Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. There is probably no doctrine
taught in the Word of God that is more neglected or even ignored
than that of the teaching of reprobation. I would dare say
that less than 5% of those on the face of the earth today who
call themselves Christians even believe such a teaching is in
the Word of God, let alone have heard a preacher expound upon
it. This doctrine sets forth the fact that God created a certain
portion of the human race to be destroyed in the pit of hell.
I can almost hear a collective gasp after having said those
words, because this doctrine is so reprehensible to the flesh
of men. Men are convinced that they possess
some intrinsic worth, which makes them of greater value than just
to be cast aside like dung upon the scrap heap known as tegehena,
according to the purpose of God. Paul understood the revulsion
of such teaching to the natural mind when he penned these words,
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth,
but of God that showeth mercy. For the scripture saith unto
Pharaoh, even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I
might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared
throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom
he will have mercy, and whom he will, he hardeneth. Thou wilt
say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? for who hath
resisted his will? "'Nay, but, O man, who art thou
that replies against God? "'Shall the thing formed say
to him that formed it, "'Why hast thou made me thus? "'Hath
not the potter power over the clay of the same lump "'to make
one vessel unto honour and another unto dishonour? "'What if God,
willing to show his wrath "'and to make his power known, endured
with much longsuffering "'the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction,
"'and that he might make known the riches of his glory "'on
the vessels of mercy, "'which he hath afore prepared unto glory?
even us whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also
of the Gentiles." Just as surely as the Scripture teaches that
God, in His sovereign purpose before the foundation of the
world, chose to create a people in Christ, which were His children,
His elect bride, so He also did choose to create a people fitted
for destruction and worthy of it. When Noah and his family
were shut in the ark by God, I'm sure that there were many
things that they did not completely understand about the exact purpose
of God. Yet one thing that they did comprehend
was that the only reason they were in the ark while the rest
of the multitude of the world was shut out was the grace of
God. But Noah found grace in the eyes
of the Lord. As the rains began to fall and
the floodwaters began to rise, I am sure that there were many
of their acquaintances who began to weep and howl, desiring to
be led into the safe haven of the ark. Yet while they no doubt
had compassion on those who were perishing at arm's length, yet
they could neither open the door of the vessel nor extend a helping
hand because they saw the door shut by the hand of God. Then
said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am
the door of the sheep. They knew themselves to be like
the five wise virgins who only had enough oil for their own
lamps. And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly
and the sinner appear? Noah and his family were in reality
no different than those who were perishing outside the ark. For
who maketh thee to differ from another? They had no way of knowing
what lay ahead of them. But they were no doubt consoled
that the same one who chose them to be shut in this vessel was
indeed the very one upon whom all of their hopes were cast.
They were as Job who declared, Though he slay me, yet will I
trust him. As Peter who declared, Lord,
to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal
life. They had no thoughts toward their own ability to choose the
way of the Lord, for they still remembered His command to come
into the ark, and how inexorably they were drawn inside of it
as He sealed them in. All that the Father giveth me
shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise
cast out. They knew that they could neither
sail the vessel nor open the door which the Lord had shut,
yet they were comforted by this very fact, knowing the power
of Him who shut them in, and looked forward to the dawning
of the day of their redemption, when this tomb into which they
were sealed was opened, according to His sovereign power. Jesus
said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth
in me, though we were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever
liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? Do you cry out to the Lord for
mercy? He alone can save. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.