Can You Stand Alone Does God Ask Too Much of Us Sometimes it does seem that our trials are more than we can handle, and we certainly do not want to take on any more problems than we already have. We may make excuses to not take a stand because we feel that we already have too much on our plate. It is so easy to say, “I don’t want to stick my nose in where it doesn’t belong.” We may naturally (but wrongly) wish to defer to powerful and influential men – the movers and shakers in church organizations. Why? It’s because the formidable men, like the powerful Pharisees of Christ’s day, are the ones who usually control things. Either way, if they get involved with the trouble or not, we can always say, “The blood is on their heads – my hands are clean.” And that way we are able to feel justified while we shirk our responsibility to take a real strong stand. God will not allow us to be tempted, or tried, or tested past our breaking point, and He will also provide a way that we will be able to handle it. That’s the Truth of God! “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) Those who are willing to “take the bull by the horns” and help set things back on track are doing a good work. “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3) “… when He shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.” (Daniel 12:7) This word scatter is the Hebrew word ‘naphats,’ meaning to dash to pieces, like when a coffee cup is dropped on a concrete floor. That is happening now to the power of the holy people; soon there will be no more large groups, no more big churches!!! The power of the Holy People is being shattered! The weak are shoved aside, but we are heartened by the Scripture, “Your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:5) We stand alone in trials and tests of our faith, while we meet together with brethren to provoke unto love and to good works. God is not well-pleased with the overall conduct of His end-time Church. Daniel makes it abundantly clear that there is only a portion of the brethren who will understand. “I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” (Daniel 12:8, 10) |
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