None of These Things Move Me. Acts xx 24.
By C. M. Willis
PAUL had arrived at such an entire state of confidence in God, and had so completely overcome his love of earthly ease and comfort; that although the Spirit witnessed that in every city bonds and afflictions awaited him, he could, while looking forward and beholding them, say with resignation, "None of these things move me." And while he exhorted the brethren to be faithful, and to earnestly watch, they were so sorrowful that they fell on Paul's neck and kissed him, while they wept sore. We are just entering on a great, and perilous time. Satan is about to bring his powers to bear against the children of God. Perils are just ahead. Already do we begin to feel their approach, which will overwhelm the whole earth with their blighting presence. Days are swiftly approaching, which are yet to try the faith of God's children, and which cannot fail to determine who are his—days, which the Saviour informs us shall be shortened, or no flesh could be saved. Can we look forward and view these dreadful scenes, in which we as followers of Christ must bear so conspicuous a part, and with the resignation of Paul, say, "None of these things move me?" This is one great duty of watchfulness: to have our minds so fully set on Christ and our heavenly calling, and be so strongly clothed with the panoply of truth, have our feet so firmly planted on the rock Christ Jesus, that when the storm of God's wrath bursts on the guilty earth, its fury shall not move us. And are we striving for this? Are we getting ready to meet the coming storm, by faith, by patience, by works of love, by cutting loose from the world, and having our conversation in Heaven? When the experienced mariner sees a storm coming, and he is ever watching every sign with an observing eye, so that a storm never overtakes him unawares, he immediately sets every energy of body and mind to prepare for the impending danger. Every useless thing is removed out of the way. Every article which would serve as an obstruction is disposed of, everything is made sure and safe, before he can calmly look forth on the troubled waves about him. He does not sit with folded arms, and murmur because storms will arise, until the storm is upon him, and he and his frail bark are swallowed up in its fury. He sees the first indication of danger, commences a preparation without delay, and consequently it finds him fully prepared for the emergency, and he passes through unharmed. Thus ought it to be with the Christian. There is a dreadful storm already darkening the horizon, a dreadful battle to be fought, and just time enough, without one moment to spare, to get ready for it. We must not look for anything apart from this. We must all face the enemy. Not one can avoid it. It is the crucible in which every child of God is tried. And every one must come forth from this trial, pure or spurious. Which shall it be? Let each one ask himself seriously, which mark shall I receive? If there are any doubts on the subject, oh rest not a moment, till they are removed. And remember, when trials come upon us, our Saviour told us beforehand, that they should come. This will prevent our being deceived with the song of peace and safety. There is no promise of rest, this side of the land of rest. The Saviour said that he had not come to establish peace. If we could only bear this in our minds, and school our hearts to realize it, what a tendency it would have to wean us from this world of confusion, and turn our longing hearts and desires, toward that rest which remains for the people of God; where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary will forever be at rest. Let us then while seeing the promise of a city, which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God, be persuaded of them, and embrace them, and confess that we are strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Then with sincere hearts can we say, "None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy." Reader, think of these things.