Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. Paul admonishes the Corinthians
against murmuring in 1 Corinthians 10, 10. Neither murmur ye, as
some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
The sin of murmuring was quite prevalent among the Israelites,
and they often felt the lash of the Lord's hand in the midst
of such. Murmuring or questioning our lot and position in various
circumstances of life is the epitome of man's selfish pride.
That which would cause a man to murmur before the Lord is
his penchant to consider that he is worthy of better circumstances.
It was that which urged Adam to eat of that fruit which Eve
was deceived into partaking of. Paul goes on to say to the same
Corinthians, wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take
heed lest he fall. It is the same thing that he
warned the Galatians of. For if a man think himself to
be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. This is
the same attitude which is described by Solomon. Seest thou a man
wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool
than of him. He also pointed out the outcome of such a mind.
Pride goes before destruction and a holy spirit before a fall.
So Paul speaks of falling into the hands of the destroyer. Even
as we read of him in Hebrews, it is a fearful thing to fall
into the hands of the living God. He is a jealous God, and
will not share His glory with any. Let us flee from murmuring,
and may we be given grace to follow in our Lord's footsteps.
As He said, Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy
sight. Nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done. Christ is
the destroyer of the wicked. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed
from heaven with his mighty angels, inflaming fire, taking vengeance
on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory
of his power. He told his disciples who it
was that was to be feared. and fear not them which kill
the body, but are not able to kill the soul, but rather fear
him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Christ is the destroyer of the
enemies of his people, blotting out the handwriting of ordinances
that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out
of the way, nailing it to his cross. And having spoiled principalities
and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over
them in it. He has triumphed over all the
foes of his people. Neither the law, sin, death,
hell, or their accusers can bring them into condemnation. Christ
is the destroyer of the pride of those whom he loves with an
everlasting love. Herein is seen the fullness of
the blessing of the Lord to his chosen bride. He gives the wicked
over to a reprobate mind and leaves them in the pathway that
results in their destruction. But he will not allow his people
to be destroyed along with them. Rather, he calls them out of
darkness and into the light. Their self-reliance must be destroyed,
as we see him illustrate in his dealings with Peter. As Peter
boasted of his willingness and supposed ability to stand with
the Lord in all things, the destroyer unsheathed his sword of kindness
and brought Peter to tears and remorse. David assumed that he
had hid his sin from God and the people. Yet the destroyer
sent the prophet Nathan to confront him and slew the confidence of
David as he cried out, For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin
as ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have
I sinned and done this evil in thy sight, that thou mightest
be justified when thou speakest and be clear when thou judgest.
Jonah assumed that he would circumvent the call of God, but the destroyer
brought him to the very pit of hell, causing him to exclaim
from the fish's belly, I cried by reason of mine affliction
unto the Lord, and he heard me. Out of the belly of hell I cried,
and thou heardest my voice. It was then that he learned in
an unforgettable manner that salvation is of the Lord. Saul of Tarsus confidently strode
the road to Damascus with letters of reprisal against the people
of God. But the destroyer kindly met him on the road, striking
him blind and revealing himself as the Lord of all. Bless the
Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me. Bless his holy
name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases,
who redeemeth thy life from destruction, who crowneth thee with lovingkindness
and tender mercies. Have you met the Destroyer, or
are you satisfied with murmuring and complaining? For a free CD
containing 15 of these radio broadcasts, send an email to
forthepoor at windstream.net.