THE GUIDING HAND by R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, January 22, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 4

THE GUIDING HAND.

By R. F. Cottrell

BY ELD. R. F. COTTRELL.

When the Epistle to the Romans was written from Corinth, it seems that the apostle had never been in Rome; but he had heard that there were some in that place who believed, and he was anxious to see and help them. He longed to see them, and had often purposed to go there, but had been hindered. The Lord’s time had not yet come. He wrote:—

“I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (but was let hitherto).” Rom. 1:8-13.

Paul intended to visit the seat of the great Roman empire; and he did not mean that Rome should be the full extent of his journey in that direction. His mission was to the world. He intended to go on westward to Spain, thus reaching the Atlantic shore, the western boundary of the known world. See Rom. 15:20-25.

But before going to Rome, the apostle had a mission to Jerusalem. We read: “After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there I must also see Rome.” Acts 19:21. He still meant to see Rome by some means; and it is reasonable to suppose that he expected to travel as he had heretofore,—voluntarily, and at his own charges. He did not know that the Roman government would take him there free of charge.

On his way to Jerusalem, he was dissuaded by prophets from going there. They told him very truly that the Jews at Jerusalem would bind him and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. His reply was, “I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 21:10-13. If he died at Jerusalem, of course he would be excused from going to Rome. So he went bravely on, “not knowing the things,” he says, “that shall befall me there.”

Bible readers know the sequel. He was seized by the Jews, who were determined to kill him, was taken out of their hands by the Roman authorities, and, to save his life, was sent off by night to Cæsarea. The Jews wished to get him back to Jerusalem, under pretence of being tried there, but in reality to give his sworn enemies a chance to murder him. And when he was asked by Festus if he would go up to Jerusalem to be judged by him, his answer was, “I stand at Cæsar’s judgment seat;” meaning, doubtless, that he was there to be judged by a Roman governor, the proper authority, and that he ought not to be put in the power of his murderous enemies. Said he, “I appeal unto Cæsar.” To his surprise, Festus replied, “Hast thou appealed unto Cæsar? unto Cæsar shalt thou go.”

When a boy I used to read the words of Agrippa, namely, “This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Cæsar,” and I would feel regret and sorrow for the apostle, because he had made this mistake. But the Guiding Hand was there. This was God’s way of sending an ambassador to Rome—“an ambassador in bonds.” It was a fearful voyage, one of extreme hardship and suffering; but God caused the Romans to take the apostle to Rome, and then grant him liberty to preach to those who would hear in “his own hired house.”

The Guiding Hand is with the faithful servants of God. They cannot die, until they have fulfilled their mission. It was so in former times; why not so now? God still lives, and has as much interest in his work on earth as ever. He chooses his own instrumentalities as well now as then, and will guide and sustain them, if devoted to his will. Why not, then, fully trust him?

We cannot choose the way for ourselves. Our plans may be thwarted, and our course directed contrary to our expectations. But if, with a true heart, we rely upon the Guiding Hand, the will of God will be accomplished. Why not, then, pray, “Thy will be done”? We must meekly accept our situation, and submit to the crossing of our purposes; for he has said, “The meek will he guide in judgment; and the meek will he teach his way.” Ps. 25:9.

We may regret our want of power. Age may be approaching, and our bodily and mental powers failing; but we must remember that God is strong, and his strength may be shown to be perfect by being exhibited through our weakness. See 2 Cor. 12:9. Let us then cheerfully accept the will of God, and move onward in his service, believing that his hand will guide us, crown our efforts with success, and finally crown us in his kingdom.

“Forward, then, with courage go.”