Excellency of the Word.

WEEPING with those that weep is a privilege of God’s children, as well as rejoicing with those that rejoice. And who that looks at things as they are but must weep? Still there is comfort. “Let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.” (Ps. 79:8.) And what is the answer? “He remembered as in our low estate: for His mercy endureth forever.” (Psa. 136:2323Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: (Psalm 136:23).) Here is our consolation, in the sure testimonies of God. The renewed mind will never be given up of Him―cannot be. I could not find relief, pleasure, delight in the word of God if I had not a renewed mind, if I were not regenerate; and it is the regeneration that God looks at, is coming for, in the midst of this great scene. Some of the most precious souls are shut up into corners; but God hides them thus, visits them, and feeds them there. The new mind has its nutriment in the Word. I have been looking at the 119th Psalm. What an instance it is of the delight of the newborn soul in God’s testimonies. Take verses 2 and 3. (I select them because they have come to me at different times lately, though many of the intermediate verses are very full.) Note the blessedness of those who keep His testimonies, and seek Him with the whole heart. It is not, I take it, law here, but whatever proceeds out of the mouth of God―words for the soul of man to live by― “good words, comfortable words,” as it is said in Zech. 1:1313And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words. (Zechariah 1:13), ―words that cheer the drooping spirit, lift the fainting heart. (Isaiah 35:3, 43Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. 4Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. (Isaiah 35:3‑4)) It is the seeking soul that gets them, the world-weaned soul, whose object is the Lord. Then again what joy, what satisfaction the Word affords! what a treasury it is! “Thy testimonies have I taken for my heritage forever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.” (v. 111.) What a suitability there is of the word to the renewed nature, of Jesus to the heart! what satisfaction, what joy He pours into it! May you realize this, and largely. It is not dependent upon men, nor upon meetings; though where two or three are gathered together in Christ’s name He promises to be; and doubtless water flows on such occasions from Himself, the living Rock, to revive and refresh His saints. But though the blessedness of many is declared in this psalm, it is the breathing of an individual soul, and such an one may find blessing in it, making the word its own.
“I have given them thy Word.” (The Lord Jesus in John 17)