FAITHFULNESS
T. E. Druckenmiller
One would like, beloved brethren, to draw attention to the poor wise man that we read of in this section, encouraged to do so by the hymn we have just sung, ‘The Father’s throne by Him is shared’ (No. 350). One would draw attention to the features of Christ that are to be seen in the saints, and one of the distinctive features that I believe the Lord would draw attention to at the present time is faithfulness. We remember the word in Revelation 3, in the address to the assembly at Laodicea, which says, “These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God” (Revelation 3: 14); and the word to the overcomer is, “to him will I give to sit with me in my throne; as I also have overcome, and have sat down with my Father in his throne” (verse 21). I think the place that the Lord has in the Father’s throne would draw out our hearts to the attractiveness of that place of stability. One of the things that is very attractive to us as we view the work of God in various places, amongst the dear brethren, is the feature of faithfulness in the face of all kinds of difficulties. In the section we have read there is a peculiar kind of difficulty that is drawn attention to in this “little city”. In a good many localities amongst the beloved people of God there is this feature of the little city and it is very precious in the sight of heaven. It might be that there are only one or two brethren in a place, nevertheless, what is delightful to the Lord is the expression in the city of certain features of the assembly, features that are pleasing to the heart of Christ.
One would desire to say a word of encouragement to every individual, brothers and sisters and young people. Think of yourself as available to the Lord in view of the expression of faithfulness at the present time. Paul appeals to Timothy to entrust things to faithful men (2
Timothy 2: 2). Faithful men and faithful women are persons who are faithful to the Lord in times of difficulty. So it says in this section that, found in this city, was “a poor wise man”. It peculiarly speaks of Christ, but I believe we would take it up in faithfulness as bearing upon every individual who is available to express features of Christ in view of the deliverance of the local assembly, in view of the preservation of conditions of love and joy and peace. It is said that this poor wise man “by his wisdom delivered the city”; then it says, “but no man remembered that poor man”.
Now, I think, dear brethren, there are many who have delivered the city. One would encourage every one, brothers and sisters and young people, to take the poor wise man’s position, and go on in faithfulness and love for Christ, drawing on the resources of divine love in nearness to the Father, and nearness to the Lord and the Holy Spirit. As we do so there is an inward joy as having a secret with God. Commit yourself to the local assembly and be prepared in faithful love to serve acceptably to the heart of Christ.
It says in Ecclesiastes 9: 17 that “The words of the wise are heard in quiet”. I believe something of that is here tonight; we sit here in quietness, we wait on one another, and our desire is that the Lord might speak through one and another, and He would speak with a view to the encouragement and strengthening of our hearts to be committed, furthering love
and faithfulness in the local assembly. Oh that every local assembly might represent the preciousness of the assembly in the sight of Christ; He would look for that in every locality.
One would wish for each one to be available, committed in faithfulness in the local assembly.
In Corinthians Paul refers to two such persons, he speaks of the house of Chloe (1
Corinthians 1: 11), and the house of Stephanas (1 Corinthians 16: 15) two faithful brethren with their households. Oh what value they have in the sight of heaven! How precious it is to see what is delightful to the heart of Christ maintained in the local assembly by every saint.
In closing, there is the solemn word at the end of the chapter, that is, “But one sinner destroyeth much good”. Now I would like to stress the “poor wise man”; it is available for each of us to be one such person to maintain the truth; but then there is the solemn warning that where one does not maintain the divine standard of the truth it hinders and spoils the work of God. When we look back over history it is sad to see where one sinner has destroyed much good. But let us think, beloved brethren, positively of individuals where faithfulness has been maintained. It is to the glory of God that the truth has been maintained in conflict.
May we be strengthened to commit our hearts to this aspect of faithfulness in view of the continuance of the testimony until the coming of the Lord, for His name’s sake.
Word in meeting for ministry, Gothenburg, Sweden
4 August 1987