Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit · Sermon No. 420
Genesis 15:11.
WE might use this text, if we chose, as a picture of the ease with which faith repels all attacks that are made upon Christ, the great sacrifice of the new Covenant. Ainsworth tells us that the original word which we translate “drove” has in it the force of “puffed” them away. As if with a very puff of breath these kites and vultures and eagles, were at once driven away from the bodies of the victims. Faith knows how, when skeptical kites when blaspheming vultures, when speculative eagles come down to attack the sacrifice of Christ, to chase them away with but a puff of her breath. “We know whom we have believed.”
Let the earth shake, our confidence in Him cannot move. He is to us as real a Person as ourselves. No, we might doubt our own existence, but Jesus, His power, His love, His precious blood, His prevalent atonement we dare not doubt. One puff of the breath of prayer and questions and taunts are gone. One puff of the breath of holy faith in praise and every skeptical attack is scattered to the winds as far as we are concerned. When these fowls come down upon the body of Christ, like Abram by faith we “puff” them away.
But I do not intend to use the text with such an object this morning, though one might legitimately do so. It seems to me to represent to us our duty when distracting thoughts invade the sanctity of our holy worship. Here is Abram. He has killed the victims according to Divine order. He has laid them in their places according to heavenly rule. He is waiting until God shall over those victims make and ratify the covenant. But meanwhile the buzzards and kites and vultures scent the bodies from afar and hasten to devour the flesh of the bullock and the ram. Abram chases them away that so his sacrifice may not be spoiled and he may have real fellowship with God.
Brothers and sisters, we never attempt to worship God without finding many difficulties in the way.
“What various hindrances we meet, In coming to a mercy seat!”
We in our assemblies are like the angels in theirs, “When the sons of God came together, Satan came also among them.” We find that wherever we may be and in whatever frame of mind or with whatever earnestness we may attempt to worship God, there always is a servant with us who must be told to stop at the foot of the mountain white we go and worship God. If not, our offerings will not be profitable to ourselves, nor acceptable before God.
I shall attempt this morning, in dealing with this subject, first to enumerate some of those foul birds which come upon our sacrifice. Secondly, to show the necessity in driving them away. And thirdly, how we are to do it.
I. First then, LET US MENTION SOME OF THOSE WELL-KNOWN INTRUDERS WHICH ARE PERPETUALLY MOLESTING OUR PEACE AND DISTURBING OUR SERVICE.
First, there are wicked thoughts—the sons of Satan. These respect no sacred places. The sanctity of our closet has been violated with thoughts of lust—the dignity of the mercy seat has not sufficed to repress the vile insinuations of blasphemy. Wickedness, though it dwells no more in the heart of the believer, yet seeks to find a lodging there. And well does it effect its purpose at times for it tarries like a wayfaring man for a night, lingering there sufficiently long to mar our devotion and to prevent our having joy in fellowship with God. Have you not found these thoughts intruding into your house and on the Sabbath have not unhallowed things vexed you in the Sanctuary of God itself? Have you not found the sons of Belial still tormenting you? You would sing God’s praise—perhaps a snatch of some unholy song suggests itself.
You would pray unto God, but in your very access to the mercy seat you meet some fiend-like doubt. You would listen to the voice of God with all attention but wicked temptations distract you. You would thank God with all your soul, but folly comes in to shut your mouth and prevent your praise. The very best of the saints have need to hold up their shield to keep off the fiery darts of Satan. Upon the best ground that ever was plowed with the Gospel plow Satan will scatter the worst seed. Tares will come up in God’s most fruitful field—there will be spots, even in our solemn feasts— there will be these birds upon our most hallowed sacrifices.
But we must resolutely resist these harpies. These evil ones are not to be allowed at any time—but much less in the service of God. We must guard against them at all times and in all seasons, but much more when we stand in the presence of Him who says, “Put off your shoes from off your feet, for the place whereon you stands is holy ground.” In company with these foul vultures fly those ravenous kites called worldly thoughts which spring from the force of habit. The wheels have been running the last six days in this direction—it is not quite so easy to reverse the action and to make them go the other way. We have been sinking, sinking, sinking in the miry clay of daily business—it is not very easy for the soul that lies cleaving to the dust to rise at once towards Heaven.