Heavenly Guidance
“And he went out; not knowing whither he went.”— Hebrews 11:8
“But,” as an old writer says, “Abraham knew with whom he went,” if he did not know where. So every child of God is led aright in his heavenward journey. Now we learn:—
I. There must be a worldly separation. “He went out.” From home, kindred; the land of his nativity, his idol gods, all must be left behind. So there must be a severance with every one who sets out for the heavenly inheritance—a clear and marked distinction between the worldling’s life and the Christian’s; every act should be stamped with decision and separation from the world in matters pertaining to allegiance to Christ, His laws, and service; let there be no conformity to the world or fleshly religion. “Come out, be ye separate, touch not the unclean thing.” Be loyal to Christ if you have to walk almost alone; heavenly pilgrims are not found in crowds, “but here and there a traveller.” We take no gloomy view of the Church of God, yet we must admit that those who cleave fast to the Word of God, and walk the narrow way, find it an isolated path. Yet we are in noble company, prophets, apostles, martyrs; best of all, our royal Master’s footsteps are before us. “Let us go forth, therefore, unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.”
II. The journey must be taken by faith. In the promise and command of God, we go under His divine leadership. We question not His wisdom, He knoweth the way we take; we can trust Him to lead us right. He has a right to mark the path we tread, and to guide our every action. He will open up the path as we go, guiding us with His eye. This will give us confidence as we journey on. Studying His Word and watching His hand, we shall not err. We believe His are the best methods to carry on His kingdom, and to guide our lives. We must not resort to any expediency, thinking to help forward His purposes, but let us wait on Him by prayer, use the’ means He has appointed and wait the fulfilment of His plans. He will most assuredly bring us into the enjoyment of all He has promised, but we must trust Him. “His ways are not our ways, nor His thoughts our thoughts.” We cannot comprehend His dealings now, the end will reveal the wisdom of every step.
III. He went with a sure prospect before him, an inheritance his God had promised. This was enough to fire his heart with ardour to press forward to the prize; that inheritance was more than the land of Canaan, “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose Builder and Maker was God—“Thus the gleaming pinnacles of the celestial city are in view, by faith, to every heaven-bound pilgrim. Its holiness, its bliss, its companionship, its eternal rest after the toils of the way, makes him long to be there; he expects to see his Lord face to face; all darkness and mystery past, all his hopes and expectations fully realised.
How many perchance, who read these lines will have reached this glorious consummation ere another year shall close? Here will be full satisfaction: all that God has promised and Christ has secured for His people will he eternally enjoyed. For this then we would gladly go out, leaving all below, exchanging earth for heaven.
Edwin White (1846-?) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. His first pastorate was with the church meeting at Orphington (1877-1879). After two years, the communion question cropped up, the majority of members deciding to throw the Table open. He forthwith resigned his office. His second pastorate was with the church meeting at Clare, Suffolk (1881-1887). After six years of blessed ministry, he resigned the office due to health reasons. His third pastorate was with the church meeting at Woolwich, Enon Chapel (1891-1919). In 1911 was elected president of the Metropolitan Association of Strict Baptist Churches.
