8. I will hear what God the Lord will speak. When we believe that God hears us, it is but
natural that we should be eager to hear him. Only from him can come the word
which can speak peace to troubled spirits. Happy is the suppliant who has grace
to lie patiently at the Lord’s door, and wait until his love acts according to
its old custom and chase all sorrow far away. For he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints. Even though for a while his voice is stern
with merited rebuke, the Father will reassume his natural tone of gentleness
and pity. The speaking of peace is the peculiar prerogative of the Lord
Jehovah. Yet not to all does the divine word bring peace, but only to his own
people, whom he means to make saints, and those whom he has already made so. But let them not turn again to folly. For if they do so, his rod will fall upon
them again, and their peace will be invaded. Those who would enjoy communion
with God must avoid all that would grieve the Holy Spirit; not only the grosser
sins, but even the follies of life must be guarded against by those who are
favored with the delights of conscious fellowship. Backsliders should study
this verse with the utmost care; it will console them and yet warn them, draw
them back to their allegiance and at the same time inspire them with a
wholesome fear of going further astray. To turn again to folly is worse than
being foolish once; it argues willfullness and obstinacy.
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