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Post by Admin on May 25, 2024 10:57:50 GMT -5
To the Reader
These following sermons are the works of the esteemed preacher,
Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs, who is now a shining figure in the upper
world. However, those who have been taken out of this sorrowful
world and carried to the highest heaven by glorious angels have no
need for the praise of humans, as they enjoy the presence of the
eternal God. Therefore, I will turn my attention to these exceptional
sermons that are presented before you. In the first three, you will
discover a profound and glorious truth, namely, that a heart that
trembles at God's Word is highly valuable in God's sight. This truth is
explained clearly, supported thoroughly, and eloquently and
faithfully applied. By God's grace, it can greatly contribute to the
inner and everlasting well-being of your precious and immortal soul.
Before we proceed, let me clarify the various meanings of the term
"Word" as used in the Scriptures. Firstly, at times, "Word" refers to
the entirety of the Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments.
Secondly, "Word" may signify our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the life
and essence of the Scriptures (as stated in John 1:3). Thirdly, "Word"
can refer to the commands found in the Scriptures (Hebrews 1:4).
Fourthly, "Word" may denote the warnings and threats issued by
God. Fifthly, "Word" can represent the precious promises of God, as
mentioned in Psalm 119:49. We should remember and hold on to
these promises, as God is faithful and does not forget, but it is our
duty to remind Him by actively seeking the fulfillment of His
promises. Finally, "Word" can also pertain to the holy prophecies
scattered throughout the Scriptures, as indicated in Jude 14.
This multifaceted understanding of the Word led a renowned
minister in Germany, Baldusgar, to declare, "Let the Word of the
Lord come, let it come, and we will willingly submit to it even if we
had hundreds of necks to place under its yoke."
The purpose of the esteemed author in this small work is to persuade
and influence the reader to submit to the Word, to be guided by the
Word, to value the Word, to store up the Word, and to live according
to the Word in a manner that reflects the teachings of the Gospel.
The Jewish Rabbis used to say that there are mountains of profitable
knowledge hanging upon every letter of the Law. I can assure you
that in the following discussion, you will discover heavenly insights
abounding in all the key points that this blessed author presents for
your serious contemplation in this concise treatise. Here, you have
Homer's Iliad condensed into a nutshell, containing abundant
valuable material within a small space.
It is said of Caesar that he cared more for his books than for his royal
garments. When he had to cross waters to escape his enemies, he
carried his books in his hands above the waters but lost his robes.
However, what significance do Caesar's books hold compared to
God's books or to this little book now placed in your hands? Surely,
the Word of the Lord is extremely precious to all those gracious souls
who have a conscientious fear and reverence for it. Luther said he
could not live even in paradise without the Word, but with the Word,
he could endure living in hell itself. The philosopher expressed
gratitude for being born in a time of true philosophy. Oh, how
fortunate are we who are born in an era when the Lord pours out His
Spirit abundantly, not in drops as in the time of the Law, but as
showers of His gifts and graces. This was clearly evident in the
author of this following piece. He was not just a day-star but the sun
of righteousness that rose upon the people who were once privileged
to sit under the author's ministry. It is also a great part of this world's
blessings that they continue to be enriched by his excellent works to
this very day.
One cannot claim that anything divine belongs to them until it
resides in their heart. I can call a bird or any object mine when I hold
it in my hand, but I cannot say that God is mine until He resides in
my heart, or that Christ is mine until He resides in my heart, or that
the Spirit is mine until He resides in my heart, or that grace is mine
until it resides in my heart, or that the Word is mine until it resides
in my heart. "I have hidden your word in my heart," says David, "that
I might not sin against You." Therefore, dear reader, it is of utmost
importance for you to internalise the Word that is presented before
your eyes in this piece. Ah, Christians, your hearts are never in a
better state, a safer state, a sweeter state, a happier state, a more
gospel-oriented state than when they are in a trembling state.
Therefore, make this little work your delightful companion until your
hearts are brought into such a blessed state, and so on.
Obj. But can't reprobates and devils tremble at the Word? Didn't
Belshazzar tremble at the handwriting? Didn't Felix tremble at the
Word preached by Paul? And isn't it said that even the devils believe
and tremble?
Ans. Wicked individuals and devils may indeed tremble at the
judgments pronounced in the Word, but they do not tremble at the
offense committed against God's holy commandments as sincere
Christians do. In Ezra 10:3, Shecaniah declared, "We have trespassed
against our God; let us make a covenant with our God according to
the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the
commandments of God." They tremble upon realizing their sins
exposed by the commandments, whereas before, they were hardened
in their practices such as marrying with the Canaanites. However, we
find no evidence of this response in Belshazzar, Felix, or the devils.
Secondly, I respond that the wicked tremble but never mend their
ways. Pharaoh trembled but never changed. Saul trembled but never
improved. Belshazzar trembled but never corrected his actions. Felix
trembled but never made amends. Even the devils tremble but never
mend their ways. On the contrary, Paul trembled and cried out,
"Lord, what do you want me to do?" The jailer also trembled and
asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
Thirdly, the trembling of the wicked pushes them further away from
God and their duties. We see this in the example of Saul, who, in his
trembling state, sought a witch. However, when godly individuals
experience trembling, their souls draw closer to God. Jehoshaphat
feared and set himself to seek the Lord, proclaiming a fast
throughout all Judah. Saints, amidst their holy tremblings, pursue
God fervently, just as the people followed Saul's tremblings.
[4] Fourthly, the godly tremble and mourn; their trembling hearts
are broken hearts, and their broken hearts are trembling hearts.
They look upon sin and tremble, and they look upon sin and mourn.
In Jeremiah 25:13,17, it is written, "But if you will not listen, my soul
will weep in secret places for your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly
and run down with tears." On the other hand, the wicked tremble,
but their hearts remain as dry and hard as rocks, even harder than
rocks. In Jeremiah 5:3, it is said, "They have made their faces harder
than rock; they have refused to return." Pharaoh trembled, yet he
remained hardened, and the devils tremble, yet they too are
hardened. If a single penitent tear could purchase heaven, hell could
not offer that one tear. Repentant tears are precious. As Gregory
said, they are the fat of the sacrifice; as Basil said, they are the
medicine of the soul; as Bernard said, they are the wine of angels.
However, these tears can only be found among those chosen souls
who have a conscientious fear of God's Word and who possess the
tender hearts depicted in this little treatise. Indeed, there is no worse
state of spirit to encounter on this side of hell than the one that leads
a sinner to shed counterfeit tears, to despise God's forbearance, and
to rebel against His mercy. Such was the case with that profane Arian
who was executed at Harwich, as recounted by Mr. Greenham in a
strange and remarkable account. This hellish heretic, for that is how
those who denied Christ's divinity were regarded in those times, shed
a few insincere tears shortly before his execution and asked if he
could be saved by Christ. When someone told him that he would not
perish if he genuinely repented, he responded with these words: "No,
if your Christ is indeed so easily persuaded as you say, then I defy
Him and do not care for Him." Oh, what a horrible blasphemy and
desperate wickedness! For a person to draw themselves away from
repentance by using the very cord of love that should have drawn
them towards it. But—
Fifthly, and finally, the hearts of wicked individuals and devils only
tremble in anticipation of punishment and the impending judgment.
It is similar to how a criminal trembles before the judge, weighed
down by the sense of their impending doom. However, a child of God
trembles under the weight of God's goodness and kindness towards
them. In Hosea 3:7, it is written, "They shall fear the Lord and his
goodness" or, as some interpret it, "They shall fear the Lord because
of his goodness." The Hebrew phrase "pavebunt ad Dominum" can
be understood as "trembling, they shall make haste to Him" (similar
to how startled doves hasten to their nests, as seen in Hosea 11:11).
Just as holy tremblings and gladness can coexist (Psalm 2:11), and as
holy fear and joy can coexist (as seen in the women who left Christ's
tomb with fear and great joy in Matthew 28:8, a peculiar
combination of two contrasting emotions often found in the purest
hearts), so too can holy love and trembling coexist. When a child,
filled with love for their father, perceives that they have caused
offense or sorrow, they tremble, much like the poor woman in Mark
5:33, who approached Christ with trembling, fearing that she had
offended Him, yet with a heart full of love for Him. Thus, when a
child of God fixes one eye upon the holiness and justice of God, they
tremble; and when, at the same time, they fix their other eye upon
the patience, goodness, graciousness, and willingness of God to
forgive as a father, they experience love and joy. However, the
trembling of the wicked arises solely from the anticipation of
impending wrath and the torment they already feel in their
conscience, even before reaching hell. I thought it necessary to
mention these five points so that the reader may be better equipped
to address the same objection when encountering it in this small
workThe refreshing dew of heaven has abundantly fallen upon many, yet
like Gideon's fleece, they remain dry while the regions around them
are soaked. Isn't this the case with many nowadays, who sit under
the preaching of the Gospel and have access to the works of
renowned men every day? And yet, how is it that their souls resemble
the mountains of Gilboa, upon which neither dew nor rain
descended? This is truly a lamentable state. When the books of the
law accidentally fall to the ground, the Jews immediately declare a
fast. Oh, my friends, what reason do we have to fast and mourn when
we witness the Word preached, printed, and offered being trampled
upon today by atheists, papists, Socinians, and other vain
individuals? The Jews have a law that commands them to pick up
any piece of paper they find lying on the ground, lest perhaps the
Word of God be written on it and unknowingly trodden underfoot.
While Christians should be free from such superstitious concerns,
they ought to be extremely cautious that not even the smallest iota of
the Word, the slightest truth revealed in the Word, be trampled
underfoot by themselves or others. We must consider its excellence
and usefulness as a guide, as a light that leads us through the
wilderness of this world towards the heavenly Canaan. Proverbs 6:22
states, "When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it
shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee."
According to the gloss of the Rabbinical interpreters, this means that
the Word will lead you in your journey through this world, it will
keep you when you lie down in the grave, and it will speak to you
when you awaken at the glorious resurrection. But to keep the
introduction brief, I shall hasten to a conclusion. Among all others,
there are three types of individuals to whom I earnestly recommend
this treatise.
[1] Firstly, this treatise is intended for those who tremble at the Word
and possess tender and sensitive hearts. They will discover valuable
comforts, special encouragements, and exceptional support to uplift
and sustain them during their greatest trials, whether internal or
external, and even in the most challenging of times.
[2] Secondly, it is also meant for those who are bold sinners, secure
sinners, insensitive sinners, and unaware sinners. They will
encounter a variety of arguments that aim to awaken, startle, soften,
and bring them into a state of trembling and tenderness. The treatise
provides them with specific guidance and advice on how to attain
those spiritual dispositions that hold infinitely more value than all
the crowns and kingdoms that people are presently striving for at the
cost of bloodshed.
[3] Thirdly, it is intended for those who experience numerous fears,
doubts, and internal debates regarding whether they truly tremble at
the Word and possess a tender heart. I dare to assert that such
individuals will find in this treatise those blessed truths that, through
divine blessings, will dispel their fears, resolve their doubts, and
bring a favorable resolution to all their internal struggles.
Reader, once you have sincerely read through this small treatise, I
am confident that you will readily agree with me on the following
points: Firstly, the two main themes discussed here, namely, our
trembling at God's Word and possessing a tender heart, are of great
significance and weight. Secondly, they are noble and essential
aspects that all should strive to understand and comprehend in order
to attain blessings in this life and happiness in the hereafter. Thirdly,
they are timely and appropriate subjects for the days and times in
which we live, characterized by a multitude of sins and accompanied
by severe spiritual judgments such as blindness, hardness, and
insensitivity. Fourthly, these themes encompass various other crucial
points that are intricately intertwined and dependent upon them.
Lastly, they are not frequently addressed from the pulpit or widely
disseminated through printed materials.
Reader, a dear friend has convinced me to trouble you with reading
this letter. Now, I shall conclude with a few words of advice.
1. Let the person who lays their eyes upon this book not borrow it,
but purchase it.
2. Read it with seriousness.
3. Value it greatly.
4. Pray earnestly over it.
5. Strive to align both your heart and your life with the teachings
found within it.
6. Treasure it among your most prized possessions.
7. And when you are in a position of spiritual strength, remember
the sincere and heartfelt desire of the writer, reader, and listener
that this little piece may be greatly blessed.
With that, I bid you farewell and rest,
Your true friend and servant to your soul,
Thomas Brooks
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Post by Admin on May 25, 2024 10:59:09 GMT -5
SERMON I.
—And that trembleth at my Word. -Isaiah. 66.2.
The intention of the Holy Spirit, at the beginning of this chapter, is to
redirect the people's hearts away from finding satisfaction in the
magnificent temple they possess and the outward acts of worship
they engage in. The Holy Spirit accomplishes this through two
arguments presented at the start of the chapter. Thus says the Lord:
"Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What
significance does it hold, then, that you have built such a glorious
temple for my honor? I have no need for it, for my throne is in
heaven, and the entire earth serves as my footstool. So where is the
house you have built for me? Where is the place of my rest?"
Furthermore, not only does God have His throne in heaven and the
earth as His footstool, but He has also created all these things. He
reminds them that He is the one who has made the entire world.
They may consider the temple they have built as something grand,
but in reality, God has created the entire world, and if He so desired,
He could have made a thousand more worlds.
As for outward acts of worship, God wants to discourage them from
finding satisfaction in these alone. Therefore, He informs them that
when they rely on outward duties while living wickedly, it holds no
more value to Him than the slaying of a man. He expresses His
abhorrence through four illustrations: First, killing an ox is akin to
killing a man. Second, sacrificing a lamb is like cutting off a dog's
neck. Third, offering an oblation is akin to offering swine's blood.
Fourth, burning incense is comparable to blessing an idol. These are
strong expressions that reveal God's intense disapproval of outward
services when accompanied by a sinful life. He provides the reason
behind His stance—they have chosen their own way. As long as they
persist in their own paths, their actions, no matter what they may be,
are detestable in God's eyes. He will not regard their temple or their
sacrifices.
So, what pleases God then? He answers this question in the second
verse: "But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a
contrite spirit, and trembles at my word." It is as if God is saying,
"Regarding your magnificent temple and all your sacrifices, what do
they mean when you choose your own ways?" God looks upon those
who are humble, contrite in spirit, and tremble at His word. The
glorious temple and all the sacrifices cannot compare to the value of
a heart that submits to God and reveres His word.
But are there any impoverished souls, any contrite hearts who
acknowledge their own sinful nature? Are there any broken-hearted
sinners among you who tremble at my Word? This means more to
me than all the sacrifices you can offer. Here we have three
qualifications of someone whom God will pay attention to and
consider: one who is poor, has a contrite spirit, and trembles at my
Word. Such an individual is the one I look upon, delight in dwelling
with, and take pleasure in. Firstly, it is a poor spirit, then a contrite
one, and finally, the one who trembles at God's Word. It is the third
qualification that I wish to focus on: trembling at God's Word.
People of the world live extravagantly and possess cheerful spirits. As
it says in Malachi 3:15, "And now we call the arrogant blessed." Your
bold, joyful, and proud spirits are highly esteemed in the eyes of the
world. However, if you want to know who is precious in God's eyes, it
is the one with a poor, contrite spirit who trembles at the Word,
those whom men despise. Who faces greater contempt from others
than those with poor and contrite spirits whose hearts shake and
tremble at God's Word? The bold and cheerful spirits of the world
scorn being troubled by the Word. But God asks, "Is there anyone
who trembles at my Word?" In a gathering as large as this, He
searches through all to find if there is any impoverished soul who
trembles at His Word. Such an individual is an object of special
consideration to God.
May there be many such individuals in this congregation, even today,
for God is looking among you. Oh, that He may find objects to gaze
upon, those who are delightful in His eyes! And such individuals are
those who tremble at His Word. Therefore, the doctrine we are to focus on is this:
Doctrine: A heart trembling at God's Word is highly esteemed in God's eyes.
To him I will look. Some translate it as "To that thing will I look." Oh,
that's the thing I truly love to gaze upon—a heart that trembles in
response to my Word. In the eyes of God, all the beautiful objects in
the world are not as lovely as a heart that trembles at the Word. The
Lord considers nothing in the world worthy of His gaze in
comparison to this object. He looks upon it with great delight. He
does not say, "To him will I look who does my Word, who obeys my
Word," but rather "to him who trembles at my Word." As someone
commented on this passage, there is often more godliness in the
trembling of the heart than in the work of the hand. Many things
may hinder a true, gracious heart from carrying out God's Word. The
heart may genuinely receive the Word and desire to do it, but various
obstacles may arise between the heart and the action, hindering
someone with a sincere heart from fulfilling it. However, as long as
there is a trembling frame of heart in response to the Word, that is
what God looks at. Physicians may consider trembling of the heart as
a disease, but this trembling of the heart is the excellence of the heart
and the joy of the soul wherever it is found.
In 2 Kings 22:19, we see the example of Josiah, a king who merely
heard the Word of God being read, and his heart immediately began
to tremble. His heart melted before the Lord. Oh, what a blessing it
would be for kingdoms to have their kings possess such tender
hearts! If God were to grant the great leaders of the world such
tender hearts that tremble in the presence of God upon reading or
hearing anything from His Word, it would be a great mercy. It is
fitting for the greatest individuals in the world to tremble whenever
they encounter the Word of God.
Now, in addressing this point, there are four things that need to be done.
Firstly, briefly show how the heart is affected when it trembles at
God's Word—what it means to have a trembling heart in response to God's Word.
Secondly, explore what a gracious heart sees in God's Word that causes it to tremble.
Thirdly, distinguish between the trembling of a gracious heart and
the trembling that may exist in a hypocrite. We find that even Felix
himself trembled, and Scripture tells us that even the devils tremble.
Fourthly, the reason why God accepts such a heart, why it is so
pleasing to God and why He looks upon it. These are the four aspects
that need to be presented in the point, and they will lead to the
application. The point is of great significance.
Firstly, in regard to the workings of the heart that trembles at God's
Word, or to describe the frame of a heart trembling at the Word of
God (I will briefly touch upon this because I will focus more on the
second aspect): If you want to understand the nature of a heart's
trembling at the Word, let me explain.
First, such a heart holds high, honorable, and reverent
thoughts of God's Word, even if previously it was lightly
esteemed. The Word of God was considered no different from
other words, like passing wind. But now the soul holds very
high, honourable, and reverent thoughts of the Word of God,
with a profound appreciation for it. It regards the Word with
solemn thoughts, realizing that it is indeed its very life.
Secondly, as a result, the soul attentively listens when the Word
is either read or preached, regardless of how it is delivered. It
eagerly attends to it and sets its heart upon it. As Moses said to
the people in Deuteronomy 32:46, "Set your hearts to all the
words which I testify among you this day, which you shall
command your children to observe to do, all the words of this
law." Why? Because it is not a worthless or empty thing for you;
it is your life. Before, a person may have approached hearing the
Word in an ordinary manner, simply to pass the time or to hear
what someone had to say. But now, when God works this
gracious frame in the heart, the soul sets itself to it as to its life,
recognizing that it is not a worthless thing.
I see that my life is in it, and there is a reverent attention to the
Word of God. Fear causes the eye to be fixed. When someone
has a fearful apprehension of something, it causes their gaze to
be fixed upon it. Similarly, when there are many among the
audience who tremble at God's Word, it captivates their
attention. Their thoughts are directed towards it in a solemn
manner, and they dare not allow themselves to be distracted, not
even with wandering thoughts or looking around. They are
attentive, eager to hear what God has to say to them.
Thirdly, when such a person has heard the Word, they do not
dare to dispute against it. It is true that one may examine the
preached word, but not to dispute against it. Prior to attaining
this trembling frame, the heart may be prone to rise against the
Word and entertain objections and futile arguments. However,
now that the heart trembles at it, it does not dare to cavil and
object as it did before.
Fourthly, the heart that trembles at the Word considers it a
dreadful condition to have the Word speak against them. It
regards it as the greatest evil for the Word of God to be against
them, to hear it speaking against them and proclaiming threats.
Oh, this is an uneasy state! How can I eat, drink, or sleep
peacefully when the Word of God is against me?
Fifthly, a heart that trembles at the Word receives every
command of the Word with reverence and humility. It submits
itself to the Word and does not resist any part of it, neither the
commands nor the threats. It opens itself to receive and
embrace whatever the Lord has to give. There was a saying of
someone who declared, "Let the Word of the Lord come, and we
will submit even if we had six hundred necks to place beneath
it." Similarly, a heart that trembles at the Word does not resist it
but willingly opens itself to receive everything the Lord has to
offer.
Sixthly, even the promises in God's Word are received with
trembling. This means that the heart apprehends the immense
distance between God and itself, as well as its own unworthiness
of the mercy extended through the promise. Though the heart
takes hold of the promise, it does so with reverence and fear.
Therefore, a heart that trembles in this manner at the Word of
God is precious in God's eyes and receives His attention.
Now, what is it that a gracious heart sees in God's Word that causes
it to tremble? Understanding this will help you sanctify the name of
God in many sermons to come. What God requires of all of you is
that when His Word is sent among you, your hearts should not swell
against it. Instead, you should receive it with a trembling frame of
heart. Oh, the honour that would come to God and the benefit to
your own souls if you were to receive it with a trembling frame of
heart! I will show you the reasons why a gracious heart has cause to
tremble at God's Word, what it sees in it. It is not out of weakness of
spirit that it does so, but the Lord reveals it in His Word to the heart,
leaving it no other option. In Judges 3:20, when Ehud came to
Eglon, the King of Moab (a pagan king), he prefaced his message by
saying, "I have a message from God for you." Notice how the king
responded, he immediately rose from his seat in reverence for the
Word that came from God. You should regard all the ministers of
God who reveal His truths to you with great reverence. God cannot
but take offense when He sees that even the most wicked person
behaves irreverently towards his master, yet does not care about
showing irreverence towards the Word of God. In Jeremiah 13:15, it
says, "Hear and give ear; be not proud, for the Lord has spoken." If it
is the Word of God, there must be no swelling of the heart against it.
The greatest and most wicked pride of all is when people's hearts
swell against the Word. Many of you may think that pride lies in
clothing and appearance, but the greatest pride is when you rise
against the Word. Many of you may think that there is no pride in
your hearts, but how have you behaved when the Word of God has
confronted your deepest corruptions?
First, it is the Word of God. He sees God in it.
Secondly, not only does he see that it is God's, but he sees an
abundance of glory, majesty, greatness, and excellence of God that
shines in His Word. The Lord reveals to this heart that there is an
immense divine radiance and glory in the Word that it trembles at,
which causes it to tremble. Among all things in the world, the Word
of God contains the highest amount of God's glory. Though it is true
that a soul, while in darkness, may not see any of this for a long time,
when God's time comes to work graciously upon the heart, God
opens up to this heart a divine radiance shining in the Word that it
has never seen before. This makes the heart stand in awe of it more
than ever before. In Psalm 138:2, it says, "For you have magnified
your word above all your name." Or, as some read it more fully
according to the original text, "You have magnified your word above
all your name; that is, the name of God is magnified above all things.
Oh, the Word of God contains more of God's name than the whole
world! Take heaven and earth, the entire creation combined, and
they do not possess as much of the name of God as the Word of God
does. There is more of God, a greater and more divine radiance in the
Word of God than in heaven and earth.
And therefore, by the way, you may be convinced of a great deal of
ignorance and darkness that has been in you all this while. If we
believe this truth that in God's Word there is more divine radiance
than in all the creatures in heaven and earth, surely you have been in
the dark. I appeal to your consciences: have you seen this divine
radiance? We know that there is much of the glory of God in all His
works - in the heavens, the sun, the moon, the stars. We behold the
glory of God shining there. And in the seas, those who go down into
the depths behold the wonders of the Lord. Even on the earth, all
creatures cry out to us to fear the Lord and to tremble before Him. It
is an indication of a stubborn, wretched, vile, and hardened heart
that does not tremble before the Lord as He appears glorious in His
great works. Every creature cries out to us, "Oh, will you not fear the
God who has made me?" Every creature calls out, even though you
may have had a deaf ear until now, it calls out, "Will you not fear the
God who has made me?" Yes, God Himself wonders that mankind
does not fear Him upon considering the glory that shines in some
pieces of His work. In Jeremiah 5:22, God asks, "Fear you not me?"
Will you not tremble at my presence? God speaks in a way of
admiration. He wonders that men have such hard hearts. "What?
Will you not fear me, who has placed the sand as the bound of the
sea by a perpetual decree, so that it cannot pass it? And though its
waves toss themselves, they cannot prevail; though they roar, they
cannot pass over it." God only mentions this one work of His. Oh, is
there any bold, desperate sinner who will not fear such a God as I
am, who does such a great work as this? And then again, in verse 24,
the Lord mentions another work of His. God wonders that men do
not say in their hearts, "Oh, let us fear God who gives rain! We see
that we depend upon the God who gives rain. Oh, therefore let us
fear Him." Now God expects that all His creatures who see this
glorious work should reason in this way: "Oh, what a glorious God is
this, at whose mercy we lie! Let us fear this God!"
