He shall and they shall
By Mathias Weststrate
From mid-November, the Bible class visitors start discussing the ‘festive season’. This is what the period between the end of November and the beginning of January is called in South Africa. Because the ‘festive season’ is the highlight of the year many visit their families, and those who have a job take time off during this period. For many, the focus is on “let us eat, drink and be merry.”
Personally, it was a bit of a shock. Because from the beginning of December, suddenly no one could be reached anymore. It seemed as if the world had suddenly come to a standstill. Empty streets, only a few cars on the road, closed businesses and shops. And no people. Suddenly, everyone seemed to have gone off the grid. Phones and text messages were no longer answered.
Nothing?
From the dozens of Bible class visitors and other people we had contact with every week, we went back to nothing. At least, that’s how it felt. Nothing? No, not quite, because there was still a handful present. With a handful, we still gathered around God’s Word.
'A handful of corn...'
During the month of December, I had to think of Psalm 72 verse 16. There we also read about a handful of corn. “A handful of corn upon the top of the mountains.” The top of the mountain is barren. It is rocky and infertile ground. That is how it sometimes seems to us on the mission field.
'... Upon the top of the mountains'
For who has ever seen corn growing on a mountain top? Yet David prophesies here that barren soil will produce fruit. Shaking fruit, even. David was enabled to look so far into the future that he saw that heathens would be brought into the Kingdom of the greater Solomon. This Kingdom will be expanded to the ends of the earth, as long as the sun endures. This gives comfort and encouragement for the missionary work, because enemies will be won over.
Comfort
Why does this provide comfort? Because He shall live (verse 15). David not only saw that this Kingdom would be expanded to the ends of the earth, but also that the greater Solomon had to suffer, die and rise again. We may notice that it is written several times “He shall”, but also “they shall”. How this shows the one-sided work of God. He shall and they shall.
What shall they do? Cry out for a helper because of their need. Cry out for mercy. Cry out to be saved (verses 12-14). How clearly the work of the Holy Spirit is revealed here. They live because He lives, also in 2025. How does this Psalm end? Amen, and Amen. It is certain that the Kingdom of Christ will exist unto the end of the world. Because He Himself has given the command, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.” Also in South Africa.
Certainty
What is even more certain? That the whole earth will be filled with His glory. Why? Because He shall and they shall. Shall is the future tense. Therefore people will still be added. This is certain. Because the sun is still shining. He will gather His Church and He will do whatsoever He pleases. And they will come, led by the Divine Light. And they will give Him the glory.
It is our heartfelt wish for 2025 that the Lord will not withhold His Spirit, but will couple it with His Word. The Word that can make one wise unto salvation.
