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Thought for the Week

"Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me"(Psalm 51:11).

There are times when God prolongs a sense of his wrath upon his own people, in order that they may learn to pity, have compassion on wicked men and teach them the way of happiness. That by their words, their serious exhortations, their faithful rebukes, their holy walk day by day. There are many lessons that we are only taught by the rod and the frowns of an angry God, very severe discipline. We do not see the real evil of sin and true worth of Christ. He who has been delivered from under a prolonged period of a smarting conscience can say seriously, and sincerely to sinners, in a way that others know nothing of, "I have dearly paid for all the delight that I once had in sin, for all my indifference and lukewarmness, for my cold and sluggish prayers, for my lost and poorly used time". Beware that you do not provoke Him, for He is a jealous God. If you do, you will find that those sins which you make a slight matter will tear you to pieces afterwards. You will find them, when your consciences are awakened, to be a heavy and an intolerable burden. They will drive you down to hell itself. I could never have imagined that the displeasure of God was a thing so bitter and so dreadful. As the Scipture says, "It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God, for he is a consumming fire". If his anger is kindled but a little, you cannot fix your mind upon anything pleasurable whatever, nor have one tranquil thought. You will go about your business amazed, full of horror. Those of us who have felt the terrors of the Lord, do most solemnly persuade you to forsake every sin, for if you continue to indulge in sin, and love your iniquities, they will set you on fire.

Date: 20 July 2008