The Love of God
We speak of Christ showing His love by the death of the Cross; let us also evermore consider the Father’s love, in whose hand was the sword. Oh, the yearnings of His heart, when He was bruising the Son of His love!
The children of God ought to count it their chief joy, in drawing nigh to God, that they have His ear and heart. Great is the difference between a child of God confiding in Him, and a child of God full of petitions and burdens, but doubting God until some outward deliverance be granted. The character of God and His love demand our perfect trust at all times.
The love of God is not purchased for us by the blood of Christ. That love springs up out of God’s own heart and nature. Self-moved, He sent His Son.
We could not be the object of the Father’s love, which is from everlasting to everlasting, but as chosen in Christ. He loves us with love perfect and unchangeable.
The Heart and its Deceitfulness
David would never have fallen into gross outward sin, had he not been too familiar with it in his heart; there had the evil been oft-times committed before it broke out in the wicked deed. Nor would he have numbered the people, had he not first strayed from the presence of God, and so become puffed up with pride. (2 Sam. 11[^52-1]; 1 Chron. 21[^52-2])
Saints rarely see the guilt of a murmuring, unbelieving spirit, while they do feel the discomfort and weakness it brings with it. How great the deceitfulness of sin that can hide such guilt from the conscience of a child of God.
The Lord would have us all deal truly with our state, and with our hearts. We cannot otherwise deal truly with Him.
When we desire any special guidance, let us look first at the state of our heart: we have natural reason; let us take heed that we put it not into the hands of the devil by self-will, but into the hands of God.