FAITHFULNESS by J. H. D.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 24, 1895

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 21, No. 42.

FAITHFULNESS

By J. H. D.

BY J. H. D.

“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honor than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; but Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” Heb. 3:1–6.

“Consider the Apostle and High Priest of Our Profession.”—To consider is to take careful notice, to enter into the details. The apostle has been placing before the mind Christ’s creative power, his humiliation, and his keeping power. He is now calling attention to his faithfulness in all that he has promised. Moses, who was a type of Christ as a leader of God’s people, is here mentioned as an example of faithfulness.

The Faithfulness of Moses.

Moses had all the opportunities to become a popular man in a mighty nation. “And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.” But with all this learning and talent he never forgot the early impressions which he had received from his mother, who acted as his nurse for his foster mother. She had impressed upon his young mind the importance of being true to principle and faithful to the God of Israel.

Like all others, he had a longing for those of his own blood, who were kept in servitude. His desire, strengthened by his loyalty to God, led him to forsake the royal palace of Egypt and become a leader in an unpopular cause. Like humanity in every age, he was fallible, and at one time, at least, let his enthusiasm overrule his better judgment, and was led to take the life of his fellow-man. “And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian.” Acts 7:23, 24. This rash act cost him a long schooling in the wilderness with the flocks of the field. Yet he never turned his back upon the Lord, but received the chastisement in meekness and love.

“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” Heb. 11:24, 25. In all his experiences in the wilderness he never broke his consecration vow with the Lord. One might have visited him after ten years had passed and beheld him caring for the tender lambs of the flock, or climbing the mountain side in search of the self-willed sheep that had strayed away. Although he might not have fully realized what an important education he was receiving to fit him for one of the wisest generals the world ever knew, yet no doubt he was contented and happy in his work. He knew that all things would work out for his good if he was only faithful to his great Teacher.

Thirty, forty years rolled by, and still the learned statesman of Egypt was only a leader of sheep. In this period of time he had had ample opportunity to decide whether he would leave the place the Lord had called him to, and make his way back to Egypt, or whether he would abide where God had said “stay” until he was commanded to depart. No doubt his patience had been sorely tried in chasing over the stony hills after his flock. He had learned how to deal with the erring, and how to manage the stubborn and rebellious. He had learned to face winter’s blasts, and endure summer’s heat and storms. He had met the wild beasts of the forests, that were as ravenous for the members of his flock as would be the Amorites in after years for the people which he should lead. As a shepherd he had known hunger and privations. If he could not sit at the table furnished by the Egyptians, he could take a cold “bite” down by the side of some quiet stream that flowed from some mountain height down through the wilderness. All these experiences were preparing him for a great work for the Lord.

After all his experiences as a shepherd, the Lord meets him in the bush, and gives him his commission to be a leader of a rebellious and ignorant people. No doubt but what Moses could see more pleasure in remaining with his sheep than going forth as a leader of Israel. He tried to excuse himself on the ground of incompetency, yet he dare not say, “I will not go.” He received his charge and left his flock and started for Egypt. Many changes had taken place in Egypt and with his own people since he left that country. Many of those at the court with whom he had formerly associated had passed away. Instead of being recognized by the throne of Egypt as one who had been brought up there, he would now be looked upon as a stranger. His own people, in Goshen, had not faith enough to believe his testimony that God had sent him to deliver them. Yet Moses was faithful in all his house.

In all his experience in leading the children of Israel out of Egypt he manifested that life of trust that is ever pleasing to God. When every one would forsake him and turn back to Egypt, he looked to the One who was directing for counsel. When the Red Sea was on one side and before him, and the rough mountains on the other side, shutting them in, while the hosts of Pharaoh were closing in behind, he was not discouraged. On every side he heard murmuring cry against him. But on account of his faithfulness God had informed him in regard to his ways, while the people could only see the acts of the Lord. He knew that the God of heaven would not fail him, so he dared to step forward, and in the name of the Great Shepherd bid the waters of the sea open and receive the flock from Pharaoh’s grasp. Thus in all his life he trusted the Lord, and received an epitaph grander in its character than any that has been written for the greatest monarch of the world. “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.” Deut. 34:10.