Well then, if God wonders that men do not fear Him upon seeing His
glory in these two works of His, then He may wonder even more that
men do not fear Him in light of all those glorious names of His that
appear in His Word. Now, a gracious heart begins to see this, which
it did not see before, and therefore trembles at His Word.
Thirdly, it sees more. It sees not only a divine radiance, but also a
most dreadful authority in the Word of God. It is not just the
greatness, splendour, and glory that causes fear, but the authority. If
we were to see a prince in his greatness, in his pomp, it would cause
some fear. But when we consider the authority that he has over us,
that is what truly instils fear. In Jeremiah 10:6-7, it says, "There is
none like you, O Lord; you are great, and your name is great in
might. Who would not fear you, O King of the nations? For to you it
appertains," etc. See how fear is grounded upon authority. "O Lord,
you have absolute and supreme authority over all nations of the
world. Who would not fear you?" Certainly, this is the reason why
people's hearts are so vain and indifferent before the Word of God,
because they do not apprehend the dreadful authority within it. It
has authority that encompasses potentates as well as the poorest
individuals living on the face of the earth. It has authority over all
other authorities. It has authority over the heart, over the soul.
Nothing in the world has authority over people's consciences except
the Word of the Lord, and that Word has authority. It has the
authority to bind consciences, to awe and terrify men.
So, a gracious heart sees the great seal of heaven stamped upon every
truth in God's Word and therefore dares not trivialize it as it did
before. It approaches the Word either as a sovereign to receive laws
or as a judge to receive the sentence of condemnation. It regards the
Word as backed with such authority that it must either yield to it or
be bound over to eternal death, with bonds that no power of any
creature in heaven or earth can release. When a soldier is rebuked by
a fellow soldier, it doesn't bother him much. But if the general
speaks, who holds his life in his hand, then he trembles. Similarly,
when people come to hear the Word as coming from a minister
whom they consider their equal, they don't pay much attention to it.
But a gracious heart, regardless of the minister, regards the Word as
superior. Cyprian calls it the tribunal of the church because that is
where people receive the sentence of death upon themselves. When
the soul sees this, it cannot help but tremble at whatever truths are
revealed to it. That's the third aspect.
But fourthly, a gracious heart trembles at God's Word because it sees
infinite justice in it, the justice of God that threatens eternal curse
upon every soul that does not obey it in every aspect. In
Deuteronomy 33:2, it is called a fiery law, a part of God's law, the
fiery law of God. We know how the law was given with great
dreadfulness, as can be seen in Exodus 19. The mountain shook and
trembled when the law of God was given. And God expects the hearts
of sinners to tremble when they hear the law of God at any time.
But you may ask, "We are delivered from it, so why should we tremble?"
However, even though we have been delivered, there is still a reason
to tremble because we were once under the law, and we deserved to
be under it. We read about Moses himself, a godly man who was in
Christ, yet in Hebrews 12:21 it says that the sight was so terrible that
Moses, the servant of God, said, "I exceedingly fear and quake." This
is especially true if the soul does not fully understand that it has been
completely delivered from the guilt of sin. The conscience will testify
that the Word of God has an advantage over it. When Samuel came
to Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled at his coming, as
mentioned in Ezra 16:2, it says, "The people sat trembling because of
the matter." They had much guilt in them and knew that the Word
had the advantage over them, so they trembled. It is important for
everyone to tremble to some degree. That's the fourth aspect.
Fifthly, a gracious heart sees the Word of the Lord backed by infinite
power. In Ecclesiastes 8:4, it says, "Where the word of a king is, there
is power." Similarly, where the Word of the Lord is, there is power to
fulfill it. In the latter end of Matthew 28, Jesus says, "All power in
heaven and earth is given unto me." What follows? "Go therefore and
preach." What can we observe from this connection? It implies that
all the power in heaven and earth given to Jesus will accompany you
while you are preaching His Word to fulfill the word that you preach.
Therefore, whenever you hear any truth of God preached from His
Word, know that all power in heaven and earth is sent forth to assist
and fulfill it. Whether it is a threat to be fulfilled or a promise to be
fulfilled, the power of God is at work.
In Isaiah 55:11, the Lord says that His Word shall not be in vain, it
will not return empty, but in one way or another, it will accomplish
the purpose for which He sent it. We may hope that God's intention
in sending His Word to you has been out of mercy, but it will surely
achieve some specific purpose that God has had among you. In
Ezekiel 6:10, God declares, "They shall know that I am the Lord, and
that I had not said in vain that I would do this evil to them." God
wants every sinner to know that He is the Lord and that His words
are not spoken in vain. It is as if God is saying, "If I am God, then My
Word shall prevail and have an impact. All the power I possess will
accompany My Word to fulfill it." We know from Matthew 5:18 that
heaven and earth may pass away, but not one jot or tittle of God's
Word will pass away. This reveals God's firm commitment to His
Word. He would rather remove His power from upholding heaven
and earth than withdraw His power from assisting His Word. If even
one small truth (as you may consider it) has touched your conscience
and made you ponder, "If this is true, what will become of me?" Pay
attention, for heaven and earth may pass away, but God's Word will
always be fulfilled. The Lord would rather lose the entire world than
lose His Word.
Sixthly, a gracious heart sees the radiance of God's holiness, and
being aware of its own impurity, it trembles. In Psalm 99:3, it says,
"Let them praise your great and awesome name; Holy is He!" The
name of God is great and awesome, and it is great and awesome
because it is holy. The Word of God is nothing less than a reflection
of His infinite holiness. When the brilliance of His holiness is
revealed, it strikes fear into their hearts. In Isaiah 6, when the
prophet heard the seraphim crying out, "Holy, holy, holy," the text
says that even the blessed prophet himself cried out, "Woe is me, for
I am undone!" The mere mention of the glory of God's holiness
caused the prophet's heart to shake and tremble. Now, if a godly
person trembles in this way, how much more should the hearts of
those who are impure and corrupt tremble at the Word when they
come to realize that it is a reflection of the holiness of the infinite God!
Seventhly, there is another aspect that must not be overlooked, and
that is the glorious, lofty, and divine mysteries that are revealed in
God's Word, which cause a gracious heart to tremble. In the Word of
God, there are wondrous, exalted, and awe-inspiring mysteries that
are disclosed—mysteries that should be approached with trembling.
It is more fitting for humble creatures to receive them with reverence
than to attempt to unravel them through inquiries. Oh, the mysteries
of salvation! They are of such infinite magnitude that they cannot
help but instill trembling in the hearts of those who come to
comprehend their glory. There is the mystery of election,
redemption, the hypostatic union, the death of the Son of God,
justification, reconciliation, adoption, sanctification, and
glorification. These are mysteries to be revered due to their
unfathomable depth, length, height, and breadth.
Junius, the renowned theologian whose works have been a great
blessing to the Church, recounts his own experience. He confesses
that he was an atheist before his conversion. However, on a rainy
day, as he returned home and noticed a New Testament lying before
him, he picked it up and began to read. He came across the first
chapter of John, which is filled with majestic words. He recalls, "As I
read the book, my body trembled, and my soul was immediately
astonished. I was so overwhelmed with horror and amazement that I
shook in every part of my being, and my heart trembled within me. I
was in a state of confusion and astonishment throughout the entire
day, not knowing where I was."
And this was the means of the conversion of that renowned
theologian: when God allowed a few rays of the gospel to shine upon
his heart through His Word, his heart was struck with trembling, and
it became the instrument of his soul's conversion. How many times
have you read that chapter and heard other mysteries of the gospel
without being so deeply affected! When the Lord intends to show
favour to a soul, He reveals some of the profound mysteries found in
His Word.
I have heard of a godly man, a great scholar, who was in his study,
deeply engrossed in contemplating the glory of God as it manifested
in the arts and sciences. For indeed, various arts are nothing more
than glimpses of God's wisdom. While pondering this, he was so
overwhelmed that he fell upon his face. Surely, these glorious
mysteries ought to cause us to bow down, adore, and tremble before
the Lord even more intensely.
In heaven, it will be the grand occupation of the saints and angels to
stand in awe and marvel at these splendid mysteries of the gospel.
The soul not only trembles at the demands of strictness found in
God's Word but also at the awe-inspiring mysteries contained within
it.
Eighthly, furthermore, a gracious heart trembles at the Word
because it finds it to be exceedingly effective and powerful. The Word
is likened to a two-edged sword, remarkably alive wherever it goes,
as stated in Hebrews 4:12 and onwards. "For the word of God is
quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing
even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and
marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart,"
and so on. The Word of God operates with vivacity, working within
the soul with great swiftness, leading towards either heaven or hell.
This is why it is a Word to be trembled at. It is not the same for
people when the Word comes with power as it was before. In the
days of ignorance, God overlooked certain things. Thus, in the very
first commission that Christ gives to His apostles, to go and preach,
He declares, "Go you, and preach the Gospel to every creature; he
that believeth shall be saved; he that believeth not, shall be damned."
You can see how prompt Christ is. If they come in and believe, even
the greatest sinner of all shall be saved. Approach the most wicked
sinner, if they come in, they shall be saved; if not, they shall be
damned. The Lord deals with great swiftness with those who live
under the powerful ministry of the Word. Therefore, when John the
Baptist comes to preach, he declares, "Now is the axe laid to the root
of the tree." Why now? Why not before? Because now John the
Baptist has arrived among the people, and now their natural
condition is being revealed to them, and they feel the Word speaking
directly to their consciences. If they do not submit now, then the axe
is laid to the root of the trees. They must not expect to go on as they
did before. Perhaps they were old drunkards, habitual swearers, and
they managed to escape consequences for a long time. But now they
must not think they can continue to escape for long. Therefore, as the
Apostle says, "The word is either the savour of life unto life, or else
the savour of death unto death" (2 Corinthians 2:16). This may seem
challenging to understand, so let us explain it a little further. He does
not say that death comes to one and life to another, but rather the
savour of death and the savour of life.
The meaning is this: It is derived from things that are so full of spirit
and efficacy that even the very scent is enough to bring about life or
death. If one were to encounter a medicine whose scent alone could
revive someone from death to life, we would say it is a very potent
substance, full of vitality. Well, the Word is so full of vitality that if it
is embraced, it brings life through its very essence, but if not, it
becomes the scent of death leading to death. Ambrose, in his
commentary on the text, uses this expression: "They receive the
Word as the Plague if they do not obey it." Just like the plague, the
mere scent of it is enough to bring death. Similarly, the Word of God,
when not obeyed, becomes like a plague to wicked and ungodly
individuals, and its very essence destroys them. This means that
when I come to hear the Word, I come to hear something so powerful
that each sermon I listen to, I must expect to be either closer to
heaven or closer to hell. If you have attended a sermon and left
carelessly, without taking it seriously or reflecting upon it, ask
yourself: Did this sermon bring me closer to heaven than before? If
not, then you are closer to hell.
Ninthly, furthermore, it trembles at the Word because it recognizes
that the Word determines everyone's eternal destiny. If you wish to
know how it will be for you in eternity, if you simply examine the
Word and pay attention to it, you can know. For the Word contains
what determines the eternal fate of every human being. Therefore,
the Word deserves great reverence. When a prisoner is being
sentenced to life, they look upon those in power with a trembling
heart, even if they know they are innocent and hope for a favorable
verdict from the jury. However, when they look at the jury, they
realize that these are the individuals who will decide their fate, and
they cannot help but tremble. Similarly, if you understand the
immense consequence of an eternal destiny, you cannot help but
tremble. When you open the Book of God, you recognize that this is
the book that will determine your eternal fate, so it is a Word to be
trembled atTenthly, yes, not only does it determine our eternal destiny, but it is
also a probing Word that examines and scrutinizes us in the present.
It delves into the innermost recesses and secrets of the heart,
dividing between the marrow and the bones, and revealing the very
thoughts within. When a wounded person has a surgeon examine
their wound, they look upon them with a trembling heart.
And many can attest to it from their own experience. How often have
I come to the Word of God and found it penetrating my very heart,
reaching the depths of my soul beyond all superficiality, laying bare
everything before the Lord. And oh, the trembling that follows for a
long time thereafter. In 1 Corinthians 14:25, it is said, "And thus the
secrets of his heart are revealed. So, falling down on his face, he will
worship God and report that God is truly among you." This is spoken
of a poor ignorant man who enters a congregation, initially curious
and in awe, but eventually realizes that the secrets of his heart are
being exposed. In response, he falls down in reverence to God,
worships Him, and acknowledges that God is present in that place.
Similarly, many men and women, when they come to hear the Word,
do so with worldly and empty hearts. However, when they discover
that the Word scrutinizes them, enters into their being, wrestles with
them, and confronts the inward and hidden disorders of their spirits,
they are compelled to bow before the Word and proclaim, "Truly,
God is in this Word." This experience causes sinners to humble
themselves, and those with gracious hearts have encountered this
effect through the Word.
Lastly, a gracious heart trembles at God's Word because it recognizes
that it will be opened to judge them on the great Day. It examines
and probes the soul in the present and will be one of the books
opened to judge all humanity on the final day. In John 12:48, it is
written, "He who rejects me and does not receive my words has that
which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the
last day." The words you hear now will be called to account once
again—every sermon you have heard, every truth that God has
impressed upon your conscience will be summoned and will judge
you on the great Day. If you consider the Word as the arbiter of
judgment on the final Day, it cannot help but make you tremble. Oh,
if a gracious heart perceives the depth of meaning in the Word of
God as has been revealed, surely there is ample reason for it to
tremble at the Word of God. Let us not condemn those who tremble.
Even if you do not tremble, do not be surprised, for God has granted
them a vision that He has not yet granted you. But when the time of
God's love arrives for your souls, you too shall see.
A few words of application: If this is true, then you should realise,
firstly, how little you have understood the Word of God all this time!
Oh, how little have I personally grasped of all that has been
explained! Yet, there are some who see, regardless of what you do.
Sometimes, even great scholars fail to see this, those with exceptional
intellects. But perhaps, it is a poor servant who does see. "I thank
you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth," says Christ, "that you have
hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed
them to little children." Now, if you find that God has worked these
things in your hearts and your hearts tremble at His Word, then
praise God for it. This can greatly help you in facing other fears that
you may have. Oh, we fear what malicious people can do! But if you
fear God's Word, you need not fear anything else. But you may say, "I
have much sinfulness and wickedness in my heart, and I find that I
am unable to do what God's Word requires." This can bring you
comfort in all your weaknesses. Even though you may not fulfill
everything the Word requires, God knows that you have a heart that
obeys His Word in some things as well as in others. The Lord accepts
your trembling, even when you lack the ability to perform. "Then
those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid
attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written
before him," says God, "for those who feared the LORD and
esteemed his name. 'They shall be mine,' says the LORD of hosts, 'in
the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare
them as a man spares his son who serves him.'" If you fear God, now
you have a promise that even with many weaknesses, God will spare
you as one spares his only child who serves him.
Secondly, there are numerous sources of consolation.
Certainly, if you tremble at God's Word, you will be comforted, even
if you may not find comfort at this moment. If the Word of God can
make your heart tremble, it will bring you comfort. Wait for it. There
is as much comfort in the Word of God for your soul as there was
terror. Look at the chapter where my text is, verse 2: "I will look to
him who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word."
So, what will happen to them? Verse 5: "Hear the word of the LORD,
you who tremble at his word." God repeats it because He loves it so.
Are there any poor individuals whose conscience can testify, "Now
the Lord knows that, despite my many weaknesses, He has instilled
the awe and fear of His Word in my heart"? Your brethren, who
hated you and cast you out for the sake of my name, will say, "Let the
LORD be glorified." But He will appear to your joy, and they will be
put to shame. Why does He speak of this comfort? Why does He say,
"Your brethren, who hated you and cast you out for the sake of my
name, will say, 'Let the LORD be glorified'"? Among these people,
there were some who had tender consciences and dared not do the
things others did. Therefore, their brethren hated them and cast
them out. And it was not only notorious wicked individuals, but they
said, "Let the LORD be glorified." They claimed to desire God's glory
just as much as you. Yet, they cast out their brethren. But the Lord
would comfort those who were cast out, those who trembled at His
Word and refused to yield to the things others did.
Is it not the same today, my brethren? Some were willing to yield to
anything to preserve their possessions and avoid trouble. But there
were others who trembled at God's Word and would risk anything
rather than go against the Word of God in any way. Now these
individuals were thrown into prison, and the pretext was, "Let God
be glorified." Now hear this: He will appear to your joy, and they will
be put to shame. Oh, how this has been fulfilled.
Those proud individuals who were cruel in their oppression and cast
out their brethren, yet the faithful ones gave up everything and
entrusted their cause to God. But in a short time, how God has
appeared to our joy and their shame. The fulfillment of this scripture
alone should make us cherish the Word of God. If our forefathers,
who trembled at God's Word and endured much persecution, were
alive to witness this fulfillment, it would be enough to astonish them
and acknowledge God's goodness. They would exclaim, "The Word of
the Lord is good, and the Lord is faithful to all His promises."
And whatever may be imposed upon you in the future, if anything is
imposed upon you that the Word of God does not uphold, be
cautious. One who trembles at God's Word dares not do anything
that is not supported by God's Word. It will not be enough for you to
say on the great Day of Jesus Christ, "Such and such great men did
this and that, and they commanded me or persuaded me, so I
followed their commands or examples." But someone who trembles
at the Word of the Lord will not do so. Surely the Lord has
individuals in this congregation who tremble at His Word. I can
clearly see the serious intention you have towards the Word of the
Lord that is being delivered. God looks upon those families and
individuals in a parish who set such good examples, making it
evident to others that their hearts are captivated by the authority of
God's Word.
Whenever you come to hear, do not regard it as the word of men, but
as the Word of God. Even if it seems harsh to you, know that it comes
for your own good. And there is a reason you should do so. It is the
Word from which you received your life, the immortal seed of the
Word by which you were born again. I ask you, have you been born
again or not? If you have been born again, it is the Word that has
begotten you, and it is that Word which is the object of your faith for
your souls and eternal state. Surely, it deserves your reverence.
Once again, the Word of God should be the foundation of all your
prayers. Whenever you pray to God, if you do not base your prayers
on the Word, it will be of little use. As David said, "Have mercy on
me according to your Word." Furthermore, in times of affliction, the
Word should be your source of comfort. Therefore, it is crucial that
you reverence it now.
Indeed, if your souls are to be saved, it will be through the Word.
Therefore, be cautious not to despise it. Oh, it will weigh heavily on
your conscience, both on your sickbed and deathbed! Fear the Word of God now!
You may say, "We will fear the Word of God," but is everything a
person says considered the Word of God? We know that individuals
hold different opinions.
To that, I respond, when something is presented in God's name, do
not dismiss it lightly. Instead, test and examine it. Suppose someone
comes to you with the official seal; will you say, "I don't recognize it
as the official seal, so I won't obey it"? Doing so may cost you your
possessions or even something dear to you. Similarly, when
something is presented in the name of God, do not dismiss it without
consideration. Rather, examine it and test it against the Scriptures to
determine if it aligns with the divine standard.
I knew a gentleman who, upon returning home from a sermon, said,
"Well, if what this minister says is true, then we are in a bad
situation." Woe to the person whose primary comfort relies on the
false belief that what they hear from the Word is not actually the
Word. That individual is in a wretched state, having no other
foundation for their comfort. However, you may ask, "Should we
accept everything that is taught?"
No, not without discernment. In the book of Acts, they were
commended for examining whether what Paul delivered to them was
true. It is indeed commendable for people to scrutinise whether what
a minister imparts is truly the Word of God.
Yet, some of us are poor and ignorant individuals, you might say.
Therefore, I want to address the most ignorant among you and guide
you on how to distinguish the Word of God from other teachings.
Firstly, if you desire to know, approach with a heart willing to submit
to what you come to understand. As stated in John 7:17, "If anyone
chooses to do God's will, they will find out whether my teaching
comes from God or whether I speak on my own." If you have a heart
surrendered to God, willing to obey, you will discern whether the
doctrine being presented is from God or merely human. There is a
promise—make use of it.
Secondly, plead this promise before the Lord. Find a solitary place,
cry out to God, and implore Him to reveal the truth to you. Go and
pray, saying, "Lord, I have heard certain things spoken, and it seems
they are touching my heart, but I am feeble and ignorant. If it is Your
Word, Lord, make it resonate in my heart."
Another rule to follow is this: if you are able to read, search the
Scriptures. Seek out your neighbours and approach the ministers,
striving to understand the reasons behind the teachings given to you.
This applies even to the most ignorant individuals. They have no
excuse unless they come with hearts surrendered to God and make
use of every possible means to comprehend the Word of God. And
when you attend sermons to hear the Word, endeavour to maintain a
constant state of trembling in your hearts. The Word that you
currently tremble at will, from that moment onwards, bring comfort
to your heart.
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Post by Admin on May 25, 2024 11:30:28 GMT -5
SERMON. II.
What the True Sanctified Fear of God and His Word is.
—And that trembleth at my Word. -Isaiah. 66.2.
I will not repeat anything, but rather reflect on other aspects of this
significant and weighty matter that concerns us so closely.
The heart that trembles at God's Word is regarded with fondness by
God; it is very pleasing in His sight.
But you may argue, "Even the devils believe and tremble" (James
2:19). In this regard, they surpass many miserable and audacious
sinners, whom we will discuss in the application later. We also read
about Felix, who was an infamous wicked man, trembling at the
Word (Acts 24:25). As Paul reasoned about righteousness,
temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled. Felix, a judge
sitting on the bench, and Paul, a lowly prisoner at the bar. Yet,
through his preaching on righteousness, temperance, and judgment
to come, Paul made the judge tremble on his seat. This demonstrates
the power of the Word. It is worth noting that in the preceding verse,
it is mentioned that Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a
Jewess. It is curious why his wife is specifically mentioned here.
Interpreters refer to the Jewish story of that time, which tells us that
Drusilla, Felix's wife, was previously married to another man.
Because Felix was a man of great honour, she left her previous
husband and even her religion to marry him. So now, the text says,
"As he reasoned of righteousness," targeting Felix, a corrupt judge,
"and temperance," addressing his immorality as a womanizer,
"Drusilla, who was present, was a vile, wicked, unclean woman."
Therefore, he spoke of temperance and discussed things that would
strike closest to their consciences. And he also spoke of judgment to
come, reminding the judge and his Delilah that both of them would
one day stand before the Almighty God to give an account. Felix
would answer for his injustice, and both he and Drusilla would
answer for the filthiness in which they lived. This illustrates the
Apostle's boldness. Although he was a prisoner, he spoke words that
would deeply affect those he addressed, knowing full well that he
would provoke them both.
It is said that Felix trembled, but we do not read the same of his wife.
In fact, if women give themselves to impurity, they become even
more hardened. Felix, though a wicked and ungodly man, was
compelled to tremble at Paul's preaching. Now, you may argue, "If
even the devils tremble, and Felix can tremble, how does it prove
that a heart that trembles at God's Word is so pleasing to God?" A
poor trembling heart may say, "I'm afraid that my trembling and fear
are only in response to the threat of God's Word. I hear about the
coming judgment, and I tremble, but what does that amount to? It's
nothing."
Answer: Regarding that, I respond: Nothing, yet that's something.
Firstly, it is a sign that the Word has exerted more power over your
hearts than before.
Secondly, it is something. It involves placing fear upon the right
object, and that's significant. Even if there isn't a gracious principle
to fully act upon that object as it should, setting fear upon the right
object is still meaningful.
Yes, thirdly, trembling in this manner is somewhat significant. It can
prevent a great deal of evil and keep you free from many
temptations. Even the trembling of your heart can strengthen you
against temptations.
Fourthly, it is even more significant because it may serve as
preparation for additional good that God intends for you.
Objection: But you might argue that this could be the extent of it, and
nothing more.
Answer: Yes, but first, understand that no one who has grace can be
without this to some extent. Although some who have this trembling
may lack grace, no one who possesses grace can be without it.
Objection: You might say, "Yes, it is possible for some to be brought
to Christ without experiencing trembling."
Answer: To that, I respond, when a soul is brought to Christ, why
does it embrace Him? Why does it believe in Him and rely upon
Him? Is it not to reconcile the dreadful separation between God and
the soul through Christ the Mediator? And can the soul be aware of
this and not tremble? Certainly, it cannot help but tremble.
Therefore, although it may be absent where there is no grace, where
there is grace, this trembling exists.
Secondly, understand that this disposition of the heart (and even to
this extent you have reached) is what God uses to work in those
whom He intends to bring good to in the end.
Objection: But you may argue that some may have this trembling
and yet not be saved. They may perish in the end, even though they
have a degree of fear when faced with the threats in God's Word.
Answer: To that, I reply, it is true that there may be trembling in
response to the threats in the Word of God, and yet the soul may fail
to find salvation. Not only may it lack saving grace in the present, but
it may never attain it at all. However, know that there is a significant
difference between the trembling that God brings to a positive
outcome and the trembling that ultimately leads to nothing.
I will demonstrate this distinction and then proceed to explain what
true, sanctified trembling at God's Word entails.
