The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-04-04


MES that he answers prayer, he has
brought his God down to the position
Of the petty savage chieftain who
lives for his own pleasure without re-
gard 10 the welfare OF his subjects.
Prayerlessness is, therefore. a species
OF barbarism.
Any man as a subject OF the King
may come before him with petition.
II he has a grievance, let him not tell
II to others, and thus backbite the
King. The King invites him into his
presence, and viii give audience even
10 his complainings. Let him come
boldly unto the throne of grace, that
he may obtain mercy and find grace 20
help him IN time OF need" God is en-
throned in grace and invites every
subject in need 20 approach with bold
ness. And the promise is clear;
my God shall supply all your needs
according 70 his riches in glory by
| Christ Jesus" The resources OF
Gods throne are at tho disposal OF all
his needy subjects. With such king
would Il not be wrong TO refuse to
make petition? Would II not be dis
loyal? Prayeriessness Is, indeed, dis
loyalty TO the King OF the universe.
God as Judge.
God as Judge hears and answers
the prayer of a plaintiff. In the par
able of the Unjust Judge duke
1919 the widow has a grievance
against her adversary, and pleads that
he shall be punished. Though the
judge is unjust, his judicial position
compels him TO hear her plea, and her
| importantly constrains him 10 grant
her petition. The argument is that IL
an unjust judge is compelled by OFF,
cial position TO hear the plea, and
constrained by the Importantly OF the
plaintiff to grant IT, how much more
will Just God respect his judicial po-
sition and answer without demanding
importantly.
But a just judge cannot forgive a
man who has been proved guilty, I'M
less satisfaction to Justice can be
made Mercy is injustice. II may be
based upon kindness. but that does
not rid It OF injustice. Then how can
a prayer for forgiveness be answered
without impeaching the justice of the
Judge? Only by another's bearing the
sinners guilt.
To say that confession OF sin IL
atonement enough ignores the right
eousness OF God Confessing debt
does not pay debt; II rather enforces
the obligation TO pay. But II the debt
has been paid by aRother, II would be
fragrant injustice to demand a second
payment.
God as Father.
God as Father hears and answers
the prayer OF his child. II you con
fess the fatherhood OF God and then
deny that he is Influenced by the CRY
of his child. you would degrade him
below the level OF the beasts OF the
field and the birds OF the air, for they
heed the cry OF their young In distress
and hasten to their relief. SO right is
Il for the Father TO hear the prayer
OF his child that the universal con
seriousness OF mankind gives him no
option. lie must hear Il. or be
branded as UNANIMOUSLY heartless. Even
pagan ethics demands IT, For a
parent 20 be insensible 10 the cry
OF his child is a sign OF insanity or
depravity. To deny that God answers
prayer. while we believe In his father
hood. is, therefore, TO charge him
with insanity or depravity.
Reward OF Obedience.
The father has, OF course, the right
70 use his superior wisdom In decid.
Ing whether OF noe the child's request
shall be granted. The child has no
right 60 command the father except by
his obedience. In nature we can com
mand only by obeying. II We obey the
laws OF electricity or steam, we may
command them and they VIII doour bid.
ding. But n we refuse 20 obey their
laws, they refuse 10 obey us. And
SO when God promises upon certain
conditions. and we fulfill the condi-
lions, his promise becomes our con
mand. and we may lovingly insist upon
its fnlnllmont. As a father to give
child what every whim Of fancy or
selfish desire might prompt him 20
ask would be 10 inlurc the child and
make the order Of home give place e
the anarchy OF dlscordant demands.
AS a Father, God gives to his child
all he asks within the limitations OF
his superior wisdom.
AS a subject pctitIoning ruler. as
a plaintiff pleading before a judge, a.
child crying to n father. every OH,
ought 10 pray. Not 20 pray Ia. there
fore, 70 lead an immoral life In our REL
lation TO God and man. IN that We ar
not doing what we ought TO do. Tt
pray Ia the namc OF Jesus Christ II e.
draw upon the resources OF the Kin
: OF the universe, 10 receive pard0
from the Judge OF All the earth.
10 have the constan. care OF h
tbs rather