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Logos Ministries Incorporated
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Volume 3, Number 3 -- September 1995 IT’S THE PRINCIPLE OF THE THING! (This is the fourth in a series of meditations on principles one can find in the Scriptures; principles that affect the way we live and serve God.) WHEN GOD'S CHOSEN VESSELS FAIL God's chosen leaders were very human. The Bible records many accomplishments of these unusual servants. Most often, when they faltered, God punished them, forgave them, restored them and used them. David is an outstanding example. In I Samuel 13:14, it speaks of David as "A man after God's own heart." Wow, what a compliment! In I Samuel 26:9, David would not allow Abishai to kill Saul because Saul was anointed by God. David, as a boy, was incensed that Goliath humiliated God's people. David was confident that God would deliver him and all Israel. He went out, valiantly to do battle against Goliath the Philistine tyrant. David was a great warrior. He delivered Israel like no other king ever did. This shepherd-king was a marvelous poet. The Psalms are quoted in the New Testament more than any other Old Testament book. During most of his life, David was a great saint. With few exceptions, he was a very righteous man. Nevertheless, David stumbled. He enjoyed his ease when he should have been out leading his army. He plotted the death of the man whose wife he craved. He committed adultery with a loyal soldier's wife. He finally commanded that the man be killed. When Nathan accused David, however, the king confessed his sin. He knew how to repent. The result was that though God punished David, still He used him. David's confessional Psalm, Psalm 51, has become our model of confession and obedience. Just imagine what we would have missed if God had not allowed David to write the beautiful Psalms he wrote. God even allowed him to be a part of the lineage of the Messiah. There is life and usefulness after failure. Abraham came out of a background of idolatry. Nevertheless, when God revealed Himself to Abram, he obeyed and left Ur, not knowing where he was going. At age 99, Abraham believed that God would raise up a son for him and it was counted to him for righteousness. Abraham was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, at the command of God, convinced that God would raise him up if necessary in order to keep His promise of a lineage. Despite this, Abram faltered more than once. On two occasions, he placed Sarai in jeopardy by telling Abimelech that she was his sister. He stumbled by trying to help God keep His promise, taking Hagar to produce his son when God had told him that Sarai would bear the son. Still, Abraham was listed as a primary example of faith in Hebrews chapter 11. James speaks of Abraham as the "friend of God." What a description! Though Abraham faltered and stumbled, still, God used him to place His people in the land of promise and establish the lineage of Israel and ultimately of the Messiah. The first Biblical picture of Gideon was a man hiding in a wine press to prepare a little grain for their food - hardly an example of confidence. Still God called him to deliver Israel from their enemies. On two occasions, Gideon asked for convincing, visible proof, in the form of a fleece, that God really wanted Gideon to lead the army of Israel against the enemies of his people. God even suggested that Gideon listen to an enemy soldier describe his dream of Israel's victory in order to add further evidence that Israel was going to be victorious. Still, Gideon, once convinced, was willing to allow God to reduce the size of his army to 300 men. What an act of faith for one who had formerly been so unconvinced! He was even willing to begin the attack on the city of Jericho by marching the semblance of an army around the city walls with only torches and horns as weapons. This hardly seems to be the same man. In the end, God knew that Gideon was going to falter and allow pride to betray him, as recorded in Judges chapter eight. All this despite the way that Gideon had seen God work and all that he knew about the call of God. The issue is this; God can and will use people who have faltered, even if they are going to stumble again. This gives us a picture of just how merciful God is. Samson is a conundrum. The potential for his life was almost too great to believe. In spite of this, he gave his attention, energy and eventually his life to issues and concerns that were not worthy of his attention. In spite of this, God used this vessel to accomplish His purpose, even though it was not what it could have been. This gives us an impression of the patient mercy of God. Look at Moses. He was born of people of great faith. He had the best preparation for life that could be found in Egypt. When God spoke to him out of the burning bush, he listened and obeyed. He summoned all his courage to obey God and go back to face Pharaoh, even though he at one time had to flee the country. Moses showed great courage by standing up to Pharaoh when he was attacking Israel and making life miserable. He was patient with Israel for 40 years in the desert, golden calf and all. He was courageous in the desert and a valiant warrior when the Ishmaelites refused them passage. Nevertheless, he too had feet of clay. God told him to speak to the rock and he struck the rock. Could this be his pride? Could it be that he was unrepentant? To see just how important this lapse was, remember that because of it, God wouldn't allow Moses to enter the promised land. After Moses had failed, God still used him to lead Israel to Canaan. God was able to use Moses despite the fact that he had seriously failed God. Jacob was an example. There is a catalogue of things he did wrong. Still, God could use him. God could continue the covenant through him. God could continue to give Israel the land through this wandersome servant. Only God could have seen the kind of servant Israel was capable of becoming. Only God could know the risk of Esau's anger that Israel