Knowing
and Understanding God!
"Thus
says the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither
let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man
glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this,
that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises
loving kindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth;
for in these things I delight, says the Lord!" Jeremiah
9:23, 24.
Many
are the ways in which God is seeking to make Himself known
to us and bring us into communion with Him. Nature speaks
to our senses without ceasing. The open heart will be impressed
with the love and glory of God as revealed through the works
of His hands. The listening ear can hear and understand the
communications of God through the things of nature. The green
fields, the lofty trees, the buds and flowers, the passing
cloud, the falling rain, the babbling brook, the glories of
the heavens, speak to our hearts, and invite us to become
acquainted with Him who made them all.
Our Saviour
bound up His precious lessons with the things of nature. The
trees, the birds, the flowers of the valleys, the hills, the
lakes, and the beautiful heavens, as well as the incidents
and surroundings of daily life, were all linked with the words
of truth, that His lessons might thus be often recalled to
mind, even amid the busy cares of man's life of toil.
God would
have His children appreciate His works and delight in the
simple, quiet beauty with which He has adorned our earthly
home. He is a lover of the beautiful, and above all that is
outwardly attractive He loves beauty of character; He would
have us cultivate purity and simplicity, the quiet graces
of the flowers.
If we
will but listen, God's created works will teach us precious
lessons of obedience and trust. From the stars that in their
trackless courses through space follow from age to age their
appointed path, down to the minutest atom, the things of nature
obey the Creator's will. And God cares for everything and
sustains everything that He has created. He who upholds the
unnumbered worlds throughout immensity, at the same time cares
for the wants of the little brown sparrow that sings its humble
song without fear. When men go forth to their daily toil,
as when they engage in prayer; when they lie down at night,
and when they rise in the morning; when the rich man feasts
in his palace, or when the poor man gathers his children about
the scanty board, each is tenderly watched by the heavenly
Father. No tears are shed that God does not notice. There
is no smile that He does not mark.
If we
would but fully believe this, all undue anxieties would be
dismissed. Our lives would not be so filled with disappointment
as now; for everything, whether great or small, would be left
in the hands of God, who is not perplexed by the multiplicity
of cares, or overwhelmed by their weight. We should then enjoy
a rest of soul to which many have long been strangers.
As your
senses delight in the attractive loveliness of the earth,
think of the world that is to come, that shall never know
the blight of sin and death; where the face of nature will
no more wear the shadow of the curse. Let your imagination
picture the home of the saved, and remember that it will be
more glorious than your brightest imagination can portray.
In the varied gifts of God in nature we see but the faintest
gleaming of His glory. It is written, "Eye has not seen,
nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man,
the things which God has prepared for them that love Him"
1 Corinthians 2:9.
The poet
and the naturalist have many things to say about nature, but
it is the Christian who enjoys the beauty of the earth with
the highest appreciation, because he recognizes his Father's
handiwork and perceives His love in flower and shrub and tree.
No one can fully appreciate the significance of hill and vale,
river and sea, who does not look upon them as an expression
of God's love to man.
God speaks
to us through His providential workings and through the influence
of His Spirit upon the heart. In our circumstances and surroundings,
in the changes daily taking place around us, we may find precious
lessons if our hearts are but open to discern them. The psalmist,
tracing the work of God's providence, says, "The earth
is full of the goodness of the Lord… Whoever is wise,
and will observe these things, even they will understand the
loving-kindness of the Lord" Psalm 33:5; 107:43.
God speaks
to us in His word. Here we have in clearer lines the revelation
of His character, of His dealings with men, and the great
work of redemption. Here is open before us the history of
patriarchs and prophets and other holy men of old. They were
men "subject to like passions as we are" James 5:17.
We see how they struggled through discouragements like our
own, how they fell under temptation as we have done, and yet
took heart again and conquered through the grace of God; and,
beholding, we are encouraged in our striving after righteousness.
As we read of the precious experiences granted them, of the
light and love and blessing it was theirs to enjoy, and of
the work they wrought through the grace given them, the spirit
that inspired them kindles a flame of holy emulation in our
hearts and a desire to be like them in character - like them
to walk with God.
Jesus
said of the Old Testament Scriptures, - and how much more
is it true of the New, - "They are they which testify
of Me," the Redeemer, Him in whom our hopes of eternal
life are centered, John 5:39. Yes, the whole Bible tells of
Christ. From the first record of creation - for "without
Him was not anything made that was made" - to the closing
promise, "Behold, I come quickly," we are reading
of His works and listening to His voice, John 1:3; Revelation
22:12.
If you
would become acquainted with the Saviour, study the Holy Scriptures.
