Call To Worship June 24 2018

Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke

J.C. Ryle Luke 13:31-35

“Let us learn from these verses — how entirely our times are in God’s hands. Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us this lesson by His reply to those who bade Him to depart, because Herod would kill Him. He said, ‘I cast out devils, and I do cures today and tomorrow.’ His time was not yet come for leaving the world. His work was not yet finished. Until that time came — it was not in the power of Herod to hurt Him. Until that work was finished — no weapon forged against Him could prosper.

There is something in our Lord’s words which demands the attention of all true Christians. There is a frame of mind exhibited to us, which we should do well to copy. Our Lord, no doubt, spoke with a prophetic foresight of coming things. He knew the time of His own death, and He knew that this time was not yet come.

Foreknowledge like this, of course, is not granted to believers in the present day. But still there is a lesson here which we ought not to overlook. We ought, in a certain measure, to aim at having the same mind which was in Christ Jesus. We ought to seek to possess a spirit of calm, unshaken confidence about things to come. We should study to have a heart ‘not afraid of evil tidings,’ but quiet, steady, and trusting in the Lord. (Psalm 112:7.)

The subject is a delicate one, but one which concerns our happiness so much — that it deserves solemn consideration. We are not intended to be idle fatalists, like the Muslims — or cold, unfeeling statues, like the Stoics. We are not to neglect the use of means, or to omit all prudent provision for the unseen future. To neglect means is fanaticism — and not faith. But still, when we have done all — we should remember, that though duties are ours — events are God’s! We should therefore endeavor to leave things to come in God’s hands, and not to be over-anxious about health, or family, or money or plans.

To cultivate this frame of mind, would add immensely to our peace. How many of our cares and fears, are about things which never come to pass! Happy is that man who can walk in our Lord’s steps, and say, ‘I shall have what is good for me. I shall live on earth until my work is done — and not a moment longer. I shall be taken when I am ripe for Heaven — and not a minute before. All the powers of the world cannot take away my life — until God permits. All the physicians of earth cannot preserve my life — when God calls me home.’”

Is there anything beyond the reach of man in this spirit? Surely not. Believers have a covenant ordered in all things, and sure. The very hairs of their heads are numbered. Their steps are ordered by the Lord. All things are working together for their good. When they are afflicted — it is for their profit. When they are sick — it is for some wise purpose. All things are said to be theirs — life, death, things present, and things to come! (2 Samuel 23:5; Matthew 10:30; Psalm 37:23; Romans 8:28; Hebrews 12:10; John 11:4; 1 Corinthians 3:22.)

There is no such thing as chance, luck, or accident — in the life of a believer. There is but one thing needful, in order to make a believer calm, quiet, unruffled, undisturbed in every position, and under every circumstance. That one thing is faith in active exercise. For such faith, let us daily pray. Few indeed know anything of it. The faith of most believers is very fitful and spasmodic. It is for lack of steady, constant faith — that so few can say with Christ, ‘I must proceed on my way today and tomorrow — and not die until my work is done.’