

The rain promotes vegetation; it causeth "the earth to bring forth and bud." It is the means of producing much that is ornamental, to delight man; and much that is essential to his support. The earth produces innumerable blessings for our use; not one of which could be produced without rain. We enjoy the fruits of the rain in the bread we ear, the beverage we drink, and the clothing we wear.

The effects which are produced by the gospel are both ornamental and useful. When the word of God, accompanied by the influence of the Holy Ghost, savingly operates upon any part of the moral world, how beautiful is its face!’97how advantageous are its effects! The gospel transforms mankind, that were counterparts of Satan, into the lovely image of the Son of God. Odiousness is exchanged for beauty; injuriousness gives place to utility; the hateful fruits of the flesh, are supplanted by the admirable fruits of the Spirit. The wilderness is turned into a blooming paradise. The indolent, become industrious; the revengeful, become kind and affectionate; the licentious, become chaste; the proud, become humble; the covetous, become liberal; and the worshippers of dumb idols, worship the God of heaven and earth in spirit and in truth. The gospel binds mankind in fraternal bonds, and they live together in peace and harmony.

IV. The effects of the rain in the natural world, and of the gospel in the moral world, display the glory of the Divine perfections.

The beautiful scenery of nature displays the glory of the eternal Creator. Impressions of his infinite perfections appear upon every bud’97every blossom’97every blade of grass’97every ear of corn. In every part of the vegetable world, the glory of illimitable power, infinite wisdom, and boundless goodness shines. The glory of God is visible in every thing that is produced by the rain,

"from the cedar that is in Lebanon, even to the hyssop that springeth out of the wall."

"Nature with open volume stands,

And spreads her Maker’s praise abroad;

And every labor of his hands,

Shows something worthy of a God."

Infinitely more of the Divine glory is seen upon the face of the moral world, transformed by the influence of the gospel. How effulgent is the glory that shines in the marvellous change that is produced in the mind of man in regeneration, and in the various fruits of holiness that adorn his life. The glory of Jehovah shines in the existence of an angel; but that glory is eclipsed, when a sinner, saved by grace, united to Christ, and devoted to the pursuit of holiness and heaven,’97is placed at his side.

Application

1. The gospel cannot be preached altogether in vain. Wherever the Almighty designs to send it, he designs to produce the most glorious effects by its instrumentality.

2. The extent of the success of the gospel is determined. "It shall," saith Jehovah, "accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

3. When the word of God is widely diffusing, we may reasonably encourage hope, that much good will be done.

4. The genuine influence of Christianity will produce an ardent concern for the salvation of the heathen. What Christian can place before his imagination, hundreds of millions of the human family, enslaved by Satan, and paying senseless adoration to images, and not feel pity and compassion excited in his bosom towards them?

5. We live at an eventful period: the history of the present age will be read by millions that are unborn, with joyful astonishment.

6. We shall shortly quit this world. We all must die; but the cause of missions will live and flourish. It is the cause, of all others, most dear to God. It is the cause which a gracious Providence hath fostered in all ages. It is the cause whose success a race of holy prophets foretold and anticipated. It is the cause for which a noble army of martyrs cheerfully consented to expire in flames. It is the cause for which the Son of God agonized and died. It is the cause that will bring the largest revenue of glory to the triune Jehovah’97and must prosper! "O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity!" What individual is there in this vast assembly that is not disposed to add a hearty’97Amen!

Autor: JABEZ BURNS