Truth Magazine

By Dorris V. Rader

The bumper sticker on the car ahead of me read, “Lead, Follow, Or Move Out Of The Way.” You have no doubt had experiences on the highway, in which you would have loved to give this advice to someone not going anywhere in particular and hindering anyone else who would like to move along. In driving along the roads and highways, I am not a horn honker, and impatient kind of a person that allows these sightseers, and joy riders to work me into a frenzy or to elevate my blood pressure. However, I think we ought to get our indignation worked up somewhat when people become simply “blockers” on the road to heaven. Those who are not especially trying to go there and, hence, cannot lead anyone else, and will not follow those who seek to go, ought to simply move out of the way. Somehow, this message needs to be conveyed. God wants leaders and followers and there is no place for simply blocking the road.

That God calls for spiritual leadership among his people, no student of the Bible will surely try to deny. For the nation of Israel, the people of God under the Old Testament, God raised up Moses to be their leader (Exod. 3,4). He has always had his own plan for leadership of his people. In the time of Samuel , the people rejected God’s plan for judges and called for a king, to be like the nations about them (1 Sam. 8:5,19). When men want a different arrangement than God’s, they always have a perfectly good “reason” for not accepting his plan. But no movement can succeed and amount to much without proper leadership. The greater the movement, the more urgent the need for leadership. “Both the will of God and the nature of people attest to the necessity of leadership (Eph. 4:11-16; Acts 20:17-29,” wrote brother Glen Barnhart in Attitudes and Reactions to Congregational Problems, 50). Whether or not we understand that the nature of people demands leadership, we ought to know the plain teaching of the Word of God calls for the appointment of elders, bishops, pastors, or shepherds in every church (Acts 14:23).

Something is wanting until such is accomplished (Tit. 1:5). It did not take any great span of years in the early church for men to meet the qualifications which the Holy Spirit laid down for men to be appointed to such a role of leadership (see Acts 14:23). When there are men who meet the Holy Spirit’s qualifications, they ought to be appointed and thus supply that which is lacking. Just anybody will not do, because specific qualifications must be met (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9). Those who do qualify ought to accept with a willing mind, the good work of leading and of watching for souls (Heb. 13:17). “If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work” (1 Tim. 3:1). This indicates it is a proper thing for one so qualified to desire the work. It is a tremendous responsibility, and should be so recognized, but God needs and wants leadership for his people. However, God did not intend that all be leaders. If all were leaders, where were the followers? If all are overseers, who are the overseen? Everyone cannot be a “chief.” Some have to be just Indians. There is no formal list of qualification given for followers, but surely there are some traits which must be evident in a follower. Basic among those traits is humility. That is, a recognition of one’s own lack of leadership traits, and therefore the need to be a follower of those whom the Holy Spirit says should be doing the leading. Also, one may simply need to recognize that he is a novice, or one lacking in experience and spiritual maturity that comes with time and development. This is certainly no reflection upon one. For, such is true of every person at a point in his spiritual development. But, whatever the reason may be that one is not suited for the leadership role, it takes humility to recognize it and accept the leadership role of those who are qualified. Paul admonished the Thessalonians to “know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you. And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” It seems significant to me, that as Paul tells these Christians how to be good followers, almost with the same stroke of his pen, he said, “be at peace among yourselves” (1 Thess.5:12-13). That indicates to me, that on this very matter there was not the peace and accord that ought to have been. Were some of them kicking at the idea of being followers? This is far too often the case. Some, while not qualified to be such leaders themselves, are neither content to follow nor to let peace prevail while qualified men lead. Too often they do not themselves provide the kind and quality of leadership God calls for, but spend much time obstructing those who could and would lead the flock of God aright. This does not mean that those designated leaders of the flock of God have all the wisdom and that they cannot benefit from the counsel and wisdom of others in the flock. They can and should benefit from feedback from others but somebody must have the leadership role. Where this is not the case, there is confusion and disarray within the flock.

Yes, the bumper sticker admonished to either lead, or follow or move out of the way. Do not simply obstruct. This is surely sound advice in spiritual matters. Now, it should go without saying, that none should blindly follow any man. The people of God who are to follow are likewise told to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). Even those who heard and followed the apostles’ teaching were commended for receiving the word with a ready mind and searching the scriptures daily to see if the things they were taught were true (Acts 17:11). But, when leaders follow the Lord’s instructions in their leading, then others should follow. There is no justification for simply being a blocker, unless there is scriptural grounds that can be established for such. What our preferences, prejudices, or personal feelings may be, do not constitute scripture or a valid reason for blocking the road. As the bumper sticker said, either lead, follow or else move over out of the way! Remember, that in the judgment God is the one who will have the final word as to whether I have been a leader, a follower or simply a blocker, and a hinderer.

