A glowing picture of the Christian's delight in the ways of God

Posted : 12 Mar, 2013 07:51 AM

Psalm 119:32 I will run the way of Your commandments, when You shall enlarge my heart.





A glowing picture of the Christian's delight in the ways of God!

If we "have chosen the way of God's commandments," and

have been able to "stick to" this way, surely we shall wish to

"run in it" with constancy and cheerfulness. We shall want to

mend our pace. If we walk, we shall long to "run." There is

always the same reason for progress, that there was for

setting out. Necessity, advantage, enjoyment, spur us on to

the end. Whatever progress we have made, we shall desire to

make more; we shall go on praying and walking, and praying

that we may walk with a swifter motion; we shall be

dissatisfied, yet not discouraged-"faint, yet pursuing." Now this

is as it should be. This is after the pattern of the holy Apostle:-

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this

one thing I do; forgetting those things which are behind, and

reaching forth unto those which are before, I press toward the

mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

But the secret as well as the pattern of Christian progress islooking beyond the Apostle, and the "so great cloud of

witnesses, with which we are encompassed"-and "looking

unto Jesus." Faith is the principle of life, and supplies the daily

motion of life;-directing our eye to Him as "the Author," until

He "becomes the Finisher," of our faith. This is at once our

duty, our privilege, our happiness, and our strength. This is

the point, at which we begin to run; and we "so run, that we

may obtain." But let us more distinctly mark the medium through which this

spiritual energy flows-an enlarged heart. Without this influence

how could we run this way of God's commandments? Such is

the extent and latitude of the course, that a straitened heart is

utterly inadequate to carry us through. There must be large

treasures of knowledge, in order that from a rich "treasurehouse the good things" may pour out abundantly. For indeed

spiritual "knowledge" is the principle of "multiplied grace."

Scriptural truths, divinely fixed in the understanding,

powerfully influence the heart. Christian privilege also greatly

advances this important end. In seasons of depression we are

"so troubled, that we cannot speak." We cannot pour out our

hearts, as at other times, with a large measure of spirit and

life. But when "we joy in God, having received the atonement,"

the spirit is invigorated, as with oil on the wheels, or as "with

wings to mount" on high in the service of praise.

Very different, however, is this enlargement of heart from

enlargement of gifts. Fluency of utterance is too often fearfully

separated from the spiritual life, and utterly unconnected with

delight in the way of God's commandments. It is expression,

not feeling-counterfeit grace-public, not secret or personal,

religion. The yoke of sin is not broken, and the self-deceiver

will be found at last among the deluded throng of gifted

hypocrites, "punished with everlasting destruction from the

presence of the Lord."

Indeed the spiritual principle is far too little realized. At the

commencement of the course, conscious guilt straitens the

approach to the throne of grace. Unbelief imprisons the soul.

And even when the deliverer is known, who "sets at liberty

them that are bruised," still the body of death with all its

clogging burden and confinement presses down the soul.

Unbelief also continues to work, to narrow the conceptions of

the gospel, and by the painful recollections of the past, to

bring in distrust, distance, and bondage. And most painful is this restraint. For the soul, which is but beginning to see how

desirable is the favor of God, feels also an earnest desire to

honor Him. And to him who- having fully "tasted that the Lord

is gracious"-asks, "What shall I render unto the Lord?" this

remaining influence of "the spirit of bondage" is more

afflicting, than perhaps was a greater measure of it in a less

enlightened stage of his way. Still, however, this legal spirit

pursues him. His comforts, ebbing and flowing, according as

he is dissatisfied or satisfied with his Christian progress,

clearly evince a secret "confidence in the flesh," greatly

hindering that "rejoicing in Christ Jesus," which so enlarges

the heart.

Thus by the shackles of sin, unbelief, and self-righteousness,

we are indeed 'sore let and hindered in running the race set

before us.' (Collect for Advent.) The light is obscured. Faith

loses sight of its object. What otherwise would be a delight

becomes a weariness. Obedience is irksome; self-denial

intolerable; the cross heavy. The heart is, as it were, "shut up,

and it cannot get forth." Faith is so low: desires are so faint;

hopes so narrow, that it seems impossible to make progress.

Frequent defeats induce despondency. The world is resorted

to. Sin ensnares and captivates. Thus "we did run well; but we

have been hindered."

This sad evil naturally leads us to inquire for the remedy. The

case is backsliding, not apostasy. The remedy therefore is in

that engagement, which embraces a wider expanse of light,

and a more full confidence of love. We find that we have not

been "straitened" in God, but "in our own affections." If then

the rich fool thought of enlarging his barns, when his stores

had increased upon him, much more should we "enlarge the

place of our tent," that we may make more room for God,

encourage larger expectations, if we would have more full

manifestations of Him. Let not the vessels fail, before the oil

stays. Continually let the petition be sent up-"Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast!" Whatever

cause we have to cry out-"My leanness, my leanness!"-still let

us, in the exercise of faith and prayer, be waiting for a more

cheerful ability to love, serve, and praise. Let us be restless,

until the prison-doors are again opened, and the command is

issued to the prisoners-"Go forth: and to them that are in

darkness-Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and

their pastures shall be in all high places." Who knows but the

Lord will once more shine upon us; once more unloose our

fetters, and renew our strength?

But again and again must we be reminded that every motion

must begin with God. I will run-but how? not in my own

strength, but by "the good hand of my God upon me,"

delivering and enlarging my heart. He does not say-I will make

no efforts, unless You work for me; but if You will enlarge-I will

run. Weakness is not the plea for indolence, but for

quickening grace. "Draw me"-says the Church-"we will run

after You." Effectual calling will issue in running." Where the

Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." The secret of Christian

energy and success is a heart enlarged in the love of God.

Let me then begin betimes-make haste-keep straight on-fix

my eye on the mark-"endure unto the end." I may yet expect

in the joy of blessed surprise to exclaim-"Or ever I was aware,

my soul made me like the chariots of Ammi-nadib." Godly

sorrow had made me serious. Now let holy joy make me

active. "The joy of the Lord is my strength;" and I am ready,

under the power of constraining love, to work and to toil-to run

without weariness-to "march onward" without fainting; not

measuring my pace by my own strength, but looking to Him

who "strengthens with all might by His Spirit in the inner man."

Happy fruit of wrestling prayer and diligent waiting on God!

Joy in God, and strength to walk with Him, with increasing knowledge of Him, increasing communion with Him, and

increasing confidence in Him.

by

Charles Bridges

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