A Wide-open Gate
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"The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy." Psalm 147:11
It seems to me, that very many of the Lord's people are like timid sheep that stand trembling outside the fold, lingering by the fences, hungry and thirsty for the green pastures andstill waters within the enclosure — but not daring to venture in. They are in the King's meadow, He has given His life for them, and called them by name; but something hinders their full enjoyment of His love, and of the dainties which that love has provided for them. They "cannot enter in because of unbelief," they are afraid to draw any nearer because they do not possess the "full assurance of faith."
Poor, distressed, faint-hearted ones! This is not the will of God concerning you, nor is it the mind of your loving Shepherd, for He says, "My sheep hear My voice, and they follow Me;" and following Christ always means getting closer to God, and learning to delight in Him.
This text is a wide-open gate into the fair fields of peace and joy, where you may find rest unto your souls. You need not stay to wonder whether you can ever get through; the way is plain and smooth, all the stones are gathered out; and if you will, you may come and be welcomed.
Did you not, just lately, see one quite as timorous as yourself go up to "the Man at the Gate," and ask for entrance? And do you not know what the ready reply was? "'I am willing with all My heart,' said He."
And if you will venture — you will receive the same loving answer.
Let us look well at the blessed, encouraging words. "The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him." Can you not come in there? Do you not fear Him — I mean, in a spiritual, not a slavish sense — fear to grieve Him, fear to go contrary to His will, fear to miss His approval, or occasion the hiding of His face? Then, if this is true, He takes pleasure in you!Think of it quietly for a moment. Lay down this little book, and let the precious hope steal into your heart, that this is truly message of comfort for you, and that it ought to be immediately received, believed, and rejoiced in.
Do not put it away from you, and refuse to accept the blessing because it seems "too good to be true," and you feel too sinful, too selfish, too half-hearted to be worthy of such tender love.
Besides, do you not see that, as if this gate were not open enough for such timid ones as you, "the Shepherd of Love" has flung it even further back in the next clause of the verse, "The Lord takes pleasure in those who hope in His mercy." Surely, the most desponding and fearful of the Lord's children can come as far as that, and with a lightened heart thankfully say, "Dear Lord, that must mean me!"
My friend, if you do, indeed, "fear the Lord, and hope in His mercy," you know it is not a question of what you are — but of what Christ is for you. Faith in the Lord Jesus, strips the soul of its filthy rags, and wraps around it the glorious and priceless robe of the Savior's righteousness; and thus arrayed, it is easy to see that all who believe must be pleasing in the Father's sight. Dear Mr. Spurgeon was very fond of quoting two quaint lines which set forth this reassuring truth —
"Him, and then the sinner see,
Look through Jesus' wounds on me."
Herein lies the secret of God's delight in His people, and it is because we are "justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus," that we dare to believe that "the Lord is well pleased for His righteousness' sake." What a pity it is that we often persist in looking more at our own spiritual condition — than at Him who alone can make that condition one of constant abiding in Him! Miss Havergal, in her delightful little book, "My King," very strikingly says: "Let us leave off morbidly looking to see exactly how much welove Him, for this is like trying to warm ourselves at a thermometer, and perhaps only ends in doubting whether we love Him at all!"
Ah! dear souls, a far better way is to believe God's Word, and joyfully think of Him as taking pleasure in you, rejoicing in your desire after Him, and the hope in His mercy which He sees in your heart.
Remember that the "fear "and the "hope" are His own work in you, they are not the natural products of your soul — but spiritual graces implanted by the Holy Spirit. Take courage, then, get a grip of the blessed truth that He loves you — He loves you! And, soon, instead of wandering forlornly up and down the outside pastures, you will be drawn by that love to the inner fold where "He feeds among the lilies."
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