These are extracts from Chapter Four of the book, 'The Overcomers' Secret', by Bro. Bakht Singh. It will do us good to reflect over them and pray that God will plant them deep in our hearts. It is worth reading this small book, especially in times of trial.
1. God is not depending upon the multitudes to fulfil His great purposes. It is true that eternal life is a free gift offered by God to all men... But if you want to be an overcomer, you must be willing to be brought fully into the possession of the Lord Jesus Christ, and kept under His Lordship and Kingship in every small detail of your life and ministry.
2. More prosperity brings more pride. Men become slaves to prosperity, and with a desire to continue in it, they are ready to please and honour men rather than God. This increases their blindness. Even believers fall into this snare of pleasing men.
3. When we fail to honour God, we also become spiritually blind. Times of worship are helpful in preventing this condition. When we cut short this time of worship and fail to thank God sufficiently for all that He has done for us, we will not be able to enjoy His fellowship fully. We may read the Bible and attend meetings, but we will not be able to enjoy God's presence.
4. The divine law is that only by humbling ourselves will we be exalted. If we are overcomers, we will know how to humble ourselves. Nebuchadnezzar had to become like a beast before he could learn the lesson of humbling himself. From the time of Nebuchadnezzar's first dream [Daniel chapter 2] till the time he learned to extol and honour the King of heaven [Daniel 4.37], it is reckoned to be about 47 years. It took so many years for Nebuchadnezzar to extol the true God. Do not be like Nebuchadnezzar. Do not wait till you are chastised. Do not wait till you become like a beast.
5. It is better to give all the glory to the Lord and extol Him at every opportunity. This is the secret of an overcoming life. You must be able to extol God by your words, by the testimony of your life, and by your ministry. Refuse to be honoured by men. Run away from people who flatter you and magnify you.
6. There seems to be a real danger in this matter, especially in European [I would now say, all] countries. When they arrange campaigns or special meetings, they display large posters extolling the speaker. They put his picture on handbills which are full of his praise... They think this is the best way to draw crowds to the meetings. But they forget that our God is a jealous God. He will not allow His glory to be given to another.
7. The Lord Jesus will surely reveal every secret to us at the right time. There is no need for us to worry before that time... You should remain humble and at every opportunity extol, magnify and glorify our Lord, knowing how great He is. Do not depend upon your own human wisdom... Believe from your heart that human glory will soon pass away. In all humility thank God for the honour He has given to you to serve Him and for the joy to see the fruit of your labour. It is by His grace alone you are what you are. [1 cor 15.9,10].
8. God never forgets what we do for Him. All our labour will be amply rewarded. It is only when a man refuses to humble himself, even after every chance which the Lord gives him, that he will be cast away. May the Lord save us from all these pitfalls and make us true overcomers.
[This book, which contains studies on the book of Daniel, is a must-be-read in times of trial. It has been a great source of comfort and encouragement to me in my present trial.]
