PRAISE AND PRAYER
THE PRACTICE OF PRAISE AND PRAYER
Part Sixteen of Sixteen
GOD will become our All in the consummation. The
practice of praise and prayer is the approximation of this ideal in the
present. In a busy life there may be little time and few occasions for
formal, lengthy petitions or supplications, phrased in precise terms and
given audible expression. These have their place, but are by no means
essential to the constant and continuous attitude of worshipful
submission, so that the least incident in life calls forth a conscious
thought of thankfulness and an appeal for divine intervention. A few
practical examples may help to illustrate this.
The
doorbell rings. There is no time to retire to a place of prayer. We are
not aware who it is, or what it is, that brings a visitor to our door, so
there is no possibility of praising for specific blessing or praying for
definite guidance. All that we really know is our own inability to cope
with any matter apart from God, and that He is working all together for
our good. Our desire is not only to be well pleasing to Him, but also to
be used as a channel of blessing to others. To put all this into words
would be improper and impossible, and a very bad introduction to our
visitor, who would be patiently waiting outside or impatiently ringing the
bell. So we bow our head in spirit, with a fleeting consciousness of
thankfulness and petition to Him, and open the door.
The
telephone rings. We are right in the midst of this sentence, let us say,
and want to finish it. But the telephone is not very patient. It persists
in ringing, and is well calculated to make us impatient. Why should it
come just at this time, when we are trying so hard to serve the saints?
But such thoughts are swiftly banished by the underlying consciousness
that everything—even the telephone—is cooperating for our good, and we
instantly thank God for it and pray for His presence and help in
responding to the message, which may come over the wires. Once more, we
may have no idea whatever of what is coming, so have no basis for definite
petitions, although these may well follow, without saying a word, as we
listen to the voice of the speaker.
WHAT MUST BE
In
the consummation we will know that all must be right. Now we know
that much must be wrong. We know God’s ultimate will but
we do not know His present intention, for His will must be withstood
during this eon. “It is a necessity for snares to be coming”
(Matt.18:7). If we knew all that must be, and its purpose in God’s
plan, we would praise, but have little incentive to pray. As in the case
of Israel, God is not leading us out of the servitude of sin into the
freedom of His sons by the shortest and most direct route, for we need to
learn, by the want and woe of the wilderness, the evil of our own hearts,
and the goodness and grace of His fellowship and favor.
Cooperation
with the inevitable is the philosopher’s substitute for submission to
the will of God. It is far better than fighting with your fate, but it is
only the way of a slave cringing before his hard-hearted master, not of a
son delighting in the doings of his father. It is fatalism, and fosters
fear and despair, nor does it promote prayer. Even resignation to the
irresistible is far from the exultant acceptance of the perfect and
praise-worthy will of God. No impersonal force, no matter how powerful,
can take the place of a living, enlightening, loving Father, Whom we know,
and whose ultimate He has made known to us. We cannot appeal to mere
principles, nor applaud them, nor love them. Yet we do not merely
cooperate with God, but lift our inmost hearts to Him in prayer and
praise.
How
ignorant were those who were redeemed from the bondage of Egypt! And how
helpless! And how stubborn! Yet how essential were these failures in order
to reveal Jehovah’s pity and power and provision! They did not know the
way in the wilderness waste. Yet they knew more than most men do today of
their goal and the intervening journey. They had heard of their
fore-fathers, Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, all of whom had lived in the
promised land, and all had journeyed to Egypt. We have had no such
forerunners. The trials and tribulations ahead of us are hidden from our
gaze. Nothing can be relied upon but the assigned manna, the water from
the Rock and the shining Shekinah, for with us it is always night so far
as our future down here is concerned. We are constantly driven to prayer,
because of our ignorance.
