Mind the Checks
To know and understand God, we must learn to heed His gentle checks and restraints, and trust in His execution of our plans.
Charles E. Cowman emphasizes the importance of heeding God's gentle checks and restraints, comparing His voice to a still, small voice that must be felt and followed. He encourages listeners to give constant ear to God's gentle touches, obey His leading even when it seems contradictory or foolish, and trust in His wisdom and guidance without relying on their own understanding. By learning to wait on God, obeying His voice, and moving in faith even in the dark, one can develop a deep acquaintanceship and fellowship with God that sustains through trials and pressures.
Text
"And after the earthquake a fire; and after the fire a sound of gentle stillness" (1 Kings 19:12, RV margin.)
A soul, who made rapid progress in her understanding of the Lord, was once asked the secret of her easy advancement. She replied tersely, "Mind the checks." And the reason that many of us do not know and better understand Him is, we do not give heed to His gentle checks, His delicate restraints and constraints. His is a still, small voice. A still voice can hardly be heard. It must be felt. A steady, gentle pressure upon the heart and mind like the touch of a morning zephyr to your face. A small voice, quietly, almost timidly spoken in your heart, but if heeded growing noiselessly clearer to your inner ear. His voice is for the ear of love, and love is intent upon hearing even faintest whispers. There comes a time also when love ceases to speak if not responded to, or believed in. He is love, and if you would know Him and His voice, give constant ear to His gentle touches. In conversation, when about to utter some word, give heed to that gentle voice, mind the check and refrain from speech. When about to pursue some course that seems all clear and right and there comes quietly to your spirit a suggestion that has in it the force almost of a conviction, give heed, even if changed plans seem highest folly from standpoint of human wisdom. Learn also to wait on God for the unfolding of His will. Let God form your plans about everything in your mind and heart and then let Him execute them. Do not possess any wisdom of your own. For many times His execution will seem so contradictory to the plan He gave. He will seem to work against Himself. Simply listen, obey and trust God even when it seems highest folly so to do. He will in the end make "all things work together," but so many times in the first appearance of the outworking of His plans,
"In His own world He is content
To play a losing game."
So if you would know His voice, never consider results or possible effects. Obey even when He asks you to move in the dark. He Himself will be gloriously light in you. And there will spring up rapidly in your heart an acquaintanceship and a fellowship with God which will be overpowering in itself to hold you and Him together, even in severest testings and under most terrible pressures.--Way of Faith
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Heeding God's Checks
- The Dangers of Disobedience
- The Importance of Waiting on God
- Let God form your plans and execute them
- Do not possess your own wisdom, but trust in God's execution
Key Quotes
“Mind the checks.” — Charles E. Cowman
“In His own world He is content To play a losing game.” — Charles E. Cowman
“He Himself will be gloriously light in you.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- Give heed to God's gentle checks and restraints in your life.
- Trust in God's execution of your plans, even when it seems contrary to human wisdom.
- Learn to wait on God for the unfolding of His will, and let Him form your plans and execute them.