Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. several years back some
men set out on an expedition to find the remains of Noah's
Ark over in Turkey. They believed that its exact
location had been pinpointed. A newspaper reporter was interviewing
Lester Roloff concerning this expedition and asked him if his
faith in the Bible as the Word of God would be strengthened
if they were to actually find and photograph this boat. He
said he wouldn't believe the Bible was any truer than he already
did, even if they drug the whole Ark back with them and put it
in his backyard. The Bible does not need the defense
of the natural mind to prove its veracity, since the natural
mind does not receive the things of the Spirit. Spiritual truth
cannot be known nor comprehended by the natural mind. So all of
the arguments that men make in the flesh to prove that the Bible
is the Word of God are basically a waste of time. This is not
to say that God's people cannot and do not rejoice when things
in this natural world attest to its veracity. But their belief
that the Bible is the Word of God is not initiated, established,
nor secured by such testimony. Nor, I might add, can it be overturned
by discoveries and futile intellectual exercises designed for that purpose. If the Bible was the mere product
of men trying to persuade other men to follow a certain religion,
then there are many accounts that are recorded in its pages
that they would surely have left out. David in Bathsheba, Judah
with Tamar, Lot and his daughters, the denial of Peter, or his weakness
as he sank into the water. This book is indeed the Word
of God who records the truth, warts and all, for our benefit
and His glory. Many of the incidents that are
recorded in its pages are examples of the indecency of man and the
purpose of God in using that wickedness to accomplish His
purpose. These incidents must surely cause the moralists great
consternation as they read and try to explain them. This can
be plainly seen in the account of the Hebrew spies who paid
a visit to the house of a harlot named Rahab. Now it is true that
we don't have any detailed account of exactly why they visited this
particular house. Neither can we be certain that
she was still involved in the occupation for which she had
become known. But it seems odd that her profession
would be mentioned if they came there just looking for something
to eat and a place to hide. But regardless of their intention
or her occupation, God foreordained all these things to come to pass
in order that He might accomplish His will and purpose in the salvation
of sinners. The fact that all things work
together for good to them who are the called according to His
purpose can be plainly demonstrated as the Lord provided for the
safety of those sent out by Joshua. Now we don't know what was on
these men's minds when they went to Rahab's house, but we do know
that God meant for them to visit that house for their good. As
Joseph told his brothers, But as for you, ye thought evil against
me, but God meant it unto good. It is often true that even the
evil intent of our heart can be the means God chooses to preserve
His elect. Saul of Tarsus went down the
Damascus road, breathing out threatenings and slaughters against
the saints of God. But the Lord brought him down
that very road in order to bring him to faith and set him free.
What a great benefit he has been to the Church of God! We glean
from this fact not that sin is good or even excusable, Neither
can it be said that the wickedness of man is not reprehensible in
the sight of God. Rather, we can rejoice that the
purpose of God in the salvation of His elect is going to be accomplished
by whatever means He deems necessary, even the life of His only begotten
Son. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable,
and I have loved thee. Therefore will I give men for
thee, and people for thy life. Fear not, for I am with thee.
I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the
west. I will say to the north, give up, and to the south, keep
not back. Bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the
ends of the earth, even every one that is called by my name.
For I have created him for my glory. I have formed him, yea,
I have made him. The fact that all things work
together for good to them who are the called according to his
purpose can also be plainly demonstrated as we see the Lord used Rahab
to preserve the spies, but he also used them to bring deliverance
to her that she might be spared. There were no doubt many morally
upright women in the town of Jericho, but it was on this harlot
that the salvation of the Lord was bestowed. These men were
compelled to go to this particular house. Salvation is not by chance,
but is bestowed according to the sovereign mercy of a predestinating
God. I thank thee, O Father, Lord
of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the
wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father,
for so it seemed good in thy sight. Do you rejoice in salvation
by grace alone? There is no other kind. For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.