The Living God still Lives.
By R. F. Cottrell
Some men's faith in God is about like this: They have a faint and vague idea that once, a good while ago, there was a God that had something to do with the affairs of men. But, as for the present, the language of their hearts is, “The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil.” Zeph. 1:12. They cannot see that the Lord is doing anything at the present time. If ancient prophecies are fulfilled, they lay it to chance, or search for natural causes to explain it away. The time of miracles, with them, is past, and all things continue as they were. They virtually say, “Where is the God of judgment?” or, “Where is the promise of his coming?” With them “it is vain to serve God;” they can see no profit in keeping his requirements. But the living God has not left the earth. His providence has not been superseded by chance. He has not gone a journey and left the earth and its inhabitants to themselves; he is not asleep, that he need be awaked; nor is he so engaged in conversation, or other pursuits, that he cannot attend to the affairs of this world. He lives and reigns, and is now fulfilling his word in the earth. He has not withdrawn himself. Not one of his promises has failed or can fail. His providence is guiding the affairs of men and nations, fulfilling the promised signs of the last days; and he is leading and teaching his people, as in times of old. By the same Spirit by which he inspired his ancient servants to promise a last warning message to mankind, he now is inspiring his servants to give the warning, and teaching those who heed the warning the needed preparation to stand the trial of their faith and endure to the end. Yes, the living God still lives, and we can confidently rely upon his power to help, if we heed his admonitions and reproofs, and in all things follow his instructions. This, and this only, is the path of safety. But people say to the servants of the Lord, “Where is the word of the Lord? let it come now.” Jer. 17:15. They complain of a want of light to discern the path of duty. They think that the ancients were more highly privileged, in that God spoke to them, warning them of danger, and teaching them his will. To them they think the path of duty must have been very clear. But that is so long ago—it is so long since God spoke plainly to his people—the path of duty is not so clear to us. “If we had been in the days of the fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.” No, no! On the contrary, we would have heeded their divine instructions, and esteemed it a great privilege thus to be taught of God. But while they think such thoughts and use such language, they are doing the same thing that the wicked in former times have done. As God warned the people before the flood, so he is warning the people now. By the Spirit, he promised the warning eighteen hundred years ago. The promised warning has become due; for the signs of the times show that the day of Christ is at hand; and he is sending his servants to proclaim it. But the people doubt. They think that if God would only tell them now what to do, they would do it. God is speaking to them by his Spirit through his servants, just as he has been accustomed to speak to the people in past times. He is making the path of duty clear before them; but they reject his teachings, just as the Jews rejected the teachings and mission of Christ. If they could only have lived in the days of the fathers, what believing and obedient people they would have been! Said the Jews, “We know that God spake unto Moses;” but as for Christ, they knew not whence he came. The words of Jesus to them were, “Had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.” So, if the people now believe the seer of Patmos, they will believe the third angel's message; for he wrote of it; and if they believe the ancient prophet Joel, and the teachings of Christ and his apostles, they will believe that God is now leading and teaching his people by the spirit of prophecy; for they have foretold it. The testimony of Jesus, as well as the commandments of God, was to characterize the last remnant of the church. Rev. 11:17, and 19:10. And the people are being manifested bearing the divine credentials. If men would believe what God has caused to be written before, they would believe what he is doing now. And they could have the teachings of the living God, which they profess so heartily to crave. R. F. COTTRELL.