In the article by Rev. R. M. McCheyne on “Why is God a stranger in the land?” republished in the April magazine, one or two points struck the present writer.
Rev. Mr McCheyne could never be charged with unwillingness to cover the faults of his brethren when occasion demanded. Yet in this article he laid open the sins of the church in his day, with frankness and force. Many at the time may have wondered at his plainness of speech, but the reason for it is easy to see. McCheyne clearly valued the cause of Christ more highly than any considerations of ecclesiastical expediency, and he sought to glorify Christ more than to please men, even fellow-ministers of the gospel. Thus McCheyne showed the same spirit in his ministry as Jehoshaphat exhorted the judges to show in judging the cities of Israel. “Take heed what ye do: take heed and do it, for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts” (II Chron. 19:6-7).
Asking the question, “What are the reasons why God is such a stranger in the land?”, McCheyne began to answer the question with reference to ministers. He thus showed in a practical way that there is no one in this world, not even in the church, who is above the searching judgement of the word of God. He brought under review the teaching and the spirit of ministers of the gospel. How easy it is for us as ministers to look for the causes of religious decline outwith our ranks, but this is where McCheyne looked first of all.
Again McCheyne pointed the finger at professing Christians in the church. We might feel that we ought not to be so harsh, and that the godly have enough trials without ministers accusing them of coming short. But again, McCheyne’s zeal lifted him above that realm where seeking honour of men is the ruling motive.
It is clear that McCheyne sought the reviving of the Lord’s cause, and that in seeking this great object he was honest and consistent. He saw sin in ministers, and sin among professing Christians, and he testified against it. He was grieved at the sight of sin in the church and he testified against it with the hope that the Lord would bring offenders to repentance. He hoped that they would not manifest hurt pride, but would rather sorrow “after a godly sort.”
It is very significant that such sorrow for her own sins has always gripped the church before revival has come. It is very significant for us, because we, as a church, have asked our people to pray for revival. We do not need to think that a spiritual hope of revival can co-habit with a complacent spirit among ourselves. The first thing that the Spirit does is to bring the church down in her own estimation when He intends to exalt her in due time. This is the express teaching of the Saviour and has been often illustrated in the history of the church. If we look for the Holy Spirit to come among ourselves we must expect Him to write first on the fleshy tables of our hearts the ancient words, “Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord God, be it known unto you; be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.” (Ezek. 36:32).
We cannot expect the Holy Spirit to revive His work among us, unless we honestly seek to deal with the lack of holiness among us, the relative absence of brotherly love, and the other foxes which spoil the vines (Song of Sol. 2:15). But if we are open and honest in facing our shortcomings, and in confessing them together before the Lord, there is reason to hope for better things. King Solomon prayed at the dedication of the temple “If there be death in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillars; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be; then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when everyone shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hand in this house; then hear Thou from heaven Thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart Thou knowest; (for Thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men)” (II Chron. 6:28-30). And if we come ourselves with tears for our own sins, then we will find that a greater than Solomon is meeting us in the scriptures, and One that ever liveth to make intercession for us. He knows the plagues of blasting and mildew, locusts and caterpillars that are in the church, He knows the sins that are in the church, which are spoiling her work in His name. But He also knows the secret groans “when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief and shall spread forth his hands” towards the Holiest of all whither the Forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus. Christ will hear the prayers of those who are truly broken hearted for His cause, as He did the groans of McCheyne and of others in his day. And when He will answer these prayers, then He will come among His people to “render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart He knows…” (II Chron. 6:30). J. T.
If Thy justice must punish, then punish our bodies with the rod of Thy mercy. But, O Lord, let us never revolt, nor turn back to idolatry again.
Knox