THE LAME TAKES THE PREY - J. C. O'Hair

THE LAME TAKE THE PREY

Pastor J. C. O'Hair

In Isaiah 33:23 we are told that the lame take the prey.
In I Corinthians 1:21 we read a most important truth: “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” God has only one way to save lost humanity. We learn in the first two chapters of I Corinthians that this way does not please the wisdom of this world. But we read in I Corinthians 3:19 that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God: and that God taketh the wise in their own craftiness. “Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” (I Corinthians 1:20). “The foolishness of God is wiser than men.” “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” “That no flesh should glory in His presence.” (I Corinthians 1:27 to 30).
We read in Isaiah 33:23, “THE LAME TAKE THE PREY.” This is true only in the spiritual realm. In Satan’s world, in this present civilization, those who are mentally, financially or physically weak do not take the prey. They are preyed upon.
We read this truth in Acts 4:13 - “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
Then note what the educated wise man, Paul, said in I Corinthians 2:1 to 5 - “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
The Lord selected twelve unlettered, humble men to be His apostles. Then He later chose a cultured, well-trained man, and even this one was determined not to make a show of his excellency of speech or enticing words of man’s wisdom. The twelve apostles and Paul believed that the lame take the prey. “And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are.” I Corinthians 1:28.
The lame take the prey. How did the Israelites take the well-defended Jericho? With the ark of God and the blowing of trumpets. How did Shamgar smite the 600 Philistines? With the ox goad. How did Gideon’s 300 defeat thousands of Midianites? With pitchers, lamps and trumpets. How did David subdue and kill the mighty Goliath? With a stone in his sling. These are the stories told in our Scripture reading for this lesson. Read them. The lame take the prey. “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called”; I Corinthians 1:26).
How are Christians to overcome the world and win the victory for Christ among sinners. “Faith is the victory that overcometh the world.” (I John 5:4). “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. But we preach Christ crucified.” I Corinthians 1:21 and 23. The Lame take the prey. “The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation unto every one that believeth.” (Romans 1:16). The greatest need of this twentieth century civilization with all its culture, wisdom and pride is the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed unto Paul in the first Christian century. (I Timothy 1:11). The truth of I Corinthians 1:18 to 23 is right up to date.

Posted By – Cecil Spivey

Cspivey1953@gmail.com

 

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