In every age there have been timid men—men who have lacked vision and foresight, who have wavered and failed in courage and decision. Some are perplexed and fearful because of their own failures or the mistakes of others. Even men who have seemed strong in special crises and wise to meet difficulties, may come to a place where they feel that the very foundations of their faith are crumbling; others, conscious of weaknesses of which their brethren are ignorant, are self-discouraged; and still others are, as we say, pessimistic by nature, and lack a sane and healthy outlook on life. All these need help and encouragement, as the sick man needs a physician.
The Christian minister is the natural helper of the soul-sick,—men who are timid, weak, fearful,—and he should ever live so near to the Lord that he will be able at all times to speak words of courage and cheer. It is a part of his business to help men to succeed. Once the Lord said, "Hast thou considered My servant Job?" and held him up as a perfect man. One reason for this is set forth in the words of Eliphaz, spolen to Job in the days of his trouble: "Your words have kept men on their feet, the weak-kneed you have nerved." Job 4:4, Moffatt's translation.
Surely it was high praise of Job to have this report made of his life and helpfulness. There have been many examples down through the ages to whom the same tribute could be paid. In our own work we have known such men. Few persons ever helped more young men to come to a definite decision to give their lives to this ministry than our beloved fellow worker, Elder R. A. Underwood. Of him it might be said, as of Job: "Thy words- have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees." What a contrast is such a man—a man, who helps men to stand on their feet, and to succeed—to those who speak words of doubt, and suggest defeat and failure to those whose feet are faltering and undecided.
How easily the words of men fall into two definite alignments,—those that plant the seeds of distrust and doubt and unbelief, and those that impart strength and courage and faith in the purposes of God; the words that keep "men on their feet," or the words that cast the final balance toward lost hope and eternal' death! What a responsibility is laid upon the Christian minister in the light of this solemn fact!
Words that will keep men on their feet—tens of thousands of men are in desperate need of hearing such words spoken today. Some have fallen so often under temptation that they have no confidence that they can do right. They are in the grip of doubt and fear, and are wavering in their purpose to serve God. Others, and many of them, have yielded so often to sin that they are without hope, and have lost their zeal, and even their wish, to gain the victory. Then we always have men who have made mistakes in judgment, and are disheartened as a result of their failures.
A little boy in a large city had been struck down by a passing vehicle. A lady saw him bleeding and helpless. She leaned over him and said, "What can I do to help you?" The lad replied, "Please lift me up." Wherever life has been wounded and bereft, there is that cry for help, "Lift me up!" No man downed by failure but longs for another opportunity. The sick desire health; the poor crave the means for food and clothing; the man who has sinned longs for the sympathy and confidence of his brethren.
Christ was ever a helper of men; lifting them up, healing their diseases, speaking the word that would set them on their feet spiritually. Those who came to Him were beggars, cripples, mutes, blind men, paralytics, lepers, insane people. Sin had dragged them into the pit; they were completely down, so far as men were concerned. But never did a sick or sin-wounded soul appeal to Christ who did not receive help and healing, and at the same time hear words that set him on his feet. To the paralytic whom He had healed, Christ said: "Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee." To the woman standing in His presence bowed down with the consciousness of guilt, He said: "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." To the fishermen at Galilee He said, "Follow Me," and the record is that they left all, and followed Him. Christ's words set men on their feet, and sent' them away from His presence able to walk. What an example for us to follow!
Christ never looked down upon men because they had failed. No instance is on record where He said to the erring, You have sinned too often to be counted as one of My children away from My presence! He never reproached men for what they had been; He never reminded them of the pit from which they had been lifted. No; He helped every soul who ever asked aid from Him. Mary Magdalene came into His presence and was graciously received. Judas, though a thief and a robber, was allowed to keep his place with the twelve until the end. Peter denied his Lord with an oath in the presence of the enemies of Christ, yet Christ held Peter with His love; and it was the love and kindness of Christ after Peter's fall that set him on his feet. The tolerance of Christ is wonderful, and should teach us all to strive to be like Him.
Many a timid young man needs a "word fitly spoken" to give him a new start. Criticism seldom helps the despondent and discouraged. The word of confidence that a man can succeed is needed. Wise counsel, words of courage and hope, may save a soul from death.
It is the work of the minister of Christ to lift men onto their feet and help them to stand. To him is given the commission: "Lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed." Heb. 12:12, 13.
This is the work of a true Christian. No man should ever be discouraged by an ambassador from heaven. Men are to be lifted up and encouraged. They are to be educated in
faith and prayer and hope. Let us take to ourselves the exhortation of Isaiah: "Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; He will come and save you." Isa. 35:3, 4. Certainly we as workers, like Job, can so influence others in their crises that it can be said of us, "Your words have kept men on their feet."
I.H.E.