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 10, p. 18-19
May 19, 1994

By Lewis Willis

It was Job who said, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). Many men would attest to the truthfulness of that statement. Often our troubles come upon us so quickly and unceasingly that we cannot even discern their source. All we know is that we are “full of trouble.”

If we had only an occasional time of difficulty, most would handle the situation with deliberation. However, it is when the troubles overwhelm us that we become weary and distressed. There is a need to cry for help but, frequently, men do not know where to turn for aid and comfort.

Christian, this brings us to one of our greatest blessings in the Lord. Perhaps we sometimes overlook it, but it is there that we can find special providence in time of need. As is always true of providence, it is difficult to identify the workings of God. I have never been terribly concerned about identifying what God has done  he takes care of that. I am interested in affirming that he has promised his help to his people who are serving him. One of the great messages of the Scriptures is that God helps and delivers those Who trust in him (Psa. 37:40).

Permit me to focus our attention on the promise of God’s help which is found in a single Bible book, the book of Psalms. The Scriptures speak for themselves. After we note these, we will make an application.

Man Cannot Help

Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help (Psa.22:11).

Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man (Psa. 60:11;108:12).

Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help (Psa. 146:3).

Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence (Psa. 94:17).

I find it interesting and important that David affirms that man can neither deliver himself, nor find deliverance in other men. In that last passage quoted above (Psa. 94:17) he said without the Lord, his soul was dead. Man must learn not to trust in men, even noble men (Psa. 146:3).

God Can And Will Help

And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him (Psa. 37:40).

Why art thou cast down, 0 my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God:for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance (Psa. 42:5).

Help In Time of Trouble .. .

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psa. 46:1).

But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, 0 God: thou art my help and my deliverer; 0 Lord, make no tarrying (Psa. 70:5).

O God, be not far from me: 0 my God, make haste for my help (Psa. 71:12).

O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: he is their help and their shield… Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield (Psa. 115:9, 11).

Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts (Psa. 119:173).

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth (Psa. 121:1-2).

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God (Psa.146:5).

Let me see if I can summarize what David has said about the help God gives to his people. He said God, which made heaven and earth, is our hope. He is present to help when we are in trouble. He will deliver us. This deliverance is contingent upon us trusting in him and choosing to live by his precepts or commandments. The man who does this is happy or blessed.

From The New Testament

The same message that God will help his people is found in the gospel. Consider: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb. 13:5-6). “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20). “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God … I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:6, 13). “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Pet. 5:6-7).

The message is undeniable. God is available to help his people in their times of trouble if they will trust in him and do his will.

Application

All that has been said is valuable to the Christian only if he will apply it in his life. We cannot afford the luxury of forgetting or ignoring what God has promised us. Certainly, no one is justified in blaming God for his troubles, when he has failed to apply this truth in his life. God is not the author of bad things, but of good. James said, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (Jas. 1:17). It is the Devil who is the source of our problems, not God. Peter said, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). We must be careful that we not falsely charge God with our troubles. He is not the cause of the troubles  he is the help and deliverance from them.

I was just thinking, if all of these things are true, and they are, why do many Christians, in time of trouble, drift away from God instead of toward him? It is one of the sad facts of our time that we frequently will not turn for help to the only true and reliable source of help  the Lord God. Perhaps these thoughts will help us by way of reminder.

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 11, p. 3-4
June 2, 1994

By Olen Holderby

If I was the Devil, I would consider myself to basically have two problems: (1) How I could keep control of people in general? (2) How I might ensnare the Christian?

1. If I was the Devil, the very first thing I would do would be to discredit the inspiration, perfection, and authority of the Scriptures. I would do my best to find an argument that would keep you out in the world from accepting these as attributes of the Scriptures. Perhaps I could do so through your schooling, your friends, the music to which you listen, or through the published materials which you read. How-ever, I would not dare to show you 2 Timothy 3:16; James 1:25; or 1 Corinthians 4:6 and 2 John 9. For should you read these you could believe that all Scripture came by inspiration of God, that it is a perfect law, and that you were to be limited in teaching and practice by those Scriptures. Thus, I might fail here, but I would not give up.

