2003-03-17 - True Repentance

1 Kings 18:43 "And he said to his servant, 'Go up now, look toward the sea.' So he went up and looked and said, 'There is nothing.' and he said, 'God back' seven times."

In our church, besides the sermon, we have two other short sermon type portions that are about 10 minutes each. One is on a New Testament reading, and the other is on an Old Testament reading. I thought I had figured out the source that one of the elders was using, so on Sunday I approached him after the service and said, "I know your source for the exposition of the Word after the New Testament reading." I told him what I thought his source was. He told me that most of the time I would be right, but that on this day he had used JC Ryle. It reminded me that I have some rare one page tracts written by Ryle and thought I would Rylize you today with one of them. If you have never read anything by Bishop Ryle (Episcopalian), you don't know what you are missing. I hope this tract proves that too you and I hope you enjoy it. His works are readily in print from many publishing companies today. Here it is:

"Six times Elijah's servant looked towards the sea before he could see anything; the seventh time he saw a cloud, but not bigger than his hand; yet that cloud, within a few hours, covered the heavens with darkness, and the earth with rain. Just so may be the case with many a one when he is praying to God. Well, though at six times ending of thy knees God doth not grant it, and though at the seventh there appear but one small drop swimming in thine eyes, yet be not discomforted: that drop may prove a shower, the beginning of that thaw may at last dissolve thy whole heart to water; and as there is a full joy for the thorough conversion of one sinner, there may be a suitable measure of joy for one tear, nay, one desire of a tear, of any one sinner that repenteth.

'If six or sixty prayers are past,
Pray on, and never faint;
A blessing surely comes at last
To cheer a drooping saint.'

Whoever thou art, never give up on PRAYER.

A blessing will indeed come at last.

The honor of Christ himself stands engaged to perform this: 'Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son," John 14:18"

Well, that was what Ryle wrote. If you are unfamiliar with the Elijah story he started with you can find it in 1 Kings 18 in the area where the verse we started with is found. Now, remember, I'm a Presbyterian, but I am not a big denominational person. Bishop Ryle is worth reading. You can find his works at any bookstore, on ebay, or any book service. I commend his works to you.

Soli Deo Gloria,
T-

godrulestb@aol.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org
http://www.papercutpress.com