The awe in which we should stand of God's word

Posted : 11 Sep, 2013 03:38 AM

Psalm 119:162 I rejoice at Your word, as one that finds great spoil.





The awe in which we should stand of God's word, so far from

hindering our delight in it, is, as we have just hinted, the most

suitable preparation for its most happy enjoyment. In receiving

every word of it as the condescending message from Him,

before whom angels veil their faces, we shall rejoice at it, as

one that finds great spoil. Often had David found great spoil in

his many wars; but never had his greatest victories brought

him such rich spoil, as he had now discovered in the word of

God. The joy in this treasure (like that of the church at the

advent of Christ [Isa. 9:3], described by this figure) evidently

implied no common delight. If then the saints of old could so

largely enrich their souls from their scanty portion of the word;

must not we, who are favored with the entire revelation of

God, acknowledge-"The lines are fallen unto us in pleasant

places; yes, we have a goodly heritage?"

This expressive image may remind us, that the spoils of this

precious word are not to be gained without conflict: Here "the

kingdom of heaven suffers violence." Our natural taste and

temper revolt from the word. Our indolence indisposes for the

necessary habitual effort of prayer, self-denial, and faith. But

still "the violent do take the kingdom by force." No pains are

lost-no struggle is ineffectual. What great spoil is divided as

the fruit of the conflict! What abundant recompense is in

reserve for the "good soldier of Jesus Christ," who is

determined, in Divine strength, to "endure hardness," until he

overcomes the reluctance of his heart for the spiritual duty? It

is not a sudden flash, or impression upon the imagination; but

the conqueror's joy in spoiling the field of conflict-solid and

enriching. Sometimes indeed (as in the Syrian camp, 2 Kings

7:8), we find the spoil unexpectedly. Sometimes we see the

treasure long before we can make it our own. And when we gird ourselves to the conflict, paralyzed by the weakness of

our spiritual perceptions and the power of unbelief; many a

prayer, and many a sigh, is sent up for Divine aid, before we

are crowned with victory, and as the fruit of our conquest,

joyfully appropriate the word to our present distress.

But from a cursory, superficial reading of the word of God, no

such fruit can be anticipated. When therefore the flesh or the

world have deadened our delight, and taken from us this great

spoil, should we not arm ourselves for repossession of it?

Should we be unaffected by our loss? Oh, then, since there

are such treasures found and enjoyed in this field of conflict,

let us not lose our interest in them by the indulgence of

presumption, heartlessness, or despondency. Before we

attempt to read, let us cry to the Lord, under the sense of utter

helplessness to perform one spiritual act, for His powerful help

and Almighty teaching. Then we shall persevere with

unconquerable and unwearied vigor, and not fail to share in

the blessed spoil of victory, views of a Savior's dying love-an

interest in the precious blessings of the cross-great spoil-

"unsearchable riches."



by

Charles Bridges

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