Answers to Prayer and Providential Blessings

By Allen A. Benson

 

 

Answer 40 Heavenly Mountains

 

 

 

I was being criticized.

 

 

Criticism is not an uncommon experience, but criticism from the first Elder of the church and his wife, in our own home, regarding a sermon I preached on the previous Sabbath with subject matter taken from the Bible, was unusual.

 

I had delivered a sermon on the proper etiquette expected by God of worshipers entering His sanctuary on the Sabbath morning. God is particular about how He is worshipped and the general demeanor and attitude of His worshipers. Apparently, my sermon was too pointed for a man who thought I was preaching directly to him, therefore, he complained to the Elder who was now passing on his complaints to me in such a manner as to suggest I was somehow at fault for making him uncomfortable.

 

 

I am not a naturally combative man, therefore, I wasn’t responding to his remarks. Not only did he represent an authority in the church I respected but they were active missionaries working for the Lord at a Sanitarium and natural health facility. Therefore, I tended to respect what I thought was a greater degree of spirituality then I possessed. (Later, I discovered they were common sinners like myself and I lost some of the respect I held for them and the others who worked as missionaries at this health facility.)

 

 

While sitting there absorbing their criticism, the Lord spoke to me in His usual laconic fashion.

 

 

“Defend yourself,” he said.

 

 

This remark, audible only to myself, seemed to free my tongue and I defended myself most vigorously against this false criticism. The Elder and his wife departed some time later confounded by my unanswerable arguments about the offended man and their all too willing criticism of the one who unintentionally rebuked him.

 

 

The Lord does not desire His children to hold their peace when others are criticizing them for speaking His words but to defend themselves with the word of God for they are really defending their Master who gave them a message to deliver in His name. (Criticism for wrong doing should be regarded as an opportunity to learn valuable lessons.)

 

 

I learned a valuable lesson at that time that I have never forgotten. When the Lord sends us on a mission or gives words to speak in His name or for His cause, it is not virtuous to hold our peace when attacked by the forces of darkness. Our response must be measured by love, but our Master expects us to defend His cause from those who would destroy it.

 

 

Praise the Lord!

 

 

[Back] [Contents] [Next]

[Site Contents]

[Adultery] [Advent] [Answers to Prayer] [Biblical Snapshots] [Country Living] [Dear Brothers] [Descriptions of Heaven] [Disease and Its Causes] [E-Mail] [Favorite Scriptures] [Foxe's Book of Martyrs] [God's Remnant Church] [History of God's People] [KJV] [Language of Heaven] [Ministry of Healing] [Portrait Gallery] [Prophets and Prophecy] [Qualifications for Heaven] [Righteousness by Faith]