But first, let's consider even the trembling at God's threats. There is a
significant difference when you put together these four or five
aspects that I am currently discussing. You will see a clear distinction
between the fear that leads to nothing and the fear that God
ultimately brings to something. Those who possess these five
characteristics, when combined, exhibit a trembling that, I believe,
has never failed to yield positive outcomes.
Firstly, when the trembling (although initially triggered by the
threats in God's Word, it surpasses all other fears), I mean in terms
of its intensity. Two factors contribute to the intensity of fear in the
heart:
First, the magnitude of the evil.
Secondly, the difficulty of overcoming that evil.
If the evil is trivial, the heart disregards it. Even if the evil is great, if
it can be easily avoided, the human heart tends to dismiss it.
However, when these two factors are combined—an immense evil
that is exceedingly challenging to avoid—the heart experiences fear.
Now, the soul that is brought to trembling comprehends the breach
between God and itself, recognizing the profound evil of sin as
revealed in the Word, the greatest evil of all. It develops a new
perception of the difficulty involved in reconciling with God. The
Word reveals that establishing peace with God is an infinitely
arduous task, and based on this understanding, the soul trembles
with a fear that surpasses all other fears and trembling.
Secondly, (because we must not consider any of these signs in
isolation) it is consumed by great fear to the extent that it justifies
God. And here lies a significant distinction indeed, for if you only
consider the magnitude of fear on its own, it may exist in some who
may perish. But when you add to it the other aspect—that in this
profound fear, when the soul trembles at what the Lord has revealed
in His Word—the soul justifies God and His Word entirely. Despite
the Word speaking dreadful things against me, the Word of God is
just, and God is righteous in His Word. The soul humbles itself and
justifies God in all the severity that He unveils in His Word against
the sins of which the soul is conscious. When the heart reaches this
point, it truly enters a hopeful condition. There are many who are
compelled to tremble, but they resent God and complain about the
justice of God and His Word. However, when the Lord strikes the
heart with fear and causes the soul to justify Him and His Word,
then the soul is truly on the right path.
Thirdly, this heart not only fears the threats of God's wrath but also
fears the evil of departing from God and losing His presence—the
loss of communion with God, being forever cast out from the Lord,
never to behold His face or experience His goodness. This is revealed
in the Word, and the soul trembles at it just as it does at the concept
of Hell. Many carnal hearts may tremble upon hearing about the
threats of Hell and eternal fire, but for the heart to tremble at the
thought of God departing from it and being rejected by the Holy and
Blessed God—oh, that is a very positive sign when the heart trembles
at this.
Fourthly, the heart trembles at the Word of God to such an extent
that nothing can calm it, nothing can satisfy it except Reconciliation
with God. When the heart is struck with this fear and trembling,
nothing can satisfy it except being reconciled with God Himself.
Whatever God may propose to it, it can never find contentment.
Some may tremble at God's Word in times of sickness, but if they
regain their health, they are at peace. They tremble in afflictions, but
in prosperity, they are calm. However, the heart that is struck with
the fear that God intends to bring it to good will never find peace in
anything other than reconciliation with God.
Fifthly, this fear is not one that drives the heart away from God or
causes it to resort to worldly solutions, nor does it lead to despair
and fleeing from God. Instead, it is a fear that brings the heart to
God, compelling it powerfully towards Him. The fear and trembling
that result in despair or prevent one from entering God's presence
are experienced by some reprobates, but the fear that drives the
heart to God— the greater the fear, the more forcefully it propels the
heart towards God—this is a good sign that this fear and trembling is
genuine. So, when you consider these five aspects together—the fact
that your fear is the greatest fear that overshadows all other fears,
that you justify God in this fear, that you fear departing from God as
well as His wrath, that nothing can calm you except reconciliation,
and that this fear does not push you away from God but draws you
towards Him—I must say, where can an example be found of any
soul that has failed in this situation? I won't claim that this very thing
is saving grace, but I will say that in the Scriptures, whenever this
work has been present, the Lord has taken the soul further. However,
we have yet to explain what the trembling is that is presently
acceptable in the sight of God, what the true sanctified trembling at
the Word of God is, which only a gracious heart possesses.
To that, I shall answer with these points. It is indeed essential for our
spiritual growth to understand the true sanctified work of fear in the
heart, when the soul fears God and His Word.
What the true sanctified fear of God and His Word is:
First, it is an active fear in the soul. Please pay attention to this. By
that, I mean that it is not a fear that is forced or imposed upon the
heart. The Lord goes beyond that. The soul has an inner principle
that drives this fear. What I mean is this: the Lord has enabled my
heart to perceive something in His Word that makes me tremble, and
I am grateful for it. I am glad that I am aware of the Word, that it has
been revealed to me, and that it has evoked such a response in me.
The heart now acts upon this fear and regards it as a mercy that the
Word, which causes fear and trembling, has been revealed. It does
not view it as an evil or a misery, as many people do when they hear
the Word that makes their hearts tremble. They see it as a plague,
and they may even express resentment towards the Word and the
ministers who proclaim it, just as those possessed once cried out to
Christ, "Have you come to torment us before the appointed time?"
They make every effort to push away the thoughts that may evoke
this fear in their hearts. They believe that if they can rid their
conscience of the Word that the Lord has impressed upon them
through His ministry, then they will be safe. However, they become
vexed and agitated because they cannot sleep peacefully since
hearing such a message. They cannot eat, drink, or go about their
daily tasks calmly. They consider it a form of bondage and misery
that their hearts are so sensitive to the Word of God. However, it is
different for a gracious heart. The Lord causes fear and trembling in
a gracious heart, and this heart blesses God for making it sensitive to
His Word. It regards it as a favour from God and strives to maintain
this fear and trembling within. It gathers whatever arguments it can
to cultivate this fear in the heart. "Unite my heart to the fear of Your
name" - you know it is the prayer of David and the Church. "Lord,
you have begun to make me aware of the authority and majesty of
Your Word. I am afraid that I will lose this fear. Lord, unite my heart
to the fear of Your name. Lord, instil this fear in my heart." Just as it
was said of Daniel (a passage I previously referred to on a different
occasion), "My thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance
changed, but I kept the matter in my heart." Yes, this was a sign of a
gracious heart in that situation. Although the circumstances may
differ from what we are currently discussing, it can still be applicable
to us. How few people in this congregation (or any congregation, for
that matter) act in this way? You may come to hear what is preached,
and you cannot deny the truth of those things. They may be spoken
in a convincing manner, causing your thoughts to trouble you and
your countenance to change. Do you keep these matters in your
heart? No, rather, your endeavour is to push them out of your heart.
I recall hearing once about a very carnal and wretched man who, by
chance, heard a sermon that strongly affected him. He confessed, "I
couldn't get the word out of my conscience for an entire week after
that man spoke." However, a gracious heart retains it in their
conscience. This is true trembling when the heart is active. It is not a
forced work, but the soul embraces these truths.
Secondly, as the soul is active in it, it is also made active by it. There
is much significance in this. When fear strikes a hypocrite upon
hearing the Word, they are often overcome by that fear. If they do
not despair, they are still discouraged and disheartened, lacking the
motivation to do anything. However, the fear of the godly is different.
It enlarges their souls towards God and activates their hearts for
Him. It enables them to be ready for their duties and does not render
them unfit, as the fear of the hypocrite does. We have a remarkable
passage in Ezra 9:3 as evidence. "And when I heard this, I tore my
garment and my robe, pulled hair from my head and beard, and sat
down appalled." Observe how deeply troubled the righteous man was
when he witnessed the disobedience to the Word of the Lord. He was
astonished and greatly distressed. Then in verse 5, "And at the
evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting, with my garment and my
robe torn, and fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the
Lord my God." He proceeded to offer a gracious prayer. From this,
we learn a valuable lesson: Souls that are struck with the fear of God
and His Word in a godly manner are not hindered in their duties;
instead, they are enlarged. It enlarges their hearts and makes them
more active for God, even more so than before. Fear and
enlargement can coexist. In Jeremiah 33:9, "And they shall fear and
tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for
it." In Isaiah 60:5, we find both expressions together, fear and
enlargement. When the heart is struck with the fear of God, yet
simultaneously experiences enlargement, becoming active and
suitable for service, this is a sign of a gracious trembling that God
accepts. God pays less attention to the horror that paralyzes and
renders people unfit for service. Instead, He values the enlargement
and readiness that make them fit for service.
Thirdly, this gracious trembling at God's Word is joined with love. It
is a combination of fear and love. It trembles at the Word, yet it loves
the Word. It remains committed to hearing the Word, even though it
trembles. It stands by the Word, even if others speak against it.
Typically, people who are feared are not loved; they are hated by
those who fear them. However, a sincere disposition desires to be
both loved and feared. An hypocrite may be brought to fear and
tremble at God's Word, but they never love it. Fear and love do not
coexist within them. They fear God's Word, but they hate it. They
wish there were no such Word of God, and that it was not as strict
and holy as it is. In other words, they wish God were not so holy,
which is essentially wishing there were no God at all. Yet, a wicked
heart is so infatuated with its lusts that it would rather have no God
at all than be without its lusts. This is exemplified in the case of
Ahab. He trembled, yet he hated the Word of God and the prophet.
The story of Ahab in 1 Kings 22:8 is well-known. When Ahab was
going to Ramoth Gilead, he said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one
man, Michaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the
Lord, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me,
but evil." Jehoshaphat responded, "Let not the king say so." I
mention this incident to compare it with Ahab's disposition in
Chapter 21. Ahab admitted that there was one prophet of the Lord,
but he said, "I hate him." However, towards the end of the chapter,
when the prophet came to him to speak the Word of the Lord, Ahab
was struck with fear and trembling. The text states that when Ahab
heard those words, he tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his flesh,
fasted, and went about mourning. This is the same Ahab who
trembled at the Word of God and humbled himself, yet in the next
chapter, he says, "There is one prophet of the Lord, but I hate him."
Ahab trembled before the prophets of God, yet he hated them. In
contrast, a gracious heart trembles at the Word of God and loves it. It
rejoices in it as a good Word, especially directed to the individual.
This serves as a third proof.
Fourthly, true fear and trembling at the Word is that which will settle
the heart and strengthen it against all other fears. It will overshadow
greater fears. But its virtue lies in its ability to fortify the heart and
enable it to withstand all other fears. For example, a heart that
trembles at the Word, though afraid at that moment, is not greatly
afraid of outward losses and afflictions in the world. A notable
example can be found in Habakkuk 3. There we see a prophet whose
heart trembled greatly at God's Word when he heard it. In verse 16,
he says, "When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the
voice; rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself."
You might think, "Surely Habakkuk was a very fearful man."
However, you will discover that he was not a fearful man. He had a
strong and courageous spirit, and this trembling at God's Word
actually strengthened his spirit and made him courageous in the face
of outward afflictions. In verse 17, he declares, "Although the fig tree
shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the
olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no food; the flock shall be cut
off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls." This refers
to a dreadful famine and a dire situation. Yet, his heart, which had
experienced such fear before, now fears none of these things. Many
of you do not tremble at God's Word, but you tremble at the fear of
any loss. You tremble at people, but not at the Word of God.
However, true and gracious trembling at God's Word strengthens the
heart against other fears. David also experienced this in Psalm
119:161. He says, "Princes have persecuted me without cause, but my
heart stands in awe of your word." It is as if he is saying, "This is
what will help me. Princes set themselves against me and persecute
me unjustly, but my heart will stand in awe of your Word. The fear of
your Word in my heart will prevent me from fearing the persecutions
of the mighty in the world. I stand in awe of your Word." In other
words, there are a group of cowardly individuals who may appear
courageous in other matters, but when it comes to persecution, they
will yield to anything. What causes them to do so? It is because their
hearts were never struck with the fear of God's Word. But I do not
fear greatly. Why? Because I have another fear in my heart that
strengthens me against that fear. Therefore, this trembling at God's
Word is what helps the soul overcome all other tremblings.
And by the way, do not think it is a difficult lesson to teach you to
tremble at God's Word. What, does it bring fear to us? It brought
peace at first. No, it is the way to cure you of all base fears. If you
never fear humans, losses, afflictions, or troubles, then fear the Word
of God and tremble at that. The more fear there is of God's Word, the
less fear there will be of any creature in the world. It is the only way
to free you from all fears whatsoever.
Fifthly, another characteristic is this: true and gracious trembling at
God's Word is accompanied by joy. It is joined with love, as
mentioned before, but joy is a higher degree. In the sanctification of
the heart, there is a blessed mixture of love and joy. Just like in
exquisite works where gold, silver, and pearls are combined, making
it beautiful, the grace of sanctification is a masterpiece. So it is with
fear and joy. You are familiar with the verse in Psalm 2:11, "Rejoice
with trembling." The soul trembles at the Word, yet it is glad that
such a Word of God exists. The soul considers the Word of God to be
its inheritance. We have an excellent scripture to support this in
Deuteronomy 33:2, which says, "From his right hand went a fiery
law." But pay attention to what follows in verse 40, "Moses
commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of
Jacob." What? A fiery law and yet an inheritance?
Yes, even if it has great severity. Take note of verse 3: He
commanded a fiery law, yet He loved the people. You must not think
that when a minister preaches things that seem dreadful to you, it
means he does not love you. Pay attention here, God gave a fiery law,
and yet He loved them. People should sit with meekness, quietness,
and humility at your feet, receiving your words, even if it is a fiery
law. And then in verse 4, Moses commanded us a law, even the
inheritance of the congregation of Jacob. Oh, even though the law is
fiery, we consider it to be our inheritance in the law. Therefore, those
who want to completely take away the law from us would be taking
away part of our inheritance. Therefore, trembling and joy can
coexist. In Psalm 119:162, we have a similar but more explicit verse:
"I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil." If you were
traveling and came across a great booty, you would rejoice. Well, a
gracious heart can rejoice at God's word as much as anyone in the
world who finds great spoils. Therefore, when we urge you to fear
God's word, we are not enemies of your joy. The truth is, the only
way to have true joy is to tremble at the word of God.
Sixthly, a gracious trembling is a habitual trembling: a trembling of
the heart that is present in the heart as a habit, not only in sudden
moments. Many times God strikes some sudden flashes of terror into
the hearts of men and women, but they vanish and amount to
nothing. But this trembling at God's word, which the Lord highly
values, is a constant and habitual disposition of the soul. It is not
limited to certain instances of perceiving God's displeasure. Let God
speak peace to the soul (please take note of this point), even if God
speaks peace abundantly to this soul, it continues to tremble at the
word of God. God's assurance of peace does not remove this
disposition of the heart. Even when the conscience is most at peace,
it still trembles at the word of God. Many people tremble at God's
word during times of sickness and affliction, but as soon as they have
tranquility and outward peace, their trembling disappears. However,
a gracious heart trembles at the word of God even when the
conscience is most at peace. It is an excellent indication of truth and
genuine peace if you can experience this trembling when your
conscience is most calm. We find an excellent scripture in Daniel
10:11: "And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved,
understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright."
Here was a message of abundant mercy to Daniel, and the Lord,
through an angel, affirmed that Daniel was greatly beloved. The Lord
sent the angel to instruct him according to His will. Pay attention,
"For unto thee am I now sent." And when he spoke these words to
me, I stood trembling. Despite receiving this testimony from God at
that very moment, that he was a man greatly beloved, and the angel
was sent to inform him that his prayer was heard, Daniel still stands
trembling. He stands with reverence and fear before the Lord, ready
to listen to His word. This is how it will be with a gracious heart.
Even when there is the greatest testimony of acceptance from God,
and when there is peace in the spirit, it still approaches the word and
stands trembling before it.
Seventhly, and lastly, it is a fear that subdues the heart to the power
of the word. It subdues the thoughts, opinions, conscience, will, and
affections to the power of the word. It is the kind of fear that struck
Saul's heart at his conversion in Acts 9:6. Here we see true trembling.
He trembled and was astonished, saying, "Lord, what do you want
me to do?" Regardless of my previous opinions, regardless of my past
ways, and regardless of the stubbornness and obstinacy in my heart,
Lord, no more, no more. You have struck my heart with fear. When
God, through His word, strikes down the heart of a man or woman
and causes them to tremble as Saul did here, crying out, "Lord, what
do you want me to do?" This is a gracious trembling, and the Lord
pays special attention to it. Oh, the one who trembles at the word of
God in this way is dear and precious in God's sight.
Now, you may wonder, why does the Lord have such a special regard
for a trembling heart?
Why, first of all, it is because this disposition glorifies God's Word.
When people come and listen to it with frivolous and vain spirits,
and perhaps make jokes about it afterwards, and speak of it lightly,
they dishonour the Word of God. But when the Lord sees a group of
humble creatures coming to hear His Word and trembling before it,
apprehending the truths I have explained to you, then the Lord sees
His Word being honoured. God Himself loves to bestow great honour
upon His Word, and therefore He loves those who honour His Word
as well. In Isaiah 42, we read that He loves to make His law
honourable. In verse 21, it says, "The LORD is well pleased for his
righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law and make it
honourable." Even if people may despise it, God will make His law
honourable. The Lord loves to see His creatures magnifying and
honouring His Word.
And are you someone who trembles at God's Word? You are, in a
sense, assisting God in the great thing He delights to do. When a
group of people glorifies God's Word, as we see in another instance
in the Book of Acts where it says, "They glorified the word of God,"
oh, the Lord loves that. This disposition of the heart glorifies the
Word of God, which is dearer to Him than anything except His Son.
As Christ said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but not one jot or
tittle of my word will pass away." Now, you, who honour God's Word,
oh, you are accepted in God's sight.
Secondly, this disposition of heart puts a great deal of honour upon
God. His name is greatly sanctified when the heart trembles at His
Word. It shows honour to His wisdom, sovereignty, majesty,
authority, and holiness.
The truth is, the Lord is more honoured by a heart trembling at His
Word than by a heart trembling at any glorious manifestations of
Himself in all His works. For instance, let's suppose the Lord comes
and appears from heaven in glory, accompanied by thunder,
lightning, and earthquakes. Imagine Him appearing as He will on the
great Day of Judgment, with the heavens departing like a scroll and
the firmament melting with fervent heat. At that moment, perhaps
all of you would tremble in fear at the great Day of Judgment.
However, my brethren, for a soul to tremble at God's Word glorifies
God even more than trembling at His glorious manifestation on that
day. Why? Because the latter is such a display of God's power that it
would naturally elicit fear from us. But this trembling at His Word
comes from a gracious and sanctified frame within the heart of a
person. God considers Himself more glorified by this trembling than
He will be on that day. Therefore, those of you who do not want to
tremble with horror and despair on that day, tremble now at God's
Word. If you do so, you need not fear that all those glorious
manifestations of God will overwhelm your hearts with horror on the
great Day of Judgment.
Why? Because God has already received the glory of His name
through your fear of Him, even more than He would have received
through any horror He could strike into you on the Day of Judgment.
God says, "Why should I forcefully extract my glory from these poor
creatures by instilling horror in them through a magnificent
manifestation? For I have merely revealed myself to them in my
Word, and their hearts have trembled and given glory to me." In
Psalm 29, the Psalmist describes the voice of the Lord as thunder,
portraying it as the most dreadful sound. God receives much glory
through thundering and lightning, and by causing mighty oaks to
quake and tremble. In Joel 3:16, it is written, "The voice of the Lord
shakes the heavens and the earth." When God chooses to reveal His
glory, He does so through His powerful voice. However, God receives
even more glory by shaking an immortal soul through His Word than
by shaking the heavens and the earth. It is true that if God were to
speak a single word, He could shake this building, heaven, and earth.
But He would not receive as much glory by shaking them as He does
through one immortal soul that trembles in the manner that has
been explained to you. Oh, it is no wonder that God pays attention to
such an individual
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Post by Admin on May 25, 2024 11:33:53 GMT -5
Sermon III
A Broken, an Humble Heart
And he that trembleth at my Word. Isai. 66.2.
The Lord pays special attention to a trembling heart. Why? Because
just as His Word is honoured and His name is sanctified, the Lord
sees that the heart is broken, serious, and teachable, and therefore it
must be accepted by God. It is a broken and humble heart, and that's
why it is added that it is a contrite and broken heart that trembles at
God's Word. These qualities are intertwined. The Lord takes great
delight in a broken heart, which is the root of trembling at the Word
of God. The reason why people do not fear and tremble at the Word
of God is due to the pride and hardness of their hearts. However, an
humble and broken heart is precious before God, and it is the source
of this trembling.
Furthermore, it is a serious heart, and God loves a serious
disposition. When a person has dealings with God, especially in
serious matters, they need to be serious themselves. God cannot
tolerate a frivolous and vain heart; it is a dreadful curse upon
people's spirits. But when the heart starts to be serious, focusing on
God and His truths in a serious manner, there is great hope for such
an individual.
And it is highly teachable. A heart that trembles at the Word of God
is teachable. In Acts 13:16, Paul says, "You who fear God, listen." It is
as if he is saying, "I know you will pay attention to what is said." Only
those who have the fear of God are truly fit to hear the Word, as it is
the beginning of wisdom, according to Scripture. When men and
women have the fear of God in their hearts, they begin to have wise
hearts and understand God's Word. When their hearts tremble
before the Word of God, they come to understand it. On the other
hand, if their hearts are bold and presumptuous, they come and go
from the Word without understanding anything. But when the heart
trembles, it becomes teachable. That is why, before the Lord
instructed Job, He first struck him with fear.
In Proverbs 15:33, the text says, "The fear of the Lord is the
instruction of wisdom." Note that it is not only the beginning of
wisdom but also the instruction of wisdom. This means that wisdom
will never instruct a soul that does not have the fear of the Lord. It
begins with the fear. Unless the Lord causes the heart to fear before
Him, it will not be instructed, not even by wisdom itself. The jailer,
who was rough and unyielding before, in Acts 16:29, came trembling
and fell down before Paul and Silas, asking, "Sirs, what must I do to
be saved?" Now the jailer is in a teachable disposition as he trembles
and seeks guidance on salvation. When people ask questions in a
trembling manner, they are in a teachable disposition. This is a
precious state of spirit because it signifies a serious and teachable
heart.
We now proceed to the application.
Firstly, we learn from this that God's judgment is not the same as
human judgment. What is precious to God may not be considered
precious by humans, and vice versa. Men tend to value bold and
courageous spirits, those who are confident and full of vigour. They
admire those who are fearless and dismissive of whatever the Word
may say. On the other hand, those who tremble with fear and are
troubled in conscience, those who are humble, broken, and troubled
in spirit, are looked down upon and despised by the world. But God
sees it differently. God considers the trembling heart to be the
blessed and happy one. The world may despise those who shake and
tremble at the Word because it does not align with the boldness
valued by society. However, for a poor soul who trembles before God
at His Word, God says, "To this person will I look." There is nothing
in Heaven or Earth that pleases God more than someone who
trembles before Him. But let us not dwell on this further.
Secondly, if this disposition is highly regarded by God, it should
teach the ministers of God who have to deal with His Word to speak
it in a manner that evokes fear and trembling, causing the hearts of
people to be struck with fear and trembling. They must not approach
it lightly or play with people's imaginations or their own cleverness.
When they speak the Word of God in His name, they should strive to
deliver it in such a way that the hearts of their listeners are filled with
fear and trembling. There is indeed a way of speaking the Word of
God that brings it with majesty to the hearts of the people. The
Apostle Paul states in 1 Corinthians 2:4 concerning the ministry of
the Word, "My speech and my preaching were not with enticing
words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of
power." Here we see two types of preaching: preaching with enticing
words of human wisdom, which may earn a preacher praise for being
clever, witty, or sophisticated, and preaching in the demonstration of
the Spirit and of power. The power of the Word follows the
demonstration of the Spirit. When people perceive a minister only
preaching wit and showcasing their abilities, the heart may despise
it. It may commend the person but despise the Word because it lacks
power over the conscience. However, when a minister of God comes
in His name and preaches in the demonstration of the Spirit, they
preach with power that prevails with people's consciences. This is the
demonstration of the Spirit and of power. It is said of Christ in
Matthew 7:29 that He did not preach like the scribes and Pharisees
but as one who had authority. The scribes and Pharisees had a
superficial way of preaching, but Christ spoke with authority that
reached people's consciences. Similarly, ministers of Christ should
speak in His name, backed by His authority, as those who have to
deal with people's consciences and not their fancies. Indeed, the best
commendation of a sermon is when it strikes the hearts of people.
When writing about Basil and Chrysostom, two famous preachers of
their time, it is said that their true honour was not in the applause of
the crowd but in people coming to them and crying out, "What must
I do to be saved?" This is the commendation of a minister. Ministers
should strive for their ministry to be of such a nature because the
Lord highly values a heart that trembles at His Word.
There is enough substance in the Word of God to cause any heart to
tremble, if it is delivered as the Word of God. What significance does
worthless chaff hold compared to valuable wheat? In 1 Peter 4:11, it
is stated, "If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the
very words of God." If anyone takes it upon themselves to speak
God's Word, it must be done as if speaking the Word of God, the
divine oracles.
