Jesus said unto him, Wherefore didst thou doubt?—Matt. 14:31. The best of men are but men at the best. The most eminent saints of God have experienced doubting, fearful frames, as well as believing, joyful ones. We have many instances of this in the bold and courageous Peter. Now, at the command of his master, we behold him walking safely on the surface of the great deep. Here he honored his master's word, was very safe and comfortable while he believed his power. To see Peter walking upon the liquid ocean, is not more beyond the power of reason to comprehend and account for, than to see a poor sinner comfortably living and walking by faith on the Son of God, in spite of all the raging waves of unbelief, lust, and corruptions. But as it was with Peter, so is it often with the believer. The workings of Peter's natural senses, the suggestions of his carnal reason, opposed the actings of his faith; he heard the roaring winds, he saw the boisterous waves, he considered the bulk and weight of his body, and then, up reason, down faith. Reason assures him fluid water cannot support him. Hence he doubts, he fears, he sinks. So the poor sinner, who hath heard the inviting voice of Jesus, and obeyed the word of his grace, to believe on HIM, walks sweetly and comfortably for a season; but anon, corruptions like the surging billows, lift up their threatening heads; temptations, like the stormy wind blow violently upon him; the thunderings of a fiery law are heard; he thinks incensed justice pursues him, and that the face of majesty looks stern upon him. Hence he reasons upon what he is, what he has done, and what he may expect; and all in nature, sense, and feeling is against him. O then, he doubts in his mind and sinks in his spirits! But when he reflects, Jesus is above all, he is mighty to save; then, seeing all hope in him, and none beside him, he cries, "Lord save, or I perish." This is right. Our Saviour loves to hear his poor disciples cry to him. He is near them, and, as Peter was, they are always within the reach of his arm. He loves their persons, approves their crying, but reproves their doubting. Wherefore didst THOU doubt? Though thy sins have reached to heaven, yet my blood is before the throne. Who shall lay any thing to thy charge? It is God that justifieth, who shall condemn thee? I have died, what shall destroy thee, seeing I am able to save to the very uttermost?—Verily, O Jesus, to the poor and needy in their distress, thou art a refuge from the storm.—Isa. 25:4. What tho' the host of death and hell, All arm'd against me stood, Why should their terrors shake my soul? My refuge is my God. A friend and helper so divine, Does my weak courage raise; He makes the glorious vict'ry mine, And his shall be the praise.
"Heaven is my throne...Isaiah 63"
GOD'S REJECTION OF ALL MATERIAL TEMPLES. There was a time when it could be said that there was a house of God on earth. That was a time of symbols, when as yet the Church of God was in her childhood. She was being taught her A B C, reading her picture-book, for she could not as yet read the Word of God, as it were in letters. She had need to have pictures put before her, patterns of the heavenly things. Even then, the enlightened amongst the Jews knew well that God did not dwell between curtains, and that it was not possible that He could be encompassed in the most holy place within the veil It was only a symbol of His presence. But the time of symbols is now passed altogether. In that moment when the Saviour bowed His head, and said "It is finished! " the veil of the temple was rent in twain, so that the mysteries were laid open. So, one reason why God saith He dwelleth not in temples made with hands, is, because He would have us know that the symbolical worship is ended...
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