Nov. 9

Charles Spurgeon · Faith's Checkbook

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE

   "Thus shall they know that I the Lord their God am with them, and that
   they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord God"
   Ezek. 34:30

   To be the Lord's own people is a choice blessing, but to know that we
   are such is a comfortable blessing. It is one thing to hope that God is
   with us, and another thing to know that He is so. Faith saves us, but
   assurance satisfies us. We take God to be our God when we believe in
   Him; but we get the joy of Him when we know that He is ours, and that
   we are His. No believer should be content with hoping and trusting, he
   should ask the Lord to lead him on to full assurance, so that matters
   of hope may become matters of certainty.

   It is when we enjoy covenant blessings, and see our Lord Jesus raised
   up for us as a plant of renown, that we come to a clear knowledge of
   the favor of God toward us. Not by law, but by grace, do we learn that
   we are the Lord's people. Let us always turn our eyes in the direction
   of free grace. Assurance of faith can never come by the works of the
   law. It is an evangelical virtue, and can only reach us in a gospel
   way. Let us not look within. Let us look to the Lord alone. As we see
   Jesus we shall see our salvation.

   Lord, send us such a flood-tide of thy love that we shall be washed
   beyond the mire of doubt and fear.