What living
thing is so helpless as a human infant! It can do little except to cry to
its parents in its distress. Thus it is taught its need of a mother and
father. But, when it becomes mature and strong, it is apt to forget that,
in a higher, a spiritual sense, it is just as helpless as a babe, and its
dependence on God is just as real. But few fully realize this, even after
God has called them and imparted to them His spirit, so that they now cry
to Him, “Abba, Father.” He must graciously use weakness or failure, or
some form of evil to bring them to a realization of it, so that they cry
to Him as a little child. This is prayer. Eventually some may learn to
come to him at all times with their requests, and to solve their
perplexities. It is possible to live in constant communion, like a beloved
son with his father. This will be the fortunate fate of all in the
consummation. It will be the full fruitage of prayer.
How poor is
a newborn babe apart from its parents! Unless provided with food and
shelter, it would soon perish. Other animals are at least clothed, and
need no protecting garments. It pleases God to bring those to whom He will
allot the riches of the universe into the world as the most needy
creatures of all creation. Apart from their parents, what have they?
Unless provided internally with nourishment and externally with clothing
and housing by those who generated them, they would perish long before
they reach maturity. Indeed, a vast proportion do not develop into
self-supporting, life transmitting members of the race. And is that not
the case in the spiritual sphere as well? Those whom God calls seldom
realize their sonship and its privileges. Hence they are much better
beggars from the Father, than acclaimers of the Deity.
Most of the
saints are absorbed by their private fortune, or, rather, misfortunes, and
these monopolize their praise and prayer. And, indeed, they should be
occupied with the way by which God is leading them into a knowledge of
Himself. It would be better, however, if they were more engaged by their
future expectation, the prospect that lies beyond this time of trial and
testing. But, far better still, let us view all from God’s standpoint: “what
must be”, as much as possible. A correct knowledge of His purpose
and plan as a whole, and of as much detail as possible, is of the greatest
value in our intercourse with God, and will keep us, to some extent, free
from praying for that which must not be.
PRAYER MOVEMENTS
Many
of the great “prayer movements,” have been quite contrary to God’s
present intention. For instance, it is God’s expressed will that
all mankind should be saved (1 Tim.2:4), and He will carry out His
determination at the consummation, when all will be vivified and
reconciled (1 Cor.15:22; Col.1:20). We do not need to pray for
that. Instead, we should praise Him for thus fulfilling one of the
deepest desires which He has implanted in our hearts. But to pray for “the
evangelization of the world in this generation,” to implore, if
not pester Him “to keep His Word,” to “lay hold on the promises,”
none of which apply to the present, leads to apparent failure and brings
down dishonor and disgrace upon His great name.
We should
know the great outlines of “what must be” as unveiled in God’s
revelation, so that we can at least avoid insisting that God must go
contrary to His revealed intentions in this secret administration. But He
has disclosed only the broad outlines. In order to assure the fulfillment
of His promises He must also fix the fate, and determine the numberless
details in the life and experience of every single soul. These He has not
revealed. It is well that we should know the outline and the outcome of
His plan, but it would not be well if He had revealed all the infinite
incidentals of each life. What a Bible that would make! Indeed, the world
could not hold the volumes! He reaches down to us through the darkness to
guide us on the way. We must learn the lesson that we are lost the moment
that we lose our grip upon His helping hand.
But let us
not lose the comforting consolation that all cooperates for our
good. Even that which is contrary to His will is in accord with His
intention. If we let go of His hand and stray away into the darkness of
distance from His presence, the evil itself will be used by God to drive
us back, and becomes the principal incentive to prayer and praise.
HUMANITY DEPENDENT
Is
it not clear that mankind was created to be dependent? Its constitution
and its experience are all, designed for subordinate reception of
blessing. Even its likeness to the Deity helps to teach the same lesson.
When those below us are in harmonious subjection and obedience, they are
happy. The function of generation, which normally makes us dependent
infants and children and then, as parents, gives us dependents, is
designed to teach us the blessed portion of thankful, trusting obedience.
How many have heaved a sigh for the happy days of their childhood! How
many have wished they had someone to whom they could go as a child to its
parent, confident that all would be well? All these experiences are but a
preparation for that delightful day when all will look to the Deity as
their Father, thankful and assured that all is in His beneficent hand and
heart.
THE BEST MEDICINE
A
state of constant submission, thankfulness and assurance that all is
cooperating for our good is a tree of life to all who live under its shade
and enjoy its fruit. All the so-called “faith healing” of believers or
unbelievers, cannot be compared to it. I have known of many who acclaimed
to be healed of bodily ills by believing the evangel of the kingdom that
God intervenes miraculously now, as He will in the future, so that all our
ills can be instantly cured if we have enough faith. Most of these “believers”
are now in their graves, some due to overdoses of medicine, while I am
still able to deal with trying tasks of translation. There is some
distorted truth in the basic, idea of so-called “Christian science,”
and “faith healing,” for the mental state powerfully affects the
physical functions (even if the faith is false), but it is far more
healthful to believe the undiluted truth of God’s benevolent designs,
and His constant care and provision for the evils which must mar the way.
We have the true, the trustworthy, the triumphant “faith healing!”
Physical
relaxation is one of the best cures for the nerves. A beloved brother in
Christ once came to me in a very excited state, so that he could hardly
express himself. So I insisted that he be seated, lean far back, stretch
out his legs, let his arms hang limply at his side, and drop his jaw so
that his mouth was open, and let everything go! It was not long till his
nervousness vanished and the tenseness of his muscles disappeared. He was
relaxed and felt much better. Even more benefits may be obtained in the
spiritual sphere if we fall back wholly on God and rid ourselves of the
spiritual strain under which almost all of us live in this ferocious era.
Its therapeutic value is greater than that of any school of medicine, for
it is, to a limited degree, the normal condition of creation, which will
be fully realized only after vivification.
INSECURE SECURITY
Everyone
today seems to crave security because he feels insecure.
Some “lay aside something for a rainy day,” although this is outmoded
by insurance of various kinds, health, job, and death. The socialistic
governments seek to make their subjects secure from the cradle to the
grave. But the feeling of insecurity persists. An early experience
taught the writer how little reliance may be placed in these man-made
schemes. His father belonged to a lodge which paid quite a sum to
survivors at death. This money came from the living members. But, as he
was the last of all to die, there were no others to pay. So all the “security”
was a large expense for nothing. Other “safer” schemes are used today,
which have accomplished much. But even the largest of them is faced with
inflation, which might wipe out all the bank assets. This is true of
social security which promises a certain sum of money. It may become
practically worthless if the present trend persists.
The only
secure “security” lies in reliance on God. Everyone is convinced of
this in case of death. No one can assure any benefits to the deceased. In
truth, no one can really assure a dying mortal of anything, not even taxes
or death. The saints who live until the descent of Christ to the air or
His coming in glory to the mount of Olives, cannot be assured of death.
And then they won’t pay taxes either! The only real security, without
the feeling of insecurity, lies in constant contact with God in prayer and
praise. Then, whatever evil comes, even it will be invaluable in its
operation for our spiritual welfare.
THE FATALITY OF THE INFINITE
Throughout
our lives we are taught the fatality of the infinite. Our weal or woe is
not determined by the great things that we accomplish, but often by a tiny
incident that we might have prevented, had we known of it beforehand. Many
a man boasts of his unconquerable will, and his power to shape his own
destiny, when he was not even consulted in the most important and
far-reaching event of his existence! In Europe they used to have a
sarcastic saying to the effect that a man cannot be too careful in the
choice of his ancestors and the place of his birth. Yet this single
occurrence may have a greater influence on his life and destiny than his
whole career. Again, a single mistake, a sudden accident, may close that
career in an instant. In these man’s will is excluded. If God is not
responsible for them then He also has lost control of the helm of the
universe, and we are drifting upon the rocks of imminent and catastrophic
disaster.
DIVINE INFINITUDE
God
is not only guiding the stars of limitless space, but controlling the
course of the composite molecule. His hand cannot only span the universe,
but His power can split the atom. Some may have thought that it makes
little difference if an atom explodes or not, but now that we have heard
of its unparalleled power, we are more inclined to acknowledge the
importance and efficacy of the infinitesimal. A single atom may set off a
chain reaction which would destroy the whole world. And, indeed, this very
thing may happen with the heavens and the earth, for they are stored with
fire, and a single word from the mouth of God will dissolve their elements
before the coming of the day of God (2 Pet.3:7-13).
