I, Even I Only, Am Left.....?

Charles Haddon Spurgeon was England's brightest light in the 19th century yet he is probably remembered by only a few outside the faithful in the church in England today. He may very well have been the greatest preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in modern times. His church which seated thousands was filled to capacity while his sermons were transmitted around the world every Lord's Day. The following may sound unbelievable but believe me similar disgraceful episodes have happened many times in church history; Spurgeon's own denomination censored him late in life as he stood firm against liberalism entering the church. He, like many others including even Martin Luther, suffered at times from depression. I remember a broadcast many years ago by America's greatest teacher of Christian doctrine, R. C. Sproul, where signs of despondency were evident in his voice as he related criticisms of him in various areas of the church, and I heard the extraordinary apologist of Christian truth, Hank Hanegraaff, fighting despair over similar criticisms. I have come to believe that criticism and temporary depressions are to be expected by men, and women, who go beyond what would be considered polite polemics in defending their Christian Faith. As an aside, I came across an article just today on the Drudge Report, taken from the Daily News titled "You're Not Special...Teacher's scathing graduation speech to self-absorbed generation. An English teacher, the son of historian David McCullough Sr., gave the high school commencement speech at Wellesley High School and here are some of the words he spoke to those students: "You are not special, you are not exceptional...Yes, you've been pampered, cosseted, doted upon, helmeted, bubble-wrapped. Yes, capable adults with other things to do have held you, kissed you, fed you, wiped your mouth, wiped your bottom, trained you, tutored you, coached you, listened to you, counseled you, encouraged you, consoled you and encouraged you again. Yo have been nudged, cajoled, wheedled and implored. You've been feted and fawned over and called sweetie pie...But do not get the idea you're anything special. Because you're not." I include this for two reasons; I broached the same subject in my last blog although far less eloquently, and I include it in this blog for this reason also; the article stated that he ( David McCullough) "drove the point home" with these words, "Think about this: even if you're one in a million, on a planet of 6.8 billion that means that there are nearly 7,000 people just like you." That one of 7,000 struck a chord with me and it relates only to the beginning of this blog on Christian ministers and teachers who, because of their efforts to defend truth in rebellious cultures, suffer periods of depression. Maybe you are one of them? The chord that was struck came from the book of 1st Kings chapater 19. Elijah had been faithful with much opposition yet the threats of his enemies were finally weighing him down enough for him to consider giving up. Elijah complained to God that "I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life to take it away." God informed him that there were at least 7,000 others left... "all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him." In an interesting passage that relates to today God sent Elijah back to anoint two kings and Elisha to replace him as prophet. The ESV Study Bible comments on this thusly, "A new political and religious order is to succeed the old, and this order will bring about the final victory over Baal worship." Is this not what we are hoping for today? But that was Israel and this is America. God may indeed awaken the American people once again. He may give us leaders who look to Him or He may allow us to fall, deservedly so, under the weight of our rebellion. Either way His will is perfect! And either way the message to any and all Christians brought to the point of despair, whether it be a Spurgeon, a Sproul, or you, is to press on! Hanegraaff is not alone in his work of apologetics, nor is John MacArthur nor Michael Horton as they teach us. How the faithful pastors today must fall to their kness and weep at times. They are not alone for they have us to uphold them in prayer. You are not alone for you have me...and I am not alone for I have you! Praise to God for designing it this way, and for giving us Luthers, and Calvins, and Spurgeons,and Bunyans, and shepherds who hear His voice, proclaim His glory and feed, and thus nourish, their sheep!