Are we not too apt to cull out the easy work of the Gospel, and to call this love to God?
Posted : 22 Apr, 2013 11:42 AM
Psalm 119:61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me; but I have not forgotten Your law.
Are we not too apt to cull out the easy work of the Gospel, and to call this love to God? Whereas true love is supreme, and ready to be at some loss, and to part with near and dear
objects, knowing that He "is able to give us much more than" we lose for Him. Our resolution to keep His commandments
will soon be put to the test. Some trial to the flesh will prove
whether we flinch from the cross, or study to prepare
ourselves for it. Few of us, perhaps, have literally known this
trial of David. But the lesson to be learned from his frame of
mind under it, is of great importance to all who profess to have
their "treasure in heaven." It teaches us, that only exercised
faith will sustain us in the time of trouble. This faith will enable
us instantly to recollect our heavenly portion, and to assure
our interest in it, in a remembrance of the law of our God. Had
David forgotten God's law, no other resource of comfort
opened before him. But it was ready-substantiating to his
mind "the things that were not seen and eternal." Look again
at the Apostle's deliberate estimate of this very trial-not only
bearing his loss, but absolutely forgetting it in the enjoyment
of his better portion-"Yes, doubtless, and I count all things but
loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my
Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things; and do
count them but dung, that I may win Christ."
The temper of mind under such trials as this, serves indeed
most clearly to discover the real bent of the heart. If we are in
possession of a spiritual and heavenly portion, we shall bear
to be robbed by the bands of the wicked, and yet, "hold fast
our profession." David, under this calamity, "encouraged
himself in the Lord his God." Job, under the same visitation,
"fell upon the ground, and worshiped." The blessings, indeed,
we lose, are but as a feather compared with the blessings
which we retain. The Providence of God is an abundant
support for His children. Their prospects (not to speak of their
present privileges) effectually secure them from ultimate loss,
even in the spoiling of their worldly all. Thus the early
Christians permitted the bands of the wicked to rob them-no-
"they took joyfully the spoiling of their goods; knowing in
themselves, that they had in heaven a better and an enduring
substance." We have, indeed, little reason to be frightened from religion by the anticipation of its trials. The exchange of
the world for God, and of the service of sin for the ways of
heaven, leaves no room for regret in life, in death, or in
eternity. The Christian's darkest hour is ten thousand times
brighter than the brightest day of the ungodly. The hope of the
crown will enable us to bear the cross, and to realize its
sanctifying support as a matter for unbounded praise.
But how desolate are the poor votaries of the world in the hour
of trouble! Ignorant of the all-sufficiency of the refuge of the
gospel; instead of being driven to it by the gracious visitations
of God, they would rather retreat into any hiding-place of their
own, than direct their steps backward to Him. Their
circumstances of distress are most intensely aggravated by
the sullen rebellion of the heart, which refuses to listen to
those breathings of the Savior's love, that would guide them to
Himself, as their sure, peaceful, and eternal rest! Would that
we could persuade them to cast their souls in penitence and
faith before His blessed cross! The burden of sin, as Bunyan's
pilgrim found, would then drop from their backs. And this
burden once removed-other burdens, before intolerable,
would be found comparatively light; no-all burdens would be
removed in the enjoyment of the Christian privilege of casting
all,- sin-care-and trouble, upon Jesus. Contrast the state of
destitution without Him, with the abundant resources of the
people of God. We have a double heaven-a heaven on earth,
and a heaven above-one in present sunshine- the other in
"the city, which has no need of the sun"-where our joys will be