The point
of the parable lies in this: Just as we do not need to pray that God will
keep the sun and moon and stars in their courses, so we need not be
concerned that He fulfill the great promises of His inspired Word. He is
faithful and will perform it even if we fail to prod Him. These things we know,
so they are the subjects of praise, rather than prayer. But the smallest
things that make up our daily grind, which may have far more influence on
our present life and experience, these, are hidden, like the
Shekinah in the tabernacle, behind a beautiful curtain of the divine
glories, for the light behind it is too bright for mortal gaze. We could
not bear to know all this beforehand. It might be fatal. And the purpose
of God would not be attained, for it would eliminate prayer, which is the
principle preparation for praise.
Any single
incident in our lives, no matter how trivial it may seem, may be vital to
our career, or fatal to our hopes, therefore all should be the subject of
prayer, for God alone can control our environment as well as ourselves. We
may inhale one tiny, invisible germ that may cause illness or death. We
may take a single step that will cripple or kill us. A single glance may
lead to trials interminable. And, on the other hand, a single word, either
heard or seen, may lead to fame or fortune, yes, even to salvation and
reconciliation and vivification by the spirit of God. In fact, even as God
chooses the stupid and the weak and the ignoble and that which is not, so
that no flesh may boast, so He seems to select the most
insignificant action by which to accomplish His purpose, so that human
work may be excluded, and man may be utterly cast upon Him, even in the
smallest items of his experience. A single sentence may lead a sinner to
salvation!
PRAISE FOR DISAPPOINTMENTS
The
publication of the Concordant Version is the consuming passion of my life.
After years of dire drudgery and patient plodding on the part of many, it
would seem to be a small and simple matter to put it into print. And,
indeed, sometimes it seemed to go of itself. As a rule, however, we have
had to reckon with seemingly silly yet insurmountable obstacles which
hardly ever interfere in printing secular publications. For example, no
one would make the type for the Greek text. At the same time I could not
get work on account of the first world war. So I gave thanks and made it
myself, after a long delay. There were other severe trials in printing,
which would usually have ruined my health and disposition. Thankfulness
overcame it all.
The German
version seemed to be an exception at first. Everything went well. The
first edition was sold out in the second world war. We had saved all the
type so that corrections could be made and it could be reprinted without
cost for composition. But it was destroyed in the bombing of Berlin. We
had saved up the receipts from sales so as to reprint. We tried our utmost
to do this immediately, but one of the occupation administrations refused,
and nine-tenths of the sum was lost in the currency reform due to the
inflation. But we are thankful and confident that all this evil will work
out for our good and His glory.
But these
and other such “misfortune” experiences are not to be compared to the
many hindrances in publishing the version of the Hebrew. We made unusual
and extraordinary provision to take care of the comparatively simple
composition of its pages, but it has been practically impossible to
proceed. Coupled with the fact that we were forced to disappoint our
friends, and any explanation would sound silly, this should have soured
our disposition and undermined our health. But we have been given grace to
believe that all is cooperating for our good, so that it has had the
opposite effect. And now we begin to see why it was, for there are still
some matters not quite matured, and the recently recovered Dead Sea Scroll
of Isaiah may enable us to settle these satisfactorily. We ask all to join
us in thanksgiving and praise for the future, whatever it may be, and
however dark it may appear today.
We are also
concerned about the truth which has been committed to us. We are persuaded
that He is able to guard it, even in this day of apostasy and opposition
(2 Tim.1:12), yet we would be glad to have all our friends join us in
heartfelt thanksgiving for “what must be,” for that alone is for His
glory and our good. We wish to publish many books, the fruit of our toil
and travail in compiling our texts and concordances and versions of the
inspired Originals, such as this exposition of Praise and Prayer, and we
pray for guidance to conform to His will, but would preface it with praise
for the future, whether it appears to be evil or good, for it must be
as He intends, in order to display the greatness of His grace and the
grandeur of His glory.
A. E. Knoch
