Then, what is this all about, this journey of life?
Consider this passage from James Ryle:
April 19
The Outer-Edge-Of-Things
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1John 2:15).
A few years ago I came across a delightful little book called The Uncrowned King, written in 1910 by American author Harold Bell Wright. It's a story about a young man named Hadji, who travels across the Desert of Facts to the Temple of Truth, located on the Outer-Edge-Of-Things; where an angelic Guardian named Thyself tells him a remarkable story about the Uncrowned King. If you can find a copy, it is well worth snagging.
Upon Hadji's arrival at the Temple, the Guardian gently inquires, "Is there anything you would ask Thyself?"
"Yes," Hadji answers, "Tell me why the journey is so long, and the Temple of Truth is here on the Outer-Edge-Of-Things."
And Thyself answered clearly, "He who lives always within Things can never worship in Truth. Eyes blinded by the fog of Things cannot see Truth. Ears deafened by the din of Things cannot hear Truth. Brains bewildered by the whirl of Things cannot think Truth. Hearts deadened by the weight of Things cannot feel Truth. Throats choked by the dust of Things cannot speak Truth. Therefore, O Hadji, is the Temple of Truth here on the Outer-Edge-Of-Things."
After a brief pause, Thyself then asked, "Found you no bones in the desert?"
Hadji replied, "I saw the desert white with bones."
"And the hands of the dead?" asked Thyself.
"The hands of the dead held fast to their treasures," Hadji replied, "held fast to their Wealth of Traditions, to their Holy Prejudices, to the Sacred Opinions, Customs, Favors and Honors of Men."
Then the Guardian stepped aside and Hadji, with head bowed in reverence, crossed the threshold and passed through the high arched doorway into the sacred corridors of the Temple of Truth.
Interesting, don't you think, that the question God asked Moses in the desert at the Burning Bush was, "What's that in your hand?" (Exodus 4:2). Are you holding on to any Thing that would keep you from worshipping in the Temple of Truth?
.
What is the Truth?
Here it is, from Bob Hoekstra:
April 19
Experiencing the Lord's Goodness
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psa_34:8)
The scriptures clearly declare that the knowledge of the Lord is for developing a relationship, not merely cataloging correct information about Him. Grace and peace are to be "multiplied to" us (2Pe_1:2), not just memorized by us. "All things that pertain to life and godliness" (2Pe_1:3) are to be drawn upon for godly living, not merely listed to validate our orthodoxy. As we get to know the Lord, His goodness is to be experienced in our lives.
Our present verse is quite forthright concerning this point. "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good." The Lord is good. He is merciful, kind, gracious, and patient. The scriptures abound with declarations of God's goodness. "Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever" (Psa_107:1). This goodness of God is to be experienced by God's people. "My people shall be satisfied with My goodness" (Jer_31:14). We are to "taste and see" God's goodness, not only to hear of it and talk about it.
How does a person experience the goodness of the Lord? "Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" God's goodness is available for our personal experience whenever we trust in Him. "Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! " (Psa_31:19). When we rely upon the Lord, His goodness brings forth peace in our lives. "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You" (Isaiah 26:3). When we depend upon the Lord, His goodness brings forth rejoicing in our lives. "Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name" (Psa_33:20-21).
It should not be surprising to us that faith in the Lord is the pathway to experiencing His goodness. We have noted in a number of these meditations that faith is one of the relational realities that allow a child of God to live by His grace. Faith accesses grace (Rom_5:2). "The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him" (Lam_3:25).
We trust in the Lord the more we get acquainted with Him. We trust in the Lord the more we allow Him to demonstrate His faithfulness.
"And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You" (Psa_9:10).
Lord, You are so good! Too often I fail to experience Your goodness, because I do not trust in You. forgive me, Lord. I long to taste of Your goodness. Teach me to live in dependence upon You, in Jesus name, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment