“I’ll take Him at His word.” Such was the expressive utterance of one recently brought to rest for his salvation on the finished work of Christ. For many years a professor, he knew not that he was not a possessor of eternal life. Many a word of admonition had been given him, but they all failed to reach his conscience, and to show him his condition before God, till the Holy Ghost began a most special work in his neighborhood. That the open, profligate, and careless sinner should be arrested and converted was, to him, nothing strange. How could they be in heaven unless they mended their ways on earth. Between them and him there was a great difference. They had never professed to be Christians, he had; and his profession was of a recent date. But when some, whom even he believed were as good livers as himself, as respectable, as moral, and as outwardly religious, were converted, and owned that now they had found something they had not before, and had experienced a change hitherto to them unknown, his conscience was roused, and he felt constrained to examine the ground on which he was standing for acceptance before God.
The eye being opened by the Spirit of God to see the truth, he was brought to the conclusion that he had been all this time only a professor of Christianity, without possessing life in a risen Savior. This brought him to seek after the chief concern of a fallen, ruined creature—salvation. Nor was he alone in this: his wife and son were also aroused and concerned for their salvation. So, one day, three people might have been seen wending their way to a person in the immediate neighborhood to ask of her to direct them aright. What a sight it must have been — a family together concerned and alive for the interests of their souls — father, mother, and son together asking what they must do to be saved!
The way of salvation was set before them; the finished work of Christ was held up, as that with which God would have sinners to be satisfied, and on which He would have them believe and rest. As the truth was thus declared, and God’s plan of grace unfolded, light dawned on the once mere professor of Christianity; and now, with an intensity of earnestness, stimulated by the real sense of his soul’s need, the old man exclaimed, “ I’ll tak Him at His word;” “I’ll tak Him at His word.” Then turning to his son, who seemed slower in apprehending the truth, this new convert to Christ became a preacher of that grace he had hitherto neglected: “Robin, man,” he said, “tak Him at His word!”
Simple indeed are these words, but how full of meaning. This is just what God would have the sinner do. Not simply believe He speaks the truth — how many do that, and never beyond it — but believe what He says and act on it. This is faith indeed. Abraham, the father of those justified by faith, learned this lesson, and acted on it: when led abroad that night by God Almighty he looked at the stars shining in the sky, and learned from the countless number that met his eye how numerous would be the seed that should own him as their common ancestor; and we read, “He believed God, and that was counted to him for righteousness.” His body he had already come to regard as dead, but the word of God was enough—he rested on it. The jailor at Philippi took God at His word. The earnest, heart-stirring cry, “What must I do to be saved?” receive an answer which he acted on, and found peace and joy before the morning. Nor he only. What met his need was suited for all in his house, likewise; and acting on it, they too, by God’s grace, believed the word, and were with him baptized. This is God’s way of justification and salvation. How little is it understood, and still less acted upon!
But we would ask whether this principle of taking God at His word has no teaching for saints — believers on the Lord Jesus Christ? Is it only the unconverted who need to have this impressed on them? Have not God’s children constant need of being reminded of this likewise? For it is the principle on which they are called to walk, just as much as it is the principle on which the sinner is justified. Do all the readers of “Things New and Old” know that rest of heart which, under all circumstances, keeps its possessor calm and self-possessed? Are all ready at all times to go forth on their way resting simply on God’s word? Have they never known any season of doubt and even despondency? Are there no occasions when in their christian course unbelief has for a time got the upper hand, and calm confidence in God’s guidance and provision is exchanged for deep anxiety and gloom? And whence springs all this? The heart knows, and God knows. It has not taken Him at His word: when it does, if circumstances call for it, it can become a giant in the walk of faith; when it does not, who can say to what extent of feebleness and vacillation it may descend — becoming the sport of these very circumstances over which it should have the complete mastery. Have we not scripture teaching for the walk by faith, as well as for salvation by faith? If believers are to be pilgrims and strangers here, has not God provided fully for them every step of their way? So Peter, who tells us we are to be pilgrims, tells us where to unburden ourselves of the cares we may be troubled with by the way: “Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you.” (1 Pet. 5:77Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:7).) His epistle warns us plainly that suffering for Christ is what we must expect, and it tells us very simply how to act. It is a real thing, and God would have us prove it to the utmost that He cares for us. And what a truth is this for the pilgrim to embrace as a reality — “He careth.” It is His habit, so to speak. Not only He has cared for us, the gift of His Son shows that; but He careth, continues to care, for us.
