At the Close of 1949

Beloved Friends:

At the end of this year, we together may well declare: “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not” (Lamentations 3:22). May deep humility fill our hearts. In the course of this year, several members from among us have been removed by death. They began the journey of twelve months with us but have not finished the journey. The moment, determined in God’s eternal counsel that they would exchange time for eternity, had arrived and, therefore, soul and body were separated, but also a separation took place from those who were near and dear unto them on earth. Some of them were privileged to testify in their life of the hope that was in them, and others we have to leave for the most high Judge, who surely shall do right. This is certain and true, indeed: “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord” and “That servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.”

In these closing days and hours of the year, may God especially remember the mourning families. We commit you to God in all your wants and sorrows. May God fill the vacant places with Himself. To that end He is the mighty One and the Almighty. The All-sufficient and most blessed God can make all things well with Himself. Like a father, the LORD pitieth them that fear Him (Psalm 103:13). Also, as one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you, saith the Lord in Isaiah 66:13a.

May God also remember the aged in our midst. Some of them have been visited with sicknesses; others were brought nigh unto death’s door. Several of our members, including some baptized members, had to be taken to the hospital. How many we have visited there, spoken and prayed with them! Most of them were raised from their sickbeds and were permitted, through the good hand of God over them, to recover. Oh, how great has been the care which God has bestowed on us and our children in the year which is almost past.

God did yet bear us and spare us, also for and with each other. This year the Lord gave health, desire, and strength that we might serve you and proclaim unto you, in the name of the Lord, the everlasting gospel. Truly, God’s mercies are great and manifold. Oh, that we together might receive a heart from the Lord to fear Him, and in true humility bow before Him in the dust.

God has not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. Great is His faithfulness, yea, it is new every morning. He daily comes into our lives to steep in bounties freely given. Outwardly, he caused us to be short of nothing, and, inwardly, the Lord has sent unto us numerous calls and spent much labor of love for our souls’ good. Should we be summoned to appear before God’s tribunal we cannot answer Him one of a thousand. God is free of our blood in virtue of Creation, but He also made Himself free in virtue of the sending of His Son in the flesh, whose blessed advent in the world we were privileged to commemorate again last week.

Of Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, we read in Daniel 4:29, that at the end of twelve months he walked upon the balcony of his palace. He also proudly celebrated New Year’s Eve, but, alas, in such a tragic manner.

May both young and old stop and consider in the closing hours of this year. May God Himself bring us to a standstill.

Children, God did not cut short your life. Your parents took you along to the house of God. You received instruction at school and catechism. Also, in this year God did take away some children by death, and many thousands and tens of thousands grew up without God’s Word. That you may learn to seek the Lord in the days of your youth. He Himself has declared, “Those that seek Me early shall find Me” (Proverbs 8).

Boys and girls, God also prolonged your life, and spent many labors upon you. Many were the words that we were permitted to direct to you and speak with you at catechism regarding that one thing which, also for young people, is indispensable in order one day to be prepared to meet God. Oh, consider that one day you must give account of this to God. I beseech you, this last day of the year, forsake the foolish and live; go in the way of peace and understanding. Next year may well be the year of your death, and then to have to appear before God unprepared and unreconciled!

What a dreadful thing it will be! May God also remember our young men in the service of this country, protecting and converting them.

Fathers and mothers, men and women, old people, it is yet the acceptable time, the precious day of salvation. Harden not your heart, but come and heed His voice today; He safely leads us in the way. Oh, there are moments when my soul cries in secret for you unto God. We are approaching such an awful eternity. May God yet convert you and magnify His grace in Christ Jesus.

If there are souls among us in bondage, may God yet loosen their bonds and set them at liberty. May He do wonders in the midst of us. The sick and indisposed, who are deprived of attending the house of God, and some who have been unable to leave their homes for many years, may you be visited by the Dayspring from on high. People of the Lord, once it shall become the final Old Year’s Day and night. May your soul, united with Christ by faith, look forward to that day of deliverance. May God purge away all our iniquities in the blood of the Lamb, and may He preserve our going out and our coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. Amen.

Your well-wishing servant,

Rev. W.C. Lamain

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen