K Neill Foster

Welcome to Classic Christianity

First published by Christian Publications, Inc., 3825 Hartzdale Drive,Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011 Republished by www.kneillfoster.com in 2005. K. Neill Foster, Publisher. Paul L. King, Editor. A.W. Tozer, 1897-1963, Editorial Voice.


WELCOME TO:
#18 CLASSIC-CHRISTIANITY/THE E-ZINE


CLASSIC-CHRISTIANITY/THE INDEX
THEME: DIVINE PROTECTION
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1) THE PUBLISHER ON "A TALE OF TWO TOWERS"
2) THE EDITOR ON "NO ARROWS CAN HIT TILL HE SEES FIT"
3) K. NEILL FOSTER ON "GEORGE W. BUSH"
4) A.W. TOZER ON "THERE ARE NO ACCIDENTS WITH GOD"
5) RECOMMENDED READING
6) JOHN PATON ON "PROTECTION FROM THE SORCERY OF NAHAK"
7) CHARLES H. SPURGEON ON "NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST YOU SHALL PROSPER"
8) ANDREW MURRAY ON "BEING APPROACHED BY A PACK OF VICIOUS, SNARLING WILD DOGS"
9) A.B. SIMPSON ON "IMMORTAL UNTIL YOUR WORK IS DONE"
10) RECOMMENDED READING
11) ROSALIND GOFORTH ON "GOD'S PROMISE FOR SAFETY"
12) OSWALD CHAMBERS ON "NO FEAR"
13) JOHN A. MACMILLAN ON "CLAIMING PROTECTION"
14) ISAAC WATTS ON "GUARDIAN GRACE"
15) INVITATION TO SUBSCRIBE


1) THE PUBLISHER ON "A TALE OF TWO TOWERS"

Still vivid in people's minds are the graphic images of the World Trade Center towers crumbling into a massive heap of mangled steel, concrete and human flesh. We remember the horror-struck faces of people as they fled from the scene. Fear and uncertainty have seemingly paralyzed our society. Mistrust reigns.

But what a different and encouraging image we find portrayed in the Word of God: "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe" (Proverbs 18:10). How comforting to know in these fear-filled times that our Lord welcomes us to run directly to Him, a Fortified Tower that will never fail to protect us in time of need. Scripture promises: "He guards the course of the just and protects the way of this faithful ones" (Proverbs 2:8).


2) THE EDITOR ON "NO ARROWS CAN HIT TILL HE SEES FIT"

As a young pastor Charles Spurgeon was faced with a plague in London where thousands died. He feared for his own life as he visited the sick and buried the dead. One day in deep depression he walked by an apothecary shop and saw a placard in the window saying, "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague shall come nigh thy dwelling" (Psalm 91:10, KJV). He was encouraged in his faith, recalling the words of a hymn, "No arrows can hit till He sees fit." He claimed these words and found the strength and protection of the Lord.

I was scheduled for a flight on September 12, 2001, which, of course, was cancelled due to the terrorist attack. People asked me if I would be afraid to fly. I responded that I would not, because I was doing the Lord's work, and recalled the words of Cromwell, repeated by Spurgeon and A.B. Simpson in this issue: "A man is immortal until his work is done." Todd Beamer was a Christian whose work was completed by giving his life to prevent greater tragedy. Divine protection does not mean immunity from fatal accidents or intentional harm. But these classic writers show that it does mean that if we are walking in fellowship with God and obedience to Him we cannot die before God's purposes for our life are finished.


3) K. NEILL FOSTER ON "GEORGE W. BUSH"

At the inauguration of George W. Bush as the forty-third president of the
United States his pastor from Texas included these words from an ancient prophet, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper" (Isaiah 54:17, KJV). It was a ringing phrase from a powerful passage ever memorable after the events of 9/11. Thus far, thank God, our President has been preserved and kept. Kept by the power of God. Preserved by the prayers of millions. The power of prayer is often unseen, its effects unmeasured.

We now know that there is a world of Islamists praying for the overthrow of America and the destruction of its President. A war of prayer is being carried on. An epic battle is being waged between good and evil. No less a personage than Franklin Graham has proclaimed that Allah is not the God of the Old and New Testaments. Surely this is true. Ultimately, God and Allah are in collision. Jesus' words, forever troublesome to the unbelieving, are these, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh to the Father but by me" (John 14:6, KJV).

There is also another phrase in the Isaiah text cited above, "This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord." God keeps and protects those who serve Him. His promises assume ongoing repentance and obedience. For the forty-third president and the nation itself there is a choice to be made. There is every indication that George W. Bush is determined to make that choice.

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4) A.W. TOZER (1897-1963) ON "THERE ARE NO ACCIDENTS WITH GOD"

To the child of God, there is no such thing as accident. He travels an appointed way. The path he treads was chosen for him when as yet he was not, when as yet he had existence only in the mind of God.
Accidents may indeed appear to befall him and misfortune stalk his way; but these evils will be so in appearance only and will seem evils only because we cannot read the secret script of God's hidden providence and so cannot discover the ends at which He aims.
When true faith enters, chance and mischance go out for good. They have no jurisdiction over them that are born of the Spirit, for such as these are sons of the new creation and special charges of the Most High God. . . .

The man of true faith may live in the absolute assurance that his steps are ordered by the Lord. For him, misfortune is outside the bounds of possibility. He cannot be torn from this earth one hour ahead of the time which God has appointed, and he cannot be detained on earth one moment after God is done with him here. He is not a waif of the wide world, a foundling of time and space, but a saint of the Lord and the darling of His particular care.

A.W. Tozer, WE TRAVEL AN APPOINTED WAY (Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, 1988), 3-4.


5) RECOMMENDED READING

Be Still America ... I Am God From out of the Rubble, Stories of Hope

This book tells the story of God at work before, during and after the events of September 11, 2001. Written by Amy Bartlett, it contains the story of Todd Beamer who was on Flight 93 which crashed in Pennsylvania, as told by his wife, Lisa Beamer.

Order from Christian Publications by calling 1-800-233-4443 (in North America) or fax 1-717-761-7273 or web: www.christianpublications.com.


6) JOHN PATON (1824-1907) ON "PROTECTION FROM THE SORCERY OF NAHAK"

Three Sacred Men, Chiefs, of whom the whole population lived in terror, . . . declared they did not believe in Jehovah, nor did they need His help; for they had the power to kill my life by Nahak (sorcery or witchcraft). . . .

I deliberately said in the hearing of all, "Your Sacred Men have said they can kill me by Nahak, but I challenge them to do it if they can, without arrow or spear, club or musket; for I deny they have any power against me or anyone by sorcery. . . . If on the next Sabbath I come again to your village in health, you all will admit that your gods have no power over me, and that I am protected by the true and living Jehovah God." The challenge was accepted; the natives looked terror-struck. . . .

Sabbath dawned on me peacefully, and I went to that village in more than my usual health and strength. . . . The three Sacred Men admitted that they had tried to kill me but failed. . . . All the people gathered around and sat quietly, while I presented to them the ideas of sin and of salvation through Jesus Christ.

John G. Paton, JOHN G. PATON, MISSIONARY TO THE NEW HEBRIDES: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1902), 142-143.


7) CHARLES H. SPURGEON (1834-1892) ON "NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST YOU SHALL PROSPER"

Are you a witness for the Lord, and are you just now in danger? Then remember that you are immortal until your work is done. If the Lord has more witness for you to bear, you will live to bear it. Who is he that can break the vessel that the Lord intends again to use?

If there is no more work for you to do for your Master, it cannot distress you that He is about to take you home, and put you where you will be beyond the reach of adversaries. Your witness-bearing for Jesus is your chief concern, and you cannot be stopped in it until you are finished: therefore be at peace.(1)

Let our hearts and lips proclaim, . . . "We will stand on Your promise, 'No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper'" (Isaiah 54:17, KJV).(2)

Charles H. Spurgeon, FAITH'S CHECKBOOK (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, n.d.), 50.
(2) Charles H. Spurgeon, MORNING BY MORNING, (Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell, 1984), 312.


8) ANDREW MURRAY (1828-1917) ON "BEING APPROACHED BY A PACK OF VICIOUS, SNARLING WILD DOGS"

I knew I was in the path of duty, so I prayed to God to protect me and walked straight on. Yes, the wild dogs snapped at me but did not touch me.

Andrew Murray, cited in Leona Choy, ANDREW AND EMMA MURRAY (Winchester, VA: Golden Morning Publishing, 2000), 32.


9) A.B. SIMPSON (1843-1919) ON "IMMORTAL UNTIL YOUR WORK IS DONE"

He promises safety amid all danger (Psalm 91:7-8). . . . The man or woman who is in the Master's will cannot perish until His work is accomplished. How often God has carried His chosen ones through battles and oceans, tempests and wild beasts. . . . He promises security from all real evil (Psalm 91:10). . . . He promises angel guardianship (Psalm 91:11-12). . . . He promises victory over Satan (Psalm 91:13). . . . This is our privilege in Christ. Let us fully claim it.(1)

All difficulties and dangers must give way before the omnipotence of faith. . . . Indeed we shall possess a charmed life even through the very host of hell and know that we are immortal until our work is done.(2)

(1)A.B. Simpson, CHRIST IN THE BIBLE (Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, 1992), 3:237-239.
(2) A.B. Simpson, DAYS OF HEAVEN ON EARTH (Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, 1984), December 15.


