Morning
Time: 8:36 AM PST
"If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious." --1 Peter 2:3
If:--then, this is not a matter to be taken for granted concerning every one
of the human race. "If:"--then there is a possibility and a probability that
some may not have tasted that the Lord is gracious. "If:"--then this is not a
general but a special mercy; and it is needful to enquire whether we know the
grace of God by inward experience. There is no spiritual favour which may not be
a matter for heart-searching.
But while this should be a matter of earnest and prayerful inquiry, no one
ought to be content whilst there is any such thing as an "if" about his having
tasted that the Lord is gracious. A jealous and holy distrust of self may give
rise to the question even in the believer's heart, but the continuance of
such a doubt would be an evil indeed. We must not rest without a desperate
struggle to clasp the Saviour in the arms of faith, and say, "I know whom I have
believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed
unto him." Do not rest, O believer, till thou hast a full assurance of thine
interest in Jesus. Let nothing satisfy thee till, by the infallible witness of
the Holy Spirit bearing witness with thy spirit, thou art certified that thou
art a child of God. Oh, trifle not here; let no "perhaps" and "peradventure" and
"if" and "maybe" satisfy thy soul. Build on eternal verities, and verily build
upon them. Get the sure mercies of David, and surely get them. Let thine anchor
be cast into that which is within the veil, and see to it that thy soul be
linked to the anchor by a cable that will not break. Advance beyond these dreary
"ifs;" abide no more in the wilderness of doubts and fears; cross the Jordan of
distrust, and enter the Canaan of peace, where the Canaanite still lingers, but
where the land ceaseth not to flow with milk and honey.