Next, if I was the Devil I would try to persuade you that you had plenty of time to obey the gospel, that you had some things that you could and should enjoy before you settle down to become a Christian. Of course if you managed to read 2 Corinthians 6:2 or Hebrews 3:15, you could see things a little differently. Then, should you happen to read the examples of conversion in Acts of the Apostles you would immediately see the urgency in obeying the gospel. So, again I might fail, but I would not quit.

Should you really believe the Scriptures and knew that you should obey in haste, I would point out how difficult it would be for you to live the lifeof a Christian. You just couldn’t do it, I would point out. Look at all those who are trying and how far short they fall; you would not wish to be a hypocrite in such an effort. If some truly concerned Christian should have you read Galatians 6:2, you would know that you would have the help of other of God’s people. And, to make matters worse for me, that same Christian might have you read 1 Corinthians 10:13. I could see failure of my efforts here, because you would realize that you had the assistance of the Almighty.

Has the Devil Been Talking to You?

2. If I was the Devil I would wish to en-snare the Christian, thus weaken or destroy the influence of the church. I would advertize my products as belonging in the home, I would point to all the celebrities using them, and how that in moderation they were harmless. And, I would point to the popularity of those who use my products. For the places which I wished you to go, I would make such as clean and attractive to the eye as possible. For the young, I would have a “chaperon” for all these places and activities. Yes, sir, if I was the Devil that is exactly what I would do. Live it up, when in Rome do as the Romans do, I would say. But, I would be very careful that you did not read 1 Thessalonians 5:22 or Romans 12:2, especially if you were really honest. For, then, you would see something wrong with my reasoning. Then, if you should read Ephesians 5:6 and you really wanted to reach heaven, you would want no part of my advice. This is all true because, you see, my success depends greatly upon your cooperating with me. Alas, I might fail in this if you did not wish to walk with me.

Has the Devil been talking to you?

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 11, p. 10
June 2, 1994

By Larry Ray Hafley

The chart below is self explanatory. Many things are said to be “in Christ.” These items are listed and the Scriptures cited. How does one get “into Christ” where the benefits and blessings are located? The Bible says we are “baptized into Jesus Christ.”

HOW DOES ONE THINGS IN CHRIST

GET “INTO (In His Body, Church)

CHRIST” 1. All Spiritual Blessings Eph. 1:3

WHERE THESE

BLESSINGS 2. Grace 2 Tim. 2:1

ARE? 3. Salvation 2 Tim. 2:10

4. Eternal Life 1 Jn. 5:11

5. Redemption Eph. 1:7

6. Forgiveness of Sins Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14

“BAPTIZED

INTO JESUS 7. Righteousness 2 Cor. 5:21

CHRIST” 8. God’s Love Rom. 8:39

Rom. 6:3 9. Born Again 2 cor 5:17

Gal. 3:27 10. Peace Jn.16:33

 

Men today tell us that we should stress the blessings in Christ, but that we should not give emphasis to baptism and the church. Should we follow their advice? Are the items “in Christ” a part of God’s provisions of grace while the way to obtain those blessings (baptism) is not?

1. Noah was a “preacher of righteousness” (2 Pet. 2:5). (A) Suppose he told men that salvation from the flood was by finding “grace” as he had done but failed to tell them that deliverance from drowning was in the ark and that they had to be in the ark to be saved. (B) Suppose he told some that salvation by grace was “in the ark” but failed to tell them where the ark was located. Would this have been right? Let us ask Noah. Noah, why did you tell men to find grace and not tell them where that grace was obtained? Noah, why did you tell some that salvation was “in the ark” but fail to tell them where the ark was located? Noah replies:

I believe that we are too busy trying to preach ourselves. We are trusting too much in the ark and not enough in God. Men trust in the map that tells them how to get to the ark rather than in God. If I preach that men must be in the ark to be saved, they will trust in the ark as their savior. The ark does not save. God saves. Therefore, I believe in emphasizing the message about the grace of God that I found (Gen. 6:8). If I preach that the ark is the place of deliverance from the flood and tell men how to get “into” it, that would make me a “preacher of the ark” and not of “grace.” Men might charge me with teaching “boat salvation” if I tell the truth, so I just preach “grace” and trust in the Lord.

Can you imagine Noah saying such things? No; yet that is what men say of us today when we preach that salvation is in the Christ and that Jesus is “the savior of the body,” the church (Eph. 5:23).