Those who are redeemed by that precious blood should understand that, if they are God’s children, He is in very deed their Father. And as His people of old found their wants provided, their way directed, their order of march regulated, and everything connected with their welfare arranged by Jehovah, so surely He, who did that, will do all His children require. They have to do with Him, and lie will do all for them.
Peter knew something of this principle when, with Andrew his brother, at the word of Jesus, “Follow me,” they straightway forsook their nets and followed Him. James and John, too, showed what it was to walk by faith when, hearing the same words addressed to themselves, they “left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants and went after him.” (Mark 1:18-2018And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. 19And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. 20And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him. (Mark 1:18‑20).) At that summons their only means of livelihood was given up, and they followed Christ. Again, on another occasion, Peter takes Him at His word, when, having toiled all night and catching nothing, he says, “At thy word I will let down the net;” and then finds that, if he has forsaken his earthly calling to follow Christ, it is to go after Him who has all creation at His beck and call, and therefore who could and would provide for His own. But when meditating on this act of theirs we must remember it was at His word. If He gives the call to be wholly occupied in His service He will assuredly provide.
Paul knew what it was to take God at His word when placed in circumstances of the greatest danger. All thought of saving the ship and the 270 souls in it was lost, the tempest continued, the heavens were obscured, and had been for many days, and all known expedients to lighten the ship, with the hope of her riding out the storm, had been resorted to; and when nothing more could be done Paul stood forth, and exhorted all to be of good cheer. But how could they — how could he be of good cheer? The secret comes out: God’s angel had stood by him that night, and assured him of the deliverance of all on hoard with himself. “Wherefore,” said he, “be of good cheer, for I believe God that it shall be even as it was told me.” The storm had not abated, the heavenly bodies were still veiled from view, but God’s word had been passed and Paul was confident. Another instance is found in the history of the nobleman of Cana, whose son was sick. Being at the point of death the anxiety of the father is great, and he says to the Lord,” Sir, come down ere my child die.” The Lord does not accede to his request. He did not go with him to the house, nor did He send an apostle in His stead. But, turning to the father, He says, “Go thy way, thy son liveth.” Can that be true? some might have said. Are you sure of it? others might have exclaimed. Do not deceive me! might have passed the lips of many in a similar situation. But the nobleman says nothing. He believed the word that Jesus had spoken to him, and acting on it went his way — and it was true. From that hour the fever left the child and himself believed and his whole house.
What lessons are these examples to us of simply taking God at His word. If we turn from these instances of the power of faith to the practice of it among believers at the present day, must we not admit that there is often a sad falling off. With all our light and instruction have not many of us much to learn of this unhesitating obedience to, and real confidence in, God’s word? Our circumstances will not be identical with those alluded to above, but they may be somewhat similar. Are we prepared to act as they did? The strength in which they acted is for us as well as for them; the word for our guidance may be as plain to us as to them. It is true we look not for now, we cannot have now, the Lord personally present on earth as then. But we have His word. It was that they believed and acted in accordance with. It is that God would have us believe and follow. Let us remember His word. Not our thoughts about it, not our feelings, not our fancies, not the glosses on it of others, however excellent they may have been in themselves; but His plain, simple word. How many difficulties will be cleared up if we keep this in mind. It is His word we are to hear and obey. How many apparent insuperable mountains will become plains, for
“Faith laughs at impossibilities,
And says, It shall be done.”