“God proceeded in this work in a way that was exceeding cross to their pride.” This was Jonathan Edwards’ observation from the Old Testament — how God’s obvious blessing might be dismissed by some people for unworthy reasons (Judges 8). Obviously but importantly, God has the right to use faithful people we personally don’t warm up to. Then Edwards offers this insight as a practical take-away for us during a time of strong gospel advance:
“As persons will greatly expose themselves to the curse of God by opposing or standing at a distance and keeping silence at such a time as this [the Great Awakening], so for persons to arise and readily to acknowledge God and honor him in such a work and cheerfully and vigorously to exert themselves to promote it will be to put themselves much in the way of the divine blessing.”
Jonathan Edwards, “Thoughts on the Revival,” in his Works (Edinburgh, 1979), I:385-386.
The next great movement of the Holy Spirit might come through people you and I are predisposed to dislike. Let’s be ready to evaluate not only what’s happening in the movement but also what’s happening in our own hearts, lest we inadvertently exclude ourselves and our churches from a real blessing sent down from above.
It might come in a way exceeding cross to our pride.
