“THY PEOPLE SHALL BE WILLING.”
By T. E. Bowen
The psalmist, in looking down to the time when the Lord should come, exclaims: “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.” Ps. 110:3. The Saviour will have a willing people. And before he comes in the power of vengeance, he will manifest the mighty power of his Holy Spirit in saving and uplifting the fallen. During this time of power evidently the psalmist sees Christ’s willing people—not stiff-necked and contending for their own ways, but a company willing to let God have his way; willing that the sweet mind of Christ shall be in them; willing of the world, so sinful and corrupt, to be accounted as of no worth, and even as a nuisance, that they may win Christ; willing to be made anything in order for the Spirit of Christ to dwell richly in them; willing that the Holy Ghost shall work them as instruments of righteousness as he will; willing for their lives to be a daily sacrifice upon the altar of the faith of Jesus; and willing in their offerings to carry on the work of the closing gospel at home and in lands afar off. That the Lord will have such a company who will go forth clothed in the mighty power of Christ, called, guided, and imbued with the Holy Ghost, is a settled fact. But whether you and I shall be a part of this company depends upon whether we are willing that it shall be so. “Many are called, but few are chosen.” This company are the chosen ones, the elect of God, the few in comparison with the many called. Some who regard themselves as the first may be the last, and there are last who shall be first. Unless right now there is a willingness on our part to separate from every sin, even from the very appearance of evil, we may be sure we shall never stand with this chosen company. We are now in the time of God’s power. The Holy Spirit, the power of God, awaits our demand and reception just now. Are we asking, and in faith receiving, it? How sad it will be if we pass through the time of God’s power without being willing! What a fearful record will await us at the bar of God!