FRAIL, FEEBLE & APT TO FAINT

“For Him and Through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)

“Amid his soarings into the superlative splendors, just when with eye undimmed he is strengthened to gaze into the excellent glory, the word “Son of man” falls on his ears, sobering the heart which else might have been intoxicated with the honor conferred upon it. Such humbling but salutary messages our depressions whisper in our ears; they tell us in a manner not to be mistaken that we are but men, frail, feeble, and apt to faint.” (C. H. Spurgeon, from “Lecture to my students”)

There is a tendency in all of us that has become quite troublesome to me. I find that so many of us want to claim bragging rights for the good things God has done through us or should I say in spite of us.

In Romans 11, Paul makes it very clear that it is only through Him (God) that we accomplish anything with lasting significance. The gifts we have are “of Him” and those gifts are only used correctly “through Him;” thus all glory must go “to Him.”

How many men have become famous and have built ministries because of an act of God? Soon the man becomes the center of attention instead of the Lord Himself. God does not need more ministries that will exalt or stroke the ego of a man. Before we became Christians, we were full of ourselves. At conversion we were supposed to be emptied of ourselves and filled with His spirit. Why is it that so many people are longing to be recognized for what “they” have done? I, of all men, would be most pitiful if, at the end of my life, I was credited for anything good that has come out of my weakness. How sad it would be if somehow I have to men that I have been the reason for any apparent success.

We have only one thing to say in regard to our service to Him; “Worthy is the Lamb to receive the rewards of His sufferings!” Oh, and by the way, God sees through our false humility. As much as He doesn’t need another man exalting ministry, He sure doesn’t want any more Pharisees.

Let us run the race with passion and emptiness of self; for God will share His glory with no man. It is the joy of a love slave to simply serve the vision and purposes of his Master. The slave’s deepest desire is not the praise of man but the words of his Master spoken loud and clear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Let us humble ourselves by realizing that we are but men, frail, feeble and apt to faint.

- Tom Zurowski


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