Loyalty to God by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 15, 1909

Loyalty to God

By F. M. W.

NEHEMIAH engaged in a great work for God. He undertook the restoration of the city of his fathers, and the relief of his brethren who were left of the captivity. From the first, opposition was invited by his efforts. In the surrounding territory were heathen kings, among whom were Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. These felt bitter opposition to the restoration of a national center which had been a rebuke and menace to them in past years. In Jerusalem itself was a mixed multitude, some of whom had no sympathy for the prosperity of Israel. These united in intrigue with the outside enemies to bring the work into disrepute, and to frustrate the plans of rebuilding. Ridicule was first employed, but without results. They then resorted to intimidation, but Nehemiah remained resolute. Next they endeavored to effect a compromise. They asked Nehemiah to cease operations for a time, and meet them in conference to see if the matter could not be adjusted. Four repeated efforts were made to bring this about, but Nehemiah was unyielding. He returned to them this loyal and resolute answer: “I am

doing a great work, so that I can not come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?”

He knew that his strength was in sustained loyalty and faithfulness. He had no time for bickering, no place in his purpose for compromise. God had given him a great work to do. It admitted of no delay, of no unholy alliance. This consistent zeal was manifested through all his labors. God recognized his honesty of purpose, his steadfastness of endeavor, and accomplished through his efforts a great work for the cause of truth in the earth.

God has committed to his people to-day a great charge, that of giving to the world the message due this generation. No more important work was ever committed to his church. His people to-day, as was Nehemiah, are confronted with difficulties. Satan is doing all in his power to wreck the message, and destroy the souls of its advocates. By threats, by ridicule, by intrigue, by compromise, he will seek to corrupt the truth and weaken its power. Tobiahs and Sanballats will arise without number. Opposing and conflicting interests will unite to withstand the progress of the message. And as in Nehemiah’s day, some even in Israel may sympathize with the elements which are seeking Israel’s downfall. This has always been so in every age of the church. The days of Moses produced Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; the days of Christ saw the apostasy of Judas; the apostle Paul witnessed the falling away of Hymeneus and Philetus and a host of others; Luther saw the cause of the young Reformation well-nigh wrecked by fanatical movements. And so the history of the church in almost every age of its progress records the work of dishonest or fanatical men who have drawn off from the great track of truth. Some of them have apparently prospered for a time, but their end has been darkness and despair.

These off-shoots have felt that they had just cause for withdrawal. They thought they saw errors in leadership, their talents did not receive proper recognition, or in some way there were wrongs in the operation of the work. Doubtless in some measure these wrongs may have existed. The church of God has never been free from sin. Moses “spake unadvisedly with his lips,” Paul made mistakes, Luther was not perfect. But God led, and notwithstanding the imperfections of his people, he regarded them as his own precious heritage, and rebuked kings for their sakes. In the wilderness, the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night went before Israel, and the divine presence was manifested in the daily service. And woe to him who stretched forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, or sought to bring in an order of things which God had not ordained.

Principles are above men, and the work is greater than the worker. Man is frail and fallible. He may fall, but God lives, and his work goes on. Death has claimed many of the men who were once the very strength of this last-day movement, so far as the human factor was concerned. Had this cause been of human origin, it must have died with its original advocates. But it has demonstrated that it has in it the vitality of heaven. Triumphant over death, and stronger than all the adverse influences which have combined to oppose it, it has gone steadily forward. And He who has been its life and power hitherto, will carry it to a glorious consummation.

Loyalty to God in Nehemiah’s day meant a decisive, straightforward course of conduct, with no parleying with sin, and no compromise with the enemies of the Lord. It meant that in the days of Moses, and Caleb, and Joshua; in the days of Paul and Luther. Loyalty means no less to-day. Let us be true to God and his work for this day and generation, no matter how difficult the way may sometimes appear, or how dark at times may be the outlook from a human standpoint. God is watching over his own. He “knoweth them that are his,” and his foundation standeth sure. There is light ahead; let every downcast soul look up and rejoice; let the fearful be brave, and the trembling strong and courageous. In our personal experience we may have victory now through Christ Jesus. We may have the joy of heaven in our hearts here, the Spirit to lead and guide us, and the witness that Enoch had, that our ways please God. This will make the bitter of life sweet, the toil pleasant, and will sanctify to our good every experience which his wisdom shall choose and his love permit. “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

F. M. W.