Oct 1988 - Editorial

William Cowper revealed a rare spiritual insight when he wrote:

Deep in unfathomable mines of never failing skill,

He treasures up His bright designs, and works His sovereign will.

His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.

To faith such words are full of meaning and hope; to faith such as the ancient prophets of Israel expressed as they "sought and searched diligently... searching what time ... the Spirit of Christ ... did point unto" (1 Pet. 1:10,11). We live in an era which can look back on the maturing of divine purposes in salvation - "the fulness of time" - as expounded this month in our main series of articles, "Across the Bible Centuries"; we can share in our own day in the contemporary expression, we believe, of the kingdom of God; and can observe the historical scene-setting in Israel for the future millennial kingdom of Messiah (see FOCUS).

Our little contribution to such a vast and majestic purpose seems utterly insignificant as men measure. But not as God measures. We take courage. It was to a little group of disciples in a Church of God daily threatened by the strong forces of idolatry that Paul wrote, "that ye may know . . what (is) the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe" (Eph. 1:18,19). And to others wrestling with a variety of temptations, moral and spiritual, "He put all things in subjection under His fee.... that God may be all in all" (1 Cor. 15:27,28).

unknown | Oct 1988
Editorial