FEAR NOT - The Church Reigns Triumphant!

If we knew what is going on this world, the prevailing evil, unmitigated terror being perpetrated on numerous people groups in the name of the state, overweening atheism, militant gays, and all contrasted with a most tenuous church, we would become very much afraid. It seems no stretch by any means to admit of end-times responsibility. What are we to do who have been watching not just the world decline, but seemingly the church as well? First, we need to "get our heads out of the sand" and see the reality of this sin-torn world. Second, we MUST PRAY WITH ALL THAT GOD IS for revival and the coming of the Lord Jesus. In the mean time, don't think that the church will pass into oblivion, or drift silently into the night. Jesus declared (with full understanding of the evils of this world), "On this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). 

In a most encouraging sermon, Charles H. Spurgeon preached, "Man Transient: God's Word Eternal." Toward the end, he gave the following application. Whenever you are feeling weighed down by the pressures of this world or culture, grab hold of the truth Spurgeon proclaimed!  

Another lesson. If you be on God’s side, never be afraid of the mightiest opponent. What are they? What are they? Grass! Where is the mower? Then he comes, there is an end of them. And what are their boastings, and what are their railings? The flower of grass. Here comes a breeze — the sharp breath of winter, and they are gone. . . . Ah! the Lord knows how to take care of his Church without the help of some of those gentlemen who are so very earnest in taking care of it just lately, and I am pretty sure that if he could not take care of it without them, he won’t do much at it with them. But his truth will never shake nor be moved, come what may. You never need be alarmed. If all the kings, and emperors, and cardinals, and popes, and priests, and great men, and mighty men, and merchants, and mobs, and crowds should rise against the Lord’s truth and against the Lord’s anointed, what would it signify?  Who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and the son of man that is but a worm? The grass in the field — why, let it boast; what cares the king with his army about the grass? “Why,” saith he, “the steeds of my cavalry shall eat the grass; it shall soon be gone.” So God shall overthrow all their show of strength. In an hour, if so God willed it, he could convert the world. In a single hour, if so it pleased him, dominant superstitions would be relinquished, and the old systems of idolatry would totter to their fall.

Never think of the Church of God as if she were in danger. If you do, you will be like Uzza; you will put forth your hand to steady the ark, and provoke the Lord to anger against you. If it were in danger, I tell you, you could not deliver it. If Christ cannot take care of his Church without you, you cannot do it. Be still, and know that he is God. Who am I that I should begin to agitate myself about the safety of the Empire of France, and should go to Napoleon and should tell him that I was afraid the empire was insecure, and I was come to help him manage the Government? I think I should be sent back about my business. And so, surely, when you begin to say, “The Church is in danger! The Church is in danger!” what is that to thee? It stood before thou wert born; it will stand when thou hast become worm’s meat. Do thou thy duty. Keep in the path of obedience, and fear not. He who made the Church knew through what trials she would have to pass, and he made her so that she can endure the trials and become the richer for it. The enemy is but grass, the word of the Lord endureth for ever. [emphases mine]

God help us to believe in the strong Savior of which Spurgeon speaks!