Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Nov/67

Contributor - T. Hogerwaard

Title - God's Sorrow

Topic - Meditation

"Sons I have reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against Me. The ox knows its owner, and the ass its master's crib; bus Israel does not know, My people does not understand." Isaiah 1:2-3

In one of his books the late Professor Dr. S. H. J. F. Berkelbach v. d. Sprenkel drew attention to the fact that we human beings consider ourselves mighty important and interesting. We like to talk about ourselves, we like best to occupy ourselves with ourselves; also in matters of faith.

Many of our hymns for instance confirm these remarks of the former Utrecht professor of theology. Everything in them is concentrated upon ourselves, our feelings, our well-being, our salvation. Unfortunately, these are the most beloved hymns in most congregations!

This reveals the deep-seated sickness of our self-centered religion which saps the strength of our life and makes our Christianity the sorry spectacle it is.

In the Scriptures it is totally different. So it was in the days of the 'Reformation. There God and what He had done for us in Christ filled the mind with unspeakable joy and wonder, made the Christians willing to do, to endure and to die for the Son of God Who had died for them. Notwithstanding the dangers and hardships it must have been a glorious time to live in.

If and when we think of God, do we only think of Him as the One Who takes care of our salvation? Or do we trust, obey, love and worship Him because of what He is? Do we ever try to understand His position? One of the greatest tragedies of life is the way in which loving parents are sometimes treated by their children. Is that not only a small reminder of the way in which the Lord God has been treated - since creation - by those for whom He has done everything? The Old Testament is full of complaints about the way people have seen fit to treat God. The words which Isaiah spoke in God's Name are only one example out of many: "Sons I have reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against Me. The ox knows its owner, and the ass its master's crib, but Israel does not know, My people does not understand."

Moses was on the mountain, in God's presence, to receive God's commands, the expression of God's gracious Covenant with them, that they might be His people and live as His people. But during the same time that this happened, the people themselves made a golden calf; feasting and drinking, dancing and fornication were going on in full force. That's what they actually wanted, that's what satisfied completely their hearts' desire. They really did not want anything else besides!

The beginning of the Gospel of John declares "the world" and "the Church" equally guilty. "The true Light that enlightens every man was coming into the world; He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world knew Him not; He came to His own home, and His own people received Him not. Things have not changed since then.

The Lord does not force His presence upon us; He only enters where He is welcome: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me."

Have we already heard Him knocking at the door of our heart? Or have we been too busy making money and seeking fun or even too busy in Church work to hear His voice?

Do we hear and recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd? That's the only thing that counts in life, you know.

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