Lie Still and Trust
The sermon emphasizes the importance of lying still and trusting in God during times of affliction and weakness.
Charles E. Cowman preaches about the temptation to faint in times of deep suffering and affliction, emphasizing the importance of leaning on God's strength and resting in His arms like a child. He shares the example of Hudson Taylor, who in his physical weakness, could only lie still and trust in God. Cowman encourages believers to not strive to be strong but to be still and know that God will sustain them through the trials, offering His comfort and strength in their deepest faintings.
Text
"I had fainted unless...!(Ps. 27:13).
"FAINT NOT!"
How great is the temptation at this point! How the soul sinks, the heart grows sick, and the faith staggers under the keen trials and testings which come into our lives in times of special bereavement and suffering.
"I cannot bear up any longer, I am fainting under this providence. What shall I do? God tells me not to faint. But what can one do when he is fainting?"
What do you do when you are about to faint physically? You cannot do anything. You cease from your own doings. In your faintness, you fall upon the shoulder of some strong loved one. You lean hard. You rest. You lie still and trust.
It is so when we are tempted to faint under affliction. God's message to us is not, "Be strong and of good courage," for He knows our strength and courage have fled away. But it is that sweet word, "Be still, and know that I am God."
Hudson Taylor was so feeble in the closing months of his life that he wrote a dear friend: "I am so weak I cannot write; I cannot read my Bible; I cannot even pray. I can only lie still in God's arms like a little child, and trust."
This wondrous man of God with all his spiritual power came to a place of physical suffering and weakness where he could only lie still and trust.
And that is all God asks of you, His dear child, when you grow faint in the fierce fires of affliction. Do not try to be strong. Just be still and know that He is God, and will sustain you, and bring you through.
"God keeps His choicest cordials for our deepest faintings."
"Stay firm and let thine heart take courage" (Psa. 27:14, --After Osterwald).
Stay firm, He has not failed thee
In all the past,
And will He go and leave thee
To sink at last?
Nay, He said He will hide thee
Beneath His wing;
And sweetly there in safety
Thou mayest sing.
-Selected
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Introduction to the theme of fainting under trials - The importance of trusting God during affliction - 'Biblical reference: Psalm 27:13'
- II points: - Understanding the nature of fainting in our spiritual lives - The human tendency to feel overwhelmed - God's reassurance to be still
- III points: - Example of Hudson Taylor's experience - The significance of resting in God's arms - The power of surrendering to God
- IV points: - God's promises during our faintness - The concept of divine support - Encouragement to remain firm in faith
- V points: - Conclusion and call to action - Encouragement to trust God fully - Final thoughts on God's faithfulness
Key Quotes
“God keeps His choicest cordials for our deepest faintings.” — Charles E. Cowman
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Charles E. Cowman
“I can only lie still in God's arms like a little child, and trust.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- When facing trials, remember to pause and lean on God's strength rather than your own.
- In moments of weakness, practice resting in God's presence and trusting His plan.
- Encourage others who are struggling to find peace by reminding them of God's faithfulness.