2 Samuel 24:13

Pressing for an answer to God's message.

"Advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me." These words of Gad to David might well be addressed by religious teachers, and especially ministers of the gospel, to those whom they instruct. Notice—

I. GOD 'S MESSENGERS . "Him that sent me."

1 . True ministers of Christ are God's messengers. Their office is not a human invention. They are not mere lecturers, who may choose their own themes and aims; not mere philosophers, free to speculate at will and give the people the result of their speculations; still less mere performers, whose business is to amuse. They are sent of God, by the operations of his Spirit, the guidance of his providence, and the appointment of his Church; and have a definite message from him to their hearers, viz. the gospel (in the wider sense) of Jesus Christ—its revelations, precepts, promises, and threatenings. In delivering this message, they have a definite end to seek—the salvation of their hearers. He who is not convinced that he is God sent—"inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon him this office and ministration" (Prayer book)—ought not to assume it.

2 . They should cherish a due sense of their position. Which will keep alive:

3 . Hearers should recognize the position of their ministers. Such recognition will:

II. THE ALTERNATIVES THEY PRESENT . Happily they have not, like Gad, to offer a choice of fearful calamities, but of:

1 . On the one hand, eternal life; commencing now in the enjoyment of pardon and peace, holiness and hope; and perfected in heaven. This to be secured by faith in the Son of God as Saviour and Lord, with corresponding love and obedience.

2 . And, on the other, eternal punishment; "indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish" ( Romans 2:8 , Romans 2:9 ); to be assuredly secured by rejection of Christ, and of God in him. These solemn alternatives must not, cannot, be kept cut of view by a faithful messenger of God; and the thought of them will give earnestness to his ministrations, and to the treatment of them by his hearers (comp. Deuteronomy 30:15-19 ).

III. THE ANSWER FOR WHICH THEY PRESS . Christian ministers should endeavour as far as possible privately to urge individuals to consider what answer they will give to the Divine message, what choice they will make between the alternatives presented to them. This cannot be always done; but in their public addresses they ought to be urgent in pressing their hearers to definite consideration and decision. They should show them:

1 . That an answer has to be given, and that to God, who searches the heart. That, in fact, they are ever giving a reply; ever choosing the evil, if not the good.

2 . That their answer should be the result of careful consideration. "Advise, and see;" consider and determine. A great point is gained when men are induced to consider the claims of God and their souls.

3 . That such consideration should be prompt. It is both sinful and perilous to delay. To put off attention to God's message is insulting to him, and may end in his deciding suddenly and unexpectedly for us which of the two alternatives shall be ours.

4 . That they are themselves intensely concerned that the answer given should be that which is alone wise and good— the hearty acceptance of Christ and salvation. "As though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God" ( 2 Corinthians 5:20 ).—G.W.