The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-05-25

GOLDEN TEXT-Ye snail seek me, ana
find me. when We shall search for me with
all your heart.-Jeremiah 29:13
God loves men and takes delight
in blessing them and prospecting
them on their way. When He must
punish them, it is a source of grief
to His Father-heart.
That fact probably explains why
the period of the captivity of the
Jewish people is passed over in
silence in the historical accounts
of the Bible. We do know that
prophets were sent to minister to
them and to keep alive their hope
of restoration to their own land.
When the Jewish captives were
ready to return to their land, the
silence Of sacred history is broken,
and we learn of their experiences
in rebuilding the temple and the
wall of Jerusalem from the books Of
Ezra and Nehemiah.
Many and varied were the OBJ
stacles, but in due time they were
surmounted, and by Gods help the
work was accomplished. Now the
time had come for a spiritual re-
vival, and God had His man and
His message ready for that hour.
Ezra, the scribe, was Gods
servant in bringing the Word of God
to the people. The elements Of sue
cess for any revival are found here.
I. An Open Book (8:1,2).
The Word of God is quick and
powerful and sharper than a two
edged sword (Heb. 4:12). That
mighty weapon does not need any
apology or defense. It needs use.
The soldier in battle unsheaths his
sword or fires his gun. He does
not send pamphlets to his enemies
telling them what an effective weap-
| on he has-he uses it and gets re-
suits.
There is place for discussion and
instruction regarding the anthem
ITCHY and dependability of the Bible,
but if we make it a substitute for
using the Word, we are on the
| wrong track.
Era brought out the law of God
and opened it to all the people. That
is what we need to do today. Open
up Gods Word and let it do it's
| powerful work.
ii. An Attentive People 1913, IA,
S, 81.
The Word must be heard as well
as preached. Good listeners are as
important as good preachers. The
open ear and the open heart COM
| plete the ministry of the open Book.
Note the reverence of the people
". 81. When the Book was opened,
they stood up-a token of honor. We
do not worship the Bible, but we
should show far more reverence
toward it and it's message than is
ordinarily the case. This is Gods
Word, and man should approach it
reverently.
Note the spirit of worship in
verse 6. Be sure that any people
coming to Gods Word in that spirit
will receive a blessing. We shall
see in moment how wonderfully
God met them, but first we shall
note an additional reason for the
splendid response Of the people.
We have before us the open book
and an attentive and reverent
people. What more is needed?
iii. An Intelligent Ministry 1878,
12).
There is nothing that any man
can add to Gods Word, but he can,
by the grace of God and the illurni-
nation of the Holy Spirit, be used in
opening up the meaning Of the
Word.
That kind of an exposition of
Scripture is the very essence of
real preaching. Topical discussions
have their value. There is a place
for book reviews and the presenta-
ton Of social problems. But the pull
pit should be primarily and always
the place where Gods Word is ex-
pounded.
Note that the law of God was
read distinctly" ". y. How inn
portanti That calls for prepara-
ton and prayer. That precludes
the casual selection Of a Scripture
passage in the last minute before
service.
Then observe that "they gave the
sense, so that they understood the
reading" ". 81. That takes more
preparation and much prayer. The
teacher or preacher needs illumi-
nation so that the truth may be
clearly understood and presented.
Everything was now ready for:
Nv. A Spiritual Response (8:12;
9:1-3).
Revival came-and what a re-
vival! Tears and laughter mingled.
There was sorrow because of sin,
and joy because of Gods forgive
ness. There was both fasting and
feasting. God was in their midst,
working through His Word as it
was given out by His messengers.
It makes one downright hungry
to read an account like this, hungry
for a similar manifestation in our
day of spiritual deafness. God is
giving this kind Of revival here
and there where people are ready
- NJ HE xxyaxy The xxyr;&ox. - %bo~