AT the conclusion of a visit to some great engineering works in the Midlands, a Persian prince astonished his guide by asking, “And, pray, what do you sell here?”
Doubtless the mind of the Oriental was so benumbed with a multitude of strange experiences that he scarce knew what he was saying, or realized how inappropriate were his words.
Mr. W. however rose to the occasion at once, and replied with a merry twinkle in his eye, “We sell, sir, what all the world is seeking to possess―power.”
Though the wit of the reply was lost on the visitor, the observation was perfectly true, as to what all the world is seeking after, both in the literal and in the spiritual sense.
ALL seek power in some town or other. Some wish to acquire wealth and all the good that they think it will secure them. Others seek for authority and power, statesmen, generals and even monarchs. Again others profess that if they could rise above their care, sorrow or sickness, and be assured of a life of happiness, they would reach the height of their ambition.
But are these the things that we are most in need of? Are they not only partial benefits?
One may cross the mighty Atlantic time after time in comfort and security, but one day the lifeless, drifting floe, broken from its parent berg in the Polar solitudes, crosses his track, and the last nautical triumph, relentlessly bears its burden of a thousand souls, into the presence of their Maker with scarce a moment’s warning.
Look at the graceful-airship R 3S sailing with ease on her final trial, ere she crosses to the States as the best product of British aëronautical skill! One moment a masterpiece the next a heap of wreckage!
In spite of great advancement in the study of medicine and surgery, the most skilled physician must stand helplessly by, whilst death is carrying off the most cherished object of his heart, to save whom he would gladly give his last remaining possession.
But is victory, however complete, over space, matter and disease, man’s greatest need?
No! It is not!
He needs power to stand against the assaults of his most dire enemy, Satan; he needs to be able to answer to his God, for that which he has done. What can the researches of science do in the regions of death!
Alas! where power is most needed, man has none! In the most necessitous moment of his history, he is absolutely helpless.
Here is most glaring defeat!
First, He was Mighty in Creation! “By Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible.” (Col. 1:1616For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:16)).
It was He that spoke the word and the heavens were formed, He uttered His voice and the earth and sea came into being. From the vast suns of space, to the microscopic dust of the balance all alike are the work of His fingers.
Second, He was mighty in the domain of the Devil.
When He was here as a Man, He was tried, tempted by every device that could be brought to bear upon Him, all the powers of evil spent their energies in vain to make Him turn aside. He never flinched for a moment, He resisted, He suffered being tempted, but Satan fled before Him, frustrated. He bound the strong man!
Third, He was mighty in death.
In death instead of being overcome, He annulled him that had the power of death, that is the devil. Instead of defeat, He won the greatest victory.
Instead of being bound by death, He became a Deliverer, for He delivered “them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Heb. 2:1515And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:15)). He wrought salvation. He has finished the work of atonement. He has opened up the way to heaven.
Fourth, He is mighty in resurrection.
He has burst the bonds of death and come out in all-glorious might. In resurrection, God gives to the universe the greatest proof of His perfect satisfaction with the work of His Son. In resurrection He is “declared to be the Son of God with power.” (Rom. 1:44And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: (Romans 1:4)).
Fifth, He is mighty in Salvation.
He is now the Saviour of sinners. He Saves to the uttermost those who come unto God by Him. (See Heb. 7:2525Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)). Salvation is preached through the Lord Jesus. “Through this Man [the Lord Jesus] is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts mill 38-89).
He gives life, joy, peace, salvation. He satisfies the greatest needs of men, the deepest, those which nothing else can touch. How precious are the gifts of His hands! They are all free! They are without money and without price!
Why do you not stretch forward and receive them from Him even now, so as to enjoy their present and eternal benefits?
Sixth, He is mighty in the strengthening of His servants.
After His resurrection He commissioned His disciples, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:15, 1615And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15‑16)).
Why not, then, listen to the call of the blessed Lord? Men are submitting to Him to-day. They are trusting Him for salvation. They are owning Him as Lord.
Is He not worthy of your trust? He has claims over you. Are not the terms of surrender sufficiently clear?
As all power and all authority are His, is it not wisdom to recognize the fact? He is your Lord! “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou SHALT be saved,” (Rom. 10:99That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)).
Lastly, He is mighty in judgment.
Hitherto His power has been and is still exercised in goodness and blessing, but it will not always be so.
“God hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man [CHRIST JESUS] whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:3131Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:31)). That is to say, the judgment of Christ will be, as sure as His resurrection. God “hath given Him authority [power] to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man.” (John 5:2727And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. (John 5:27)).
In that day Jesus the Saviour will appear as Jesus the Judge! If you will not have His salvation now, you must have His judgment then!
But it is as true today, as in the days of His flesh, “that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins” (Luke 5:2424But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. (Luke 5:24)). Why not then avail yourself of Oat matchless power which will bring with it every blessing that God can give?
S. SCOTT.