388
Prophets and Kings
23
. But the Lord had interposed in behalf of the builders, and now He
spoke through His prophet to Zerubbabel, saying, “Who art thou, O
great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he
shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace,
grace unto it.”
Zechariah 4:7
.
Throughout the history of God’s people great mountains of diffi-
culty, apparently insurmountable, have loomed up before those who
were trying to carry out the purposes of Heaven. Such obstacles are
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permitted by the Lord as a test of faith. When we are hedged about on
every side, this is the time above all others to trust in God and in the
power of His Spirit. The exercise of a living faith means an increase of
spiritual strength and the development of an unfaltering trust. It is thus
that the soul becomes a conquering power. Before the demand of faith,
the obstacles placed by Satan across the pathway of the Christian will
disappear; for the powers of heaven will come to his aid. “Nothing
shall be impossible unto you.”
Matthew 17:20
.
The way of the world is to begin with pomp and boasting. God’s
way is to make the day of small things the beginning of the glorious
triumph of truth and righteousness. Sometimes He trains His workers
by bringing to them disappointment and apparent failure. It is His
purpose that they shall learn to master difficulties.
Often men are tempted to falter before the perplexities and obsta-
cles that confront them. But if they will hold the beginning of their
confidence steadfast unto the end, God will make the way clear. Suc-
cess will come to them as they struggle against difficulties. Before the
intrepid spirit and unwavering faith of a Zerubbabel, great mountains
of difficulty will become a plain; and he whose hands have laid the
foundation, even “his hands shall also finish it.” “He shall bring forth
the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.”
Zechariah 4:9, 7
.
Human power and human might did not establish the church of
God, and neither can they destroy it. Not on the rock of human strength,
but on Christ Jesus, the Rock of Ages, was the church founded, “and
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the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Matthew 16:18
. The
presence of God gives stability to His cause. “Put not your trust in
princes, nor in the son of man,” is the word that comes to us.
Psalm
146:3
. “In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.”
Isaiah
30:15
. God’s glorious work, founded on the eternal principles of right,