[I like studying the lives of dead Christians. They finished well and they learned much of God's faithfulness along the way, trusting decreasingly in themselves and increasingly on Him. None had original ideas, they just took God at His Word and watched God do mighty things through them. Their stories are sobering and inspiring.]

In this weekend’s sermon on God’s Immutability, I closed with a brief story about Charles Simeon. Here is the link to the original article by John Piper on desiringgod.org, quoted below.

“He was a pastor in the Church of England from 1782 to 1836 at Trinity Church in Cambridge. He was appointed to his church by a bishop against the will of the people. They opposed him not because he was a bad preacher but because he was an evangelical—he believed the Bible and called for conversion and holiness and world missions.”

“For 12 years the people refused to let him give the afternoon Sunday sermon. And during that time they boycotted the Sunday morning service and locked their pews so that no one could sit in them. He preached to people in the aisles for 12 years! How did he last?”

Simeon wrote: “In this state of things I saw no remedy but faith and patience. [Note the linking of faith and patience!] The passage of Scripture which subdued and controlled my mind was this, "The servant of the Lord must not strive." [Note: The weapon in the fight for faith and patience was the Word!] It was painful indeed to see the church, with the exception of the aisles, almost forsaken; but I thought that if God would only give a double blessing to the congregation that did attend, there would on the whole be as much good done as if the congregation were doubled and the blessing limited to only half the amount. This comforted me many, many times, when without such a reflection, I should have sunk under my burthen.” (Charles Simeon, by H.C.G. Moule, p. 39)

"Where did he get the assurance that if he followed the way of patience, there would be a blessing on his work that would make up for frustrations of having all the pews locked? He got it, no doubt, from texts like Isaiah 30:18, "Blessed are all those who wait for the Lord." The Word conquered unbelief and belief conquered impatience."

“Infinite wisdom has arranged the whole with infinite love; and infinite power enables me—to rest upon that love. I am in a dear Father's hands—all is secure. When I look to Him, I see nothing but faithfulness—and immutability—and truth; and I have the sweetest peace—I cannot have more peace. (Charles Simeon, p. 172)”

Charles Simeon saw God's faithfulness over six decades of ministry. He knew at the beginning and saw proven that, though people and life are always changing, God remains the same. God alone stands as the firm foundation, on Him must be our confidence, assurance, and therefore peace beyond all circumstantially shifting understanding. Confident of God's unchanging nature, we pray with more belief, trust His Word most quickly, speak with His authority, and rest in only His redemption.