I recall reading about Cicero (Tully), who spoke with such power that
he made Caesar's book fall out of his hand. And surely, if Cicero
could have such an effect with his eloquence, there is even greater
power and eloquence in the Word of God that can cause the desires
and lusts of people to fall out of their hearts. The weapons we use in
our spiritual battle are powerful through God's strength, capable of
tearing down strongholds and proud imaginations that defy God and
His truth. The Word of God possesses a divine power that is not of
the flesh but of the Spirit, enabling it to cast down arrogant thoughts
and make them tremble before the Lord. This concludes the second
application.
Thirdly, from this gracious disposition of the heart, trembling at the
Word, you can understand the reason why the servants of God are so
obedient to His Word and dare not act against it. God has instilled in
them a trembling at His Word, a perception that others do not
possess. You may wonder why some individuals are so strict in their
adherence to God's Word, why they would endure anything in the
world rather than go against even a single sentence in the Word. You
find it perplexing. The reason is that you do not perceive the majesty
and authority in God's Word as they do. Your hearts have not been
struck with fear and trembling. However, they perceive such majesty
and fear in the Word that they dare not go against it. They would
rather endure any hardship in the world than act contrary to the
Word. They dare not do what you dare to do. In Revelation 6:9, it is
said of some, "When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar
the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and
the testimony they had maintained." In other words, they would
rather be killed than go against the Word of God. They would remain
faithful to the Word regardless of what happened to their lives and
possessions. I saw those souls, and they were under the altar, under
God's protection. Surely, they were individuals who trembled at the
Word of God, and God looks upon such souls. The soul of such an
individual shall lie under the altar, within God's sight, because they
tremble and would rather lose their lives and everything than act
against God's Word. This concludes the third point.
Fourthly, the fourth point is one of comfort and encouragement for
all those who possess such a blessed disposition, those who tremble
at the Word. "To him will I look, even to him who is poor and of a
contrite spirit, and trembles at my word." The very text is filled with
richness and offers comfort to such individuals. In the realm of
nature, they say that "Tremor Cordis" is a disease, the trembling of
the heart. However, in the realm of divinity, it is not a disease but a
truly gracious disposition. Those who possess such a blessed
disposition can find great comfort in it. Comfort can flow into their
souls through various channels. There are six or seven streams of
consolation flowing into the hearts of those who tremble at God's
Word.
The first point is this: Surely, God has begun to enlighten your soul
by allowing you to see His glory in His Word. This is a great mercy.
There was a time when you saw nothing special in the Word of God,
considering it no different from the words of man or other things.
But has God now started to reveal His majesty and glory in His Word
to you? Oh, this is a precious mercy! It signifies that God is
beginning to work great things in your soul.
Secondly, if you have a heart that trembles at the Word, know that all
the threats in God's Word have already had their impact on your
soul. Therefore, you need not fear any harm from them. I repeat, you
do not need to fear the execution of any threats found in God's Word.
Why? Because God has already achieved the glory He desires from
those threats within your heart. Why does the Lord threaten sinners
in His Word? It is so that He may receive glory and that sinners may
fear Him. But now, if you do fear Him and give Him glory, God has
accomplished His purpose in issuing those threats, and they no
longer have any power over you. It is a great comfort for a soul to
know that no threatening in God's Word is directed at them to bring
any harm upon them. Why? Because those threats have already
achieved their purpose in my life, though not in execution.
There are two purposes for threats: either God obtains glory through
their execution, or He receives glory through the trembling of the
heart before Him.
Now, if God can receive His glory through your trembling, He will
never desire to obtain His glory through execution. When He takes
glory through execution, it is not because He delights in crushing the
prisoners of the Earth under His feet. Indeed, God takes pleasure in
His own glory. He is determined to receive glory for His name from
every creature. However, God prefers to obtain His glory from our
souls in an active manner rather than forcefully extracting glory from
us in a passive manner. Therefore, if you have a heart that actively
gives glory to Him, there is no need to fear that God will compel His
glory from you in a passive way.
Thirdly, if you have a heart that trembles at the Word, know that God
has a special intention for you in that very word of salvation.
Whenever God brings a message of life and salvation to any
congregation, He has a specific aim at your soul. He directs His
words of life and salvation towards you. Consider the Scripture in
Acts 13:16: "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen." But pay
attention to what is said in verse 26: "Brothers, children of the family
of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent
the message of this salvation." If there is a soul that fears the Lord,
that trembles in His presence, the word of salvation is sent to that
soul. Whenever you come to hear anything about life and salvation in
the preaching of the Word, know that God has you in mind
specifically. The word of this salvation is sent to you.
Fourthly, if you tremble at God's Word, you shall be comforted. The
Word of God contains just as much material to bring comfort to a
soul as it does to make it tremble and fear. For this, I could provide
you with many promises from Scripture. Let's consider these three.
The first promise is found a verse or two after my text, which I have
also mentioned before: "Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble
at his word. Your brothers who hate you and exclude you because of
my name have said, 'Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your
joy!' But they will be put to shame." It's as if God is saying, "You
trembled, so much so that you didn't dare do as others did, especially
in matters of worship. You didn't venture as they did, and as a result,
they cast you out. But here is a promise for you: The Lord will appear
to bring you joy, and they will be ashamed." The Lord has fulfilled
this promise many times.
Another promise is found in Proverbs 13:13: "Whoever despises the
word will be destroyed, but whoever fears the commandment will be
rewarded." God will reward you for this. Do you come before the
Lord with a heart that trembles at his word? When you hear his
word, do you receive it with a trembling heart? The one who fears the
commandment will be rewarded. This promise is the opposite of the
earlier threat.
And a third promise is found in Isaiah 50:10: "Who among you fears
the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in
the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on
their God." This is for the soul that has such a trembling disposition
of heart that it dares not disobey God's voice in his word. Perhaps
there is someone here who sits in darkness and cannot see any light,
who has walked with a trembling heart in response to God's word,
and can appeal to God, saying, "Lord, you know all things. You know
that I wouldn't disobey your voice for anything in the world. My
heart stands in awe of your word." Yet, perhaps this soul is currently
in darkness and sees no light. To such a soul, the Lord looks and
speaks, saying, "Let that soul trust in the name of the Lord and rely
on their God," for there is true mercy for such a soul. This is the
fourth stream of consolation for those who tremble at the word of
God, that this word of God will certainly bring them comfort.
Fifthly, another source of comfort is that this disposition of your
heart, trembling at God's word, is accepted in place of obedience.
Even if you cannot obey God's word as you would like, the Lord will
spare you. The soul that recognizes its many weaknesses and is
unable to fully obey the truths revealed in the word, yet trembles at
it, shall find peace. I say the Lord accepts this trembling disposition
instead of obedience, and indeed, even more so. The act of obedience
itself does not hold as much significance as this; for a hypocrite can
perform the act of obedience, but they lack this trembling. In
Malachi 3:16, it is clearly referring to such a disposition, for in verse
15, it says, "And now we call the proud happy; yes, those who work
wickedness are raised up; yes, those who tempt God are even
delivered." But in verse 16, "Then those who feared the Lord spoke
with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a
book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared
the Lord and esteemed his name." Notice how God loves to
emphasize this and savor it, as we do with things that are sweet. He
does not merely say "for them," but "for those who feared the Lord
and esteemed his name." And the text continues, "They shall be
mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my
treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son
who serves him." Therefore, God does not say, "To him will I look
who does my word," but "to him who trembles at my word." A
learned person commenting on this passage said, "There is more
godliness in the trembling of the heart than in the work of the hand."
God accepts it, and therefore be comforted in this.
Sixthly, another stream of comfort is that the Lord will reveal himself
to this soul. Among all the dispositions in the world, the Lord loves
to manifest himself to someone like this. Though it may not happen
immediately, wait upon him, and the Lord will make known the most
glorious things to you. You will come to know the mind of God more
than anyone else. I will provide you with a significant text to support
this idea: those who have trembling hearts at God's word come to
know the mind of God sooner than anyone else in the world. The text
can be found in Ezra 10:3. It says, "Now therefore let us make a
covenant with our God to put away all these wives and their children,
according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the
commandment of our God. Let it be done according to the Law." The
speaker urges them to act according to the counsel of his lord and
those who tremble at the commandment of God.
As if to say, certainly they understand God's intentions, let's follow
their advice, let's heed their counsel. Those who come before God
and tremble at His word are the men and women who comprehend
the nature of God better than anyone else. It is not said, "Let us do
according to the counsel of my Lord and of the wise, learned, and
understanding men among us," but rather "of those who tremble at
His word." They know the mind of God.
And indeed, my brethren, it is wiser to seek counsel from those who
tremble at God's word than from any other people in the world.
Learned individuals who possess bold spirits and live licentious and
wicked lives do not understand the secrets of God as those who
tremble at His word do. There is a gracious promise to this effect in
Psalm 25:14: "The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and
He will show them His covenant." They shall understand God's
secrets. Others may comprehend some outward aspects of God, but
only those who fear the Lord have the promise of understanding His
secrets and His covenant.
Seventhly, those who fear and tremble at God's word can find
comfort. Why? Because the very word that you now tremble at is the
word that God will compel the entire world to tremble at one day.
God will honour His word before men and angels. Consider, oh, what
unimaginable joy it must bring to the heart of a man or woman when
God magnifies His word before the entire world. To think, this is the
very word in which I saw the dreadful authority of God before when I
lived in the world. This is the word that I esteemed and obeyed, and
now God has come to fulfill it before men and angels. And now I see
those who disregarded it trembling, even though it will be of no
benefit to them. Therefore, blessed be God that while I lived, I
trembled at His word, and now the Lord has come to magnify it so
gloriously before men and angels.
Rest assured that there is a time coming when the Lord will bring
honour to His word before the entire world. Therefore, those who
currently tremble in reverence of it are truly blessed. Surely, their
hearts will be filled with comfort when God comes and bestows
honour upon His word in the presence of all.
Fifthly, once again, if this is the disposition that the Lord values so
greatly, allow me, my brethren, to speak a word of rebuke to those
who are far from possessing such a heart. Indeed, God looks for
those who tremble at His word. But where does God find objects to
behold? Even now, God is looking upon this great congregation,
seeking to find one who trembles at His word. However, Lord,
though we hope that You have some objects to behold, how many
souls do You sometimes gaze upon before finding such an object?
Oh, no! It is the word that the angels long to understand. It is the
word that thousands of souls in heaven bless the name of God for
knowing, yet you disregard it as if it were worthless.
There is another group even further away, and they are those who
take the liberty to argue against the word as if it were their equal. It
is enough that you argue among your equals, but understand that
even though the person speaking it may be your equal, the word of
God is above you. In James 4, it is said, "If you judge the law, you are
not a doer of the law but a judge." These individuals do not come to
be doers of the law, but to be judges of the law.
Certainly, if God were to humble the hearts of men, they would not
have so many objections against the truths of God that are
proclaimed. But observe how God addresses them in His word, they
will be inclined to turn their accusations towards their own hearts.
There is a significant scripture that illustrates this, especially when
compared with another passage. The first is found in Job 38:2, where
God speaks to Job, whose heart had not yet been fully humbled.
Now, take note of what happens when God humbles Job in Chapter
42:9. Job responds, as if saying, "Who is the man? Well, it is I." He
charges himself, just as God did before. This is a clear indication that
the heart has been humbled when objections against the word
disappear and the heart is willing to acknowledge the same charges
brought forth by the word.
Thirdly, those who persistently disobey and rebel against the Word
of God are to be rebuked. You know that your ways are contrary to
what you hear in the Word, yet you continue without hesitation. Oh,
how audacious is your heart to presume to persist in ways that you
know are against God's Word! What do you expect to gain? Do you
not fear the consequences described in God's Word? Do you not
consider the risk of forfeiting all the good that is revealed there? Are
you willing, or do you dare to endure the full extent of the evil
threatened in the Word? Isn't it the Word that can save your soul if
you are to be saved? Let me pose this question to all of you who
boldly persist in sin despite what you hear revealed in the Word: Do
you actually expect to be saved by God's Word, yes or no? "Receive
with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls."
Can you truly believe that you will be saved by a Word that you
persistently rebel against? This is the pride of your heart, that you
dare to take such risks. Consider the Scripture in Jeremiah 13:15,
"Hear and give ear; be not proud, for the Lord has spoken." So I say
to those who continue in a constant state of rebellion against the
Word, "Hear and give ear." Do not merely listen and let it pass by. Do
not be proud, for the Lord has spoken. When you hear and refuse to
heed what is said, but instead persist in rebellion against the truth
that is revealed, it is a clear sign of your proud heart. The Lord has
spoken, and it is only fitting for the creature to yield and submit.
Fourthly, there are others who not only live contrary to the Word,
but they are also under the condemning sentence of God's Word.
They come and hear God's Word condemning them for their sins,
and their consciences confirm that they are indeed guilty of the sins
that God's Word condemns. Yet, they can sit there unaffected, numb,
and with hardened hearts. This is not trembling at God's Word. It is
even more significant for a single sentence from God's Word to
condemn a sinner than if all the angels in heaven and all people on
earth were to pronounce a sentence of condemnation. And yet, some
of you can sit day after day under the condemning sentences of God's
Word, as if God's Word is true, and you are a condemned soul in the
present moment.
I have no doubt that there are many who come to hear the Word and
inwardly conclude, "If this is true, I am in a wretched state. I am
condemned if that is true."
I remember knowing a man once who engaged in wrongdoing with
another person, yet they both attended sermons together.
Afterwards, he would say to the other person, "Madam, if what the
minister speaks is true, you and I are in a dire condition." Similarly,
many people say, "If it is true, I am a profoundly miserable person."
Let me ask each and every one of you in this congregation a question:
Suppose that all the threats in God's Word are true and are indeed
the Word of God, and suppose that they must all be fulfilled. What
would you think of your condition then? I have no doubt that many
consciences would answer, "Certainly, my condition would be utterly
unbearable if this is true. But I hope things will not turn out so dire."
Well then, it all comes down to this: The foundation of your peace,
present rest, and comfort relies on your hope that things will not
turn out as bad as they are revealed in the Word. Is this not the basis
of your soul's rest and comfort?
And if you were certain that things would indeed be as bad as they
are proclaimed to be, you would say to yourself, "I will never
continue in my wicked ways again. I would never be able to sleep
peacefully at night." Therefore, if those things were true, you would
be unable to sleep. Now, I say, cursed be that peace, that comfort,
that sleep, that state which has no foundation except the hope that
God's Word is not true. But this is the sole basis for the comforts that
many people rely on throughout their lives. I am afraid that if God
were to call upon individuals and ask them, "What is the foundation
of your entire life?" they would be forced to say, "Lord, it is based on
the hope that things are not as bad as ministers preach from the
Word." Now I declare, cursed be that hope that is grounded on no
other basis. Take a look at yourself. You have a bold heart that dares
to risk your soul and eternal destiny on such a hope. If God's Word
proves true, you will be a lost and doomed creature for all eternity.
Yet, you dare to take such a risk! It is a bold venture. Oh, consider
this, all of you who can sit under the condemning power of God's
Word without having your hearts deeply affected. Learn to tremble at
it.
Fifthly, there is another group of people who need to be rebuked on
this matter. These are the individuals whose hearts rise up against
God's Word. They do not tremble at it. When the Word of God
pierces their consciences and instills fear, their only desire and effort
is to remove it from their hearts. They wish they had not attended
the sermon. They are troubled by it and seek the company of the
wicked to rid themselves of the fear of God's Word. These people are
far from trembling. Oh, poor creature that you are, how much better
it would be for you to pursue the work of God that may benefit your
soul. In the future, you may find yourself regretting your foolishness.
You will have reason to say, "What a blessed thing it would have been
if I had continued in the work of God that He began in me at that
time."
Sixthly, there is another group who rage against the Word of God,
just as we read about the wicked King Jehoiakim in Jeremiah 36.
When the scroll was brought before him and read, he took a penknife and cut it, throwing it into the fire. I once knew someone who,
while reading the scripture against adultery, tore out the pages. But
consider this: Jehoiakim's father's heart melted when the Word was
read, while his own son took a pen-knife and cut it, tossing it into the
fire. This was such a great evil that I have read that the Jews
observed a yearly fast to mourn this sin of their king.
Seventhly, how far removed are those who scorn at God's Word from
trembling! For instance, when Christ Himself preached against
covetousness in Luke 16, those who were covetous derided Him.
Similarly, in various scriptures, I could show the contempt and scorn
that people directed towards Isaiah and Paul for the word they
delivered. However, I will not elaborate further to avoid prolonging
my discourse. Oh, this is also an immensely dreadful wickedness for
anyone to be guilty of such a height of impiety, as the Lord expects
trembling at His Word while they choose to scorn it.
Eighthly, there is another group, although not as severe, who jest at
God's Word. But beware, my brethren, of treating Scripture as a
source of jests. Wise men should never jest about two things: those in
misery and holy things. So when you engage with God's Word and
make jests out of Scripture, you are meddling with sharp tools. Know
that it is a serious form of taking God's name in vain for anyone to
mock Scripture. I recall a statement by Luther: if a person wants to
play and jest, let them jest with their children, with their toys. But as
soon as they come to hear the Word, they should obey without any
dispute. They may jest with other things, but not with that. In
another instance, Luther said that it is not a matter of play to hear
God's Word. When the Word touches the soul, it is like thunder that
can topple the mightiest things by its power. Hearing the Word is not
a matter of jesting, but of trembling. So who are you to mock the
Word, object to it, rebel against it, or argue with it? Who are you to
obscure knowledge like this? What are you that you can raise your
heart against the blessed Word of God? The Word of the Lord shakes
the heavens and the earth (Psalm 104:32). God merely looks upon
the earth and it trembles. Yet God speaks to you and you refuse to
tremble. In Job 26:11, it is said that the pillars of heaven tremble and
are astonished at God's reproof. Pay attention to the text. If God
merely reproves, the pillars of heaven are astonished. How many
times has God reproved you through His Word and you have not
trembled?
God reproves you for your Sabbath-breaking, swearing, keeping bad
company, neglecting His worship in your family, and your atheism.
In Job 9:6, it is said that the shaking of the earth causes the pillars to
tremble. The pillars of the earth and the pillars of heaven tremble.
Who are you to stand before the Word of God? Even holy men
tremble when they hear the Word. In Jeremiah 23:9, it is written,
"My heart is broken within me; all my bones shake. I am like a
drunken man, like a man overcome by wine, because of the Lord and
His holy words." The saints tremble, as stated in Habakkuk 3:16,
"When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice."
Even the angels in heaven listen with reverence to the Word of the
Lord. They do His commandments and heed the voice of His word.
They approach God's Word with respect and obedience. And you,
what are you doing all this time? When God speaks, the pillars of the
earth and heaven tremble. The saints of God tremble, the holy
prophets tremble. Even the angels tremble. Yet you stand before
God's Word without a trembling heart. Let me speak these two or
three things to you.
First, know that the Lord cannot help but look upon one who
trembles at His Word with acceptance. But it is impossible for Him
not to despise and detest a hard, stony heart like yours. You are a
poor, vile wretch whom the smallest word from my mouth could
send to the depths of hell. Yet when I speak, you pay no attention. It
is impossible for the Lord to look upon you without bringing
destruction. Especially if you are filled with base fears. When your
master or someone in authority speaks, you fear them. But when the
infinite, eternal, and dreadful God speaks, you do not fear. Know that
the Word you do not fear is working your destruction. God will work
fear into your heart, and one day you will tremble. As written in
Isaiah 51:17, "Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have
drunk from the hand of the Lord the cup of His fury; you have drunk
the dregs of the cup of trembling, and drained it." There will come a
time when God will make sinners who do not tremble at His Word
drink the dregs of the cup of trembling. The dregs may become your
portion.
Furthermore, when God causes trembling, it's possible that He will
pay as little attention to your fears as you pay to His Word. That
passage in Proverbs 1 is most dreadful: "I will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your fear cometh."
In conclusion, I exhort all of us to strive for such a blessed
disposition of the heart. In Hosea 13:1 and 5, it is mentioned that
when Ephraim spoke, trembling would ensue. Some interpretations
suggest that this was to the honour of Ephraim, as when Ephraim
spoke, the people around him trembled.
Surely, it must be an honour to the great God that when He speaks,
all people should tremble. The voice of the Lord is full of majesty and
glory, and thus it is fitting for us all to tremble before Him. Let us
ponder upon the weightiness of His word and consider the majesty of
God that is revealed within it.
Consider this: God has consistently fulfilled His word throughout
time. The word of God has overwhelmed countless souls, casting
them down and leading them to eternal ruin by the power of His
word. Therefore, it is only fitting that I should tremble.
I implore you to pray to God that He may reveal to your soul the
glory of His name found within His word. In Deuteronomy, the Lord
speaks of giving the people a trembling heart as a curse, but you
should beseech it from God as a blessing.
And you should demonstrate that God has instilled this disposition
in your hearts through attentive reverence, just as fear causes the
eyes to be focused. If men and women truly trembled at the Word,
they would not be indifferent or sleep through it, but rather they
would pay close attention. Oh, may the Lord continue to inspire awe
for His Word in your hearts.
You may argue that if the Word were spoken directly from heaven,
then you would surely pay heed, but as it is, you cannot.
There were several things I intended to discuss regarding this matter,
but I will only give you one Scripture to counter that objection so that
it will no longer prevail. In 2 Chronicles, the last verse of the chapter,
it is stated: "And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord his God
and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke
from the mouth of the Lord." The Lord charges Zedekiah with doing
evil before Him and not humbling himself before Jeremiah the
prophet. Now, Jeremiah was a humble man, what significance did he
hold in comparison to King Zedekiah? But still, Zedekiah did not
humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the
mouth of the Lord. Therefore, do not say that you would tremble
only if God spoke from heaven. Instead, when we speak according to
God's Word, God expects you to humble your souls before the great
God through the ministry of His Word that we bring to you.
Therefore, as you demonstrate through your attentive presence that
you recognize the authority, also demonstrate it through obedience
and the reformation of your lives and conduct. Let your reformation
be evidence that the authority of God's Word is indeed working in
your hearts.
Tremble before it in this manner so that the Word may be honored
and your souls may find comfort, leading to eternal salvation.
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Post by Admin on May 25, 2024 22:50:01 GMT -5
SERMON IV.
But by Way of Application.
"Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself
before the Lord, when thou headrest what I spake against this
place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should
become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and
wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord." 2 Kings
22:19
There are two gracious dispositions of the soul by which the name of
God is sanctified in the hearing of His Word. The first is a trembling
heart, which we discussed last time, and we have chosen this text to
address the second.
The words that have been read to you are a part of the famous story
that shows how Josiah, a gracious and godly king, was affected upon
hearing God's Word. He was deeply moved upon hearing of God's
displeasure, both against himself and the people. The essence of the
story is this: In the eighteenth year of his reign, there was great
concern for the repair of the Temple of the Lord. During the
restoration work, the Book of the Law was discovered, which they
had not seen for a long time. It was read in the presence of King
Josiah, and upon hearing the words of the book, his heart
immediately melted, and he became greatly troubled. He could not
find peace until he sought further understanding of God's intentions
regarding what was written in that book. He sent a message to the
prophetess Huldah to inquire about God's will. Huldah gave him a
response that pertained to both the people and the king. The words
that have been read to you are specifically the part of God's answer
concerning the king, stating, "Because your heart was tender, and
you humbled yourself, etc. Therefore, I have heard you," declares the
Lord, "and you shall die in peace." In this story, there are four
important questions that help us to understand it better.
The first question is: What is this Book of the Law that was read to
Josiah?
Secondly, why did he send to Huldah instead of Jeremiah the
prophet, who was active during that time?
Thirdly, what is the reason behind the severe response from the Lord
through Huldah against the people, even though they were on a
hopeful path of reformation?
And fourthly, we come to the fulfillment of God's promise to Josiah
that he would die in peace, as mentioned later in the chapter.
However, if you continue reading the story, you will find that Josiah
died in a war. I will briefly address these four points to shed some
light on the history before we delve into the words that were read.
First, regarding the book that was found, the text clearly states that it
was the Book of the Law. It is strange that the Book of the Law was
not available to the people of the Jews and that they had not
possessed it until now. It is one of the most remarkable occurrences
mentioned in the Scriptures, that it was considered a wondrous thing
to find the Book of the Law during Josiah's time. There is much
debate among interpreters regarding this matter. Some suggest that
the book was burned during the time of Ahaz, who destroyed all the
copies he could find to prevent them from testifying against his
departure from the true religion. It has been the way of wicked rulers
to burn Scriptures, such as Diocletian's attempt to destroy as many
copies of Scripture as possible. However, God has miraculously
preserved the Scriptures to this day. No book has faced as much
opposition and deliberate destruction as the Scriptures, and yet God
has preserved it above all other books. It is the oldest book in the
world, written long before any other extant book, and yet it has been
fiercely opposed. This serves as strong evidence that God
acknowledges its significance.
However, it is unlikely that the copy was burnt during Ahaz's reign,
and that they did not have access to it, because between these two
reigns, there was the righteous reign of Hezekiah. It appears that
during Ahaz's time, many copies were indeed burned, so they had
only a few during Hezekiah's reign. Then came Manasseh after
Hezekiah, who was a wicked king and reigned for fifty-five years. It is
likely that throughout his reign, he continued in wickedness,
opposing God and all godliness. His son, Ammon, who succeeded
him, was equally wicked. Therefore, during the reigns of these two
evil kings, there were probably very few copies of the Book of the Law
to be found.
Chrysostom, in his sermon on Matthew and Corinthians, believed it
was only the Book of Deuteronomy. Many others also believe that it
was at least some portion of the Law that was not available at that
time, specifically the 27th and 28th chapters of Deuteronomy, which
were read before Josiah and deeply moved his heart.
By the way, we can learn from this how blessed we are to have not
only the Book of the Law but also the Gospel, the Prophets, the
histories of the kings and judges, the Psalms, the Epistles, and the
book of Revelation. We have all these books in our homes that we
can read constantly. In Josiah's time, it was a remarkable thing to
have certain portions of the Book of the Law read, especially before
the king.
Secondly, when Josiah heard this book being read, particularly those
chapters, his heart was deeply affected. He realized that he had been
living in sin against God, even though he was ignorant of it. He
understood that ignorance would not excuse him. Before this, he did
not comprehend the danger of the sins he and his people had been
committing. But as soon as he became aware of their sins and the
impending danger, his heart was greatly troubled.
This teaches us that we should not think our ignorance excuses us
from our sins. As soon as God brings His Word among us to reveal
the danger of our sins, God expects our hearts to be humbled before
Him for our transgressions. Josiah was so humbled that he couldn't
find rest. A heart that truly understands the evil of sin cannot be at
peace until it knows more about God's intentions. It will seek
diligently to learn God's mind regarding it. How can I sleep
peacefully when I perceive that God's wrath is against me? I need to
know whether God is reconciled to me or not. This was Josiah's
situation.
Now, let's address the second question. Why did Josiah send to
Huldah instead of Jeremiah? After all, Jeremiah was a renowned
prophet in Israel at the same time. It is true that Jeremiah began his
prophecy in the thirteenth year of Josiah.
Therefore, some suggest this reason: Jeremiah was a young prophet.
He began his prophecy in the thirteenth year of Josiah, and at that
time, he had only been in ministry for five years. Jeremiah even
refers to himself as a child who cannot speak. So, they think that
Josiah may have considered it more suitable to send to Huldah, who
had more experience, even though she was a woman. However, I
don't think that was the reason for not sending to Jeremiah. It is
more likely that Jeremiah was not as accessible as Huldah. He lived
in Anathoth, not in Jerusalem, and it is possible that he was not
present. The good king was so eager to know God's mind that he was
willing to receive the message from anyone, regardless of their
status, as long as he could learn what God's mind was.
Now, let's move on to the third question. It is quite noteworthy in the
response given by the prophet to the messengers sent by King Josiah.
The Lord says, "Behold, I will bring evil upon this place and upon its
inhabitants, all the words of the book which the King of Judah has
read." It is a peculiar response. Wasn't the country in a good and
hopeful state of reformation, with the king's heart melting and him
weeping upon realizing God's displeasure for their sins, sins of which
he was already convinced? As soon as he became aware, he started
weeping and had a strong desire to know God's mind. Weren't they
now in a highly promising condition for reformation? Despite all
this, the response states that God will bring upon this place and its
inhabitants all the words of the book that the King of Judah has read.
This reveals a somber lesson for us.
A people may find themselves in a situation where all the
reformation and repentance in the world cannot protect them from
temporal afflictions inflicted by God. If you continue reading the
chapter, you will discover a significant reformation, and yet all the
words of the book must be fulfilled.
This shows us the power of sin. It can create such a division between
God and us that, no matter what we do, we may still experience
temporal afflictions in this world. We can see an example in the case
of Moses, whose repentance could not prevent him from being cut off
before reaching the land of Canaan. The Lord did not grant Moses'
request. Though undoubtedly Moses repented for the sin that
provoked God, he was not allowed to enter Canaan. However, since
the Lord has not specifically revealed such judgments for people in
the present time, we should not assume this applies to us. Instead,
we must take this lesson seriously, not to play around or trifle with
God, lest a decree be issued against us with no way to avoid it.
Now, regarding the fourth question, there appears to be a difficulty
in the answer the Lord gave regarding Josiah. The Lord promised
him mercy and that he would die in peace. However, as we later learn
in the story, Josiah was killed in battle. How can this be reconciled
with the promise that he would die in peace?
The answer to that is commonly understood as follows: Josiah died
in peace because he had made peace with God. His sins were
forgiven, and there was peace between God and his soul. Therefore,
regardless of the circumstances of his death, if there is peace between
a person and God, they die in peace. Even amidst storms and turmoil
in the world, as long as there is peace between God and their soul,
they die in peace.
But I believe there is much more to it than that. We must provide a
further explanation to make the Word of God true, and that is, Josiah
died in peace, specifically in the sense of the peace of the kingdom. In
fact, that was peace to him. The war in which he died did not pose a
threat to the kingdom. As you can read in the subsequent part of the
story, when he went to war, the kingdom did not suffer the dreadful
evils that were previously threatened. Before Judah was carried into
captivity, the Lord took Josiah away. So when he died, he left the
kingdom in a good state at that time, and he left God's ordinances
among them. Thus, his death was considered peaceful in relation to
the kingdom. This interpretation seems to be supported in 2
Chronicles 38:28, where the story is repeated, stating that Josiah
would be gathered to his fathers in peace, and his eyes would not
witness the subsequent evils that would befall the kingdom and its
inhabitants. Therefore, he was gathered to his fathers in peace
because he did not witness the future calamities that would befall his
kingdom.
In truth, regardless of how a person dies, if the kingdom and the
church where they live are in peace, enjoying their freedoms and
God's ordinances, it can be said that they died in peace. It brings me
peace knowing that I am leaving the church and the kingdom in a
state of peace.
Especially knowing that not long after, the kingdom would
experience severe distresses, which Josiah died before. He is
described as dying in peace because he passed away before those
events occurred. However, to shed more light on this remarkable and
well-known story, let us now focus on the specific words. The
response of the prophetess regarding the king begins in verse 18. She
instructs the messengers to convey to the king of Judah, "Because
your heart was tender." As for the people, God declares that He will
not be entreated for them. He states that they will certainly feel His
stroke and all the words written in the book will come upon them.
From this, we can observe that when the Lord is bringing public
calamity upon a nation, He makes distinctions. In this case, it is
directed "to the king of Judah." Is there anyone with a tender, broken
heart, one that is broken over the sins of the nation? God will have
His eye on them. It is true that at times, even godly individuals may
pass away during times of national judgment, but it is usually
because God has a specific purpose to accomplish through their
deaths.
But we do not find that God makes such distinctions now, for godly
individuals are taken away just like others. Surely, my brethren, this
is meant to make us all tremble and not to rely on anything, neither
fasting nor prayer, but to wholly depend on the goodness of the Lord
to do with us as He pleases. The fact that God does not make such
distinctions now is for the sake of some great work that God has yet
to reveal to us. However, we can be confident that God will receive as
much glory from their deaths as He would have received from their
lives. Regardless of the current obscurity of God's ways towards us,
there will come a time when God will make distinctions, when the
difference between those who fear God and those who do not will be
known.
There are very few (though they are being pursued for the sins of the
nation) who have faith for deliverance from temporal judgments, and
that may be one reason. Even though the Lord promises deliverance,
He desires our faith to extend to that promise, to fully entrust our
souls to it more than we currently do. However, it is challenging for
anyone to have such faith to confidently and definitively conclude
that they will be delivered from temporal affliction. We are to marvel
at God's dispensations in this matter and wait for further revelation
of His intentions towards us. Nevertheless, He makes distinctions
regarding the king of Judah.
Oh, it is fitting for the greatest ones in the world, kings and princes,
that when God threatens, their hearts should melt before Him. No
one is too great to humble themselves before the great God. It is true
that we have a wretched generation of men who, many times, while
they may tremble and shake at the threats of their superiors, think
themselves good enough to sin against the Lord and resist His Word.
But Josiah did not do so.
But you may argue, "Perhaps he was just a child?" No, he was a king
in his full vigor and strength; he was twenty-six years old. And that
age is the peak of vitality, especially for courtiers and great men. Yet,
King Josiah, at the age of twenty-six, amidst his nobles, though he
was not visibly in any immediate danger, humbled himself and wept
before the Lord upon hearing His word. Therefore, this is the
response from God concerning him: "Because your heart was tender,
I have accepted you, and you shall have peace."
So, in these words, there are four significant aspects to consider:
1. What influenced Josiah's heart? What were the reasons for his
heart becoming tender?
2. The state and disposition of Josiah's heart—it melted.
3. The outcome of this:
a) He humbled himself.
b) He tore his clothes.
c) He wept before the Lord.
4. Lastly, God's gracious acceptance of this, as He declares, "I have
also heard you," says the Lord.
I will not discuss Josiah's disposition in this melting state at this
time. I will only touch upon a point or two regarding the occasion of
this, as stated in the text: "Your heart was tender, and you have
humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke
against the inhabitants, etc."
How did he hear it?
Through Shaphan the scribe, who brought a few old, torn, and rotten
papers, presumably found hidden in a hole of the temple wall amidst
the rubble for many years. It is likely that these were very old papers.
They were presented before the king and read aloud. The text tells us
that Josiah's heart was tender, and he humbled himself upon hearing
what God spoke. God did not speak to him through a prophet or
from heaven. If God had spoken audibly from heaven, disclosing the
sins of his court and kingdom, it would have been a significant event
for his heart to melt. Or if the Lord had raised up an extraordinary
prophet to denounce dreadful threats against him, it would have
been something noteworthy. However, it was simply upon hearing a
few papers that had been discovered among the temple rubble. From
this, we can make two observations:
Firstly, when the Lord desires to humble a soul, He can do it with
minimal effort.
Secondly, it is highly pleasing to God when people immediately
relent, yield, and humble themselves upon hearing His displeasure
declared against them. These are the two observations derived from
the cause of Josiah's disposition.
The first point is truly wonderful and remarkable: when God decides
to work on the heart of a sinner, even a small matter can make their
heart relent and yield to God. Some people resist it fiercely, while
others yield at the slightest prompting. What a difference there is
between Josiah and Pharaoh—both kings! God sends an
extraordinary messenger to Pharaoh, who comes in God's name and
performs miraculous signs before him, signs that no one else in his
nation could replicate. In addition to the miracles, God brings upon
the entire kingdom and Pharaoh himself fearful judgments that
would send shivers down one's spine just to hear about them. Ten
successive judgments, and yet Pharaoh's heart remains hardened. On
the other hand, Josiah merely hears a little from some old papers,
and his heart immediately yields. When God works, the means are
not of great importance; they can be small, weak, and poor, and yet
the heart will be led to yield to God in a gracious and holy manner.
We read in 1 Kings chapter 19, verse 20, a very notable story. Elijah
departs and finds Elisha, the son of Shaphat, plowing with twelve
yoke of oxen before him. Elijah passes by and casts his mantle upon
him—that's all he did. Now, Elisha held a prominent position, even
though he was at the plow. The twelve yoke of oxen belonged to him.
Elijah simply cast his mantle upon Elisha, and the text says that
Elisha left the oxen and ran after Elijah, saying, "Let me kiss my
father and mother, and then I will follow you." Elijah responds, "Go
back again, for what have I done to you?" But there was a hidden
power that accompanied the casting of Elijah's mantle upon Elisha,
and his heart was drawn to him, so that nothing could hinder him
from joining Elijah. Therefore, when the appointed time of the Lord
comes to win the heart of a man or woman, even the tiniest thing in
the world can accomplish it. They will yield immediatelyIt's just like the situation with Peter in Luke 22:61. Peter had sinned
greatly against Christ, and the text says that when Christ looked at
him, Peter went out and wept bitterly. He threw himself out, that's
the meaning of the word, with a kind of force, he had had enough of
it. The Lord Christ only gave him a look, and he went and wept
bitterly. Oh, there are many to whom the Lord Christ speaks over
and over again, and their hearts remain unaffected. But when the
Lord decides to work on the heart, it only takes God giving a look to a
soul.
Perhaps some of you who are continuing in sinful ways have heard
many warnings against them, yet your hearts remain unmoved. But
if the Lord's appointed time has come, it's just one look upon you,
and your eyes are opened to have a glimpse of the God you have
sinned against, and the transformation is accomplished. In Song of
Solomon 5:4, the Church says, "My beloved put in his hand by the
hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him." The Church,
being complacent, presents arguments against going out to Christ,
saying, "I have taken off my coat, how can I put it on again? I have
washed my feet, how can I defile them?"
Oh, it would be so troublesome, and she was reluctant to face any
trouble. But pay attention to the fourth verse: "My beloved put in his
hand by the hole of the door, and my heart was moved." Why was
that more significant than knocking? Because he had knocked before,
but the time had not come. It may be the same with many souls. The
Lord may stand knocking at the door of your soul again and again,
over time, and yet you may have one excuse or another to put Him
off. But when God's appointed time arrives, He only needs to touch
your heart once, and it's done. A little effort will accomplish it when
God's time has come. In Isaiah 11:6, it is prophesied about the times
of the Gospel that people will be so receptive to the truths of God that
even a child will be able to lead them. Any truth of God delivered by
the humblest, weakest, or even a child will lead them.
And this is very prominent in Isaiah 30:21: "And thine ears shall hear
a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye
turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left." What follows is,
"Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and
the ornament of thy molten images of gold, thou shalt cast them
away as a menstrual cloth, thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence."
This people were deeply engrossed in their idolatry, and the Prophet
found it extremely challenging to turn their hearts away from their
idolatrous ways. But now the Lord promises a time when they would
simply hear a word, even from behind them, a subtle hint. And what
would be the result of it? They would remove the covering from their
silver graven images. For they used to dress their images in elaborate
clothing, but they would discard all that richness and glory, treating
it with disdain like a soiled cloth, and say, "Get thee hence." What a
transformation, all from hearing a single word from behind!
And when God's appointed time arrives for poor souls who have
heard many sermons, yet have resisted God and His Word, I say,
when God's time has come and they hear a voice behind them,
saying, "O sinner, O sinful soul, your ways are not good, look around
you." Such a thought that God subtly plants in their minds may work
more powerfully in their hearts than all the sermons they have ever
heard. They shall hear a voice behind them. A similar occurrence is
observed in John 1:48-49 concerning Nathaniel.
When Christ was about to call Nathaniel to him, how a simple thing
worked on Nathaniel's spirit! Nathaniel said to him, "How do you
know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called
you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Note what follows:
Nathaniel answered and said to him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God;
you are the King of Israel." Jesus answered and said to him, "Because
I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You shall
see greater things than these." A small thing can have an impact on
the heart when the Lord is pleased to call the sinner. And you know
about Matthew, he simply said, "Come and follow me," and the same
with the sons of Zebedee, he said, "Come and follow me," and they
immediately left their ship, their father, and their nets. Matthew left
his tax collector's booth and followed him. And there is also the
story, which I assume you are familiar with (if you are acquainted
with Scripture), of Zacchaeus. He was a vile, covetous wretch, and
very few of such people are changed. Well, he had heard about
Christ, about this strange man who was causing a stir in the world,
and he wanted to see him. Because people were crowding around
him, and Zacchaeus being short in stature, he climbed up a tree.
When Christ passed by and looked up, he said to him, "Zacchaeus,
come down, for salvation has come to your soul." He came down
immediately and declared, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the
poor, and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I
restore it fourfold." For a covetous man to be willing to give away
half of his possessions to the poor and make fourfold restitution for
his wrongdoing, it would take a lot of effort to persuade Zacchaeuses,
not to give away half of their goods, but even a little to the poor
people of God who are in distress at this time! But now, a little will
suffice when the time appointed by the Lord has come.
But let us further explore this truth, which is so delightful for us to
contemplate.
The first reason for its sweetness comes from the power of the truth.
The truths of God concerning Himself and our own souls possess
great efficacy. If the truth can reach the heart, it doesn't matter what
the means are. Just like potent medicine that, even if administered in
a small dose of a posset ale, can still have a strong effect once it
enters the body. Similarly, the truths of God carry such authority that
if they penetrate the heart, they will begin to work. It is akin to the
royal seal of the kingdom, which, regardless of the messenger who
brings it, even if they are weak or insignificant, still holds authority
because it is the royal seal. The truths of God possess immense
authority, and once they enter the heart, they will work powerfully.
Indeed, it is not the means themselves that bring about the work, but
rather God working through the means. As Asa said regarding the
Lord in 2 Chronicles 14:11, "It is easy for you, O Lord, to help,
whether with many or with those who have no power." Therefore, it
makes no difference to God whether He strikes through weak or
strong means.
Objection: But you might ask, then why do we need so much
preaching and such persuasive arguments to impact our hearts?
Answer: Yes, we are obligated to do what is fitting for creatures to do
and leave it to God to do as He pleases. Although the Lord may at
times use weak means, He still expects us to utilize all the means
available to us. Let us diligently engage with the Lord through all the
means possible, and when the Lord is pleased to work, regardless of
the means, the desired outcome will be achieved because it is the
power of God that is at work whenever the means are effective.
Suppose someone comes and delivers the most powerful sermon ever
heard, but unless God is willing to accompany the word, it will never
work to truly humble your souls. You will remain hard-hearted
despite it all. On the other hand, even a mere hint of a word, even if
spoken by a child, can break the most stubborn heart on Earth when
the Lord decides to exert His power.
Another reason is that sometimes the Lord prepares the heart to be
more receptive to the truths at certain times than at others. This is
why weaker means can have a positive effect when stronger means
do not.
Question: So, are there preparatory works that can ready us for God's
grace?
Answer: Well, to clarify, preparatory works can indeed help in
removing hindrances and readying the heart to receive the truths,
but they cannot earn congruity or oblige God to bestow His grace.
They serve to remove obstacles and make way for the truths. For
example, some hearts are like knotty wood that requires many blows
to split, while others only need a single tap. Similarly, with dry and
hard ground, plowing is difficult, but after rain softens the soil,
plowing becomes easy. In Jeremiah 4:3, the work of humiliation is
likened to plowing the fallow ground of the heart. Just as a little
medicine can sometimes be effective when a large quantity fails, the
soul is disposed at certain times to be influenced by lesser means.
However, the power behind it all comes from God. God chooses to
work in accordance with the disposition of individuals, taking
advantage of the conditions of their hearts. People are not always in
desperate opposition to the truth; when the Lord brings storms of
affliction upon their hearts, they become soft and receptive to His
words. In such conditions, God seizes the hints and opportunities.
Now, there are certain dispositions that are more easily influenced
than others, particularly in terms of being humbled before God for
sin rather than conversion. The greater the fear of God in a heart, the
more easily that heart can be influenced. In Proverbs 18:14, fear of
God is contrasted with the hardness of the human heart. If there is
fear of God, the heart will not be hardened, but if there is no fear of
God, it will remain hard.
And so, in a humble heart, even a small matter can have a profound
impact. As stated in Isaiah 66, trembling at God's word is associated
with a contrite heart and a spirit of humility.
Likewise, in a meek heart, one that is receptive and gentle, the word
can easily take root. James 1:21 highlights how a stubborn and
obstinate heart will reject the word, but a meek and tranquil heart
readily embraces it.
Furthermore, when someone who has been ignorant for a long time,
yet not willingly ignorant, encounters a revelation from the Lord,
their soul is quick to grasp the word. Similar to Saul's experience,
even in his ignorance, upon hearing the words, "I am he whom thou
persecutest," he fears and asks, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to
do?"
Moreover, when the heart has not been hardened by habitual sin, it
is generally more responsive to lesser means. Younger individuals,
who have not been deeply entrenched in sin, can be influenced by a
mere hint from God. Their hearts, untainted by prolonged sinful
practices, are more easily swayed and surrendered to the will of God.
But by Way of Application.
Firstly, this can be a source of great encouragement for all the
ministers of God who preach to people. Sometimes they may feel
discouraged and think to themselves, "Lord, how hardened are the
hearts of men, and how difficult it is to make an impact on their
hearts! I have exerted all my efforts, studied diligently, and sought to
devise the most compelling arguments I could imagine. When I sit in
my study, I ponder and hope that if the Lord blesses the truths I am
about to deliver, they will stir the hearts of the people. Yet, perhaps,
when it comes to the actual preaching, the minister finds that the
hearts of the listeners remain unaffected. Lord, what shall I do then?
I cannot fathom speaking words more powerful than those I have
already spoken, and they have done no good. Therefore, I fear I will
never be effective." Oh no, do not say or think that way. Sometimes
the Lord allows us to see our own inadequacies and humbles us.
Many times, the Lord does not accompany the preaching of His
Word with great power and strong arguments. Yet, at other times, He
chooses to bless a word spoken almost incidentally, and it surpasses
all the rest in its impact. Hardly any faithful minister in the world
who observes the work of God in his ministry fails to notice this.
However, this is not a reason for a minister to slacken his efforts or
withhold his strongest arguments. He is obligated to fulfill his duty.
But do not be discouraged, for he may eventually succeed, and God
may bless many things that come from him. Therefore, I encourage
those who are tasked with addressing such an audience to heed the
words of Ecclesiastes 11:6: "In the morning sow your seed, and in the
evening do not withhold your hand, for you do not know which will
prosper, whether this or that, or whether both alike will be good."
Therefore, let ministers continue to sow their seed and preach
persistently. Even if what they have spoken seems as though they
were presenting arguments that could move the heart of a devil, or
revealing the wretched condition of mankind and the richness of
Jesus Christ, they must not be discouraged. They should sow their
seed in the morning and not withhold their hand in the evening.
They should keep preaching, presenting the Word of God before the
hearts of people. Even if it did not have an effect at one time, it may
work at another time. Yes, even if they grow weaker and weaker, the
Lord can still use them for good, even in their weakest state. In 2
Timothy 2:25, the apostle Paul says to Timothy, "In meekness
instructing those that oppose themselves, if God perhaps will give
them repentance." Perhaps on a given day, a truth may be imparted
from God to a soul, perhaps from this passage or that passage, and
the soul may be drawn in.
Use of Encouragement: Another use shall be for the purpose of
encouragement for those who feel their hearts being moved by little
means. When God hints a truth to you while reading a chapter,
during conversations, especially when you gather to hear the Word,
and you receive only fragments of God's Word, yet they have a
powerful impact on your heart. Are there any such individuals here?
Take courage, for the Lord accepts this disposition. Therefore, for
your comfort, know that the Lord,
Firstly, this is a sign of a very childlike disposition in you. Just as a
father is pleased when he merely raises his finger and the child
immediately falls to their knees, a slave may fall down if you
approach them with blows, but a child responds to even the slightest
look. In Proverbs 17:10, it is stated, "A rebuke goes deeper into a wise
man than a hundred blows into a fool." Those who are fools and have
base and servile dispositions cannot be influenced by any means.
However, someone with an ingenuous disposition is affected by a
word. And if you find that your heart is so tender that a word has an
impact on you, this is a sign of the wisdom of God within your soul.
Furthermore, know that it is a sign that God is in His word and that
He accompanies what is said to you. It is a comforting thought to
realize that, thanks to God, when I hear His word, even the smallest
thing reaches my heart. And if you find that your heart is of this
nature, where almost everything said sticks with you, you can take
comfort in knowing that the Lord does not distance Himself from
you in His word.
Thirdly, you can certainly find comfort in the fact that you cannot
stray far from God. Why? Because if something small can have an
impact on you, then you must be influenced every day. If you have a
tender heart and are affected by the smallest things, there is no need
to fear that you will ever stray far from God. Souls with stubborn and
obstinate hearts go far away from God. The prophet says, "Hearken
to me, you who are stubborn-hearted, who are far from
righteousness." Stubborn hearts are far from righteousness.
However, those with yielding hearts need never fear going far from
righteousness. A person with a stubborn spirit may unknowingly
drift far from God, but someone with a yielding disposition never
needs to fear straying too far from God. Indeed, I may stumble daily
like others, but I have this hope that I will never go far from God.
Fourthly, does your heart yield to God upon a little? Take comfort,
for the Lord has great things to reveal to your soul. The Lord will
disclose great things to the soul that is moved by the smallest
matters. A notable example of this is found in John 1:49 and
following. You are familiar with what Christ said to Nathaniel, "Do
you believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will
see greater things than these." In the same way, I say to your heart,
does your heart soften and submit to God upon hearing even the
slightest revelation? Take comfort, oh soul! You are a soul for whom
the Lord intends to do great things and reveal profound truths. "The
secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them
His covenant." If there is a soul that fears God and is affected by
everything, the secret of the Lord is with that soul, and the Lord will
reveal His covenant to that soulTreasure this disposition of your heart, and when you see others with
hard and stubborn hearts, bless God who has given you such a heart
that only requires a little to respond.
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Post by Admin on May 25, 2024 22:54:06 GMT -5
SERMON V.
Use
"Because thine heart was tender" - 2 Kings 22:19
There are a couple of remaining uses of the point, and then we will
briefly move on to the other, so that we can make some progress
towards the main point in the text.
