Shall I ever be able
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Shall I ever be able to clasp the sun in my fist? Back to Spurgeon GEMS volume 2
"Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you walked about and explored their depths?" Job 38:16
Some things in nature must remain a mystery to the most intelligent and enterprising investigators. Human knowledge has bounds beyond which it cannot pass. Universal knowledge is for God alone. If this is so in the things which are seen and temporal, I may rest assured that it is even more so in matters spiritual and eternal.
Why, then, have I been torturing my brain with speculations as to how to reconcile divine predestination with human responsibility? These deep and dark truths I am no more able to comprehend, than to explore the springs from which the seas come, from which old ocean draws her watery stores. Why am I so curious to know the reason of my Lord's providences, the motive of His actions, the design of His visitations?
Shall I ever be able to clasp the sun in my fist, and hold the universe in my palm? Yet these are as a drop of a bucket—when compared with the Lord my God. Let me not strive to understand the infinite—but spend my strength in loving our transcendent God! What I cannot gain by intellect—I can possess byaffection—and let that suffice me.
I cannot penetrate the heart of the sea—but I can enjoy the healthful breezes which sweep over its bosom, and I can sail over its blue waves with favourable winds. Even if I could explore the springs from which the seas come—the feat would serve no useful purpose either to myself or to others. It would not save the sinking boat, or give the drowned mariner back to his weeping wife and children!
Neither would my solving deep theological mysteries, avail me a single whit—for the least love to God, and the simplest act of obedience to Him—are better than the profoundest theoretical knowledge!
My awesome God, I leave the infinite to You, and beg You to put far away from me—such a love for the tree of knowledge, as might keep me from thetree of life!