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God Honors the Humble
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to the religious leaders of the people. They had failed to preserve
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their connection with God, and had refused the light from Heaven;
therefore they were not of the number described by the apostle Paul:
“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake
you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the
day; we are not of the night nor of darkness.” [
1 Thessalonians 5:4,
5
.]
The watchmen upon the walls of Zion should be the first to catch
the tidings of the Saviour’s advent, the first to lift their voices to
proclaim him near, the first to warn the people to prepare for his
coming. But they were at ease, dreaming of peace and safety, while
the people were asleep in their sins. Jesus saw his church, like
the barren fig-tree, covered with pretentious leaves, yet destitute
of precious fruit. There was a boastful observance of the forms of
religion, while the spirit of true humility, penitence and faith—which
alone could render the service acceptable to God—was lacking.
Instead of the graces of the Spirit, there were manifested pride,
formalism, vainglory, selfishness, oppression. A backsliding church
closed their eyes to the signs of the times. God did not forsake them,
or suffer his faithfulness to fail; but they departed from him, and
separated themselves from his love. As they refused to comply with
the conditions, his promises were not fulfilled to them.
Love for Christ and faith in his coming waxed cold. Such is
the sure result of neglect to appreciate and improve the light and
privileges which God bestows. Unless the church will follow on in
his opening providence, accepting every ray of light, performing ev-
ery duty which may be revealed, religion will inevitably degenerate
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into the observance of forms, and the spirit of vital godliness will
disappear. This truth has been repeatedly illustrated in the history of
the church. God requires of his people works of faith and obedience
corresponding to the blessings and privileges bestowed. Obedience
requires a sacrifice and involves a cross; and this is why so many of
the professed followers of Christ refused to receive the light from
Heaven, and, like the Jews of old, knew not the time of their visi-
tation. [
Luke 19:44
.] Because of their pride and unbelief, the Lord
passed them by, and revealed his truth to men in humble life, who
had given heed to all the light they had received.
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