Who Is on the Lord's Side?
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Israel had rebelled against Jehovah, and had set up th golden calf. Moses appeared among them, and in great wi;u; threw down their idol and rebuked Aaron. The people wi-: awestruck by the presence of the servant of the Lord, ait sought their tents, save only a number of the more hardens who brazened it out. Moses, feeling that this great rebellion must be crushed and punished, summoned the faithful to hi« standard, and those who came were of the tribe of Levi. These, with stern fidelity, fulfilled their mission, and hence were made teachers of Israel forever. Decision is that which the Lord looks for in his ministers, and when he sees it he will reward it. Remember the blessing of Levi, in Deut. xxxiii. “And of Levi he said, Let thy Thurninin and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant. They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.”
All true men ought to be decided, for a dreadful conflict is going on at this present day, and a curse will fall on neutrals.
I. THK CONFLICT, AND WHICH IS THE LORD’S SIDE.
Belief in God against atheism and other forms of unbelief.
Scripture in opposition to false philosophy and “modern thought.”
The gospel versus superstition.
Christ versus self-righteousness.
The commands of God versus self -pleasing.
Holiness and right, against sin and oppression.
II. THE LORD’S FRIENDS AND WHAT THEY MUST DO.
They must own their allegiance openly. “Consecrate yourselves to-day to the Lord” (verse 29).
They should come out and rally to the standard: “Who is on the Lord’s side? let him come unto me.” We do this by open union with the church, by boldly rebuking sin, by testifying for truth, by not conforming to the world, and by conforming to Christ our Lord. 2 Cor. viii. 5.
They must be willing to be in a minority: one tribe against eleven, if need be.
They must become aggressive. “Put every man his sword by his side” (verse 27).
Their zeal must overmaster nature’s ties. “Neither did he acknowledge his brethren,” etc. Deut xxxiii. 9.
They must do what they are bidden. “And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses.” Ex. xxxii. 28.
III. THE LORD’S HOST AND ITS ENCOURAGEMENTS.
Their cause is that of right and truth. A good cause is a firm foundation and a powerful stimulus of valor.
It is the cause of the Almighty God. “They have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant.” Deut. xxxiii. 9.
Christ himself is our Captain. Who can hesitate with
such a Chieftain? “A leader and commander for the
people.” Is. Iv. 4. The angels are with us. Horses of fire and chariots of
fire are round about the Lord’s servants. 2 Kingr
vi. 17. Thousands of the best of men have been on this side.
Heb. xii. 1.
It is the side of conscience, and of a clean heart. It is that side of the warfare which ends in heaven and victory, world without end. Rev. xix. 14.
IV. THE QUESTION OF THE TEXT, AND PROPOSALS FOR ENLIST MENT.
Take the shilling — by faith receive the promise.
Put on the colors — by confessing Christ openly in baptism.
Submit to drill — be willing to learn, and yield to discipline.
Put on the regimentals — wear the garments of holiness, the livery of love, the whole armor of God. Eph. vi. 13-18.
Gird on your sword — “The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Enter on civil war first. Wage war within your own soul. Slay sin, conquer self, cast down high looks, etc.
March to the field. Fight with falsehood, superstition, cruelty, oppression, drunkenness, uncleanness, and sin of every sort, anywhere and everywhere.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXTRACTS.
“We trust the Lord is on our side, Mr. Lincoln,” said the speaker of a delegation of Christian people to that good man, during one of the darkest days of the American Civil War.
“I do not regard that as so essential as something else,” replied Mr. Lincoln. The worthy visitors looked horror-struck, until the President added: “I am most concerned to know that we are on the Lord’s side.”
Mr. Lincoln was right. The right side is not my side or your side. The Lord’s side is the place to which every one of us should rally. His banner has right, truth, love, and holiness written on it. Be sure you stand up for God’s banner, even if you stand alone.
Guizot, in his life of St. Louis of France, says that the latter had many vassals who were also vassals of the King of England, and that many subtle and difficult questions arose as to the extent of the service which they owed to these kings. At length the French king commanded all those nobles who held lands in English territory to appear before him, and then he said to them: “As it is impossible for any man living in my kingdom and having possessions in England rightly to serve two masters, you must either attach yourselves altogether to me, or inseparably to the King of England.” After saying this, he gave them a certain day by which to make their
choice.
“The Son of God goes forth to war,
A kingly crown to gain;
His blood-red banner streams afar:
Who follows in his train?” etc.
“Set down my name, sir.” According to Bunyan, these were the words of the man who fought his way into the palace, and who was welcomed with the song:
“Come in, come in,
Eternal glory thou shalt win.”
A dear friend of mine, the head of a family of grown-up sons and daughters, lately passed away very suddenly. The day before he died all the members of the household were with him, including one who had recently, like the rest, experienced the power of saving grace. The father’s joy was great.
as he put his hand upon one after another of his offspring, saying with an overflowing heart, “And this one on the Lord’s side! and this one on the Lord’s side!” How would it bo with our hearer should he have to stand at the death-bed of a godly parent? Would that parent rejoice over him because he is on the Lord’s side?