How marvelous is the thought that God, the Creator, has endowed man, the created, with the capacity to delight His divine heart, or to sicken His (anthropomorphic) stomach! (comp. Rev. 3:16).
    Since the entrance of sin into the universe, God has despised it in all its many and varied forms. When it "professes religion" and offers sacrifices to Jehovah, it is still abominable; the abomination is intensified when presented with a wicked mind, (Prov. 21:27). Even the PRAYER of one who refuses to heed God's word is an abomination to Him! (Prov. 28:9). God will not accept the sacrifice, or hear the prayers, of those who refuse Him the reins of their hearts! (Isa. 1:10-15).
    Because she refused the lordship of Jehovah over her life, the sacrifices of ancient Judah were rejected as unacceptable; nor would the Lord regard the sweetness of her cane-offerings, (Jer. 6:8). She had refused to learn that OBEDIENCE is a necessary pre-requisite

    One must take great care not to confuse "Zeal", a principle, with "enthusiasm", a feeling. The one is a spark of optimistic temperament and overheated imagination. The other, a sacred flame kindled at God's altar, and burning in God's shrine. Such was the holy, heavenly zeal of our Great Exemplar! His were no transient outbursts of ardor, to be cooled by time and impeded by difficulties. His life was one indignant protest against sin; one ceaseless current of undying love for souls, which all the malignity of foes, and unkindness of friends, could not divert from its course.
    Even when Our Lord arose from the dead, and men thought His work to be ended, His zeal meditates upon fresh deeds of love. He is intent upon doing more. Having finished the work that He came down to accomplish, He sent His disciples word that He was returning to heaven to do another, (Jn. 20:17).
    Do YOU know anything of this zeal, such as "many waters could not quench"? See that, like your Lord's, it is steady, sober,

consistent and undeviating. How many are, like the children of Ephraim, "carrying bows" - all zealous when zeal demands no sacrifice, but "turning their backs in the day of battle"! Others, "running well" for a time, but gradually "hindered", through the benumbing influence of worldliness, selfishness, and sin.
    Two disciples, apparently equally devoted, send through Paul, in one at His epistles, a joint Christian salutation: "Luke and Demas greet you". A few years later Paul writes from His Roman dungeon "Only Luke is with me" ... "Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world"!
    While zeal is commendable, one must keep in mind the qualification that the apostle placed upon it: "It is good to be zealously affected always in a GOOD thing". A great deal passes for zeal today which does not bear the image and superscription of our Lord. There is

zeal for church membership and party; zeal for human creeds and dogmas; zeal for figments and non-essentials. "From such turn away!" The stamp of our Lord's approval is never found upon such counterfeits. His zeal was ever brought to bear upon two objects, and those alone - the glory of God and the good of men. May it be so with you.
    First of all, enter into the sanctuary of your own heart with "the scourge of small cords". Drive out every unhallowed intruder there. And do not permit yourself to be deceived. Others may call such jealous searching's of spirit "sanctimoniousness" and "enthusiasm". But remember, to be zealous about everything except "the one thing needful" is an insult to God and to your eternal interests!
    Be zealous for OTHERS. Dying multitudes are around you. As a member of the Christian priesthood, it becomes you to rush in with your censer and incense - between the living and the dead, "that the plague maybe stayed"!
    Be it ever yours to say: "Dear Lord, I am YOURS! Yours only! Yours wholly! Yours for ever! I am willing to follow You, and to SUFFER for You. I am ready, at Your bidding, to leave the homestead in the valley, and to face the cutting blasts of the mountain. Take me! Use me for Your glory. "Lord! what will YOU have me to do?
    O, that the Lord, in this late hour, might raise up MANY WITNESSES whose hearts are truly yielded to His lordship; - vessels that are truly AVAILABLE for His use and holy service! Are YOU willing to be such a vessel?

    The editor's Commentary on Isaiah - published by the Blessed Hope Foundation, of Lakeland, Florida - is now ready for distribution.


ABOMINATION? OR DELIGHT? .. Cont'd.

to acceptable sacrifice, (comp. I Sam. 15:22). Sacrifices offered to Jehovah without justice and righteousness are an insult to Him, (Amos 3:21-22)!

    In contrast, the Lord hears and delights in the prayers of the righteous, (Prov. 15:8b, 29b). How beautiful the words of King David - a man after God's own heart!

    In Psalm 50:14-15 Asaph encourages Israel to worship God in an acceptable manner. The eyes of the Lord are constantly watching over the righteous - for their good, (Psa. 34:15-17); He hears their cry, (Psa. 145:18-19). Though the humble and contrite know not how to express their deepest yearnings to God. The Holy Spirit "makes intercession for us" - making our unutterable groanings intelligible. (Rom. 8:26-27). But prayer is always hindered when one regards iniquity in his heart, (Psa. 66:13-19).
    Using Elijah as an example. James declares that "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much", (Jas. 5:16-17). As "the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous", so are His ears "open unto their prayers", (1 Peter 3:12). This should enable the trusting soul to enter boldly into the holiest with God, (Heb. 4:16; 10:19-22).
    How our hearts ought to adore, exult in and praise the Lord for His marvelous grace - manifested so abundantly toward us unworthy sinners! The voice of praise is particularly sweet to His ears. "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me", (Psa. 50:23).

    Before God, is YOUR life an ABOMINATION? or is it such as DELIGHTS THE HEART OF THE ALMIGHTY? EG


    Heaven and earth would be searched in vain for one whose goodness approaches that of our Lord. No other can forgive sins; give a new heart, a heavenly mind, with both the will and ability to walk in the way of truth and righteousness. He alone can give eternal life to trusting souls, and implant within the hope of never-fading glory beyond death and the grave. He is truly THE INCOMPARABLE ONE!

    But, who really knows Him, and trusts Him in such a way? To whom is the arm of the Lord so revealed? It belongs ONLY to those who have trusted Him wholly - yielding their all to Him, in faith, and entering into the blessed intimacy of that fellowship which is "with the Father, and with the Son". It belongs constantly, and radiantly, to those who have learned to "delight themselves" in Him - whose heart-reins have been delivered into His benevolent hands.
    To those whose eyes are upon Him, in loving adoration and jubilant expectancy, he gives more than heart can desire, or the mind comprehend. Such blessedness cannot be conceived by one who has never experienced it. Truly, "Eye hath not see, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him", (I Cor. 2:9).


    Sister Brenda Bambino back into our membership, by restoration, and pray that the Lord will richly bless her life and testimony for His own glory and praise.
    Late word from Missionary Edgar Sullivan indicates that he (at this date) is attempting to establish a "beachhead" in Canton, China. It has been his desire for many years to find an opening on the mainland of China. PRAY - both for his safety, and for the opening there of a "door of opportunity"!