Not only must I search the Scriptures to find out what has been made over to me by the everlasting covenant, but I need also to meditate upon the promises, to turn them over and over in my mind, and cry unto the Lord for spiritual understanding of them. The bee would not extract honey from the flowers as long as he only gazed upon them. Nor will the Christian derive any real comfort and strength from the Divine promises until his faith lays hold of and penetrates to the heart of them. God has given no assurance that the dilatory shall fed, but He has declared, "the soul of the diligent shall be made fat" (Proverbs 13:4). Therefore did Christ say, "Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life" (John 6:27). It is only as the promises are stored up in our minds that the Spirit brings them to remembrance at those seasons when we most need them.
3. We profit from the Word when we recognize the blessed scope of God's promises. A sort of affectation prevents some Christians from seeking religion, as if its sphere lay among the commonplace of daily life. It is to them transcendental and dreamy; rather a creation of pious fiction than a matter of fact. They believe in God, after a fashion, for things spiritual, and for the life which is to be; but they totally forget that true godliness hath the promise of the life which now is, as well as that which is to come. To them it would seem almost profanation to pray about the small matters of which daily life is made up. Perhaps they will be startled if I venture to suggest that this should make them question the reality of their faith. If I cannot bring them help in the little troubles of life, will it support them in the greater trials?
"Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come" (1 Timothy 4:8). Do you really believe this? that the promises of God cover every aspect and particular of your daily life? Or have the "Dispensationalists" deluded you into supposing that the Old Testament belongs only to fleshly Jews, and that "our promises" respect spiritual and not material blessings? How many a Christian has derived comfort from "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5); well, that is a quotation from Joshua 1:5! So, too, 2 Corinthians 7: speaks of "having these promises," yet one of them, referred to in 6:18, is taken from the book of Leviticus!
Perhaps someone asks, "But were am I to draw the line? Which of the Old Testament promises rightfully belong to me? We answer that Psalm 84:11 declares, "The Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly". If you are really walking "uprightly" you are entitled to appropriate that blessed promise and count upon the Lord giving you whatever "good thing" is truly required by you. "My God shall supply all your need" (Phil. 4:19). If then there is a promise anywhere in His Word which just fits your present case an situation, make it your own as suited to your need. Steadfastly resist every attempt of satan to rob you of any portion of your Father's Word.
~A. W. Pink~
(continued with # 18)
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