Can the mere professor make this acknowledgment?

Posted : 18 Jul, 2013 02:20 AM

Psalm 119:129 Your testimonies are wonderful: therefore does my soul keep them.





Can the mere professor make this acknowledgment? He

knows only the letter-the shell, which excites no interest. Yet

hidden from his eye is an unsearchable depth, which will

make the believer a learner to the end of his life. Even he,

who "was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable

words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter," was brought to

this adoring contemplation-"O the depths of the riches both of

the wisdom and knowledge of God!" Every way indeed is this

revelation worthy of Him, the first letter of whose name is

"Wonderful." It lays open to the heaven-taught soul what "eye

has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart

of man." Think of the Creator of the world becoming a

creature-yes, "a curse for man." Think of man-guilty and

condemned-made just with God by a righteousness not his

own. Think of God bringing out of the ruinous fall more glory

to Himself, and more happiness to man, than from his former

innocence-in the display of His mercy-the glory of His justice,

and the investment of sinners-not, as before; with a creature's

righteousness, security, and reward, but with His own

righteousness, guardianship, and glory. Think how "the way

into the holiest of all" is thus "made manifest." Think how

abounding grace is the death as well as the pardon of sin-the

present as well as the everlasting life of the soul. These are

among the stupendous discoveries of the sacred book, that

bow the humble and reflecting mind to the confession-Your

testimonies are wonderful! Let us therefore join with the

Apostle, in "bowing our knees to the God and Father of our

Lord Jesus Christ"-that we "might be able to comprehend with

all saints" (for, blessed be God! the privilege is common to all

His people) "what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height: and to know the" unsearchable "love of Christ," "in

whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

And how delightful is the recollection of these testimonies

being our "heritage forever!" For they are not less wonderful in

their practical fullness, than in their deep unfathomable

mysteries of love. Such is the infinite enlargement of this

"heritage," that He who foreknew every thought that would

find an entrance into the minds of His people, has here

secretly laid up seasonable direction and encouragement for

every, even the most minute occasion and circumstance of

need. Here, again, is wrapped up, in words fitted by wisdom to

receive the revelation, all that communion between God and

man, throughout all ages of the Church, which is treasured up

in the vast unsearchable depository of the Divine mind and

purpose. Can we then forbear repeating the exclamation-Your

testimonies are wonderful!

But it is not enough to 'adore the fullness of Scripture:' we

must seek to imbibe and exhibit its practical influence. Holy

admiration of the testimonies will kindle spiritual devotedness

to them-Therefore does my soul keep them.

The stamp of Divine authority upon them, while it deepens our

reverence, commands our steady and cheerful obedience. To

keep them is our privilege, no less than our obligation; and in

this path we shall delight to persevere to the end.

But how affecting is the thought of the mass, who look at

these wonders with a careless or unmeaning eye,

unconscious of their interesting import! They pass by the door

of the treasury, hardly condescending to look aside into it: or

only taking a transient glance, which comprehends nothing of

its inexhaustible stores. "I have written to them"-says the

Lord-"the great things of My law: but they are counted as a

strange thing." But far more wonderful is it, that we,

enlightened, in answer to prayer (See verse 18), with "the Spirit of wisdom and revelation"-should often be so indifferent

to the mysteries of redeeming love here unfolded before us,

and should experience so little of their practical influence! Oh!

let the recollection of our indolence, and want of conformity to

them, never cease to humble us. Let us not enter into the

testimonies, as a dry task, or an ordinary study; but let us

concentrate our minds, our faith, humility, and prayer, in a

more devoted contemplation of them. Every such exercise will

extend our view of those parts, with which we had conceived

ourselves to be competently acquainted: opening a new field

of wonders on every side, far beyond our present contracted

apprehensions.

And can any joy be imagined so sublime as the adoring

contemplation of this revelation? It reflects even to angels a

new and glorious manifestation of their God. It engages their

every faculty with intense admiration and delight. And while

they behold and worship with self-abasement, their obedience

is lively. "With twain he" (the seraph before the throne)

"covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with

twain he did fly." Thus may we study the same lessons, and

with the same spirit. May our contemplation humble us in the

dust, and animate us in the service of our God! Your

testimonies are wonderful: therefore does my soul keep them.



by

Charles Bridges

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