SOWING FOR MIRACLES by David Paulson

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 10, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 41.

SOWING FOR MIRACLES.

By David Paulson

THOU hast given a banner to them that fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth." Ps. 60:4. It is an easy matter to inscribe something on a banner, and then wave it to the breeze; and this is the method that worldly organizations have adopted to display their sentiments. The human plan is to have some outward demonstration. God's plan is to have an inward demonstration of His power upon the life and character of the individual. The first-named banner can be made and displayed in an hour; the second requires a lifetime for its completion. It is displayed as it is in process of making, and always "because of the truth," and not to attract attention to the human agent who carries it; for "the kingdom of God cometh not with outward show," because "the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:20, 21, margin.

Spurious Manifestations.

In spite of these plain Scripture declarations there are professed Christians who are so determined to have some outward demonstration as a proof of their Christianity, that they will actually manufacture it themselves, when they find that they can not persuade God to furnish them such an outward display as would be pleasing to their carnal hearts. Therefore they will finally be among the class who will claim to have "cast out devils" and "done many wonderful works." Matt. 7:22. But Christ will say of them, "I never approved of you." Verse 23, Rotherham's translation.

Many are looking forward to some indefinite time in the future when they hope to have the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and experience some remarkable external demonstration; but after David had received the gift of the Holy Spirit, his experience was one that few would naturally choose. He was anointed king, and "the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward." 1 Sam. 16:13. About three years later we find him still deprived of his just rights, hiding in a dark cave in the wilderness; and the character of his associates is told in the words, "And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them." 1 Sam. 22:2.

Imagine the daily trial and tribulation David must have experienced in maintaining peace and harmony among this motley crowd. If we somehow imagine that the gift of the Holy Spirit will exempt from temptation, then let us bear in mind that Christ's fiercest temptations came immediately after He had been anointed by the Spirit of God.

When we are faithfully sowing for spiritual and physical health, then if, from a human standpoint, "the vision . . . tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come. . . . The just shall live by faith." Hab. 2:3, 4. But there are many who become impatient in waiting. It seems to them that their harvest is delayed, while the wicked about them appear to be flourishing and receiving a bountiful harvest, for which they have not even sowed. This was such a source of perplexity to the psalmist that his "steps had well-nigh slipped." Ps. 73:2. He came near backsliding as he saw how little outward result came from his earnest endeavor, and then recognized that the wicked "are not in trouble," "neither are they plagued;" "their eyes stand out with fatness;" in other words, they appear healthy, and they "increase in riches." Ps. 73:2-12. And the psalmist came to the short-sighted conclusion that he had cleansed his heart in vain, for he was plagued every day, and chastened every morning. Verses 13, 14. But when he went into the sanctuary, there his eyes were anointed, and he saw that he had simply been harboring a delusion.

The famous Indian jugglers have the power of hypnotizing the eyesight to such an extent that they can make serpents suddenly appear to be crawling up a rope which they hold in their hands; but an enterprising American traveler took a photograph of this performance, and the picture revealed nothing but the rope, altho his eyes saw a serpent and the rope. God managed the chemicals in the camera, and they told the truth. Satan hypnotized the human eye, and it conveyed to the brain a falsehood.

The Harvest Determined by the Sowing.

Are we so rooted and grounded in reference to God's law of sowing and reaping that when we see a person who has apparently been instantly restored to either spiritual or physical health without any sowing or intention to do so, and who, furthermore, insists that he is relieved from any future responsibility in maintaining right conditions, we shall not be fascinated and led astray by these representations? There are abroad in the earth pretentious movements that do not emphasize the principle, "Go, and sin no more" (John 8:11), and thousands are led into them for no other reason than that wonderful works seem to accompany them; but God's people are not to follow outward demonstrations, but to live by principle.

When an individual has truly repented of his wrong sowing, and has fully determined in his heart to sow for health, which includes the utilization of all suitable God-given remedies which the circumstances afford, then the way is clear for God to restore him; and whether that process is to be long or short can safely be left in the hands of the great Healer. Even if such a person is instantly restored to health, it does not relieve him from the responsibility of continually cultivating health, any more than a person that is instantly converted is relieved of the responsibility of cultivating his spiritual health. We expect, yes, insist, that the latter shall utilize all the means of grace in his power, that he may "grow thereby;" and no one supposes for a moment that this is a denial of faith. Likewise, as long as we are upon this earth, there are still higher attainments for us to reach physically, and we should thankfully, cheerfully, and even enthusiastically appropriate every known means normally to strengthen and build up our physical health; and in so doing, instead of working against God, we are directly co-operating with Him. DAVID PAULSON, M.D.