Eluding the Mold

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him” (Psalm 62:5).

The world, of course, has never yet seen an entire generation that has singleheartedly and determinedly placed all its expectations in God. But there have been glimpses of what this would mean.

J.R. Green said that John Wesley’s outdoor preaching occasioned the conversion of such a large part of his generation in England that in a few years the whole temper of English society was changed.

Public executions served as popular entertainment, and robbery was so common that Horace Walpole wrote that: “People are almost afraid of stirring after dark.”

The 19^th century historian Lecky credits this vibrant evangelical outburst with saving England from her own version of the bloody French Revolution. Harry Emerson Fosdick said that: “Without the evangelical revival there is no explaining John Howard’s prison reforms or William Wilberforce’s anti-slavery campaign.”

Such reforms were real, not just visionary, and they left a mark on their time and projected benefits into the future.

Previous generations, like our own, have never lacked problems, nor schemes to solve those problems, nor expectations of a better society. What they have often lacked however, is the moral strength and divine assistance which are necessary to effect permanent and just solutions to these problems. These come only from the living God, and cannot be substituted by anything else, no matter how noble in concept, that finds its origins in man alone. That is why the hopes of most generations never become anything more than ephemeral expectations.

Expectations which spring from faith in God are fruitful, not frustrating.

The generation that saw the dawn of this century believed that the happiness of mankind would flourish in an era of continuing peace—but its hopes were dashed by the outbreak of the First World War. The generation of the 20’s trusted in the continuance of booming prosperity, but its dreams were crushed by the Great Depression.

Then came the Second World War, then the Korean War, then the long war in Vietnam, and now we hear delusive talk of “a generation of peace” again.

Who sets the style for a generation anyway, who determines its dominant mood and hope?

When it is not God, then it is ultimately Satan, the counterfeit “angel of light” who deceives the whole world.

Who lifts a generation up in false expectation, and then suddenly betrays it with an unexpected turn of events?

It is the one the Bible calls “the father of lies.” He never delivers what he promises. When he says “peace,” he means war. When he offers the pleasures of sin, he intends anguish, guilt, emptiness and sorrow.

The flood tides of expectation which sweep across each generation place overwhelming emphasis on some supposed good, while ignoring truths that have the power to lead to great good in this life, and to everlasting life when it is over.

The claims of the Gospel—“I am the way, the truth and the life”—the claims of the Savior, and the love of God for men—those issues that should have first place in a generation’s heart are labeled with some pejorative epithet and then consigned to a forgotten and unlit corner.

But when they are rediscovered and brought forward again, as they have been from time to time in American history, especially from the founding of the Colonies until early in this century, they bring love, joy, peace of mind and soul, and high purpose to many men and women.

When [the claims of the Gospel] are rediscovered, they bring love, joy, peace of mind and soul, and high purpose to many men and women.

Otherwise, there are few individuals who face things as they really are, refusing to be caught up in the euphoria or despair, the over-excitation or the indifference, that rules their time.

When the liberating truths of the Scriptures are mocked or ignored the be-all and end-all of earthly existence becomes not much more than survival with a style, and the particular style is decided for you by your generation.

There is something much better for you than to be shaped by the moods, and the mode, and the drift of the day. There is a great work yet to be done in this generation. Our country is languishing because it has forgotten God. It has cast the Bible aside. The soul of our society is slowly being corrupted and few take notice. There is an important work to be done, and those who will do it must come from this generation.

Why not pause for a minute, and think of eternity, and ponder this simple, mighty truth: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Jesus said: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man will hear my voice, and will open the door and let me in, I will come in and sup with him and he with me.” He is one man Who is always true to his promise.

Larry M. Senger, ’74