10) RECOMMENDED READING

DocDEVOs: Ten-Minute Devotionals on the Great Doctrines of the Christian Faith

Designed to introduce readers to the basic beliefs of the Christian faith, A Doctrine a Day is formatted in easy-to-read style, free of religious jargon, technical language and tongue-twisting vocabulary.
Readings examine such fundamental truths as the deity of Christ, the goodness of God, the truthfulness of the Bible, then applies them to daily experience and suggests a prayer for incorporating it into life experience-all within ten minutes! For new believers as well as mature Christians.

Order from Christian Publications by calling 1-800-233-4443 (in North America) or fax 1-717-761-7273 or web: www.christianpublications.com.


11) ROSALIND GOFORTH (1864-1942) ON "GOD'S PROMISE FOR SAFETY"

I was about to leave Toronto with my four children to join my husband in China, when a cable was received telling of the cruel massacre of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart and other. Deep and widespread sympathy was expressed and much anxiety felt for missionaries generally in China. Many urged me to delay our return; but I felt it best to keep to our original plans, and a few days later found us bidding farewell to friends at the Union Station, Toronto.

Just as the train was leaving a lady stepped forward quickly to the window and said, "You do not know me, but I have prayed the Lord to give me a promise for you; it is this, take it as from Him," and handed me a slip of paper. I opened the paper and read, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper" (Isaiah 54:17, KJV). Then and there I raised my heart to God in prayer that he would fulfil this promise to me and those dear to me; and as I prayed there came the clear assurance that the Lord heard.

Rosalind Goforth, HOW I KNOW GOD ANSWERS PRAYER (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1921), 45.

Editor's Note: Her husband, Jonathan Goforth, the great Presbyterian missionary revival leader was later attacked with a sword and a club during the Boxer Rebellion and left for dead, but recovered miraculously.


12) OSWALD CHAMBERS (1874-1917) ON "NO FEAR"

Jesus Christ did not say, "You will understand why war has come," but "Do not be scared, do not be put in a panic.". . . It is the most natural thing in the world to be scared. There is no natural heart of man or woman that is not scared by these things, and the evidence that God's grace is at work amongst us is that we do not get terrified.(1)

The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else.(2)

(1) Oswald Chambers, "The Discipline of Peril," CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINES, Volume 1, THE COMPLETE WORKS OF OSWALD CHAMBERS (Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House, 2000), 292.
(2) Oswald Chambers, THE HIGHEST GOOD, THE COMPLETE WORKS OF OSWALD CHAMBERS (Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House, 2000), 537.


13) JOHN A. MACMILLAN (1873-1956) ON "CLAIMING PROTECTION"

The children of the Lord have not been exempt from accident, and some have suffered severely. Do we all fully realize that the element of chance does not exist for the believer? And is it equally clear that the malignity of the enemy is never absent from the environment of those who confess the name of Christ and who carry the message of salvation? True it is that the angel of the Lord encamps round about them that fear Him, with a view to their deliverance. But the child of God is personally responsible for the definite claiming of such protection, and also for abiding within the circumscribed limits wherein it is effective.

Faith is the channel along which the grace of God flows, consequently, there is the necessity for maintaining a constantly victorious spirit over all the wiles and the attacks of the enemy. . . . More and more, therefore, it is vital that every true servant of God learn the secret of dwelling "in the secret place of the Most High," thereby in all the going out and coming of life, experiencing the security of those who "abide under the shadow of Shaddai."

John A. MacMillan, "Raging Chariots," THE ALLIANCE WEEKLY, May 15, 1937, 307.


14) ISAAC WATTS (1674-1748) ON "GUARDIAN GRACE"

Should all the hosts of death
And powers of hell unknown
Put their most dreadful forms
Of rage and malice on,
I shall be safe, for Christ displays
Superior power and guardian grace.

Isaac Watts, cited in J.I. Packer, "Wisdom in a Time of War, CHRISTIANITY TODAY, January 7, 2002, 49.


15) INVITATION TO SUBSCRIBE

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Welcome to a spiritual adventure!

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VOL. IV, ISSUE 1, February 1, 2002. Published every other month 2/1;
4/1; 6/1; 8/1; 10/1; 12/1. Archives on www.kneillfoster.com.

Republished by www.kneillfoster.com 2005.