2. In Numbers 21, the people murmured against the Lord. He sent “fiery serpents” among them. Many were bitten and many died. They cried unto the Lord for deliverance. God told Moses to lift up a brazen serpent. Those who looked on it were healed. God’s grace made the serpent of brass. His love and mercy provided for their healing. Should Moses have told the people of God’s grace, love and mercy while refusing to tell them to come to the serpent of brass and look on it in order to be healed? Should Moses have reasoned that if he dwelt on the serpent of brass that men would trust in it rather than in the Lord? Should he have told them of what God had done for them in graciously granting the brazen serpent but fail to tell them where the serpent was located so they could come and look on it and live?

I can hear Moses’ critics: “Moses, you should preach God’s love and his desire to save. You should not preach so much on the serpent. You should not spend so much time telling men where the serpent of brass is located. They are trusting in the map that leads to the serpent rather than in God. Moses, you are preaching `snake salvation.’ It is alright to tell men of the brass serpent, but do not spend so much time on where it is located and do not tell them that they must `look’ on it in order to be healed. When you do that, people put their faith in their eyesight and not on the Lord.”

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of men be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:14, 15). Men had to be told of the lifting up of that serpent in the wilderness. Men had to be told how to receive the healing in that serpent (come, look and live). Men must be told of the lifting up of the Son of man on the cruel cross. Then they must be told how to appropriate the benefits of that death on the cross (“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved”).

3. Naaman was told to dip seven times in the river Jordan (2 Kgs. 5). When he did. so, he was cleansed of leprosy. Let us hear Elisha’s critics. “Elisha, you said nothing about God’s great grace and power. You told Naaman, `He that goeth and is washed shall be cleansed.’ You made it sound like the water was Naaman’s savior. Now, we believe that Naaman had to dip or be diseased, just like you do, but we believe that you should put more emphasis on God’s grace and love and not so much on the dipping and the water. Why did you fail to stress God’s power and grace to heal? Why did you not mention those things? That is the trouble with prophets today. They preach the doing of the dipping and leave out the kindness that cleanses.”

Would that have been a fair criticism of Elisha? No, and neither is it fair to criticize gospel preachers who do as Elisha did through his messenger. When we tell men what to do and how to be healed from sin, we are not ignoring or neglecting the grace of God. We are not making the water our savior. Elisha did not. We do not. In fact, when Naaman obeyed the prophet’s word, he said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel” (2 Kgs. 5:15). He did not trust in the washing or in the water. He trusted in God after he did what God said do. It is just as true today. If Elisha had such critics and if he had listened to them, Naaman would have died of leprosy!

One Ark, One Serpent, One River, One Cross, One Body

We may speculate that Noah was not the only one whohad access to a sailing vessel. Surely, someone had a ship; it is unlikely that Noah had the world’s only boat. How-ever, as we know, he had the only boat that would float. Are we being negative and narrow-minded when we declare that all of those outside the one, true ark drowned? Did the screams, prayers and sincerity of those perishing in the waters of the flood count for nothing? Were they really all lost outside the ark?

Only one serpent of brass was upheld in the wilderness. Only one provided for healing of snake bite. What about a prayerful prophet, miles from the camp, who constructed his own serpent of brass? Could he call men to it and tell them that they need not make a long trip to Moses’ serpent? Could he tearfully tell them that God is a God of grace, love and compassion? Could he tell them to simply bow “right where you are and say the sinner’s prayer”? Could he tell them to pray and look on his substitute serpent? Could he promise them a healing if they would take “a look of faith”? Yes, he could have done all those things, but to what avail? Would it have helped? Are you so narrow-minded that you actually believe there was only one, true serpent? When you preach and point to Moses’ serpent, are you not putting your faith in the healing power of the serpent and not in the grace and power of God?

Naaman thought that “Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus” were just as suitable as the Jordan. “May I not,” he angrily protested, “wash in them and be clean” (2 Kgs. 5:12). Was there really only one, true river? Could noble Naaman have washed in the Wabash, could he have dipped in the Danube, and been healed? The Jordan had no healing power of itself; baptism has no healing power apart from the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 3:21). The church cannot save; a wooden boat cannot save; a brazen serpent cannot save. However, only those who obey God’s chosen appointments can be saved by his grace and power.

Three crosses were “lifted up” the day Jesus died. Shall we say that by choosing the proper cross that we are worshipping wood and trusting in a tree to save? Shall we have “the cross of our choice”? We can no more pick and choose our own cross than the Israelites could pick and choose their own serpent. So, we come to the only cross that can save, that of the Christ. How do we obtain the healing afforded by that cross? Do we pray to it? Do we bow before a symbol of it? Do we wear a replica of it around our necks? Do we simply acknowledge that cross and “claim” its power to remit and redeem? “What must I do to be saved?”

