To E. M.,
I had a nice time this wet evening in musing on the
subject of living faith, and the Word of the Lord. It is a true Word—but
also a tried Word. When a promise is given, it certainly will be fulfilled;
but we are sure to come into circumstances to try it, and try our faith in
it. The Lord promised a son to Abraham and Sarah—but what years elapsed for
the trial of faith before his birth; and when the son was given; what
a fiery trial to take him up to Mount Moriah for a burnt-offering. Could
faith live upon its prospects through such a trial? And could the promise
stand sure amidst such apparent contradictions? Yes, indeed! "He was
faithful who promised;" and He enabled faith to rest in the promise, even
when the shadows of death had fallen so heavily upon it: and we know that
faith was not disappointed.
Again, He promised the land of Canaan to Abraham's seed;
but see what came between, what bondage and hard service in Egypt, what ups
and downs in the wilderness. But faith was kept alive in some hearts: see
Joseph's command concerning his bones, (Gen. 50:25) and Joshua and Caleb's
noble testimony in the face of all difficulties and opposition. (Num. 14:8,
9) What their faith expected came fully to pass: see Joshua 21:43-45.
Again, David was anointed king, and the kingdom was
promised to him; but see how faith was tried when he was hunted by Saul like
a partridge upon the mountains, when he was a stranger in Gath, and, when
like a homeless wanderer, he was sheltered with his men in the cave of
Adullam; yet he was still a king in the Divine purpose, and at the set time
he possessed the kingdom. And thus throughout the Word and in our own
experience, we find how faith and the promise have been sharply tried,
providentially and spiritually. The Lord may seem to have given us a
promise; faith and hope may have been drawn out to expect it; and the Word
may quite warrant it; but it has to go into the fire before fulfillment, as
it was with our fathers.
If the case be a spiritual one, the soul hopes for
deliverance, watches for it, and has at times a sweet pledge thereof; but
yet it comes not, and again seems to be as far off as ever. The soul looks
for light—but beholds darkness; for peace—but beholds evil. This is a hard
lesson—but it is the way of faith, and leads to the city which has
foundations. See what apparent contradictions the worthies of old had to
endure; how contrary to flesh and sense were the Lord's dealings with them.
But as surely as the promised seed was born unto Abraham; and as surely as
his children inherited the promised land; and as surely as David sat upon
the throne of Israel--so surely shall the soul which the Holy Spirit is
exercising with the hard things of its nature's evils, find the end better
than the beginning. Having had the face of desire turned toward the land of
Canaan, it shall, in due time, surely enter there, and prove the difference
between bondage and liberty, though now all these things seem against it.