What an aggregate of guilt and misery

Posted : 14 Feb, 2013 02:12 AM

Psalm 119:11 Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against You.





What an aggregate of guilt and misery is comprehended in

this short word "sin"-the greatest curse that ever entered the

universe of God, and the parent of every other curse! Its guilt

is aggravated beyond the conception of thought. Injury to a

Superior-a Father-a Sovereign! Its power is misery wherever it

extends-in the family-in the world. In eternity its power is

unrestrained. Sometimes the death-bed scene casts a fearful

gleam of light upon "the worm that never dies, and the fire that

never shall be quenched:" but experience only can develop its

full-grown horrors. How supremely important therefore is the

object of our preservation from sin! and how wisely adapted

are the means to the end! That word-which the man of God

had just before mentioned as the guide to the cleansing of the

way-he hides within his heart-not for concealment, but for

security, that it may be ready for constant use. It is not

therefore a mere acquaintance with the word, that will avail

us. There must be a cordial assent-a sound digestion-a

constant respect. It must be to us the rule that we would not

transgress-the treasure that we are afraid to lose. Often

indeed Satan shuts out its entrance. He "catches away that

which was sown." Too often, again, it is "withered or choked" in the soil. But "the honest and good heart" "hides it, keeps it,

and brings forth fruit with patience, unto perfection." Here it

"dwells richly in all wisdom," the storehouse, as occasion

requires; a principle of holiness; a covering from sin. In this

view it is recommended by one who had well acquainted

himself with its valuable uses: "My son, let them not" (the

Divine precepts) "depart from your eyes; keep sound wisdom

and discretion. So shall they be life to your soul, and grace to

your neck. Then shall you walk in your way safely, and your

foot shall not stumble." David also gives us the same

experience: "By the word of Your lips I have kept me from the

paths of the destroyer." And it was probably this recollection,

combined with a sense of continual danger, that suggested

the prayer-"Order my steps in Your word; and let not any

iniquity have dominion over me."

The value of the word is inestimable, as our means of walking

with God in the hurry, business, and temptation of the day.

The Psalms furnish precious materials for spontaneous

prayer; the promises, food for comfort; the rules, such light in

perplexity; the instruction, such solid matter for godly

conference-all operating for one end-a preservation from sin.

Being from the word-a manifestation of the Savior's love-what

a keeping of the heart! what a quickening motive! How

seasonable in worldly temptation is the warning of the word

hidden in the heart, "No man, having put his hand to the

plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God!" So in

the spiritual conflict, let this word-"Him who comes to Me, I will

in no wise cast out," be hidden in the heart-what a

preservation is it against unbelief! Take the word to the

unbelieving believer (if the expression may be allowed),

alarmed by ridicule or persecution-"If the world hates you, you

know that it hated Me before it hated you." Fearing that he

shall never hold out to the end; "I will never leave you nor

forsake you." Trembling lest his sins should rise up to his

condemnation-"The blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God cleanses from all sin." And then as to duties: Let his Savior's

word rebuke his indolence and unwatchfulness-"What! could

you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, that you

enter not into temptation." Hide in the heart the sorrowful story

of His agony in the garden, and His death on the cross, that

"sin may appear yet more exceedingly sinful."

But how is the word to gain entrance into hearts like ours?

How shall it be "hid" in so unkindly a soil? No power of man

surely can plant it there. The Holy Spirit's Almighty agency

must be diligently sought; for in proportion as we are filled with

His gracious influence shall we be armed, as was our Master,

for the effectual resistance of our spiritual temptations.

Lastly, connected with this subject, mark the Christian's

character-"In whose heart is my law." His security-"None of

his steps shall slide." His happiness-"O how I love Your law."

His victory-"The word of God abides in him, and he has

overcome the wicked one." All infallibly provided by the

covenant promise, "I will put My law in their inward parts, and

write it in their hearts." Oh! let us not then shrink from a close

contact with the word, though the cost may be the cutting off a

right hand for the saving of the life. There is no better test of

our security, than our willingness to come to the searching

light of the word.



by

Charles Bridges

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