The word of God is all “pure,” all “tried,” it all testifies of Jesus. Seek to realize that it is God’s word; that He means what He says, and would have you believe what He says, not because you feel it, but because He says it. Very often we are looking for an inward revelation, an inward voice or feeling, instead of simply believing the written word of our God, and Satan thus gets a great advantage over us. How strikingly are we taught the value of the word in our conflicts with Satan in Eph. 6, where the armor of God is described. Our girdle is to be “truth.” “Thy word is truth.” Our feet are to be shod with the “preparation of the gospel of peace.” This gospel of peace is the “word of faith,” the word of God. (Rom. 10:15-1815And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. (Romans 10:15‑18).) We are to take the “shield of faith;” this also is the word. “His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” (Psalm 91:44He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. (Psalm 91:4).) It is by this shield that we “shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Again, the “sword of the Spirit is the word of God.” It was in this armor our Lord met Satan when on earth, and triumphed over him. May we be strong in His strength, and clad with the panoply of God.
“It is written” is the word of faith, hope, victory, and power. Be not tempted to look inward for peace, it can only be enjoyed by resting simply upon the written testimony of the word of God. Desire not to have an inward answer, “Go in peace, thy sins are forgiven thee,” apart from the written word. This is a very common and dangerous mistake. It tends so greatly to lessen the value and authority of the scriptures.
If you had come to Jesus when personally present, casting yourself—as you do now that He is bodily absent—upon His grace and love, you would have heard His spoken word “Go in peace, thy sins are forgiven thee;” but in His absence you have His written word, which declares “By him all that believe are justified from all things.” “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” Indeed, this is the very object of the Holy Ghost in the written word. “These things are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (John 20:3131But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (John 20:31).) “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:1313These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13).
Jesus, I will trust thee, trust thee with my soul,
Guilty, lost, and helpless, thou canst make me whole—
There is none in heaven, or on earth like thee!
Thou hast died for sinners, therefore, Lord, for me.
Jesus, I may trust thee! Name of matchless worth,
Spoken by the angel, at thy wondrous birth;
Written, and forever, on thy cross of shame, —
Sinners, read and worship, trusting in that Name.
Jesus, I must trust thee, pondering thy ways,
Full of love and mercy, all thine earthly days—
Sinners gathered round thee, lepers sought thy face,
None too vile or loathsome for a Savior’s grace,
Jesus, I can trust thee, trust thy written word—
Though thy voice of pity I have never heard—
When thy Spirit teacheth, to my taste how sweet,
Only may I hearken, sitting at thy feet.
Jesus, I do trust thee, trust without a doubt,
“Whosoever cometh, thou wilt not cast out”—
Faithful is thy promise, precious is thy blood,
These my soul’s salvation, thou my Savior God.
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