NO ROOT

Part II

APPLICATION

With a trembling heart I have written all this; may your heart also tremble as you read it, “No Root” and — “only for a time”.

May we examine ourselves by that. Do not exclude yourself, and do not place yourself above it. Alas, there are so many, who with Gallio, care for none of these things. On the one side, there are those who sleep the sleep of death, and remain unmovable under the thunders of Sinai, but also under the sound of the trumpet of the Gospel. It does not affect them, and it never affects them. The one is hardened in sin, and the other sits down in dead passivity coldly stating that God must convert a person, and so he will wait and see what happens. O, that a shipmaster would come as in the case of Jonah. May God’s Spirit awaken all those who go about carelessly and attend church services from Sabbath to Sabbath.

Boys and girls, do not live on as if you expect to remain here forever. So many young people continue on to the end without any impression of death and eternity. They are so lighthearted and vanity fills their heart. The things of this world have the upperhand, and there is hardly time for catechism and for searching of the truth.

Our heart is filled with fear when we observe the increasing indifference.

How little influence the truth has, and the admonitions of father and mother are no longer regarded. Man offers himself up to the Molech of this world.

But be sure that if you continue to live on in this manner, your end shall be terrible. Many people, in the manifestation of their life are worse than the devil because we read of the prince of darkness in James 2:19, “The devils also believe and tremble.” In our day, there are so many people, also in the church, who have never yet trembled and have no fear for the approaching judgment.

Yes, indeed, beloved, such are the conditions in which we live today, and on the other hand, so many are satisfied with a superficial religion, and thus continue their journey to eternity in a deadly security based on an outward change. To them temporary faith is the same as saving faith. They think much of what has taken place with them, and besides, many put their stamp of approval upon it, so that they go their way more securely.

True, we must be on our guard that we do not despise the day of small things nor touch the work of God.

Once the Lord Jesus pronounced a woe upon those who offend one of those little ones. Yet we must be very careful not to lay hands upon one too hastily, but to deal honestly with souls.

How great a blessing it is when there are mothers like Naomi, in the church, and fathers like Paul. How faithfully did Naomi deal with Ruth at the border of Moab. And Paul did not spare the church at Corinth, Yea, he received a holy boldness to rebuke the church of Galatia when they had sunk so deep into their fleshly religion. It is a blessing if we are willing to bear reproach and scorn when it concerns the honor of God.

The work of God may be tried, and it will stand the test. Wood, hay, and stubble will burn. O, let us consider that in our heart and life there must be a foundation laid by God Himself, and that foundation is Christ Jesus, and when upon that foundation gold, silver, and precious stones shall be built, that shall stand the test, I Cor. 3.

“No root — but for a time.”

How it should take hold of everyone, being a traveler to that great eternity. We have such a deceitful and desperately wicked heart, who can know it? Let everyone prostrate himself before God’s omniscience and search himself earnestly as to the state for his soul for that great eternity.

Everything is in motion today to defeat that earnestness and to hold fast convulsively to that which we possess; or else we busy ourselves with others, and keep ourselves busy with the trifles that are worthless for eternity. Also God’s children can busy themselves so often with all sorts of things which are of no value to their soul, but rather lead to destruction and bring barrenness and darkness upon their soul.

O, people of God, may we set our hearts upon our ways and calmly consider our ways, Psalm 119:59. Our flesh seeks rest, but it is a blessing if God’s Spirit constantly contends with us. May we be brought into straits, and in the furnace of affliction and purification in order that the work of God may be manifested so much the clearer and be more evident. May also God’s Spirit bear witness in our heart, and God’s own work be confirmed.

That shall be to the praise and honor of the triune God, but also to the joy and peace of our own heart.

In the days in which we live, the wise and foolish virgins have fallen asleep. How life in general has declined, and how little true concern is found; a concern that God may be honored and that we may be restored into the favor and into the communion of God. And because there is so little inward need, there is hardly any room for Divine wonders. If there were more discovery of self, there would also be more room for Divine manifestations.

Everything is so quiet. With many it is such a resting upon that which has happened in their life, and for that reason, the exercises of faith are lacking so much and the advances in the ways of sanctification are missing.

