“Scripture is a garden
which grows a comforting promise for every sorrow.
It is not hard to
smile at the promise, but does your countenance change to a frown when you
remember that you need to obey God's command? As if He were some stern master
who breaks the backs of His servants with heavy burdens! If only you could
ignore a command now and then without giving up your claim to His promise! If
the shoe fits, you have wandered away from the comforting lap of God's
promises.
On the other hand,
you may not be offended by the command at all, but by your own failure to obey
perfectly. Although your foot may slip often, yet your heart cleaves to God's
commands and will not let you lie where you fell, but you get up again,
resolved to watch your step better. Know this, then, that your sincere respect
for the commandment is ample evidence of your title to the promise.
When David confessed
to his love for God's law he did not question his title to the promise: "I
hate vain thoughts; but thy law do I love" Psalm 119:113. He did not say
that he was free from vain thoughts but that he hated them. And he did not say
that he fully kept the law but he loved it, even though he sometimes failed in
total obedience. Because of the testimony which conscience gave concerning
David's love for the law, his faith settled the question once for all:
"You are my hiding place and my shield: I hope in your word" Psalm
119:114.
Gather and sort
the promises into their different application. God does allow His children to
walk through many different trials and temptations: "Many are the
afflictions of the righteous Psalm 34:19. But Scripture is a garden,
which grows a comforting promise for every sorrow. And a wise Christian gathers
one of every kind and writes them down as a doctor keeps records of tried and
proven prescriptions for diseases.”
Quoted material from,
”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by
Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617
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