The Sword of the LORD

"Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word." (Psalm 119:67). There is a poem by William Henley which greatly inspired former President of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Nelson Mandela. The poem is entitled Invictus , which is Latin for unconquered. The author was diagnosed with tuberculosis of the bone at age 12, and at 25, had his leg amputated below the knee in order to save his life. Despite his disability, he went on to complete his education at Oxford, and became a poet, editor, and critic. A popular movie dramatizes the story of Nelson Mandela and takes as its title the name of this poem. Nelson Mandela's story is very inspiring. It illustrates a principle that is basic to all who would seek excellency in Christ. The principle is that of affliction, and its work in molding man's character. We find that this principle was clearly at work in the lives of Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Daniel, Paul, and cou...

"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto Me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live." (Isaiah 55:1-3a) The food and drink that these verses refer to is the truth contained in the Word of God - the Truth that sets us free. It is the one thing, and only thing, that can satisfy the hungering and thirsting soul. Just as water sustains the life of every living thing, so also does Jesus, the Fountain of Living Waters, sustain the spiritual life of believers. And as bread and meat nourish the body, and give it the necessary nutrients to encourage growth and give strength, Jesus also, the Bread of Life, strengthens us spi...

"When He (Jesus) had heard therefore that he (Lazarus) was sick, He abode two days still in the same place where He was." (John 11:6) It appears that, as Christians, if we would be wise, then we must become foolish; if we would have power, then we must become weak; and if we would know true life, then we must experience death. This, of course, runs contrary to all that we think should be true. Concepts such as these are alien to our natural reasoning, and to all of our human inclinations. We always want to excel, we always want to be blessed, and we always want to have all the answers; but God often works the opposite to what we expect. Chapter 11 of St. John tells the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead. Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, very much. When He heard that His friend was sick, however, Jesus waited two more days before going to him, knowing that Lazarus would die during that period. He told His disciples before they left to go to B...