Editor's Message

It hardly seems that twelve months have passed since we last wrote such a message to our readers. Society has not improved and rebellion against all authority, both of God and man, is increasing at an alarming rate. We recognise, "the spirit of lawlessness doth already work."

However, we who accept the Lordship of Christ gladly bow to divine authority. This is something to which we acquiesced at the moment of conversion. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Rom.10.9. 1Cor.1.2, "… with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours."

In light of this please note four commands that God gives to us individually, each introduced by the expression, "be thou".

The first is in Gen.17.1, "… I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be thou perfect." This has to do with our WALK OR SOJOURNING. The revelation of God in this verse gives impetus to the injunction. El Shaddai is not fully defined as "the Almighty God." "El" signifies the Strong One and is in itself an indication of His Almightiness. Shaddai comes from a root that means a woman’s breast. Thus it has the ideas of nourishment, giving of strength as well as satisfaction, rest and calmness. Since our God is all-powerful and yet has the sustaining and sympathetic heart of a mother, He has all the resources we need to fulfil the injunction to walk before Him and be perfect. To walk before him removes hypocrisy; to be perfect removes immaturity. Is not this the teaching of Phil.1.10, "that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; …" ? "Walk before me, (SINCERE) and be thou perfect.’ (WITHOUT OFFENCE) — What a standard!

Again, the word "perfect" means upright or sincere. In the light of all that is embraced in El Shaddai we need to be free from everything that is unrighteous or questionable.

Secondly, we are enjoined in Josh.1.7, "Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses My servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest." This has to do with our WARFARE OR SOLDIERING. As Joshua was taking over the demanding role of leadership from the mighty man Moses, he is reminded four times, in this chapter, to be strong, v6, 7, 9, 18. This was not natural strength but would spring from reliance upon God and His Word. The comfort of v5, "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee", is really based on the command of v6, 7, 8. It is the same in our day, whether for leaders locally or servants in a wider sphere, all who are involved in warfare for Christ must be guided by His precepts if His presence is to be enjoyed.

Thirdly, the wise man encourages us in Proverbs 27.23, "Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds." This has to do with our WORK IN SHEPHERDING. If there is one outstanding need right through the testimony worldwide, it is for true shepherds. Their work is demanding and exhausting, involves tears and weariness, is often unappreciated, but for the spiritual good of the assembly it is absolutely vital. This task can only be carried out with diligence and that which comes from a love for the Lord who is the Good Shepherd. Brethren, we recall that because this task is so demanding, He who appreciates all that is done for His people’s spiritual good, has promised a special reward for these special men. 1Pet.5.4, "when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."

We conclude by recalling the words of the Lord Jesus Himself to the church in Smyrna, "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Rev.2.10. This encourages us as we WAIT IN SUFFERING. Many of our brethren throughout the world live in the atmosphere of the constant threat of death. If the Lord Jesus does not return soon, perhaps this will be the portion of all who come under the world’s umbrella of, "fundamental, evangelical Christianity". As we face another year we grasp His command and seek to continue in faithfulness to Himself, yet all the while looking for His coming to the air "to receive from the world His own".