Fill the whole heart with the words of God. They are the living
water, quenching your burning thirst. They are the living
bread from heaven. Jesus declares, "Except you eat the
flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you have no
life in you." And He explains Himself by saying, "The
words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life"
John 6:53, 63. Our bodies are built up from what we eat and
drink; and as in the natural economy, so in the spiritual
economy: it is what we meditate upon that will give tone and
strength to our spiritual nature.
The theme
of redemption is one that the angels desire to look into;
it will be the science and the song of the redeemed throughout
the ceaseless ages of eternity. Is it not worthy of careful
thought and study now? The infinite mercy and love of Jesus,
the sacrifice made in our behalf, call for the most serious
and solemn reflection. We should dwell upon the character
of our dear Redeemer and Intercessor. We should meditate upon
the mission of Him who came to save His people from their
sins. As we thus contemplate heavenly themes, our faith and
love will grow stronger, and our prayers will be more and
more acceptable to God, because they will be more and more
mixed with faith and love. They will be intelligent and fervent.
There will be more constant confidence in Jesus, and a daily,
living experience in His power to save to the uttermost all
that come to God by Him.
As we
meditate upon the perfections of the Saviour, we shall desire
to be wholly transformed and renewed in the image of His purity.
There will be a hungering and thirsting of soul to become
like Him whom we adore. The more our thoughts are upon Christ,
the more we shall speak of Him to others and represent Him
to the world.
The Bible
was not written for the scholar alone; on the contrary, it
was designed for the common people. The great truths necessary
for salvation are made as clear as noonday; and none will
mistake and lose their way except those who follow their own
judgment instead of the plainly revealed will of God.
We should
not take the testimony of any man as to what the Scriptures
teach, but should study the words of God for ourselves. If
we allow others to do our thinking, we shall have crippled
energies and contracted abilities. The noble powers of the
mind may be so dwarfed by lack of exercise on themes worthy
of their concentration as to lose their ability to grasp the
deep meaning of the word of God. The mind will enlarge if
it is employed in tracing out the relation of the subjects
of the Bible, comparing scripture with scripture and spiritual
things with spiritual.
There
is nothing more calculated to strengthen the intellect than
the study of the Scriptures. No other book is so potent to
elevate the thoughts, to give vigor to the faculties, as the
broad, ennobling truths of the Bible. If God's word were studied
as it should be, men would have a breadth of mind, a nobility
of character, and a stability of purpose rarely seen in these
times.
But there
is but little benefit derived from a hasty reading of the
Scriptures. One may read the whole Bible through and yet fail
to see its beauty or comprehend its deep and hidden meaning.
One passage studied until its significance is clear to the
mind and its relation to the plan of salvation is evident,
is of more value than the perusal of many chapters with no
definite purpose in view and no positive instruction gained.
Keep your Bible with you. As you have opportunity, read it;
fix the texts in your memory. Even while you are walking the
streets you may read a passage and meditate upon it, thus
fixing it in the mind.
We cannot
obtain wisdom without earnest attention and prayerful study.
Some portions of Scripture are indeed too plain to be misunderstood,
but there are others whose meaning does not lie on the surface
to be seen at a glance. Scripture must be compared with scripture.
There must be careful research and prayerful reflection. And
such study will be richly repaid. As the miner discovers veins
of precious metal concealed beneath the surface of the earth,
so will he who perseveringly searches the word of God as for
hid treasure find truths of the greatest value, which are
concealed from the view of the careless seeker (Matthew 13:44).
The words of inspiration, pondered in the heart, will be as
streams flowing from the fountain of life.
Never
should the Bible be studied without prayer. Before opening
its pages we should ask for the enlightenment of the Holy
Spirit, and it will be given. When Nathanael came to Jesus,
the Saviour exclaimed, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in
whom is no deceit!" Nathanael said, "How do you
know me?" Jesus answered, "Before Philip called
you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you" John
1:47, 48, NKJV. And Jesus will see us also in the secret places
of prayer if we will seek Him for light that we may know what
is truth. Angels from the world of light will be with those
who in humility of heart seek for divine guidance.
The Holy
Spirit exalts and glorifies the Saviour. It is His office
to present Christ, the purity of His righteousness, and the
great salvation that we have through Him. Jesus says, "He
shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you." John
16:14. The Spirit of truth is the only effectual teacher of
divine truth. How must God esteem the human race, since He
gave His Son to die for them and appoints His Spirit to be
man's teacher and continual guide!
"Let
him who glories glory in this, that he understands
and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises loving
kindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth!"
This
meditation is from The Path to Peace, pp. 41-44.
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