When Christians Find No Peace Within (5)
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation.—Psa. 42:5
(8) David does not only resolve to turn to God, but presently takes up his soul before it strayed too far from God. The further and the longer the soul wanders from God, the more it entangles itself, and the thicker darkness will cover the soul, yea, the loather it is to come to God again, being ashamed to look God in the face after discontinuing our acquaintance with him; nay, the stronger the league grows between sin and the soul, and the more there grows a kind of suitableness between the soul and sin. If ever we mean to trust God, why not now? The sooner we give up ourselves to the Lord, the sooner we know upon what terms we stand, and the sooner we provide for our best security. Time will salve up grief in the meanest of men; reason, in those that will allow themselves to be ruled thereby, will cure, or at least stay the fits of it; but faith, if we stir it up, will give our souls no rest, until it has brought us to our true rest, that is, to God.
(9) Lastly, we see, that though the soul be overcome by passion for a time, yet if grace has once truly seasoned it, it will work itself into freedom again. Grace, as oil, will be above. The eye when any dust falls into it, is not more tender and unquiet, until the dust be removed, than a gracious soul is, being once troubled. The spirit, as a spring, will be cleansing of itself more and more. Whereas the heart of a carnal man is like a standing pool, whatever is cast into it, there it rests. Trouble and unquietness in him are in their proper place. God has set it down for an eternal rule, that vexation and sin will be inseparable. Happiness and rest were severed because of sin in heaven when the angels fell, and in paradise when Adam fell (Gen. 3) and will remain forever separated until the breach be made up by faith in Christ.
(9) Lastly, we see, that though the soul be overcome by passion for a time, yet if grace has once truly seasoned it, it will work itself into freedom again. Grace, as oil, will be above. The eye when any dust falls into it, is not more tender and unquiet, until the dust be removed, than a gracious soul is, being once troubled. The spirit, as a spring, will be cleansing of itself more and more. Whereas the heart of a carnal man is like a standing pool, whatever is cast into it, there it rests. Trouble and unquietness in him are in their proper place. God has set it down for an eternal rule, that vexation and sin will be inseparable. Happiness and rest were severed because of sin in heaven when the angels fell, and in paradise when Adam fell (Gen. 3) and will remain forever separated until the breach be made up by faith in Christ.
Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Soul's Conflict with Itself, Works, vol. 1, p. 202
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.
The Soul's Conflict with Itself, Works, vol. 1, p. 202
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.
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February
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