Christ’s Faithfulness.

We read that it was Christ that went with Israel through the wilderness: “They drank of that spiritual rock that followed them; and that rock was Christ.” 1 Cor. 10:4. But the same One that directed Moses in leading this people out of Egypt was the same One that met him at the bush. So Christ was with him in all his experience as a shepherd. It is true that Moses sinned before leaving his native land for the land of Midian, but Jesus is faithful to forgive sin when it is confessed. 1 John 1:9. When men cast out the offender and consider him a failure, Jesus is willing to lift him up and take him through a course of training that will fit him for work for God.

“But Christ [is faithful] as a son over his own house; whose house are we.” Moses had only one nation of people to lead. Christ has a people in every nation, kindred, and tongue. Moses made some mistakes, but Christ never made any. The faithfulness of Moses consisted in his integrity in holding onto God even when he made a mistake. The faithfulness of Jesus Christ includes the holding onto Moses and forgiving his sins and keeping him in his own work.

He was not only faithful to Moses, but he is just as faithful to every son and daughter of Adam who will accept his faithfulness. “Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.” 1 Thess. 5:24. Christ is faithful to fulfill every promise in its largest sense and fullest meaning, and there never was a believer who could justly charge him with the breach of his word. Ye “are kept by the power of God through faith.” 1 Peter 1:5. Whatever strength the believer wants to enable him to bear hardship, endure the cross, fight against his spiritual enemies, Christ is faithful and just to supply all his needs. He that is able to keep believers from falling (Jude 24) will keep them until they receive the end of their faith. Thus the life which Christ begins by his grace, he continues by his strength; and every act of this spiritual life is from him. The will, the power is his, for he doeth all, and is in all. His promises are yea and amen, and his faithfulness will endure forever and ever.

Our Faithfulness.

It is not enough that Christ is faithful to us. To avail anything in our behalf we must accept all he offers to us. Like Moses, we must be faithful to him. We may be driven out into the wilderness and kept there until it seems as though our life work has become a failure. We may be kept in the school of training until it seems that Christ will come and the Gospel work be closed before we are free to have any part in his work. We chafe and wish we could have our own way. We may even go so far as to charge our brethren with hindering our usefulness in the cause of God. Many souls whom Christ wished to save and make a bright and shining light, have gone into obscurity, because of unfaithfulness at such times as these. They have not learned the faithfulness of Jesus Christ as manifested in his cry in Gethsemane, “Not my will, but Thine be done.”

One of Satan’s strong efforts is to bring discouragement upon the believing one. When he sees a Christian strong in the Lord through faith, it stirs his malice, and makes him burn with envious rage. He leaves no temptation untried to draw him from Christ. If he can get believers from their dependence upon Christ, he carries his point. When some mistake is made, he comes in and whispers doubt as to the pardon that has already been claimed. Sometimes he will seek to bring guilt into the conscience by suggesting the failings, the shortcomings, the wandering in prayer, or the dullness in hearing or reading the Scriptures. If he can get the

child of grace to dwell upon these things, so as to forget Christ, he has caused him to be unfaithful.

But Jesus says: “Ask, and it shall be given you.” “Ye are complete in him.” Col. 1:9, 10. “They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.” Ps. 34:10. Their loving Shepherd will see that they lack nothing; no good thing will he withhold from them. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things [food, and raiment, and all necessaries] shall be added unto you.”

What a powerful motive is here for the strengthening of our faith! “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19. Be our needs ever so many, or ever so great, our God has engaged to supply them all. We may boldly “cast all our care upon him,” and rest assured of his managing our life infinitely better than we can. He is faithful to do all he promised, if we are faithful to let him have all he asks us to yield to him. Our faithfulness consists in yielding every member of our bodies to his service.