Steadfastness — Instability
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"Be faithful unto death, nor fear
A few short days of strife;
Behold the crown you soon shall wear,
A crown of endless life!"
"Your loyalty is like the morning mist and like the early dew that vanishes." Hosea 6:4.
"But we are not of those who draw back unto perdition; but of those who believe, to the saving of the soul." Hebrews 10:39.
The religious feelings of many, however lively and promising, have been only of brief duration. The Scriptures abound with instances of this description; and if we would shun such a spirit of instability — let us consider what is recorded of such characters, lest we be led away, and fall from our own steadfastness.
In the history of God's ancient people, this spirit of instability appears with marked prominence. Never was a nation so favoured as they were. All the ordinances of nature were again and again suspended for their sakes. For them rivers and seas were divided, and the sun and moon stood still. The heavens were opened, and angels' food fell in abundance at their feet. "He turned the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into flowing springs." For forty years God led them through the wilderness; in the day by the pillar of cloud, and in the night by a pillar of fire. He rebuked kings, He scattered and slew mighty armies, He turned whole nations upside down — for their preservation and deliverance. In all His dealings towards them, He made it evident that He was, not merely excellent in counsel — but mighty in working.
And the great things which God did for them produced, as they could not fail to produce — a lively impression upon their minds. But, alas! it was transient in the extreme. This is affectingly shown in the 106th Psalm. "Both we and our ancestors have sinned. We have done wrong! We have acted wickedly! Our ancestors in Egypt gave no thought to His miracles; they soon forgot His many acts of kindness to them. Instead, they rebelled against Him at the Red Sea. Even so, He saved them — to defend the honour of His name and to demonstrate His mighty power. He commanded the Red Sea to divide, and a dry path appeared. He led Israel across the sea bottom that was as dry as a desert. So He rescued them from their enemies and redeemed them from their foes. Then the water returned and covered their enemies; not one of them survived. Then at last His people believed His promises. Then they finally sang His praise."
Such was the impression which His mercies produced. With glowing ardour they sang, "Who is like unto You, O Lord; glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders! They sounded the tumbrel, and joined in the dance. High and low, men and maidens, all united in celebrating His marvellous loving-kindness, and in extolling His wondrous works. But what is man? When most highly favoured — what is he? "Then at last His people believed His promises. Then they finally sang His praise." But did they continue to do so all their journey through? Alas! not so! "But they soon forgot what He had done — and did not wait for His counsel." Their gratitude speedily evaporated! Their delightful frames and feelings soon passed away! And they went on still in their trespasses — murmuring and rebelling against Him, as if He had never rescued them, and as if they had never acknowledged His deliverance on their behalf.
A similar view is given in the 78th Psalm. God's wonderful works are there declared, that they might be held in constant remembrance, and that their record might be transmitted from sire to son, through successive generations. "That the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget His deeds but would keep His commands.
They would not be like their forefathers — a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to Him." Such was their character. There was nothing stable about them. When any extraordinary mercies were conferred on them, they were melted just for the moment; or when any visitations of vengeance were brought upon them, they were filled with fear and trembling. But the rejoicing on the one hand, and the alarm on the other — were alike evanescent. "All that the Lord has spoken, will we do!" was their language, while the terrors of the Almighty surrounded them — as when He proclaimed His law, in dread majesty, from the summit of Sinai. But no sooner had the lightning's ceased to glitter, and the thunderclaps to roar — than they set up a golden calf, before which they bowed, and to which they ascribed their deliverance!
In the time of Christ, the same spirit frequently appeared, as it has in all subsequent ages. In the parable of the sower He divides the hearers of the gospel into four classes, and one, the stony ground hearers, represents the class we are now considering. They receive with joy the word preached to them. In a transport of admiration they exclaim, "How sublime, how wonderful, how clear, how convincing! We were never so charmed in all our days — never so moved, and so melted!" But the great Teacher — He who knew what was in man — who was never deceived by any outward appearances — He testified that it would all come to nothing. They had no root in them, and therefore they could not endure. "When trouble or persecution comes because of the Word — they quickly fall away."
Many have we known, whose histories have verified this representation. They were at one time truly promising characters. They appeared to be inflamed with a holy ambition to win the heavenly crown. We saw them commence the journey, and we thought they started well. But where are they now? Where? The tears of their friends — the sighs of their ministers — the triumphs of the enemy, answer the question! From the way of truth — they have turned aside. According to the true proverb it has happened to them, "A dog returns to its vomit, and a sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mire!" Miserable men! it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
How striking is the figure which the prophet employs in representing such characters. They are compared to the morning mist, and the early dew — which quickly fades away. These are emblems of whatever is brief and transitory. Look at the morning mist — it may be now dark and lowering; but look, again, and it is gone — not the least trace of it appears! And so with the early dew. There it is in countless drops, shining like so many glittering gems; but as the sun comes forth from his eastern chamber, and begins careering his majestic way, pouring forth the fullness of his beams on every hand — then how speedily does the morning dew vanish! Just so with the people we have described. Their loyalty disappears in like manner.
Believer, dread the thought of ever forsaking Him by whose worthy name you are called. "Will you also go away?" "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." Let your motto ever be, "Onward!" Though faint — be still pursuing. Hold fast the profession of your faith without wavering, for He is faithful who promised. He will not forsake those who put their trust in Him. Deeply conscious are you, doubtless, of your own weakness, and of the backsliding tendency of your wayward and deceitful heart; but there is One who is greater than your heart, and your safety consists in looking daily to Him for that upholding and persevering grace which He has promised to His people.
If the reader is a young disciple, let him endeavour to count the cost — and thus seek to be prepared for all that may await him. Had one and another of Bunyan's pilgrims done this, they would not have been so likely to turn back, nor be discouraged by the difficulties, nor frightened at the dangers, to which they were exposed. To you we would say then, Reckon upon meeting with much to oppose and dishearten you.
Through the Slough of Despond you will have to pass. By Beelzebub's Castle, with the archers aiming to level their darts at you, you will have to pass. Over the Hill Difficulty, and by the roaring lions, and through the Valley of Humiliation, haunted with its frightful demons, you will have to pass. And so with Doubting Castle, and Giant Despair, and innumerable pits and snares! But, after all, be not discouraged. To have that one promise fulfilled, "My grace is sufficient for you, and My strength shall be made perfect in your weakness," and you will be able to surmount them all, and thus hold on until your pilgrimage is finished, and an entrance be granted to you into the Shining City above!
O You who has endured such contradiction of sinners — help us to consider You, and to call continually upon You, lest we become weary and faint in our minds. Inspire us with a spirit of increasing steadfastness. Help us to attend with all diligence to every means which will be likely to promote this great object. May we so run the race that is set before us, that at length we may receive the end of our faith — even the full and final salvation of our souls.
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