glorycloud's Diaryland Diary ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- a holy despair "How will the soul come to this desired union? The fact that all efforts toward being reconciled and united to Him are of no value becomes an increasingly grave and fundamental reality. The soul is so to speak overcome by a holy despair. What do they know of this who sing and jubilate, "My Jesus, my Savior," and have never experienced these matters? What do they know of it?-nothing! That of which we are speaking is strange language for them and they conveniently refer to it as a craving for self-preservation, false mysticism, and a sickly tendency. They can set this aside at once and need not concern themselves about it any longer. They are able to enjoy their false peace. Futhermore, they have the illusion of themselves being more sound in doctrine than others and are desirous that others have the same impression of them. However, the soul in whom a true work of God is to be found experiences something different. With all that she misses and with all her sorrow she will know of no enlargement, except when the Lord Himself grants it. And this the Lord does indeed. "Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress" (Psa. 4:1). This is exactly what the soul experiences. First, the Spirit of God lets a ray of light from the candlestick of God's Word fall upon her. It is thus that the Mediator, in the garment of the Holy Scriptures, in unveiled to her in His necessity, suitability, all-sufficiency, and preciousness-in short, in all His soul-ravishing glory, so that by moments she exclaims with adoration and esteem, "He is altogether lovely." When in her longing the soul beholds Him (even though she does not dare to add immediately, "This is my beloved") she confesses, "There is none in heaven or upon earth that I desire beside Thee." However, would she dare to draw near to Him? Would she-she who is so abominable in herself-dare to draw near and touch Him? He is the great, holy, and divine Christ; she is worthy of condemnation, is completely helpless, and deeply miserable. It is then that the Holy Spirit increasingly begins to bind the "offer" of free grace upon the soul. This is accompanied by invitation, comforts, encouragements, and a holy compulsion which are of such a nature that the soul so to speak is won over and persuaded to sink down upon His word and promise. She can no longer resist and by moments puts her hand upon the hem of His garment. Healing virtue will then proceed from Him. . ." pg. 50 Gerard Wisse 'Christ's Ministry in the Christian: The Administration Of His Offices In The Believer' 1:08 p.m. - 2023-01-10 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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