faced by refusing to go with him out of the land of promise. Now look at the New Testament. Peter immediately comes to mind. It was to him that Jesus had to say, "get thee behind me Satan..." He resorted to violence against the temple guard and Jesus had to correct the situation by healing the man's ear. Peter even denied knowing Jesus three times. Having failed as he did, still he repented and God used him mightily to preach on the day of Pentecost. God used him in a marvelous way to reach out to the Gentiles. Think what we would miss if we were denied the wonderful epistles of Peter. We tend to think of the apostle John as an impeccable servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was that. He was, also, as human as we are. If you read the Gospel record carefully, all of the disciples made the boast that Peter made - they would not forsake Him. When the going got tough, they all forsook Jesus and fled. On the other hand, look at Daniel. Though he was a lad of about 15 years when taken captive, he still courageously asked permission to refuse the pagan diet in favor of his regular food. He gave God credit for the interpretation of dreams when it could have been in his best interest to claim that credit. He was a humble man and faithful to his God. Indeed, when his enemies tried to find something to use against him, they found nothing. In spite of this beautiful picture, there is no record of any sin that Daniel committed. That does not mean that he was perfect, but there is no record. God used Daniel as a witness in a pagan land. Joseph was another case in point. There is no record that he harbored ill feelings even though his brothers sold him into slavery and probable death. He did not retaliate though Potiphar's wife lied about refusal to become part of her illicit plan. In the end, he told his brothers that God had placed him in this position so that he could help keep them alive. What an attitude! God certainly used Joseph to accomplish His purposes. The point is this. God can use the person who does not falter to accomplish His will. The good news for us is that God can also use those of us who fail to accomplish His will and reach out to the lost just as He used those who did not sin as we have. That is cause to stand silently in awe of the mercy of our God. Isn't that just like Him? With Praise! O. William Cooper LEAVING TO TEACH On August 24, Bill and Ruth Cooper will fly out of Denver International Airport bound for Zurich, Switzerland and then on to Kiev. From Kiev, they will travel to Donetsk Bible College in Donetsk. Bill will teach a course in the Gospel of Luke along with some work on the Synoptic problem in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. This will be taught in the second year of the Pastor's class. At the same time, Ruth will teach a course in Christian Education to the third year Pastor's class. Ruth will also work with the wives of the pastors. We would be very grateful if you would place Bill and Ruth on your prayer list for the next month, while they are in the Ukraine. This is a unique opportunity to impact the lives of those who will be the leaders of the church in that struggling land in the years to come. DENTAL OFFICE SENT OFF On July 7, about 500 pounds of dental equipment was sent off to the seminary representative in Kiev, Ukraine. This equipment will enable the seminary to provide dental care for the students. When the needs of the students have been cared for, the school will use this equipment to reach out to people in the community who do not have dental care. This dental equipment will enable dentists to perform extractions and the filling of problem teeth. It will not make it possible to take x-rays or perform more elaborate procedures. We are grateful to those dentists and others who helped prepare the list of needed equipment and funds to secure tools. There were several others who contributed in order for this dream to become reality. Word has just been received that the equipment has arrived in Donetsk. It will be set up just as soon as it clears customs. For this ministry of love we are most grateful. BOOK NEARS COMPLETION Bill Cooper has completed and published two books this year - The second volume of the study of Genesis and a study volume on the books of Ruth and Esther. Bill has also been writing a book teaching the reader to do Inductive Bible Study for himself. Bill often taught this in weekend workshops. Shortly after he returns from the Ukraine, this book will go to the printer. Bill is also in the process of writing a book, with his son Kiel, which will teach a person how to use the Greek New Testament when they do not know the Greek language This portion of the book is almost complete. Kiel will teach the reader how to use the Hebrew Old Testament when they do not know the Hebrew language. TEACHING IN EVANSTON Bill just returned from a month of teaching at the Course of Study School on the campus of Northwestern University. He taught a course in Bible to the first year class. The students of this school are second career people who wish to become pastors. Each evening Bill taught a "not-for-credit" class in Inductive Bible study as well as a course in what is called "Cooper's Greek." This is the course described in the book on how to use the Greek New Testament when you do not know the language. This was a wonderful teaching experience for Bill. PRAY FOR INDIANA! As you know, we will be conducting the spiritual life retreat for the North Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church in October of 1996. For the past few newsletters we have been asking you to join us in praying for the pastors of that conference. The demands on a pastor's life have drastically increased. They need our concern and prayer. We would also appreciate it if you would pray for our preparation for this retreat. It is our sincere desire that the material that we present will make a definite difference in the lives of those who attend. Only God can make this happen. |
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