Does the answer to that question take away from the cross and Jesus’ death? Did Noah’s entering of the ark negate God as his savior? Did the Israelite who looked on a material serpent deprecate God’s power? Did Naaman’s washing in Jordan deprive God of the glory of his healing? No (2 Kgs. 5:15)! And when a man preaches the truth regarding water baptism he is not turning men from the death of Christ. He is leading them to it (Rom. 6:3, 4; Col. 2:12). We are “baptized into his death.” Telling Naaman what to do and where to do it did not discredit the power of God. Telling snake bitten men where the brazen serpent was and how to be healed by it did not turn men from the work of God, and telling men what to do to be saved doesnot turn men from the grace of God and the cross of Christ!

(1) God reconciles men “in Christ” (2 Cor. 5:19)

(2) God reconciles men “in one body,” the church (Eph. 1:22,23; 2:16).

Conclusion: Men are reconciled unto God if they are in Christ, in his body, the church.

(1) One “in Christ” is not an alien (Eph. 2:12, 13).

(2) One “in the household, or church of God” is not a foreigner (Eph. 2:19; 1 Tim. 3:15).

Conclusion: One is in God’s family if he is in Christ, in his body, the church.

(1) People are “baptized into Jesus Christ” (Rom. 6:3, 4; Gal. 3:27).

(2) People are “baptized into one body,” the church (1 Cor. 12:13).

Conclusion: People who have not been baptized are not in Christ, in his body, the church.

Are the facts and conclusions above true? One brother has said that he is “not one of those `circle drawing,” arrow pointing’ preachers.” That is presumably how he “answers” the Scriptures cited above. Smirky grins and snide disclaimers cannot upset the firm foundation of God! The material above is the truth, not because we say it, but because it is what the Bible teaches. What of those who refuse it? “But though we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8).

It will not suffice to say, “We point men to Christ and the cross and not to baptism and the church.” There is no excuse for those who sweetly state, “We point men to Christ and the cross of grace and not to baptism and the church.” One cannot have Christ and he cannot lead men to Christ apart from the word of Christ. Men do greatly err who believe to the contrary. Do not be fooled by those who eloquently “mouth” or speak the term, “Christ,” but who would seek to turn you from the “word of Christ” in the New Testament.

(A) Jesus said, “He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me” (Lk. 10:16). Those who refuse the teaching of Jesus on baptism and the church refuse Christ and God the Father! (B) Jesus said, “He that receiveth whomsoever I send (the word of the “holy apostles and prophets” of the New Testament  LRH) receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me” On. 13:20). Those who preach the truth on baptism and the church as taught by the apostles are the ones who receive Christ and God. Those who speak against the preaching of those items do not receive Christ; they have not God (2 Jn. 9). (C) Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (Jn. 12:48). The one who does not receive the words of Christ concerning baptism and the church directly and personally rejects Jesus!

Final “Word Of Exhortation”

Max Lucado, Rubel Shelly, Bill Love (author of The Core Gospel), C. Leonard Allen (author of The Cruciform Church), and others are having an impact among churches and preachers of Christ. The material in this lengthy series is designed to combat their philosophy. Many do not perceive the need for this series. They will say that we are fighting straw men and windmills, foes that do not exist. If they are right, no harm is done by reminding brethren of these basis truths, and, therefore, no offense should be taken to these warnings. (Oh, how fervently do I pray and fondly do I wish that they were correct in their assessment!) They do not believe that such views exist among children of God. However, letters and articles, experience and observation speak to the contrary. If you have not seen or heard such things as we have discussed, thank God. If you have not, it is likely that you will. Restless winds of doctrine are stirring; there is a covert network of men and minds that resent the teaching of the word of God we have set forth. Their mouths and methods are subtle. If possible, they would deceive the very elect. Keep your eyes and your Bible open (Acts 17:11).

The faith began in a fight (Acts). Every bit of ground that has been gained for the kingdom of God has been taken and seized. None of it has been granted or given. Our old “adversary” fights hard and dirty. He never relents. He uses honey and artful guile to attract followers. What he cannot win on the battlefield, he will seek to connive and carve out at the bargaining table of compromise. What he cannot answer, he will seek to question. What he cannot dispute, he will seek to cloak in doubt. What he cannot conquer, he will seek to confuse. What he cannot outrun, he will seek to outlast. What he cannot defile, he will seek to discourage. “We are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Cor. 2:11). “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Cor. 11:3). “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11).

Do not allow “the book of the law” of the Spirit to “depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest” (Josh. 1:8, 9).

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 11, p. 6-9
June 2, 1994