A Ribband of Blue | Page 6

joy
and pleasure beyond compare. Naturally and spontaneously he will
often speak of that which is so precious to his heart.
By regeneration the believer, having become the child of GOD, finds
new interest and instruction in all the works of GOD. His FATHER
designed and created them, upholds and uses them, and for His glory
they exist. But this is peculiarly true of the Word of GOD. Possessing

the mind of CHRIST, instructed by the SPIRIT of CHRIST, he finds in
every part of GOD'S Word testimony to the person and work of his
adorable Master and Friend. The Bible in a thousand ways endears
itself to him, while unfolding the mind and ways of GOD, His past
dealing with His people, and His wonderful revelations of the future.
While thus studying GOD'S Word the believer becomes conscious of a
new source of delight; not only is that which is revealed precious, but
the beauty and perfection of the revelation itself grows upon him. He
has now no need of external evidence to prove its inspiration; it
everywhere bears the impress of Divinity. And as the microscope
which reveals the coarseness and blemishes of the works of man only
shows more fully the perfectness of GOD'S works, and brings to light
new and unimagined beauties, so it is with the Word of GOD when
closely scanned.
In what remarkable contrast does this Book stand to the works of men!
The science of yesterday is worthless to-day; but history and the
discoveries of our own times only confirm the reliability of these
ancient sacred records. The stronger our faith in the plenary, verbal
inspiration of GOD'S Holy Word, the more fully we make it our guide,
and the more implicitly we follow its teachings, the deeper will be our
peace and the more fruitful our service. "Great peace have they which
love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them." Becoming more and
more convinced of the divine wisdom of the directions and commands
of Scripture, and of the reliability of the promises, the life of the
believer will become increasingly one of obedience and trust; and thus
he will prove for himself how good, acceptable, and perfect is the will
of GOD, and that Bible which reveals it.
The words, "the Law of the LORD," which we understand to mean the
whole Word of GOD, are very suggestive. They indicate that the Bible
is intended to teach us what GOD would have us to do; that we should
not merely seek for the promises, and try to get all we can from GOD;
but should much more earnestly desire to know what he wants us to be
and to do for Him. It is recorded of Ezra, that he prepared his heart to
seek the Law of the LORD, in order that he might do it, and teach in

Israel the statutes and judgments. The result was that the hand of his
GOD was upon him for good, the desires of his heart were largely
granted, and he became the channel of blessing to his whole people.
Every one who searches the Scriptures in the same spirit will receive
and communicate the blessing of GOD: he will find in it the guidance
he needs for his own service, and oft-times a word in season for those
with whom he is associated.
But not only will the Bible become the Law of the LORD to him as
teaching and illustrating what GOD would have him to be and to do,
but still more as revealing what GOD Himself is and does. As the law
of gravitation gives us to know how a power, on which we may ever
depend, will act under given circumstances, so the Law of the LORD
gives us to know Him, and the principles of His government, on which
we may rely with implicit confidence.
The man of GOD will also delight to trace GOD in the Word as the
great Worker, and rejoice in the privilege of being a fellow-worker with
Him--a glad, voluntary agent in doing the will of GOD, yet rejoicing in
the grace that has made him willing, and in the mighty, divine power
that works through him. The Bible will also teach him to view himself
as but an atom, as it were, in GOD'S great universe; and to see GOD'S
great work as a magnificent whole, carried on by ten thousand agencies;
carried on through all spheres, in all time, and without possibility of
ultimate failure--a glorious manifestation of the perfections of the great
Worker! He himself, and a thousand more of his fellow-servants, may
pass away; but this thought will not paralyse his efforts, for he knows
that whatever has been wrought in GOD will abide, and that whatever
is incomplete when