If you had more faith, you would be as happy in the furnace as on the
mountain of enjoyment; you would be as glad in famine as in plenty; you
would rejoice in the Lord when the olive yielded no oil, as well as when
the vat was bursting and overflowing its brim. If you had more
confidence in God, you would have far less of tossings up and down; and
if you had greater nearness to Christ, you would have less vacillation.
At times you can bid defiance to the rage of Satan, boldly meet every
attack, and resist every temptation; but too often you are fearful and
irresolute, and ready to run away from the fight instead of making
valiant resistance. But if you always remember Him who endured such
contradiction of sinners against Himself, you might always be firm and
steadfast. Live near your Master, and you shall not be thus changeful
and uncertain. Beware of being like a weathercock. Seek of God, that His
law may be written on your heart as if it were written in stone, and not
as if it were written in sand. Seek that His grace may come to you like
a river, and not like a brook which fails. Seek that you may keep your
conversation always holy; that your course may be like the shining light
which tarries not, but burns brighter and brighter until the fulness of
the day. Seek that the “God of all grace may establish, strengthen,
settle you.”
“ Be not High-minded, but Fear. ”
While we most earnestly seek after the full assurance of faith, knowing
it is our strength and our joy, let us at the same time remember that
there is a temptation connected with it. When thou hast gained this
full assurance, believer, then be on thy watch-tower, for the next
temptation will be, “Soul, take thine ease; the work is done; thou
hast attained; now fold thine arms; sit thou still; all will end well;
why needest thou too much to vex thyself?” Take heed in those seasons
when you have no doubts. “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into
temptation.” “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
“I said, I shall never be moved. Lord, by Thy favor Thou hast made my
mountain to stand strong.” And what next? “Thou didst hide Thy face, and I was troubled.” Bless God for full assurance; but, remember, nothing
but careful walking can preserve it. Full assurance is a priceless
pearl; but when a man has a precious jewel, and he walks the streets, he
ought to be much afraid of pickpockets. So, when the Christian has full
assurance, let him be sure that Satan will try to rob him of it. Let him
be more circumspect in his walk, and more diligent in his watch than he
was before.