PRÉCIS ON THE TERRIBLE IMPORTANCE OF ENDURING TO THE END: TRUTH AND HONOR BE OUR SAFEGUARDS

SCRIPTURE. “And [the leaders of] Judah said, ‘The strength of the burden bearers is weakening, and there is much rubbish; we are not able to work on the wall.” – NEHEMIAH 4:10, AMPC

KEY TERM: “WEAKENING.” ‘Kashal’ [כָּשַׁל֙]: “From a primitive root meaning, ‘To totter or waver;’ weakness of the legs [to stand firm]; to falter, stumble, faint or fall; to bereave (as with being cast down); to become decayed, feeble (leading to ruin); to become overthrown; ‘used to describe individuals or cities or entire nations falling because of wickedness and iniquity.’” Selah.

DIGNITY. “‘True honor; nobleness or elevation of mind, consisting in a high sense of propriety, truth and justice, with an abhorrence of mean and sinful actions;’ opposed to meanness. In this sense, we speak of the dignity of mind, and dignity of sentiments. This dignity is based on moral rectitude; all vice is incompatible with true dignity of mind.” – NOAH WEBSTER, American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828; edited

QUOTATION. “‘Dignity is as essential to human life as water, food, and oxygen.’ The stubborn retention of it, even in the face of extreme physical hardship, can hold a man’s soul in his body long past the point at which the body should have surrendered it.” ― LAURA HILLENBRAND, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption, 2014; edited

COMMENTARY. “‘The hindering good work is what bad men aim at, and promise themselves success in; but good work is God’s work, and it shall prosper.’ God has many ways of bringing to light, and so of bringing to nought, the devices and designs of his church’s enemies. If our enemies cannot frighten us from duty, or deceive us into sin, they cannot hurt us. ‘Nehemiah put himself and his cause under the Divine protection.’ It was the way of this good man and should be our way. All his cares, all his griefs, all his fears, he spread before God. Before he used any means, he made his prayer to God.

‘Having Prayed, he set a Watch against the enemy.’

‘If we think to secure ourselves by prayer, without Watchfulness, we are slothful, and tempt God; if by Watchfulness, without prayer, we are proud, and slight God: either way, we forfeit His Protection.’ God’s care of our safety should engage and encourage us to go on with vigour in our duty. As soon as a danger is over, let us return to our work, and trust God another time.” – MATTHEW HENRY, Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, 6 vols., 1708-1710; edited

DK’S TAKE. Were I to reduce to THREE CAUSES of the colossal Failure of today’s American Church, it would be these: (1) Falsehood – In the form of false and anemic doctrines taught in order to retain members; (2) Fear – Of the consequences of preaching the unbridled Truth possibly resulting in loss of position or peers; (3) Fatigue – Simply growing weary of the Long Road of Obedience required by Christ Himself.

“Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold. But [only] the one who endures and bears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved.” – MATTHEW 24:12-13, AMP

CODA. I conclude that perhaps the one greatest Omissions from the American Church that has led to all of this Collapse is the ‘Loss of Dignity:’ We are forced to bear witness to so many Pastors handing out tasty theological hors d’oeuvres dressed in attire fit for one’s after hours living room – not the House of God! Where is the King of the Universe in all of that, beloved, or the Lion of the Tribe of Judah?

‘He is not there, I tell you!’ Our Resolve to Stand has disintegrated into coddling the congregations in swaddling clothes, inspiring their identity as defenseless little infants needing the protection of the Pastor’s favor and the nice building to keep them safe. Oh dear friends, nothing could be further from the truth than this.

‘Only the Remnant shall Stand in the Evil Day!’ I beg you all to pray most fervently to remain true to our Lord’s Command to “bear up under suffering to the end,” that you and your loved ones would be truly safe in the Arms of your Deliverer in the Great Storm coming to America in the Days just ahead.