The Precepts and Understanding # 2

The Precepts and Understanding # 2

2. Understanding of the Divine will. It is to our shame if we find ourselves in darkness, for God has graciously provided a Lamp unto our feet and a Light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). We should therefore reproach ourselves unsparingly in any given situation. Professing Christians speak of being uncertain as to what is God's will or mind for them, and ask how they may know when they are being "Divinely guided"? Why, He has already furnished us in His blessed Word with all the guidance we can ever need. His precepts are for the directing of our ways, and ordering of all our actions. Those precepts are most comprehensive in their scope and cover every aspect of our varied life. Just so far as we "follow" His precepts shall we have "good understanding" (Psalm 111:10) and sound judgment for dealing with every problem and decision confronting us.

3. Understanding of myself. It is only as the Christian begins to apprehend the spirituality and strictness of the precepts, and resolutely endeavors to be inwardly and outwardly conformed to their holy requirements, that he discovers how thoroughly depraved he is. As the performing of some laborious work - reveals the unfitness for it of one not accustomed to use his muscles; so an honest attempt to please God in all things - will show how much disinclination there is in one who has lived only to gratify lust. This will cause him to cry, "Teach me your statutes", in their application to all the details of my life, and how to render full and joyous obedience to them.

4. Understanding of satan's devices. (2 Cor. 2:11). The more sincerely and closely we seek to walk with God - the more will the devil oppose and hinder us - but with evil suggestions within and subtle temptations from without. Nor should we be surprised at this, for it is by treading the path of obedience that we avoid those snares which the devil has set for our souls. Hence, it is that he puts forth every effort to deter us from treading that path and tries his utmost to sidetrack us. The one who constantly and conscientiously seeks to keep God's precepts will learn more of satan's devices in a practical and experimental way - than he can from reading a dozen books on the subject - for he will now have a first-hand acquaintance with them.

5. Understanding of what to pray for. The one who is determined at all costs to order his life by the Divine precepts, will need no manual on devotion or prayers made by me to help him - for his own felt needs will prompt his petitions. The difficulties he encounters both from within and without will drive him frequently to the Throne of Grace - that there he may obtain mercy for 

6. Understanding of the true secret of happiness. Though it may occasion real grief to break away from old acquaintances and "turn away" from empty professors (2 Tim. 3:5), we shall find right compensation in delighting ourselves in the Lord. In keeping God's precepts, "there is great reward" (Psalm 19:11); a peace the world cannot give - and a joy it cannot take away; a tranquil mind; a conscience which torments us not; the smile of God upon us; and His ear open to our petitions. Then it is that we prove for ourselves that Wisdom's ways "are ways of pleasantness, all her paths are peace" (Prov. 3:17), and that "the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Neh. 8:10).

Sin and wretchedness are inseparable, for God will not allow any who revolt against Him to have anything but misery for their portion. Contrariwise, obedience and happiness go together, for we are ever the gainers by submitting our wills to God.

From what has been set forth above, it should appear how greatly they are the losers, who blindly follow a one-sided preaching which confines itself to either doctrinal discourses - or to what are termed "experimental"sermons - to the utter neglect of the practical side of the Truth. We beg those who have made far more of the Divine promises than they have of God's precepts - to thoughtfully re-read this article and turn it into prayer.

"Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, and who seek Him with the whole heart" (Psalm 119:1).

~A. W. Pink~

(The End)