Use: When God's time comes, a little will work upon the heart. Now,
here is a rebuke to the stubbornness of the hearts of most people who
resist even great influences; it is not just a hint of something that will
affect them. How many can be rebuked from this? I say, those who
have resisted great efforts to impact them. Perhaps many of you have
had godly parents who have laboured with all their power to show
you the evil of your ways. They have offered admonitions, counsel,
and exhortations, but none of it has worked. Maybe you have been in
other households where you could have found encouragement, but
that has done nothing for you. You have been exposed to powerful
preaching, hearing messages that could have made even a devil
tremble. You have heard the terrors of the law, but they have had no
effect. Moreover, you have heard about the heart-melting mercies of
Christ that could have softened even the hardest heart, yet they have
not worked on you. God's providence has been at work in your life;
you have faced chastisement from God, but that has not impacted
you. You have received countless mercies, yet they have not moved
you. Conscience itself has been set upon you, terrifying you and
bringing you before the judgment seat of God, pleading against you
for your sins, but it has done nothing. Despite all these means, you
continue to be like a rock in the midst of flowing water—while the
water passes by, the rock remains unmoved. Oh, how far is your
heart from the heart of King Josiah, who upon hearing a few old
papers had his heart immediately melted before the Lord and
humbled himself. Well, for you whose hearts are so resistant that it
takes so much effort to impact them, know that,
First, know that those things which have not had any impact on you
are the very things for which many in heaven are now blessing God.
They have experienced the good of them, while you have attended to
the Word and it has passed by you without touching your heart. But
there are many in heaven who are grateful that they were hearing the
Word at that time, even if you did not benefit from it.
Understand that this disposition, where one means must be used
after another to reach your heart, is wearisome to the Spirit of God.
We know how tiresome it is for us, especially when we speak to
people for their own good and they refuse to be persuaded. Realize
that you have a heart with a disposition that is burdensome to God.
When God speaks to you for your own good, so much effort and
commotion are required before anything can have an effect on you.
And then, know this:
Secondly, it is a dangerous sign of being reprobate if abundant
means do not impact you. You are far from the disposition of the
person described in the text. A famous passage regarding this is
found in Jeremiah 6:29-30. It speaks of bellows being burnt and lead
being consumed by fire, while the refiner's attempts are in vain
because the wicked are not removed. They are likened to silver that
the refiner desires to melt and purify, but despite blowing the
bellows and intensifying the fire, the lead is consumed and no
progress is made. The refiner's efforts are in vain. Their hearts are
compared to the type of metal that refuses to melt. As a result, they
are called reprobate silver because the Lord has rejected them.
Eventually, the Lord rejects hearts like these that require so much
effort to work on. Therefore, my brethren, strive to have a disposition
of heart where a little will have an impact on you. Remember this
text. When we consider the greatness of the God we are dealing with,
we must recognize that even the slightest hint of His will should
prevail with us, even if it is just a word.
And know, it is a mercy from God that you have even a hint of His
will, that you have any word to reveal His mind concerning the good
of your soul.
First, God expects you to grasp every hint. Perhaps when a minister
casually drops a word that closely concerns your soul, even if it is not
the main topic of his preaching, the Lord expects you to seize upon it
and not rest until your heart is affected by it. In 1 Kings 20, there is a
mention of the servants of Ben-Hadad diligently observing whether
anything would come from their master and eagerly catching it.
Similarly, when we come to the Word, we should approach the great
King of Heaven and Earth for our lives. We should diligently observe
whether God speaks anything to our hearts and swiftly seize upon it.
Blessed are those whose hearts are moved by even a little. While God
may use great means for the good of some, for others, if a little is not
enough, they will never be moved.
The next point is about Josiah. When he heard the Book of the Law
being read, his heart was immediately turned, unlike Felix who said,
"I will hear more about this another time." Josiah yielded right away.
From this, the point is clear: It is highly pleasing to God when the
souls of people promptly relent, yield, and humble themselves as
soon as they hear God's displeasure being expressed against them.
Sometimes, God is pleased to implant a truth in the heart that does
not immediately take effect, but remains there for a long time,
perhaps for days, weeks, months, or even years. I have known some
who were moved by the Word as they were hearing it, but the Lord
implanted it in their consciences, and it only took effect when they
were on their sickbeds. Similarly, there are admonitions and
exhortations given to people that may not stir them immediately, but
later on, God may bless them and bring about a response. It is like
the seed cast into the ground that does not sprout immediately if a
drought follows, but when rain comes, it springs up when you
thought it had died. The same applies to the seed of the Word. We
sow it, and during a period of prosperity, we may think it has died,
but later on, when God sends afflictions, the Word springs up. It is a
good thing that the Word of God can work in the hearts of men and
women at any time. However, it is more pleasing to God when the
heart yields immediately upon the first hearing. This was the case
with David. In 2 Samuel 12:12, when the prophet Nathan came to tell
David about his sin, David humbled himself before the Lord
immediately upon receiving Nathan's message. He did not ask
Nathan to leave and consider it later; instead, he confessed, "I have
sinned against the Lord." He recognized his wrongdoing and felt
deep remorse before the Lord, exclaiming, "What shall I do?"
And so, as we see in Acts 2, while they were listening, their hearts
were pricked before they even left the presence of God. The mere
sound of the Word was enough to penetrate their hearts. When the
Lord is pleased to work in the hearts of His people, His Word has an
immediate effect. The Lord can open the heart when He sets the key
to it. Many hearts are like rusty locks that require a lot of effort to
open, especially if the key is not the right one or if it doesn't fit every
ward. However, when the key fits perfectly and every ward is aligned,
even a child can turn it with a single finger. Sometimes the Lord
speaks His Word in such a way that it fits perfectly into the hearts of
those who are like rusty locks. There may be objections and barriers
in their hearts, but when the Lord directs His Word to them, the key
fits perfectly, and their hearts open instantly. In an instant, the heart
of a person who has been closed off to God throughout their life is
opened.
There are several reasons why the hearts of people should open and
yield to God immediately.
Firstly, it is because of the submission that creatures owe to God.
Just as you expect your children to yield to you promptly, it is not
enough if they yield to you after many punishments and words. A
stubborn child is one who takes a long time to yield. However, when
a child yields to you immediately, it pleases you. Likewise, the Lord
expects us to yield to Him promptly, without prolonging our
resistance or requiring many arguments and admonitions. We
should come in and yield to Him without delay.
Secondly, yielding to God immediately prevents a great deal of evil.
When a person promptly yields to God, it prevents them from
engaging in numerous sins. Even if the Lord, in His infinite mercy,
eventually converts those who have resisted Him, one must reflect on
the abundance of evil committed during the time of resistance. If one
looks back at their past, they may realise that God had been stirring
their hearts before. They may ask themselves, "Didn't I hear the word
of the Lord before? How much better it would have been if I had
yielded to Him from the beginning!" By resisting, one has allowed a
multitude of sins to accumulate since that time.
I should have explained what it is in God's word that causes a soul to
yield to Him immediately. However, I will briefly move on to the
application of this principle.
Application:
Therefore, first and foremost, it can serve as a consolation to those
whose hearts have yielded to God immediately. I hope there are
some among you whose hearts, like Lydia's, have been receptive to
the key of God's word, and upon hearing it for the first time, your
hearts surrendered before the Lord. How great a comfort can you
find in this! You can honestly declare before the Lord, "It is true,
there was a time when I lived in blindness, ignorance, profanity, and
ungodliness. But blessed be God, ever since He revealed His will to
me, my heart has yielded to Him." Can you say this? Oh, what a
blessed thing it would be if many of you could say, "Lord, indeed, in
the days of my ignorance, I lived a profane and ungodly life because I
didn't know any better. But as soon as You made Your truth known
to me, my heart surrendered and yielded to You."
There are many individuals whom God is currently working on, and
they are now seeking God's mercy. However, they face the
temptation that they have resisted God for so long. This temptation
weighs heavily on them, and they would give anything to be free from
it. But you have been delivered from such a temptation. Blessed are
you who yield immediately to the Word of God. In Revelation 4:1,
John describes hearing a voice like a trumpet speaking to him. Then,
in the second verse, he says, "Immediately I was in the Spirit, and
behold, a throne was set in Heaven..."
Have you ever heard the voice of the Word like a trumpet, and can
you say, "Immediately I was in the Spirit" or "Immediately the Spirit
was in me"? I say, peace be with you in this matter. For this is highly
pleasing to the Lord, and it is a sign of a genuine spirit. And know
that the Lord will be as present in the ways of mercy towards you as
you are present in hearing Him. If you are immediately moved upon
hearing the Word, and I stress the word "immediately," the Lord will
be present in His mercy towards you. He will be just as quick to do
you good as you are to yield obedience to Him. Therefore, those who
have this kind of response can expect comfort sooner than others.
Many people remain under the terrors of the law for a long time.
Why? Because the Lord deals with them in the same way they dealt
with Him. God may have been calling upon you for many years
before you hearkened to Him. So, considering that you made God
wait for so long and did not come to Him, you may be willing to wait
for comfort.
Now, for you young ones, if you come in immediately upon the very
first realization of the dangerous condition you are in, I tell you that
you may find comfort very soon. The Lord heard at the beginning of
Daniel's supplication. The Lord would not delay His mercy towards
Daniel.
However, there are many who need to be rebuked from this point, as
they resist God and do not come and yield immediately. Just like the
others, a little thing will not affect them; much effort is required. So,
whether it is a little or a lot, they are not presently moved.
Well, know that every time God speaks to you and your heart is not
touched, you are missing an opportunity for eternal life. Yes, it is a
significant opportunity, and your eternal life is lost every time God
speaks to you and you do not yield to Him. Isn't that a great loss?
Secondly, know this: If you don't yield at first upon hearing the
Word, it is less likely that you will yield later. If the corn doesn't
sprout and rise within a certain time, it will never rise. Similarly, if
the heart resists for too long, it may be too late for the Word to work
on it.
Furthermore, understand this: if you persistently resist God, even if
God doesn't eventually work on you, you will have much more
trouble in your heart and conscience. Just like an old wound, the
healing process is more troublesome. Therefore, I urge the Lord to
work on your hearts immediately. And this is an exhortation from
God: when you hear His Word, embrace it immediately and yield to
it without delay. Whatever truth you hear, be convinced of it;
whatever admonition you hear, embrace it right away.
First, what will be true in the future is true now. And each of you will
wish in the future that you had yielded and submitted to the Word. If
you will wish for it in the future, then there is a reason to do it now.
Oh, how true the Word will be when you come to your sick bed and
death bed. It is true now.
Secondly, as far as you know, whatever God speaks to your heart, He
speaks to you as if it were the last time. The very first speaking may
be the last, as far as you know. Sometimes it may be different, but
you cannot make any promises, so yield to the Word immediately.
Thirdly, God may place you in a condition where if He doesn't grant
mercy to your soul immediately, you are eternally lost. Sinners often
find themselves in such a condition, where eternity hangs on the
present moment. You may be put in a situation where either God
must hear you immediately, or you are lost forever. Therefore, be
willing to listen to God.
Lastly, consider the infinite patience of God thus far, as you have
resisted for so long. Hasn't God spared your life? Oh, then you must
be cautious about resisting any longer.
Yes, how often have you listened to temptations? They come to
wickedness and you readily embrace them. So, when the Word
comes close to your heart and speaks to your conscience, why can't
you embrace it as well? Oh, when the Word comes near, especially so
close that you can't deny that the Lord intended it for you this day,
don't resist any longer, but yield and submit to Him immediately.
But Lord, I have resisted for a long time. What should I do?
It is a dreadful evil, and you should be willing to endure much
because you have resisted for so long. Yes, but what if God were to
speak one word to you now? What is your resolution? I ask this of the
conscience of each person in this congregation: if God were to speak
something today that specifically concerns you, are you resolved in
your heart to fall down before Him, yield, and submit? If you were to
hear any threat in God's Word against your sin, are you now
resolved, to the best of your ability, to renounce that sin? I ask you,
will you do this, yes or no? What answer would you give to God if He
were to speak today (since I have come by His providence)
something from His Word that condemns my sin? I am resolved
today, without further delay until sickness or death-bed, to do what I
can, with God enabling me, to renounce those things that the Word
of God condemns. Do you have such a resolution?
I would like to present some Scriptures, especially to those of you
who are most ignorant, although some of you may already be
familiar with them. Whether you know them or not, I will now
present them in the name of God to those who have lived in these
sins to this day and have not been humbled before God upon hearing
the Word that I am about to speak to you.
Consider the Scripture in Romans 1:18. Pay attention to what God is
saying to your soul now: "For the wrath of God is revealed from
heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by
their unrighteousness suppress the truth." This is the Word of God to
you today. Doesn't your conscience tell you that there are ways of
ungodliness and unrighteousness in which you live? Now God from
heaven tells you that His wrath is revealed against your soul if you do
not repent. Oh, hear this word and let your soul be humbled and
repent before God. And you, who hold the truth of God in
unrighteousness, that is, you who have convicted consciences and yet
go against them, you are the ones who suppress the truth in
unrighteousness, and the wrath of God from heaven is revealed
against you.
Now, let's specifically address the sin of swearing. Consider these two
tests of Scripture and see if your hearts will yield to them. In
Jeremiah 23:10, it is written: "For the land is full of adulterers;
because of the curse the land mourns." We know that the land
mourns today, and if you want to know the cause, you can attribute it
to this fact: the Scripture says that because of swearing, the land
mourns. Yes, because of your oaths, they are part of the cause of all
the misery in the kingdom today. The Lord tells you this, and if your
heart were tender, you would humble yourself before the Lord
because of this and go away with a resolved heart against your sin.
And in that passage in Zechariah 5:3, it condemns not only the sin of
stealing but also the sin of swearing. Then he said to me, "This is the
curse that goes out over the face of the whole land. For everyone who
steals shall be cleaned out according to what is on one side, and
everyone who swears falsely shall be cleaned out according to what is
on the other side." Here is a large flying scroll, twenty cubits in
length and ten cubits in width, and this flying scroll represents the
curse that goes out over the face of the whole land for everyone who
steals and everyone who swears falsely. Oh, this word now has as
much power to work on your heart as the word that affected Josiah.
Are you resolved against these sins or not? This is what God declares
to you today. Therefore, if your heart is tender, you will go home and
humble your soul before God in your private place because of your
sin.
And concerning the sin of Sabbath-breaking, in Ezekiel 20:13 (I want
to test whether it may have an effect on some of your hearts today), it
is written: "But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the
wilderness. They did not walk in my statutes but rejected my rules,
by which, if a person does them, he shall live; and my Sabbaths they
greatly profaned." Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them
in the wilderness, to make an end of them. This is what God renews
to you today. You are either resolved to continue in the practice of
breaking God's Sabbaths or not. If you are resolved, this is the text
that concerns you, and you should expect that it will be fulfilled upon
you, that the Lord will pour out His wrath upon you to bring about
your destruction. But when you hear this text, if your heart falls and
yields, and you are humbled before the Lord, oh, that is good and
right. The word has achieved its intended result. Surely, if Josiah had
heard a word like this, his heart would have melted.
And now, concerning the sin of sexual immorality, I will share with
you two passages from God's Word. They are dreadful ones, and I
believe Josiah never heard such words read to him as I will read to
you against this sin. The first is from Proverbs 22:14. "The mouth of
forbidden women is a deep pit; he with whom the LORD is angry will
fall into it." Here is a passage for all those wicked individuals who are
enticed by the words of forbidden women. Take heed to what God is
saying to your soul today. The person who is abhorred by God will
fall into this pit. What a dreadful statement! Can anyone speak more
dreadfully than this, that the one who is abhorred by God will fall
into the pit of sexual immorality? And how many of you have fallen
into that pit! Either you must acknowledge the Word of God or not.
If not, you are atheists. And if this is not God's Word, then there is
nothing in God's Word that you can rely on for your salvation. What
do you rest upon for salvation if not on the Word? And if you rest
upon any part of it, why not on this? Certainly, there is as much
authority and power in this passage to humble as there is to save.
And in the name of God, I do not merely read it but speak it to you
from God's Word: the person who is abhorred by God will fall into
the pit of sexual immorality. Now, you must decide whether to go
away with a resolution to disregard or neglect the Word, or to
continue in your sinful ways, or to be humbled before God because of
the evil that God's Word so dreadfully speaks against. It would be a
dreadful thing if anyone in this congregation were to leave with
either a disregard for or a resolve to continue in their sinful ways.
Oh, may the Lord accompany the reading of this passage to you as
He did when the book was read to Josiah, so that the Lord may find a
soul who will fall down and tremble before Him this day and give
Him glory!
The other scripture is found in 2 Peter 2:9-10. "The Lord knows how
to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under
punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who
indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority." The
Lord knows how to keep all wicked individuals for the day of
judgment, but especially those who indulge in the desires of the flesh
and engage in immoral actions. Now, some of you may dismiss this
and say that you have not been flagrantly wicked in the actual sin of
sexual immorality. But pay attention to the Word of the Lord in
Romans 8:13. "For if you live according to the flesh, you will die."
That is, you will perish eternally. If you find your comforts in
gratifying the desires of the flesh, even if not in such wicked ways of
sexual immorality, you will face eternal death.However, despite all this, some may still leave guilty and hardened in
their sin as they came. Therefore, I will read one more scripture to
you, found in Deuteronomy 29:19-20. "One who, when he hears the
words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying, 'I
shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.' This
will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike. The LORD will
not be willing to forgive him, but rather the anger of the LORD and
his jealousy will smoke against that man, and the curses written in
this book will settle upon him, and the LORD will blot out his name
from under heaven." For those who still bless themselves in their
wickedness and say, "Despite what the minister says, I will be at
peace," oh, may the Lord impress this word upon you. I read it
specifically because I fear that many in this place never read
Scripture in their families. Therefore, I desire that they may
encounter such scripture passages in this ordained gathering.
Perhaps this very passage was one of the texts read to Josiah. Now
you hear it read again. May the Lord bless these few sentences of
scripture that are read to you from His Word, so that you may leave
with tender hearts, humbled before the Lord, and resolved against
your sin. But let us move on to the next point, which is that a tender
heart is highly pleasing to God, for "because your heart was tender."This is what I had planned to spend most of the time on: what the
Scripture refers to as a tender heart. It is also called by other names
elsewhere, such as a contrite heart, a broken heart, but especially
what we find in Ezekiel as a heart of flesh. This is exactly the same
thing. David is described as a man after God's own heart, and this is
particularly because he had a very tender and easily moved heart.
Now, in discussing this point, I will first try to explain what a tender
heart is. This can be done in two ways: by describing its
characteristics and by highlighting the difference between a tender
heart and mere emotional sensitivity, temporary reactions to the
Word, or the fear brought by the Law. However, this may be better
addressed in the application.
For now, let us focus on understanding the true essence of a tender
heart, and then we will explore its preciousness—how highly
esteemed it is by God and how God reveals His remarkable
acceptance of a tender heart.
According to the philosophers, a soft thing is one that easily yields to
touch, while a hard thing resists touch with great effort. So, here is
the first point: a tender heart is one that readily yields to God, it
responds to God's touch. Just as wool easily gives way when you
touch it, whereas a stone does not yield, or as flesh yields when
touched but iron does not, a heart that yields to God is soft and
tender. On the other hand, a heart that resists God is hard. When a
person readily yields to the touch of God's Word, they are easily
convinced by it and do not object to it. Their conscience easily
acknowledges and applies the Word to themselves, and their will
humbly submits to the Word. Even if their heart had previously
pursued wickedness, when the Word confronts it, their will
surrenders to God's Word. Such a soul says, "Let God's Word prevail,
not my will." And the affections also surrender to the Word of God.
This is a sign of a tender heart.
Yes, not only does a tender heart yield to God, but it also yields to
others. The tenderness of heart is revealed in one's readiness to yield
to others. If there is anything that justifiably offends their brothers
and sisters, they willingly yield. They do not stubbornly hold on to
anything to satisfy their own will, but if they recognize that it may
legitimately offend others, they yield.
Secondly, a tender heart is characterized by sensitivity. It is a heart
that is keenly aware and responsive. Just as the flesh feels it when
pricked with a pin, a heart of flesh is sensitive to what is said to it. It
is aware of God's displeasure. The thought of incurring God's
displeasure deeply affects the heart, for it recognizes the weightiness
of God's disapprovalAnd it is aware of its own wretchedness and vileness, to the point of
even despising itself before the Lord. It is sensitive to the Word,
deeply responsive to it. Indeed, it is so sensitive to anything from
God, any manifestation of His displeasure, and to its own sin or what
the Word declares, that it becomes overwhelmed before God. There
is no worldly comfort that can prevent it from faltering. A tender
heart is not simply about being susceptible to a certain extent, but
about being so acutely sensitive that it would undoubtedly faint
under the weight of God's displeasure if God Himself did not come in
to support and aid that soul. This is why in Deuteronomy 20:3, the
word translated as "a fainting heart" is the same word used in my
text, "let not your hearts be made tender or faint." This is the true
tenderness, when there is such a tenderness of heart, such sensitivity
to God's displeasure and one's own wretchedness, and to the Word,
that it would faint before the Lord if the Lord did not uphold it by
His Spirit.
Moreover, it is also sensitive to all of God's mercies, aware of its own
unfaithfulness towards God, and appreciative of all the kindness it
receives from Him. The kindness of God breaks this heart and melts
it. It is like the sun shining upon ice, causing it to thaw. Similarly, the
beams of God's mercy continually melt the heart of someone with
such a tender disposition as we are discussing. A person who is less
affected is less afflicted, indicating a hard heart. But a heart that is
soft and tender is not only affected by its own sin and God's
displeasure, but also by God's mercy. The heart melts in response to
the apprehension of both mercy and sin.
Likewise, it is highly aware of the suffering of others. Why should our
brethren be in a more difficult situation than we are? We are just as
unworthy as they are. Tender hearts reason in this way, and their
hearts even melt before God when they grasp the suffering of others.
They find it astonishing that they, who are so undeserving, should
enjoy peace, freedom, and comfort while their brethren endure such
hardships. But hard-hearted individuals do not care; as long as they
can be comfortable and have their needs met, they are indifferent.
However, a tender heart is a sensitive heart. Furthermore, a tender
heart is both yielding and discerning without causing a commotion.
It does not make a fuss. This is true tenderness and the melting of
the heart. You know that something tender yields, and flesh is
sensitive. Metals melt and yield, and they do so silently; they make
no noise. Similarly, a truly tender and melting heart is highly
receptive to God and acutely aware of its own sin without making a
clamour. Those men and women who are humbled by their sin and
cause a disturbance in the family where they live, behaving in a
violent manner, are not exhibiting genuine Gospel tenderness. This
is not the true melting of the spirit. When you throw something into
the fire, it creates a lot of noise as soon as it feels the heat. However,
when metal feels the heat of the fire, it simply falls down and yields
without making any noise. Likewise, when God makes a truly tender
and melting heart sensitive to sin, it is so profoundly sensitive that it
does not make a great noise but handles things quietly.
You might ask, "How can we remain calm when we perceive so much
danger due to our sin?"
Yes, my brethren, this is the mystery of godliness in true Gospel
humility. Keep this in mind, those of you who do not yet comprehend
it, and remember it for those times when the Lord affects your hearts
regarding your sin.
And then, fourthly, it is a heart that is receptive to any impression
from God, or can be moulded into any shape that God desires. Just
like melting a piece of wax allows you to create any desired
impression on it, but trying to put a seal on a stone will not leave any
mark. Only tender things can take an impression.
So, a tender heart is present before the Lord and is ready to receive
any stamp that the Word of God puts upon it. Whatever holiness is in
God's Word, according to its capacity, it leaves an imprint on the
heart. After hearing the Word, the truths are clearly visible in the
heart. Similarly, like soft objects that can be easily moulded, or
molten metal that can be poured into any mould and take its shape, a
tender heart can be moulded into whatever God desires, following
the mould of His Word. We have a remarkable scripture for this in
Romans 6:17 (I find it surprising how those words are translated in
some versions of the New Testament). It should be translated as
follows: "You have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine into
which you were delivered." So, you have obediently conformed your
heart to the form of doctrine into which the Spirit of God delivered
you. The form of doctrine is likened to a mould, and the human heart
to molten metal. The Spirit of God, like a founder, takes the molten
heart and pours it into the mould. Although the heart may have had a
different form before, it now becomes shaped according to the
mould. This is how it works with a tender and melting heart. A sinner
who has lived in a certain sinful and wicked lifestyle for a long time
encounters the Word of God, and the heat of God's Word begins to
melt their heart. Then, the Spirit of God comes and takes the heart of
this old sinner and puts it into the mould of the Word, transforming
them into a vessel of honour.
Now, these five aspects can help us understand the nature of a tender
heart, and you can use them to examine whether your hearts are
tender or not. We could have discussed several other points to
further elucidate the nature of a tender heart, but I prefer to leave
them for the application.
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Post by Admin on May 25, 2024 22:55:30 GMT -5
SERMON VI.
The Preciousness of a Tender Heart.
"Because thine heart was tender" - 2 Kings 22:19
The Preciousness of a Tender Heart.
