Loves Proving

by D. Smith, Lerwick | Category: General | Sept 1971

When the Devil set the Lord Jesus on the pinnacle of the Temple and said to Him, If thou are the Son of God, cast thyself down, He quoted from Psalm 91:11, with the significant omission of the phrase, "to keep thee in all Thy ways".

The name of the writer of this psalm may be uncertain, but its authenticity and inspiration are not in doubt, and the Devil used it in his attempt to seduce the Incarnate Word. Although Satan is the great deceiver and the father of lies he would not be so foolish as to attempt to deceive the Son of God by anything less than God's holy word.

Well indeed did Satan know that the words he cited are immediately followed by the declaration of his own doom, "Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the serpent shalt thou trample under feet. Because He hath set His love upon Me, therefore will I deliver Him" (Psalm 91:13.14). Satan's ambition was to "ascend into heaven" to exalt his throne above the stars of God and to ascend above the "heights of the clouds" (Isaiah 14:13,14). Because of this he had been cast down and destined to the fearful doom of eternal torment. How solemn that this wonderful creature who was once the covering cherub on the holy mountain of God can never be redeemed nor reprieved! He must for ever bear the righteous indignation of God.

What a contrast between the aspiration of Satan and that of God's beloved Son whose heart and love were set (fastened) upon His God and Father. The sinless One set His affection towards the One who had sent Him. His whole ambition was to do His Father's will (John 4:34, 5:30), and to be well-pleasing to Him. He could declare with modesty and truth, "I do always the things that are pleasing to Him" (John 8:29).

The life of unprecedented devotion to God which the Lord Jesus Christ lived while here on earth was unfeigned: a fragrant life of love. He delighted to do God's will.

Despite all the inhibitions of the flesh men are still capable of loving and by the use of a free will which God allows us to exercise we can direct our love to any object of our choice. This is borne out in the question which the Lord asked Peter by the sea of Tiberias, "Simon ... lovest thou Me more than these?" Peter's love, like that of all other disciples, could be either "more" or "less".

The life of all believers today and their reward in the coming day, will be determined by the extent of their love for God and His things. Nothing that we can do or say is as important as heart affection for God, "if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing" (1 Cor. 13:3).

In the present age God is dealing with men in grace. Not only are we saved by grace (Eph. 2:8) but His grace is also bestowed upon us (1 Cor. 15:10) to the intent that we should be fruitful in spiritual things and God eagerly expects a lively response from all so endued.

The hall-mark of a believer's love was stated by the Lord when He said, "If ye love Me, ye will keep My commandments". "He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me; and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself unto him" (John 14:15,21,23).

Love proceeds from the heart and if the heart is not fixed upon God no other sacrifice is of any avail, though one should give his body to be burned and not have love, it profiteth nothing. True indeed were the words of Delilah to Samson, "How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me" (Judges 16:15).

It is ever a danger to believers that while they comply with the outward requirements of divine constitution the affection of their hearts may not be towards God and His things. This leaves a void in their lives which sooner or later the great Adversary will exploit for his own pernicious ends.

Let us fasten our love upon Him now for this is more valuable to the Lord than anything else that we can offer. Of Israel, God has said, "I remember for thee the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals" (Jer. 2:2). The love of our hearts is something God will never forget but will fully honour as the Wisdom of God has said, "I love them that love Me: and those that seek Me diligently shall find Me. Riches and honour are with Me; " (Prov. 8:17-18).

What holds our love today? Is it the Man in the glory of heaven? Do we love Him more than we love the trivial things of this transient world and do we love the house of God, over which He is Son (Heb. 3:6) and Great Priest (Heb. 10:21)? Have we truly caught the spirit of David, who could say from his heart, "LORD, I love the habitation of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory dwelleth" (Psalm 26:8).

Hark, my soul, it is the Lord,

'Tis thy Saviour, hear His word,

Now He speaks, and speaks to thee,

Ransomed sinner, lovest thou Me?

Lord, it is my chief complaint

That my love is weak and faint,

Yet I love Thee and adore;

Oh for grace to love Thee more.

D. Smith, Lerwick | Sept 1971
General