Some souls have a continual conflict as to whether it is really true in the inward parts. They fear so often that the root is missing, and that they will fall back into the world. How violent the disturbances are at times while considering what their end may be one day. No, such people cannot blow the trumpet from on high, but they often shrink under the terrible attacks wherewith they are tormented. They cannot always hold on to it, nor can they always believe that it is the true work of God within them, and that their end shall be peace. At times it is far from that; one hope against a thousand fears. They fear so often that it is different with God’s people than with them. They always believe it for God’s people, but as to themselves, they are in the dark so often.

Yea, you may say everything to the hypocrite, but it does not touch them. But it is altogether different with the Lord’s concerned people. They apply everything to themselves, and at times fear with great fear. And if they only knew from what corner those arrows are shot, then it would not disturb them so much, but that is often hidden from them. O, it is a blessing when all those disturbances may lead them to lose all those movable foundations, and to be built by God’s Spirit upon Christ, that only Rock. Then through that conflict they are brought nearer and are rooted more and more in that faith which overcomes the world.

Even the strongest oaks may be shaken at times. David declares that God by His favor had made his mountain to stand strong, but when God hid His face, he was troubled. How far, O how far, it may go at times, even in the life of God’s confirmed people. The foundations may tremble and shake at times. How fearful may be the struggle in which they become involved. We have the examples in God’s Word, and some of God’s children are able to speak how distressed they were for a shorter or longer period. Let us never speak lightly about the assaults of satan and about the hiding of God’s kindly face.

Just think of Christ, the blessed Head of the church. In the wilderness, He was tempted of the devil. In John 12, He was troubled, and in Gethsemane the conflict was so terrible that His sweat became as it were great drops of blood which fell upon the earth. Yea, when that Surety hung upon the cross at Golgotha, even then the arrows from hell were shot at Him, and the enemies said, “He has saved others, let Him save Himself now, if He is the Christ the chosen One of God.”

They really meant to say, “He is not the Son of God.” The blasphemies pierced His soul. O, how heavy and bitter that suffering was to Him. No, it cannot be expressed in words how deep it may go with God’s children in that spiritual warfare, and how long it may last at times. They would surely succumb if God did not sustain them. But they have a mighty Helper, Who delivers them in six troubles, and in the seventh there shall no evil touch them. The waters may rise to the lips, but it will never go higher. The enemy shall never be victorious. When the need is highest, the deliverance is nighest. At times, God permits it to rise to a certain height to refine them, but not to deliver them into satan’s hand and violence. O, that precious Christ is the great Victor in the strife, and He gives His people the blessing. O, how great it is when in and through the conflict we may be exercised and be more and more established upon that firm foundation of the apostles and prophets, of which Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone. In Christ, we are more than conquerors through Him That loved us, and then God is glorified through that warfare. Our work shall surely be broken down, and whatever it may seem to be, it shall wither and fade. It shall not be able to endure eternity.

We may endeavor to maintain it in our own strength, but at death it shall surely fall away. No one shall enter who speaks a lie, but only those that are written in the book of life of the Lamb.

O, I pray you, do not deceive your soul. God must have commenced a work in us through God Himself, and only that shall triumph. Whatever storms may roar, and whatever waves may beat against it, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, “The Lord knoweth them that are His.” All those that are savingly wrought upon by God’s Spirit, obtain a longing for and a union with that precious “Immanuel, Who is the root of Jesse, the Root and the offspring of David, Who shall stand for an Ensign of the people, and His rest shall be glorious,” Isaiah 11:10. O, may everyone examine himself before the face of the Lord. If you realize your insufficiency to that, and the importance of the matter, then with David implore the Lord, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts.” May God Himself grant you and us clearness and discretion concerning God’s work, and confirm it in our hearts through His Spirit, to His honor and praise, and that we may boldly declare, “I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.”

O, people of God, your God and King has promised you, “I will direct their work in truth.” Now then, may the God of all grace bless, through His Spirit, these words to that end and for the sake of His Son, Jesus Christ. AMEN.

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