All I will do now is to demonstrate to you the preciousness of this
tender heart and how God accepts it. Then I will conclude with words
of comfort for those who possess such tender spirits.
Firstly, understand that it is very precious because it is a special fruit
of the covenant of grace wherever it is found. Does your heart begin
to soften towards God? Surely, this is a result of God's heart melting
towards you first, through the means of the covenant of grace. Those
heart-melting provisions within the covenant of grace begin to flow
into your life when your heart starts to melt towards God. In Ezekiel
36, it is a clear text, interpreted by all divines as a promise of the
covenant of grace and a special fruit of it. In verse 26, there is a
promise: "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit I will put
within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and
I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you,
and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my
judgments and do them." A new heart! Every person naturally has a
hard heart. Although some people's hearts may appear softer than
others, everyone in the world has a hard heart. So, what is this new
heart that God promises to give? It is the removal of the stony heart
and the gift of a heart of flesh. Here lies the fruit of the covenant of
grace. Whoever possesses this tender heart is undoubtedly received
into the covenant of grace, which demonstrates its immense
preciousness. For all things associated with the covenant of grace are
precious, as the covenant itself is precious. The treasures of God's
grace in the covenant are truly precious, and a tender heart is one of
the choice jewels found within those treasures. When God gives you
a tender heart, He is giving you this valuable jewel from the treasures
of the covenant of grace.
Certainly, even if God were to grant you kingdoms to possess, or the
entire world, it would be nothing compared to this gift. For God can
give the possession of this world to someone whom He will never
enter into a covenant with; God can bestow all this world out of His
general bounty and patience. I remember Luther saying about the
entire empire of the Turk, "It is only a crumb that the great
householder, the Lord, throws to his dog." But this tenderness of
heart is a fruit of the covenant of grace, and to have even the smallest
fruit of the covenant of grace is a greater mercy than having all the
fruits of God's general bounty and patience.
Secondly, a tender heart is very precious because it contains many
graces as its ingredients. Indeed, the heart of a person becomes
supple and tender through the composition and mixture of many of
God's Spirit's graces. The oil that softens the heart of a sinner is a
blend of numerous graces. In fact, all the graces of God's Spirit are
the ingredients in this composition that softens the heart of a sinner.
You can see humility, faith, wisdom, patience, and any other grace
you can think of in this composition. God sees all the graces.
I remember Chrysostom expressing what I am now preaching about,
the tenderness of spirit and its excellence. He said, "When the Spirit
of God works this tenderness, it is like a lady who is creating a
precious compound, a sovereign balm. She has all her noble maidens
attending to her, and she calls one to fetch one ingredient and
another to fetch another. She takes them all together and creates a
sovereign balm, oil, or whatever she desires to make." Similarly, says
Chrysostom, the Spirit of God gathers all graces to come and create
this compound, this oil, to soften the heart of a sinner. The truth is,
even though you, poor tender spirit, may not be able to see the
distinct workings of those graces, they are present within you. It is
like a prescribed oil or conserve from a physician made of specific
ingredients. The physician tells you to take this mixture if you want
to be cured. So you go to the apothecary with the prescription, and
the apothecary gives you a small amount of oil or conserve in a glass.
You may say, "But the physician told me there should be many
ingredients." The apothecary replies, "Here it is, made from those
ingredients, even if you can't discern them."
Likewise, in a soul, the scripture requires various graces such as
faith, humility, patience, heavenly-mindedness, and others. Now, a
poor sinner who has this tenderness of spirit often worries because
they cannot find the exercise of specific graces. But if you have a
tender spirit, you possess them all. They are all present within you,
just like the oil that softened your heart. If any saving grace of God's
Spirit had been lacking, your heart would never have reached this
tenderness. This demonstrates the preciousness of a tender spirit.
Thirdly, another aspect that demonstrates the preciousness of a
tender spirit is that it puts the soul in a state of readiness to receive
mercy. It prepares the soul to receive any mercy that the Lord has to
bestow. As Bernard said, "God does not pour the oil of His mercy
except into a contrite heart," and this is certain. But when the heart
is contrite and tender, the Lord immediately pours the oil of His
mercy upon such a person. It is in a state of readiness to receive any
mercy, and the Lord, who takes pleasure in mercy, surely will not
miss the opportunity to display His glory when He sees a soul
capable and prepared for it. Now your soul is made ready to receive
any mercy that the Lord has to offer, and the Lord is infinitely willing
to bestow mercy. The reason why anyone in the world lacks mercy is
not because there is a shortage of it, but rather because their vessel is
not ready to receive it. You may argue that God could make them
ready, but God is not inclined to exert His almighty power to prepare
every vessel. However, once it becomes evident that God has such
love for a soul as to prepare a vessel for mercy, that soul can
confidently conclude that there is more than enough mercy available.
Perhaps you do not possess it at present, but one thing is certain:
there is as much mercy for you as you can contain. I can say to you,
just as the Lord says to His people in another context, "I know the
thoughts that I have toward them, thoughts of peace and love." So,
regardless of your fears and doubts, the Lord says to you, "I know the
thoughts that I have toward this sinner, thoughts of love and mercy."
I could provide you with many Scriptures to demonstrate how this
disposition prepares the soul to receive mercy. One remarkable
passage is found in Zechariah 12:10: "I will pour out on the house of
David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and
supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and
they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child." God
promises to pour out His Spirit, and He describes the manner in
which they will mourn.
Then, at the beginning of chapter 13, it says, "In that day there shall
be a fountain opened, a fountain of mercy opened, and it shall flow
into their hearts when they have such a spirit poured out upon
them." Here, the spirit of grace and mourning are mentioned
together. A tender heart is called a spirit of grace, not only because of
God's free grace in it, but also because of the many graces of God that
are poured into the heart when this spirit is poured into it. That's the
third aspect.
Fourthly, another way in which the preciousness of this tender spirit
is evident is that it makes the soul suitable for engaging in all the
ordinances and ways of God. For example, it prepares the soul for
hearing the word, just as Josiah did when he sanctified the name of
God by listening to His word. And when it comes to receiving the
sacrament, nothing is more fitting than this tenderness of spirit.
Why? Because in the sacrament, we come to have communion with
Jesus Christ, and as the text says, "From his fullness we have all
received, grace upon grace." That means, just as the impression of a
seal is left on wax, there is an impression for every impression.
Whatever grace is in Christ, the same grace is imprinted upon the
heart. Now, when we come to receive the sacrament, we come to
have communion with Jesus Christ so that we may partake of His
abundance. Furthermore, we come to have the seal of the covenant of
grace placed upon our hearts, for that is the nature of a sacrament—it
is the seal of the righteousness of faith. And what disposition of heart
could be more suitable for a seal than a tender heart? When you
come to the sacrament, it is crucial to bring soft hearts, to bring this
tender heart with you, for you are bringing your hearts to have the
seal of the covenant of grace placed upon them. Oh, this is a precious
disposition that the Lord loves dearly. When a group of people comes
to receive the sacrament, having softened their hearts beforehand
and thus prepared their souls to receive the seal, it is highly regarded
by the Lord. All of God's ways have a positive impact on a tender
heart. Even the slightest mercy or beam of God's love can melt a
tender heart, and that is why it is extremely precious in the eyes of
God.
Fifthly, it brings great honour to God and exalts His name. There is
no disposition in the world that honours the name of God more than
a tender heart. It shows reverence for God, fears Him, acknowledges
His sovereignty and power, and gives Him glory for His justice and
mercy. This disposition glorifies God, just as a trembling heart, as I
mentioned earlier, brings glory to God. A tender heart greatly
magnifies the name of God.
Sisthly, it is a disposition that commends all our services to God and
makes them acceptable. Without a tender heart, no service we
perform can be pleasing to God in any way. I'm sure you're familiar
with the well-known passage in Psalm 51. The prophet speaks of a
contrite spirit, saying, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a
broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Note that
this broken and contrite heart is the same as the tender heart
mentioned in the text. It is the sacrifice that pleases God, and
sacrifices are mentioned in the plural form. This emphasizes the
supreme value of a tender heart—it is the choice among all sacrifices.
It is what God requires above all sacrifices.
Moreover, a tender heart is equivalent to all sacrifices. Even if you
cannot offer anything else to God, if you can offer Him a tender spirit
and a contrite heart, He will be well pleased. Many poor sinners
complain and are troubled because they feel they can do very little
for God. But if you can offer a tender spirit and a contrite heart to
God, I assure you, it is equivalent to all sacrifices before Him.
And thirdly, the sacrifices that please God are a broken spirit. This
means that a disposition of a broken and contrite heart commends
any other sacrifice. If this sacrifice is present, it is as if all other
sacrifices were there, and anything offered with this disposition is
acceptable, while nothing is acceptable without it. In Isaiah 66, the
Lord says, "But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble
and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word." It follows that
anyone offering a sacrifice without a contrite and humble spirit is
like someone who slays a man or cuts off a dog's neck—such
sacrifices are rejected. What an excellent disposition it is that
commends all our sacrifices and replaces all other sacrifices before
the Lord.
Seventhly, furthermore, a tender heart is precious because it keeps
one close to God and causes them to cleave to Him. It is a disposition
that continuously keeps the heart near to God. If there is even a
slight drifting in the soul of one who possesses a tender heart, they
quickly perceive it and cannot rest until they return to God. If the
Lord withdraws even a little, someone with a tender heart is aware of
it. Thus, it is a precious disposition because it keeps the heart of a
sinner close to God.
Lastly, a tender heart is a disposition that makes a person a valuable
member in the church and society. It makes them a beneficial
companion. Someone with a tender spirit is always harmless. A sour
spirit is troublesome to live with, but a tender spirit yields to
anything when shown the reason by God. They have a peaceful and
gentle nature. Such an individual is highly aware of the well-being or
harm of the community. Often, someone with a tender spirit is as
sensitive to the good of others as they are to their own good. If you
present anything that concerns the glory of God or the public good,
they immediately become aware of it because of their tender spirit.
On the other hand, if you propose something that does not concern
their personal desires and satisfaction, others may not be sensitive to
it. However, a tender spirit is receptive to anything you propose for
God or the good of others. This is the excellence of a tender spirit.
The Lord highly esteems and values this tender spirit.
First, there is the primary object that captures God's attention in the
entire world. The Lord looks towards this person, as stated in Isaiah
66. God says, "But this is the one to whom I will look..." There is no
object on the face of the Earth that draws God's eye more than this.
Secondly, God's heart is greatly inclined towards such an individual.
Regarding Ephraim, we have a passage in Jeremiah 31:18. It says, "I
have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself..." Ephraim sat alone,
lamenting his condition and his heart began to break. Notice how
God's heart is moved towards him in the twentieth verse. God asks,
"Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he a pleasant child?" Despite speaking
against him, God remembers Ephraim earnestly and His bowels are
troubled for him. God declares, "I will surely have mercy upon him,"
says the Lord. If there is a soul that isolates itself, lamenting its own
sin out of a genuine sense of its evil and the dishonour it has brought
to God, the Lord looks upon such an individual with His heart
inclined towards them. His compassion stirs within Him.
Thirdly, it is crucial to consider this principal aspect, which, if we
were to say nothing more, would be sufficient. Jesus Christ is
anointed by God the Father with a special purpose to be the
comforter of such a heart. Wherever there is such a tender, broken,
contrite heart (for these are different expressions of the same
disposition), let that person know that God the Father has anointed
His Son specifically to be the comforter of such a soul. This is clearly
evident in Isaiah 61. It states, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the
afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted..." and
further on, "to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a
beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of
mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit..." The Spirit
of the Lord God is upon Jesus Christ and He is anointed to preach
good news to those with broken spirits, to console those who mourn,
and to exchange their sorrow for joy. Surely, a soul cannot lack
comfort when Jesus Christ is designated by God the Father in His
role to provide comfort. He is a Christ for it, that He may bring
comfort. When it is stated, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me," it is essentially saying that the
Lord God the Father has made me Christ, for the word "Christ"
simply means "anointed." God has made me Christ so that I may
preach good news to sinners with broken hearts. Here, God is
accepting a tender spirit when He sends His Son out of His bosom
and instructs Him to go into the world, making it a vital part of His
mission to be a comforter to such tender spirits. He pours the oil of
joy, which replaces the previous oil that softened their hearts and
made them tender. And that concludes the third aspect.
Fourthly, there are numerous precious promises in Scripture,
especially directed towards them (each one worth a kingdom). The
Scripture refers to these promises as exceeding great and precious
promises, and the saints consider their wealth to lie in these
promises. One promise in Psalm 34, for instance, a person with a
tender spirit would not trade it for the world: "The Lord is near to the
brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." And then there is
another promise in Isaiah 57:15, which is even more comprehensive:
"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits
eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and
also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit
of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" My brethren,
although heaven is a glorious dwelling place of God, it is not enough
for Him. God does not consider it sufficient unless He also dwells in
a tender, broken, humble spirit. That is the dwelling place that the
Lord values, just as much as His dwelling in heaven. You know how
great princes have various palaces in different countries. Similarly,
the great King of the world keeps His court in heaven and in a
contrite heart—those are the two principal places. Although the Lord
encompasses the whole world and fills heaven and earth, His court is
held in the highest heavens and the humblest heart. Take note, He is
said to dwell with them. When a person passes by, they may be
generous in passing, but their primary usefulness is found in their
place of residence. While travelling, one can do good to some, but
their greatest usefulness is in their dwelling. Likewise, although the
Lord may bestow common favours as He passes by others, it is in the
heart where He fully extends His mercy. God dwells in the heart; He
resides there in a constant manner to communicate Himself to them.
And for what purpose? He dwells with the contrite spirit to revive
them. The living God is always dwelling with them. Even if your
dwelling place is humble, even if it is a poor and dark abode where
you must hide your head, having a contrite heart means that there is
a glorious palace for the great King of heaven and earth to dwell in.
We have many promises, such as "Blessed are those who mourn" and
"Blessed are the poor in spirit," and so on. If we were to search the
scriptures and consider what the Lord says about this disposition of a
tender spirit, time would quickly pass. It is another way in which God
manifests His high regard for them.
Fifthly, the Lord shows exceptional tenderness towards someone
with a tender heart in times of affliction. If there is any burden upon
a person with a tender spirit, the Lord knows that they are sensitive
to it, and therefore He is aware of their condition. The Lord is just as
aware of your condition as you are of your burden, and His utmost
concern is that such a person never falters before Him. This is
evident in Isaiah 57, where He says that He dwells with the humble
and contrite spirit. He declares, "I will not contend forever, nor will I
be angry always, for the spirit would grow faint before me, and the
souls that I have made." God says, "I will not allow burdens to be
constantly upon them, even though I may, for a specific purpose and
for their good, manifest some displeasure for the time being. But I
will not remain angry forever. I know they are sensitive to even the
slightest displeasure from me, and therefore I will be tender towards
them, those who have such tender hearts, so that their spirits do not
grow faint before me when I come against them in anger." In Isaiah
27, the Lord affirms, "My anger is not in me, but if anyone sets briers
and thorns before me, I will march against them and burn them up
together. However, as for my own people, I will be tender towards
them and show no fury." The Lord is tender towards those who have
such tender spirits.
Sixthly, once again, He seals such individuals for mercy in times of
public calamity. In Ezekiel 9, you can find that those who mourned
for the committed sins were commanded by the Lord to be marked
with the seal of preservation before the city was destroyed.
Therefore, wherever there is a tender spirit, the Lord sets a seal of
mercy upon them. Consequently, no matter what calamity befalls the
place where such a person resides, they shall be marked for mercy.
This was evident in the case of Josiah, as it was a special
demonstration of the Lord's mercy towards him that he would not
witness the impending calamity but be delivered before its arrival.
Furthermore, this leads to another manifestation of God's love
towards a tender spirit. If the Lord foresees that calamities are
imminent upon kingdoms, and He observes that the heart of a
particular individual, whether male or female, is so tender that they
would not be able to bear those calamities, the Lord, in His great
love, takes them away to Himself before the calamities strike. This is
best exemplified by the case of Josiah.
I must say, when the Lord sees men and women with tender spirits
who are unable to bear witness to the grievous calamities that God
intends for certain places, where He will manifest His severe
displeasure, out of His great love, God takes them away beforehand.
Just as Josiah was taken away, but not by the war of his own country
or kingdom; the war against the kingdom did not occur until after
God took Josiah away. Therefore, I have no doubt that the Lord has
shown mercy to many of our forefathers who, in their time, lamented
the sins of the kingdom. Some the Lord removed from our midst,
while others He took away through death, for they were men and
women of tender spirits. The Lord saw that they could not bear to
witness and hear the dreadful things that we are reserved to witness
and hear.
However, the truth is that the Lord has also reserved this hardhearted generation. While we can hear of dreadful things happening,
we are not truly sensitive to the suffering of others because it is at a
distance from us. It seems that the Lord has reserved this generation
to witness, hear, and experience dreadful things. He has taken away
the tender-hearted generation. Just as a father would remove young
and tender children from the sight of their mother having her breast
cut off due to cancer or a similar disease, in order to spare them from
witnessing her pain, God the Father takes away His tender-hearted
servants when the Church, their spiritual mother, is about to endure
severe afflictions. He does so because they are not able to bear the
sight and hearing of such dreadful things. In doing this, God shows
great respect for His servants. Many of His servants who have spent
much time in solitary lamentation over the sins of the nation are now
taken away from the impending evil, and the Lord has taken them up
to Himself. If their hearts were so deeply affected, how would they be
able to bear witnessing and hearing the things that we see and hear
on this very day?
Application.
Now I will try to conclude with a few words of application. I had
intended to explain how God reveals Himself to those with tender
hearts and how they have the greatest influence in prayer. The Lord
hears the prayers of the poor, He prepares their hearts, and inclines
His ear to listen to their pleas.
Therefore, it is a very dangerous thing for anyone to harm someone
with a tender heart. Let people be cautious, for God will ensure
justice. God holds a mighty high regard for such individuals, and
perhaps it is because they have tender and humble spirits. You might
think you can take advantage of them, as they may not retaliate blow
for blow. However, they withdraw and pour out their grievances to
their Father, telling Him about all the wrongs you have done to them.
In this way, they open their hearts to God and find solace. Many of
you, when wronged by others, have no other way to find relief than to
respond with anger and retaliation. But someone with a tender spirit
has a better way to find comfort. They can retreat in solitude,
allowing their hearts to soften before the Lord, and there they find
solace.
Now, it is likely to go very poorly for you if you have wronged such
individuals. It would be better for you to wrong a hundred other
people than to wrong them. Imagine if you have a child who has a
gentle and tender spirit, someone who does not immediately resort
to fighting. And then someone wrongs that child, and with tears in
their eyes, they come to you to express their grievance. Wouldn't it
stir up your spirit to protect and defend your child, especially
because you know your child has a gentle and tender disposition?
Certainly, it is the same with God. God will ensure justice for them. I
recall hearing about a prominent woman in Scotland who professed
that she was more afraid of the fasting and prayer of John Knox and
his followers than of an army of one hundred thousand men. So,
always be cautious about causing harm to men and women with
tender spirits, for God holds them in high esteem.
And for those of you who have tender spirits, I hope you take what
has been said as your portion and rejoice in it. Perhaps God has not
given you much of this world's possessions, but He has given you a
tender heart, and that is infinitely more valuable. Maybe you have
weak memories and abilities, and you cannot do what others can.
However, hasn't God given you a tender and compassionate heart?
That is worth more than all the riches in the world.
Let it comfort you in light of the weakness of your virtues. Yes, your
virtues may be weak, but they are compensated by this tenderness. It
is a profound question whether God values someone who excels in all
virtues but lacks brokenness of heart, or someone who excels in
brokenness of heart despite weaknesses in other virtues. Although
brokenness of heart encompasses other virtues, it can still be
prominent even when other virtues are weak. This is because, in
addition to the mixture of other virtues, there is the presence of the
Spirit of God. The Spirit of God can activate and animate a particular
grace in the soul, allowing someone who is weak in other areas to
excel in brokenness of heart. Thus, even if you are weak in other
virtues, you possess an excellence that is as remarkable as those who
have greater virtues.
Perhaps you have a temperament that prevents you from listening
attentively or obeying the word as you desire. However, can you feel?
Do you have tenderness of spirit? Certainly, where there is a sense of
feeling, there is life. So as long as you have that sensitivity, there is
life within you.
Likewise, let it bring comfort to you in the face of all your fears. You
fear God's wrath, but if you have a tender heart, the Lord will ensure
that you never experience great displeasure. Because you have
already sanctified the name of God, and you are sensitive to even the
slightest display of His displeasure, it is certain that you will never
encounter overwhelming displeasure from God.
And find comfort in this: Jesus Christ's sorrows are for you; you have
a share in the sorrows of Jesus Christ. Although you have a mournful
spirit, remember that you should not solely rely on the tenderness of
your own heart, but rather look up to Christ who had a tender spirit.
If the tenderness in your heart is genuine, it is like the oil that flowed
from Aaron's head down to his garments, from Christ your head
down to His members. Christ Himself was one who had a very tender
spirit. The tenderness that was in Christ now belongs to you. He was
tender during His time on Earth, and He remains tender now and
will have a tender heart even on the day of judgment. This is
something that your soul should rejoice in and find comfort.
But you may wonder, "Lord, how can I be sure that these comforts
truly belong to me? Can I apply them too soon and be
presumptuous?"
I will give you one key to help you know with certainty whether these
comforts belong to you or notDoes hearing these things and applying them to your hearts make
your hearts more tender? Do they soften your hearts further towards
God? If you find that upon hearing this, your hearts become more
tender instead of hardened, and if you feel humbled, loathing
yourselves and abhorring your own sins before the Lord even more
when you hear that He accepts you, then it truly belongs to you, it is
your portion, and you can safely embrace it. Let me provide you with
a Scripture to safely bring this comfort into your souls: In Ezekiel 36,
where the Lord promised a tender heart in verse 26, God also
promised to remove the heart of stone and give a heart of flesh. Now
pay attention to one particular result of having a heart of flesh. After
making various gracious promises of saving them from uncleanness
and bestowing numerous mercies, the text says in verse 31, "Then
you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good,
and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and abominations."
Can this be applied to today? Can you say, "I heard a sermon about a
tender heart, how precious it is and how God accepts it, and at that
moment, my heart broke. I remembered my unworthy ways before
God. Oh, how I walked so undeserving of His mercies and so
wretchedly in His sight!" If you can say this, if at that time and
during that sermon it was so, then peace be with you, for it is all your
portion, and may it bring you much good. Embrace it, cherish your
tenderness of spirit, and hold onto it if you want to maintain your
comfort.
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Post by Admin on May 25, 2024 22:56:35 GMT -5
SERMON VII.
Because thine heart was tender
"Because thine heart was tender" - 2 Kings 22:19
Let's move on from what was previously discussed and continue.
Objection: But someone may say, "This is the great thing that I find
lacking in me, the absence of a tender spirit. If I could find my heart
tender, then I could truly be comforted, despite the many hardships.
Oh, the hardness and insensibility of my heart."
Answer: To that, I respond as follows: First, if you are aware of your
hardness, then there is certainly some degree of tenderness present.
We cannot be aware of hardness without tenderness. Do you
consider the lack of tenderness to be one of the greatest evils that can
befall you? Many complain about difficult times, saying, "We have
hard times." But a poor soul may say, "Oh, I have a hard heart, and
the hardness within my heart is a greater evil than all the hardships
of the times." Surely, it is an indication that there is tenderness in the
heart when one is so aware of its hardness. For you know that when
the flesh is affected by a disease and becomes tough and hard, it is
not sensitive at all, not even to its own hardness. However, once you
become aware of the hardness, God has begun to work tenderness in
you.
Secondly, there are two kinds of hardness: the hardness of a stone
and the hardness of ice. God says He will take away the heart of
stone. You know that a stone, no matter how intensely the sun's rays
shine upon it, never yields. But ice, though it is very hard, melts and
thaws when the warm beams of the sun shine upon it. So even if you
feel your heart is hard at present, when the beams of God's love shine
upon your heart, when the rays of God's grace manifested in the
Gospel illuminate your soul, how do you find your heart responding
then? Oh, then my heart begins to yield. Then my heart surrenders to
God. That is a sign that it is not the hardness of a stone. If the beams
of God's love and the grace of God in the Gospel can melt your heart,
if you find in your heart that if God were to reveal His grace to you in
His Son and pour out His love in your heart, you believe your heart
would yield and melt before Him. I say, that is not the hardness of a
stone. The hardness of heart that is so contrary to the Covenant of
Grace. It is possible for one's heart to be occasionally hard in the
present, but even then, it will melt under the warm beams of the sun.
However, the heart of stone is what is truly contrary to the Covenant
of Grace.
