NEVER CONFIRMED LIKE THAT BEFORE

Part I

This time I want to write something about the confirmation of a minister. And immediately I want to mention this; that when we use the word “confirm”, we can apply that to various persons and matters. For as far as I’ve been able to ascertain, the word confirmed appears in the Word of God one hundred one times, (Dutch version). Thus if a person may receive light from above, then there would be much to write about this, but for the present we will limit ourself to what we have already written.

As you all know, a minister in ecclesiastical life, is confirmed in his office in an ecclesiastical way, as prescribed in the Church Order of Dort. The confirmation of a candidate who is admitted to the full ministration and is to be bound to his congregation, takes place as we read in the Holy Scriptures, with laying on of hands. Time and again when a minister who is in the ministry accepts a call to another congregation, then he will again be confirmed there, but not in the same way as it took place the first time. Because of the nature of the matter, it is always a solemn and weighty event when this takes place. It takes place in the midst of the congregation and by calling upon the name of God, and for the minister concerned, but also for the congregation unto whom he is being bound. It is a privilege, if the Lord Himself will give evidence of His favor to it. Of course, if it all goes on outside of God, and by that I mean, that if a man goes his own way, then that will be kept back. We will never get God along in our own way. Only in God’s way do we experience God’s favor.

So much can take place by God’s permission, but the main thing for us is whether it is in God’s favor. It can all take place in an orderly and ecclesiastical way, but the main thing is, that God Himself gives His approval of it, also in the heart of the minister. The minister who confirms him may do so very cordially, and the addresses that are given may be very attractive, but for the person in question it is so necessary that God Himself speaks in this matter.

The first mentioned can be excellent, but if the last is withheld, there is something lacking, and there is a dissatisfaction in it. To hear God’s voice in it and to receive His approbation upon it, that will be worth everything. Moses could not go hence, until he had assurance, that God’s presence would go with him to give him rest. That is necessary for everyone upon his way and path, because how sad if we must travel our way alone through this life. But it is especially necessary for a minister, that he may know how he came and how he goes, that is to say, to a congregation, and from one place to another. So much depends upon it and there will be much opposition if it is right. If it all goes so easily, a person had better investigate and examine it.

I have known a minister, whom God Himself had placed in office, and whose labours were greatly blessed, and who still speaks long after his decease. Yet this minister was subject to many waverings and much strife, notwithstanding the fact that God had endowed him with the consciousness of grace for his own soul. There were also obvious matters in his ministration which could be from no one else than from God. Yet God’s way with him was often through the depths, personally and in his ministry. I have sometimes heard him say: “I don’t think that the devil has a better client than me, because he can make me believe everything.” I have often found him weeping, when he was plagued and attacked with strife by the prince of darkness. Once, as he told me, the attacks were so great and terrible concerning the calling to his office, that he could no longer remain in the house. The inward strife was so great that he could no longer believe that God had called and sent him. That was during the time that he was serving his second congregation.

He had walked out on the street, and while on the street, he was confirmed as he had never been confirmed by any minister. Perhaps there are some among the readers who will say, how can that be and how does that take place? That is what I want to impart to you. While he was walking upon the street in great strife and despondency, there were two following him and a third joined himself to the other two and that person asked, so loud that he could hear it: “What kind of a man is that walking ahead of you?” And the answer that was given to that inquiry was: “That is a servant of Jesus Christ.”

God’s providence is over all things. What an accurate and watchful eye the Lord has over His people and servants. How and why those people said it, mockingly or in earnest, we do not know. But we do know this—they had to say it. And that is what the Lord used for that fiercely tried servant. “A servant of Jesus Christ”. No, he had never thought to hear anything like that on the street. It was as if the Lord Himself said to him that it was true. The bands were broken, the enemy had to yield, and he could return to his home with a joyful soul. Out of the fullness of his heart he said when he came home: “I have never been confirmed in my office as I was this afternoon on the street”. Yes, God is so free in using what he wishes to deliver His servant out of bands. We must continually be amazed about the ways and paths in which the Lord leads His people, to bring the mountain of pride low, to bring us to the ground and to keep us there. That it also may become a wonder for us, that the fire of enmity did not burn us, and that the waters of discouragement did not drown us - Isa. 43:2,3.

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