IT is the entrance of God’s Word that gives light, as we read in Psalm mix. It dispels the darkness, and gives what the soul has longed for, for so long. “He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness” (Psa. 107:1010Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; (Psalm 107:10)).
Many souls have been awakened to a sense of sin and guilt, and are longing for peace and rest. Everything is tried, but they find not rest. Self-improvement, religious zeal, benevolence, and many other things are tried, but no peace.
And why is this? Because God would have them to learn that self is utterly bad, and all that flows from it utterly corrupt, and that they must fully recognize, like Jonah in the fish’s belly, that “salvation is of the Lord” (Jonah 2:99But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord. (Jonah 2:9)).
It is a great moment when a soul has learned this, and looks out and up to God, as faith always does, and says, as a deep reality learned in the soul, “Salvation is of the Lord.”
Then, and not till then, does calm succeed the storm, and all produced by the precious Word of God. “And he arose and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:3939And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39)).
Thus it is in the history of a soul that is tempest-tossed about sin, and the prospect of eternal judgment. What can quell the raging tempest within but the sovereign Word of God! “But say in a word, and my servant shall be healed,” said the centurion to Christ in Luke 7:77Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. (Luke 7:7).
A young woman was in great conflict of soul, and tossed about upon the waves, like the ship on the Sea of Galilee. She was tempest-tossed indeed. Waves of trouble swept over her soul. Satan plied her with every form of evil thoughts. But the gracious eye of God was upon her, and His word was about to quell the storm.
She was told to read the hymn, a verse of which runs thus:
“Let not conscience make you linger,
Nor of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requireth,
Is to feel your need of Him.
This He gives you,
‘Tis the Spirit’s rising beam.”
Coming to this verse, she inquired, “What is conscience?” This led to a lengthened conversation between her and the Christian that was talking with her. Many scriptures were turned to in her Swedish Bible, and the sinner’s need and God’s salvation pointed out. It was the beginning of the quelling of the storm that had raged in her soul for so long. The Word of God was about to assert its sovereign power and make it felt.
At last they turned to Ephesians 2:8, 9,8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9) “By grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.” As this dear soul read these words, God helped her to comprehend them, and the darkness fled away before the light-giving power of the Word of God. The tempest in her soul abated, the howling wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
“I now can say that I am saved,” said she, as she believed the Word of God; for that Word had communicated to her the knowledge of salvation.
“I learned those words when I was confirmed,” she said, “but I did not know their meaning then.”
Another, who had gone through soul conflict about sin and guilt, though not so deep or long, was reading in her room the third chapter of John. When she came to the 16th verse, it was the word that quelled the storm in her soul, and gave her peace, and the blessed knowledge that she was saved. Glorious verse it is, let it be written out in full: “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Another in soul distress was pointed to Isaiah 53:6: “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” This was the verse that turned her distress into peace and joy. She reached the knowledge of salvation in that lovely verse.
Another, who had often cried to God, was reading Acts 2 in the solitude of his own room, and on reaching verse 21, “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved,” he got saved. God was revealed to him as a. Saviour God. He believed His word, and was saved.
Another, who bad for long been in soul distress, and at times utterly discouraged, was listening to her mother reading Isaiah 43, when she reached the words: “Fear not; for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” Her conflict ceased, and she obtained peace.
It is well when awakened souls turn for themselves to the Word of God. One line from Holy Scripture is worth infinitely more for the soul in distress than all the reasonings of men. “Say in a word” (Luke 7:77Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. (Luke 7:7)). “Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read” (Isa. 34:1616Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them. (Isaiah 34:16)). “He that is of God, heareth God’s words” (John 8:4747He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. (John 8:47)). “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater” (John 5:99And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. (John 5:9)).
“When the Saviour said ‘’Tis finished!’
Everything was fully done:
Done, as God Himself would have it―
Christ the vict’ry fully won.
All the doing is completed;
Now, ‘tis look, believe, and live:
None can purchase His salvation,
Life’s a gift that God doth give.”