My soul breaks for the longing that it has unto Your judgments at all times.

Posted : 24 Feb, 2013 05:27 AM

Psalm 119:20. My soul breaks for the longing that it has unto Your judgments at all times.





This intense desire and affection is the Christian's answer to

his prayers- Open my eyes-Hide not Your commandments

from me. For who that is conversant with this blessed

revelation but longs to be filled with it? In contrasting this glow

with the church of Laodicea, under a brighter dispensation,

"neither cold nor hot" which state, we may ask, most nearly

resembles our own? Observe also, not only the fervor, but the

steady uniformity, of this religion. It was not a rapture, but a

habit; constant and uniform; "at all times." With us such

enjoyments are too often favored seasons, happy moments;

alas! only moments-why not days, and months, and years?

The object of our desires is an inexhaustible spring. The

longing of the soul can never over-reach its object. The

cherished desire, therefore, will become the established habit the element in which the child of God lives and thrives.

This uniformity is the most satisfactory test of our profession.

Often are the judgments prized in affliction, when all other

resources fail: or under a pang of conscience when the terror

of the Lord is frowning upon the sinner. But the excitement

wears off, and the heart returns to its hardness. Often also the

impulse of novelty gives a strong but temporary impression. This is very different from the Christian, whose study is

stretching out its desires at all times; finding the judgments a

cordial or a discipline, a support or a preservation, as his need

may require.

Not less important is this habit, as the test of the soul's

prosperity. We are not satisfied with occasional fellowship with

a beloved friend. His society is the life of our life. We seek him

in his own ways, where he is used to resort. We feel the blank

of his absence. We look out for his return with joyous

anticipation. Now, is this the picture of our soul's longing for

communion with Jesus? We may feel His loss, should the

stated seasons of prayer fail in bringing Him near to us. But

do we long for Him at all times? Do we "wait for Him in the

way of His judgments," where He is usually found? And when

spiritual exercises are necessarily exchanged for the

occupations of the world, do we seize the leisure moment to

catch a word-a glimpse-a look? Is not the heart dumb with

shame in the recollection of the cold habit of external or

occasional duty?

But why this low ebbing of spiritual desire? Do we live near to

the throne of grace? Have we not neglected prayer for the

influence of the Spirit? Have we not indulged a light, vain, and

worldly spirit, than which nothing more tends to wither the

growth of vital religion? Or have not the workings of unbelief

been too faintly resisted? This of itself will account for much of

our dullness; since the rule of the kingdom of grace is,

"According to your faith be it unto you." Grace is, indeed, an

insatiable principle. Enjoyment, instead of satisfying, only

serves to sharpen the appetite. Yet if we are content to live at

a low rate, there will be no sensible interest in the consolation

of the Gospel. We know, desire, and are satisfied with little;

and, therefore, we enjoy but little. We live as boarder on the

land, instead of bearing our testimony: "Surely it flows with

milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it." This is not the thriving, the cheerfulness, the adorning of the Gospel. It is

rather the obscuring of the glory of our Christian profession,

and of the happiness of its attendant privileges.

Let not the fervor of desire here expressed be conceived to be

out of reach; nor let it be expected in the way of some sudden

manifestation or excitement. Rather let us look for it in a

patient, humble, and persevering waiting upon the Lord. We

may have still to complain of coldness and wanderings. Yet

strength to wait will be imperceptibly given: faith will be

sustained for the conflict; and thus "our souls will make their

boast in the Lord," even though an excited flow of enjoyment

should be withheld. One desire will, however, tread upon

another, increasing in fullness, as the grand object is nearer

our grasp.

At all events, let us beware of resting satisfied with the

confession of our lukewarmness to our fellow-creatures,

without "pouring out our heart before the Lord." There is a

fullness of grace in our glorious Head to "strengthen the things

that remain, that are ready to die," as well as at the beginning

to "quicken" us when "dead in trespasses and sins."

Abundant, also,-are the promises and encouragements to

poor, dry, barren souls,-"I will heal their backsliding; I will be

as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth

his roots as Lebanon." For what purpose are promises such

as these given, but that they may be "arguments," with which

to "fill our mouth," when in the contrition of faith we again

venture to "order our cause before God?" And "will He plead

against us with His great power?" No! but "He will put His

strength in us;" and we shall yet again "run the way of His

commandments" with an enlarged heart.



by

Charles Bridges

Post Reply