Answer 3: You feel in your heart that you cannot mourn for your sin,
for that is what you mean when you say your heart is so hard. But let
me pose this to you: At the time when you cannot mourn as you
desire, is your heart not averse to sin? Is it not set against sin? Would
you not choose, if given the choice, to endure all the miseries in the
world rather than willfully commit any sin against God? And this
choice does not arise merely from a sense of necessity, but from a
disposition in your heart that is opposed to sin. You have such
opposition to sin that you would turn away from it rather than from
all other evils and afflictions in the world. Now, peace be to you if
this is true. Even when you think your heart is so hard that you
cannot mourn for sin, there is still comfort for you. And there are two
reasons for this.
Firstly, it is an indication of great love for God that even though the
Lord may not make you as deeply aware, in terms of your emotions,
of the bitterness and evil of sin, your heart is strongly opposed to it.
It is not as much a sign of grace when the Lord fills the heart with
anguish, sorrow, and bitterness for sin, and then the heart turns
away from it. But when the heart turns away from the evil of sin
more than from any other affliction, even at a time when it does not
feel the full extent of the bitterness of sin or the displeasure of God
towards sin, this indeed indicates much grace.
Again, this is a comfort in the second place because you have that
which God specifically aims for in making people's hearts sensitive to
sin and causing them to mourn for it. What does God desire in the
mourning of men and women? It is that they may turn away from
their sin and value His mercy. God does not take pleasure in causing
grief to His children. He cares for your mourning only to the extent
that it may turn your hearts away from sin and cause you to value
His grace. Now, if you are so aware of the evil of your sin that it turns
your heart away from it and makes you value God's grace, then surely
you possess the tenderness of heart that the Scripture calls for. This
is what God accepts.
Let me illustrate this with an example. Imagine there are two sick
men. One cries out in intense pain, experiencing extreme agony, and
screams and shrieks in the midst of his suffering. He sends for a
physician, desperately seeking relief. On the other hand, there is
another man who is also sick, but he is not in as much pain. He does
not cry out as loudly as the first man. However, he understands the
seriousness and danger of his sickness to the extent that he is willing
to do everything he can to call for the physician's help. He is even
willing to give up all his possessions in order to receive assistance.
Although he may not cry out as much as the first man, if he is
sensible enough to take any action and values his healing more than
his possessions, this man may be healed just as quickly as the other.
The physician may come to help him just as soon. Similarly, some
individuals become so deeply aware of the evil of their sin that they
are overwhelmed by its weight. They may cry out and lament in a
dreadful manner. All they can do is pursue Christ and seek Him
above all else for help. They are willing to give up everything for
Christ. On the other hand, there are those who may not experience
such extreme sorrow, but they still apprehend Christ and value Him
above all else. I say, if you fall into the latter category, although not
in the same intensity of sorrow, you possess the tenderness of heart
that God works in the Covenant of Grace for those whom He loves
and intends to save eternally. Therefore, comfort yourself with what
you have heard about the excellence of a tender spirit. Since it is so
precious, strive to maintain it. This leads to the third point: if God
has granted you any tenderness of spirit, it is a jewel worth more
than if He had made you an emperor or a queen, as you heard the
previous day. Therefore, keep it within your heart. Work diligently to
maintain your tenderness, for know that although the Lord works
tenderness in our hearts, without carefulness, there is a great danger
of becoming hardened once again. Have you not experienced this?
Have you not felt your hearts yielding and melting before God for a
time, only to find them hardened again shortly after? Certainly, if
you are familiar with your own heart, you will recognize this.
Therefore, while you feel God working tenderness, strive to maintain
it. Pray to the Lord to preserve it in your heart. "O Lord, keep this in
the thoughts and purposes of my heart forever."
Question: You may ask, how should we maintain tenderness in our
spirit?
Answer: First of all, search deeply into the riches of God's grace in
the Covenant. Make an effort to understand the glorious abundance
of grace in the Covenant of Grace. There is nothing that works more
effectively to cultivate and preserve tenderness than the wonderful
mercy of God in Jesus Christ. Those heart-blood mercies of God in
Christ, those tender expressions of God's mercies and compassions
in Christ, are what both create and maintain tenderness of heart. The
more a person meditates on these mercies, delving into their depths,
the more tenderness they will acquire and preserve in their hearts.
Secondly, be extremely cautious about falling into any known sin.
Nothing hardens the heart more than indulging in known or gross
sins. The daily struggles with sin in the lives of the saints do not
harden them, but if they fall into a significant sin, it often leads to a
great hardening of their hearts for an extended period of time.
Reestablishing tenderness becomes a challenging task. This was the
case with David when he committed a grave sin. His heart was
hardened for almost an entire year. For three-quarters of a year, his
heart remained hardened. He had lost the tenderness he had before.
Although he initially said he would confess his sin, he did not truly
confess it until Nathan confronted him. This delay in sincere
confession lasted for three-quarters of a year. During that time, he
remained in his sin, and his heart was greatly hardened, losing the
fear of God in his soul. Therefore, be cautious and avoid falling into
gross sins.
We can draw a parallel from the story of manna. Although the beams
of the sun would melt manna, the fire would bake and harden it.
Similarly, the heart of a Christian is like manna in this regard. The
beams of God's grace in Christ and the mercies of the Covenant melt
the heart, so you should keep your heart under the influence of those
beams. However, the fire of any sinful desire bakes and hardens the
heart. Therefore, be cautious and avoid falling into gross sins.
And indeed, that one argument should be sufficient, one would
think, to prevent a gracious heart from yielding to the strength of
temptation. When a temptation arises to commit a particular sin,
which may strongly appeal to your fleshly desires, some may have
certain arguments against it while others may have different ones.
Perhaps you are struck with fear and horror, and your conscience
would condemn you if you were to commit it. But a gracious heart
should have this prevailing thought: if I give in to this sin, I will lose
my tenderness, my heart will be hardened as a result. Someone who
knows the sweetness of tenderness should be unwilling to lose it for
the sake of gaining the whole world. Regardless of what may happen
to me, let me hold on to my tenderness, says a gracious heart.
Not only gross sins that a Christian may fall into, but also formality
in performing duties will harden your heart. If you grow accustomed
to a formal approach in your duties, you will lose the tenderness of
your heart. It is essential for you to maintain communion with God
in your holy duties. Do not be satisfied with merely going through
the motions of duty unless you experience the sunshine of God's
presence in those duties. On the other hand, ensure that your heart is
engaged and turned towards God in the performance of those duties.
When men and women carry out their duties merely out of a sense of
obligation, driven by a slave-like conscience, they may continue to
perform them, but their hearts will grow harder and harder over
time, eventually abandoning the duties altogether. Those who rely
solely on the compulsion of conscience to fulfill their duties will
eventually give them up. However, when a heart realizes that it used
to enjoy communion with God in the performance of duties, and that
those duties were occasions of sweet interaction with God, they will
continue to perform them. They cannot be satisfied with the
performance of any duty unless they feel God's presence entering
their souls. This is truly a soul that will maintain tenderness of heart.
When grace is kept in exercise, the heart will remain tender.
Fourthly, another rule for maintaining the tenderness of your heart
is this: be cautious of the company you keep. Beware of associating
with those who have hard and frivolous spirits, especially among
those who profess religion but lack seriousness. Being in the
company of such individuals greatly hardens the heart. On the other
hand, keeping the company of those who have broken spirits and
tender hearts before the Lord has a significant effect in preserving
the tenderness of your own heart. Often, when your heart starts to
harden, encountering a soft-hearted and broken-hearted Christian,
whose heart melts before the Lord, can cause your own heart to melt
as well. Therefore, seek the company of broken and tender-hearted
Christians. In the interactions with fellow believers, there is great
power in maintaining tenderness of spirit. This is why the Apostle
exhorts in Hebrews 3:12, "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of
you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But
exhort one another daily, while it is called 'today,' lest any of you be
hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Exhort one another. This
means coming together and engaging in conversations with spiritual
Christians who are lively, active, and stirring. Encourage one
another. Why? So that none of you may be hardened by the
deceitfulness of sin. When Christians gather and discuss the
goodness of God in Christ, the profound mysteries of the Gospel, and
the work of God in their hearts, with each one sharing their
experiences and encounters with God, it serves as a remarkable aid
in keeping the heart in a state of gracious tenderness.
There are other means that could be mentioned, such as...
Fifthly, be cautious of being too focused on earthly and worldly
matters. If you let your heart excessively pursue lawful things, it will
harden your heart. Even though those things may be lawful in
themselves, if you give your heart inordinate attachment to them,
you will eventually become earthly, dull, and insensitive. Just as
earth quickly hardens into stone, when your heart becomes attached
to worldly things, even if they are lawful, you will rapidly lose the
tenderness of your heart. A worldly Christian can never be a tenderhearted Christian. However, this shall be sufficient for this point.
Now, since a tender heart is highly valued by the Lord, we have
reason to lament, and lament deeply, the lack of it. This applies not
only to people in general but also to Christians. Oh, how little
tenderness of spirit can the Lord find even among His own people!
Our hearts have become hardened. God's name is fearfully
dishonoured, His law is wickedly violated, His wrath is dreadfully
revealed, His severe displeasure is threatened, His judgments are
inflicted, and we have reason to fear ruin and destruction. Yet,
people's hearts remain hardened. Even though God's compassionate
nature is moved, and His heart-blood mercies are extended, and His
gracious promises are revealed, and His heart-melting promises and
overwhelming goodness are manifested, and His grace is abundantly
poured out in the world, still, the hearts of people remain hardened.
The hearts of people are generally like the creature described in Job
41, around verse 24. The text says, "His heart is as firm as a stone,
yes, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone."
Truly, the hearts of most men and women are like the heart of the
creature mentioned earlier, resembling a blacksmith's anvil. No
matter how many times we strike them, they do not soften but rather
harden. They are like the blacksmith's dog that lies beneath the anvil,
unaffected by the sparks flying around its ears, able to sleep soundly.
Similarly, many people, even when God's wrath is dreadfully
revealed from heaven and sparks fly around them, have hardened
hearts that cannot repent (Romans 2:5). Woe, woe to us who have
sinned against the Lord, but even greater woe to us whose hearts
have hardened in our sin. Where is the spirit of Elijah, the spirit of
David, the spirit of Hezekiah, the spirit of Josiah? Where is the spirit
of Jeremiah and Daniel and other tender-hearted individuals
mentioned in Scripture? It seems as though that spirit has departed
from the world.
The hearts of people are not only hard like iron, but they are like
stones. There is a difference between the hardness of iron and that of
stone. Iron, though hard, can yield when put into fire and be melted
by intense heat. But when you put a stone into fire, it will never yield;
instead, it may burst and fly in your face. Many people are not only
as hard as iron, but they are as stone. Even when they are in the fire,
they do not yield but rather complain about God, His ways, and His
severity, instead of acknowledging the wickedness of their own
hearts. You can see that the hearts of people are not only like iron but
like stone, or even worse than stone. We read that the stones split
apart at the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Bonaventure, though a
Catholic, reflects on this and exclaims, "Lord, You have said that You
will take away the heart of stone and give a heart of flesh. But Lord,
give me a heart of stone, that I may be made aware of the glorious
things of Christ. For I read that the stones split apart as if they were
aware of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but I cannot feel
anything when I hear and read about the death and resurrection of
Jesus Christ. Therefore, Lord, give me a heart of stone." There is a
great deal of hardness in the hearts of people, and it is a grave and
significant evil. Luther has an expression: "Just as the contrite heart
is a sacrifice that is so acceptable to God, the hard heart is a sacrifice
that is so acceptable to the devil." And to demonstrate a little the evil
of a hard heart and some convictions regarding it, let me elaborate
on the evil of hardness of heart.
1. Firstly, if you have a hard heart, you are a wicked person
(Proverbs 21:29). A wicked person hardens their face, and this
expression signifies the hardness within their heart, which is
contrary to uprightness.
2. Moreover, know that it is one of the most terrifying judgments
that can be inflicted upon a sinner in this world. When the Lord
gives someone up to a hard heart, it is one of the greatest
judgments they can experience in this life. Just as God hardened
Pharaoh's heart to manifest His wrath, so it is written in John
12:40: "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so
that they should not see with their eyes nor understand with
their hearts, and turn, and I should heal them." Isaiah spoke
these words when he saw the glory of Christ. This passage from
Isaiah 6 is quoted multiple times in the Gospel as a severe
judgment of God upon sinners. It is a terrible affliction to suffer
from kidney or bladder stones, with the agonizing pain it causes.
However, having a stone in the heart is even worse than having a
stone in the bladder. If you were acquainted with the things of
God, you would regard it as a greater misery. Even if you had the
pain of bladder stones, you would rejoice and thank God for it if
it could soften your heart. But the hardness of heart, this stony
condition, is the most dreadful judgment of God that can befall a
person in this world, apart from being immediately condemned
to hell. In fact, it may prove to be an even greater judgment, as it
accumulates wrath against the day of judgment. This leads us to
the third aspect of the evil of a hard heart: those with hardened
hearts throughout their lives are only storing up wrath for the
day of judgment (Romans 2:4). The men and women who live in
the world with hardened hearts are constantly treasuring up
wrath for the day of judgment. How dreadful their condition will
be in the end!
3. Those with hardened hearts are not affected by the Word of God
or the ordinances of God. Whatever they hear, whatever is
revealed to them, all the heart-melting mercies of God in the
Gospel, and all the heart-breaking truths that expose the evil of
sin, serve no good purpose for them. Instead, these things only
increase their sin and condemnation if they persist in their
hardness of heart. It is a sorrowful state for a person to be in,
where all the heart-breaking mercies of God in Christ and the
heart-breaking truths revealed in the Word, meant to bring
about so much good for some, become aggravations of my sin
and condemnation. The text tells us that those who witnessed
the miracles of Christ in Matthew 6:52 did not consider them or
let them affect them due to the hardness of their hearts. Nothing
can penetrate a hard heart. You may think that if Christ were
alive again and performing miracles before our eyes, our hearts
would be moved. But if you had been alive among those Jews
and witnessed Christ and His miracles, they would not have
impacted you if you had a hard heart. Therefore, a hard heart
resists all means of grace.
4. A hardened heart prepares itself for any kind of sin, it is ready
for any sin. If you are kept from committing a sin, it is only
because you have not encountered the right temptation. It is not
out of fear of God that you abstain from it. If your heart is hard,
you are susceptible to all temptations and the grossest sins in
the world. This is evident in Ephesians 4:19, where it is said of
those who have given themselves over to lasciviousness, working
all uncleanness with greediness, that they are "past feeling." It
implies that they would not be so eager in pursuing their lusts if
they were not numb to moral sensibilities. When a person
becomes "past feeling," they quickly fall into lasciviousness,
engaging in impure acts with great eagerness. This happens
because they have lost their ability to feel and discern the
wrongfulness of their actions. Moreover, when individuals
persist in committing great sins, it is a clear indication that they
are past feeling. Those who continue in wanton and unclean
behaviour are demonstrating that they have lost sensitivity to
moral values.
5. Another consequence of a hard heart is that it paves the way for
great misery, afflictions, and judgments. Whoever you are, if you
have a hard heart, you are on the verge of committing some vile
sin or facing a fearful judgment. It may even be that you are on
the brink of both. This is stated in Proverbs 29:1 and 28:14.
"Happy is the man who always fears, but he who hardens his
heart will fall into trouble." In Proverbs 29:1, it is said, "He who
is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken
beyond healing." When your heart resists God's Word and the
admonitions of your conscience and those who warn you, you
are hardening yourself against them. Oh, tremble before the
Lord, for He declares that you will be suddenly destroyed, and
there will be no remedy.
6. Furthermore, know that the Lord has sworn the destruction of a
hard-hearted sinner. In Hebrews 3:8, it says, "Do not harden
your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the
wilderness." The apostle strongly exhorts against the hardening
of hearts. Then in verse 11, he continues, "As I swore in my
wrath, 'They shall not enter my rest.'" The Lord swears against a
person with a hard heart. The Lord has sworn your destruction if
your heart remains hardened. You are in such a condition that,
as far as you know, your ruin and destruction have been sworn
by the Lord. Therefore, be cautious about persisting in the
hardness of your heart for too long, lest God's oath is specifically
directed against you.
7. Furthermore, understand that when the time of your destruction
comes, if your heart is hard, the heart of God will be hardened
against you when you come under His stroke. Just as the Lord
deals frowardly with those who walk in wickedness, according to
Scripture, His heart is hardened against a hard heart. Even
though God calls you through His Word and reveals truths that
could melt the heart of a devil, your heart remains hardened.
When God warns you to beware of certain sins, your heart is
hardened. Is your heart hardened when you encounter the Word
of God? It would be the same with the Lord if, in your most
severe affliction, you cry out to Him for mercy, and He hardens
His heart against you. Indeed, He threatens to respond in kind
to those who harden themselves against Him. In Ezekiel 7:12, it
is said, "They made their hearts as hard as stone." And verse 13
states, "Therefore it shall be, that when they cry out to me, I will
not listen to them; so they shall cry out to me, but I will not
listen to them, says the Lord God." When people harden their
hearts against God, He, in righteous judgment, hardens His
heart against them when He comes in His wrath. We find a
fitting scripture in the Book of Lamentations 3:65, which says,
"Give them sorrow of heart, your curse to them." The phrase
translated as "sorrow of heart" can also mean a covering of the
heart. Arias Montanus translates it as "give them a covering of
heart." Commentators on the passage explain that this word
sometimes signifies a disease in the body, a condition where
there is a hard film around the heart that covers it, preventing
any kind of comfort or nourishment from reaching it. Give them
such a heart condition, and your curse with it. Those who have
hardness of heart that prevents God's commands and truths
from penetrating them, it is just for God to give them such a
covering on their hearts in times of affliction that no comfort can
reach them. In your health and prosperity, you hear these truths
that God expects your hearts to be moved and sensitive to, yet
they do not touch you. Well, when you face affliction, the Lord
may send a curse that creates a hardness around your heart, so
that whatever is said to comfort you will never reach your heart.
Just as now, whatever is said to bring about your contrition does
not touch your heart. And is this not just? Oh, it would be a
dreadful curse from God if it were so!
You know further that God has a time to make people aware, despite
their hardened hearts. In one way or another, their hearts will be
brought to some kind of tenderness, so they may feel the evil of sin
and realize the greatness of the God they have to deal with. There are
two types of tenderness:
1. Tenderness that arises from having the right disposition of the
flesh.
2. Tenderness that arises from the afflictions of the flesh.
The saints of God have a sensitivity, but their sensitivity is the result
of having the right disposition of their hearts, and it does not harm
them. They are sensitive to God's threats and promises, and there is
joy in their sensitivity. However, for wicked individuals who are
currently insensitive, the Lord has a time when He will make them
sensitive. The Lord will bring affliction upon their hearts, and then
they will become sensitive. In Ezekiel 21:7, it is written, "And it shall
be when they say to you, 'Why are you sighing?' that you shall
answer, 'Because of the news; when it comes, every heart will melt,
all hands will be feeble, every spirit will faint, and all knees will be
weak as water. Behold, it is coming and shall be brought to pass,'
says the Lord God." Every heart shall melt. In this passage, we have
an example of a gracious, melting heart that God accepts. However, if
your hearts do not melt when you hear the Word, God will melt your
hearts in the future through dreadful news of fearful judgments.
Thus, it is stated in Jeremiah 9:7-8, "Therefore thus says the Lord of
hosts: 'Behold, I will refine them and test them, for how shall I deal
with the daughter of my people? Their tongue is an arrow shot out; it
speaks deceit; one speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth,
but in his heart he lies in wait. Shall I not punish them for these
things?' says the Lord. 'Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as
this?'" So, if your hearts do not melt when you hear the Word, the
Lord has a time, in spite of your hardened hearts, to melt you.
Therefore, to conclude, in illustrating the evil of a hard heart, I refer
to Job 9:5: "Who has hardened his heart against Him and
prospered?" So I say to every man or woman with a hard heart, who
has hardened their heart against the Lord and prospered? You may
continue to please yourself in your own ways and believe that you
will have your will and do as you please. Let them say what they can,
but know that no one who has hardened their heart against the Lord
has prospered. What has become of all the hard-hearted sinners who
have lived in the past? Show me one example of a person who has
hardened their heart against the Lord and prospered. The end for
them is ruin, misery, and eternal destruction.
But you might say, "I hope we do not have hard hearts. We
acknowledge that having a heart hardened against the Lord is a
fearful judgment."
No, are your hearts not hardened against the Lord? Then how is it
that you are so complacent in your sins? Certainly, a person who can
be so calm in known sin has a hard heart. You are conscious of the
sins you live in, and yet you can eat, drink, socialize, and be merry.
Oh, you hard-hearted sinner, hardened in your sins! If your heart
were tender, even if you had fallen into sin (as we all do, that must be
acknowledged), it would trouble you like a mote in your eye. There
may be much dirt on your hand that doesn't bother you, but a small
mote in your eye would greatly trouble you.
Furthermore, men have hard hearts, otherwise the Word of God and
the works of God would win their hearts for the Lord, but they do
not. We see today that the blessed truths of God, which are revealed
more clearly and fully than ever before, hardly touch the hearts of
many. Even the great works of God, where He appears most glorious,
fail to captivate the hearts of men. Surely, their hearts are very hard.
Indeed, men's hearts are hard because their hearts are proud. A
proud heart is always a hard heart. The more pride there is, the more
hardness resides in the heart. As it is written in Daniel 5:20, "But
when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride..."
Proud and obstinate individuals, those who are determined in their
ways and are proud and stubborn, they are people with hard hearts.
Again, surely the hearts of men are exceedingly hard. It is evident in
the fact that they can easily come into God's presence, confess their
sins before Him, and judge themselves worthy of destruction because
of their sins. Yet, they can leave and continue living in their sins
despite all of this. This displays a dreadful hardness of heart, and it is
distressingly common in our time. We have many days of fasting and
prayer, where we come before God and narrate our sins to Him,
making detailed confessions. We judge ourselves for our sins.
However, after all of this, how many sins are truly amended? Let any
family come forward and say, "O Lord, since those fasting days, we
have confessed these particular sins, judged ourselves for them, and
by Your grace, they have been corrected." I fear that only a few souls
would be able to honestly make such a statement in the presence of
God. Certainly, on the day of fasting, you either do this or you do not.
If the minister addresses your specific sins, you join in agreement
and say, "Amen" to their confessions. If the minister does not
mention your particular sins, then, if you truly desire to sanctify a
fast to God as you should, you will find a private place and confess
those sins that were not confessed publicly. I appeal to you on behalf
of the Lord: Have you observed such fasts? Have you paid attention
to whether the minister addressed your individual sins or not? And if
they did not, have you gone alone and examined your hearts
privately, acknowledging the sins you are guilty of? Have you judged
yourselves for them but failed to reform? Certainly, if you have not
done this, you have not truly understood what it means to observe a
fast. And if you have done this yet continue in the same sins, it
indicates a terrifying hardness of heart. How can we come into God's
presence, confess our sins openly, and yet not wholeheartedly strive
against them? Truly, our hearts are greatly hardened before the Lord.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that God's mercy itself can harden
people. The more individuals experience the shine of God's mercy,
the more they become hardened in their sins. There are many who,
during times of affliction, appear to be vulnerable and pliable like
iron. However, once their afflictions subside, they return to their
former hardness. Their hearts are akin to clay, which hardens under
the beams of the sun.
Indeed, it is a clear indication that we possess hard hearts when we
show little sensitivity towards the sufferings of our brethren in other
parts of the world. They cry out to us for help, and we hear their
sorrowful complaints and pleas. They are stripped of their
possessions, their wives violated before their very eyes, and they are
left with nothing. Yet, we lack mercy and compassion towards them.
Because our own tables are filled, and we live in comfort and ease, we
fail to take to heart the afflictions of our brethren and the broader
calamities befalling the Church. I dare to appeal to this entire
congregation and to each individual soul present: How deeply have
you internalised the current state of the Church and its collective
struggles? Do these matters truly touch your heart? Can you find a
solitary place and lament with a sorrowful spirit? Does your heart
melt and dissolve into tears when you hear of the sufferings of your
brethren and the overall calamities facing the Church? But if these
things do not affect you, and you remain unaffected and merry,
continuing to follow the ways of the world, it is clear that you are a
person with a hard heart. Therefore, tremble before the Lord.
And for those of you who are in such a state, all the comforting words
spoken about having a tender heart in the previous discussion may
not apply to you, and it is concerning that you may have no share or
part in that experience.
However, some of you might say, "I thank God that my heart is not
so hard. I do feel a sensitivity in my heart towards these things."
Indeed, but this sensitivity may fall short of the spiritual sensitivity
that was present in Josiah. Therefore, the next point of examination
should be whether our hearts are tender in a spiritual sense, which is
the work of the Holy Spirit sanctifying our hearts.
First of all, we need to understand that there can be a softness of
heart that arises from one's natural disposition.
Secondly, there can be temporary emotional responses in the heart
upon hearing the Word.
And thirdly, there can be a sense of fear and conviction in the heart
through knowledge of the Law.
Regarding the first point, a plum or cherry may appear soft on the
outside but be hard inside.
Similarly, as for the second point, we know that ice can thaw during
the day and freeze again at night.
And concerning the terrors of the Law, we are aware that a marble
stone may seem to melt and trickle down with tears in wet weather,
but it remains a stone nonetheless.
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