April - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland

“But . . . ” 103a speaking as well as a hearing God, and we but speak words in the air whenwe do not hearken to what He will say. “Their idols are silver and gold, thework of men’s hands; they have mouths, but they speak not; they have ears,but they hear not.” “But Jehovah is the true God, He is the living God, andan everlasting King.” And as the living God, He is a hearing, speaking God.So, having prayed, this Korahite says, “I will hear what God the Lord willspeak” – in answer to their supplications.And an answer is anticipated – not in the way of running away withoutthe answer; not inferring, “I have prayed, and therefore the answer willcome”. I hear something very much like that in these days: “Whosoever shallcall upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. I have called upon the nameof the Lord. So I shall be saved.” An inference instead of an answer. No. Yetthere is anticipation: I will hear what He will speak – anticipation of whatthe speaking will be, yet they wait on till they hear the anticipated answercome from His lips who alone can give it. “I will hear what God the Lordwill speak: for He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints.”“He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when He shallhear it, He will answer thee.” “I,” says Jehovah, “create the fruit of thelips, peace, peace to him that is near, and to him that is far off.” He whomade peace, by the blood of His cross, comes now and proclaims peace; andHe is the peace – of believers in the Father’s message, believers in Him whomade the peace and speaks it. If He speaks war, who shall speak peace? Andif He speaks peace, who shall dare speak war? Or, if any dares, no weaponformed against those to whom He speaks peace shall prosper.Yes, provision is made in the forgiveness with Him, against all the terrorwhich guilt should inspire, against despair and despondency and distrust. Soagainst all trifling, all light dealing with Jehovah’s peace – “He will speakpeace to His people and to His saints” – a caveat is made: “But let them notturn again to folly”. Is there need of this, you may ask, when Jehovah speakspeace? Will not the very peace spoken prevent their returning to folly? Yes,if rightly understood, it will; but rightly understood means taking this andsimilar caveats along with it. It is needed, or it would not be given.When He speaks peace, He will accompany it with solemn warning, andnot without good cause. God treats believers as those in whom there are stillthe remnants of the flesh. They know the battle; He knows it; He knows thatin them there is the flesh which lusts against the Spirit, as well as the Spiritwhich lusts against the flesh. And these very caveats and warnings aremeans which He uses to prevent and which – His grace giving efficacy tothem – do prevent their return to folly.We may abuse the perseverance of the saints, but it is a doctrine clearly