27 The Inspired Testimony

The Inspired Testimony

"For you Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all those who call upon you!" Psalms 86:5 The mind is naturally prejudiced against God. We have all wrong views of his character, and it is the design of Satan to foster and encourage such views. We can only know what God is, from his word. To that word we should therefore go, whenever we wish to understand the character, or the claims, or the disposition of God towards us. In this verse we have a very sweet view of God. David had been taught to know God in the school of experience. The Holy Spirit was his teacher. He had tried the word of God and found it true, and he gives us the result of his trials in his writings. He not only tells us that God is good, and ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy — but to whom he is so, even to all those who call upon him. The characters are distinguished. They call upon God. Of men in general it is testified, that they do not call upon God. God is not in all their thoughts. They are strangers to prayer. If they use a form, they do not know what real prayer is.

Those who call upon God must know him. They must not only know that there is a God — but they must also know something of his nature and character. The knowledge of God lies at the foundation of all spiritual worship. They must not only know God — but also their need of him. That he only has what they need — and that he only can do what they require. If we do not feel that we need from God, what we cannot obtain elsewhere — we shall never truly call upon him.

There must also be faith in him. We must believe that he is, and that he is the rewarder of those who diligently seek him. Without faith — it is impossible either to serve or please God.

Real prayer is the soul’s application to God. In prayer we apply to God for what we feel we need, and for what he has promised to bestow. Those who really call upon God, pour out tbeir hearts before him; and make a personal application to him for temporal, spiritual, and eternal blessings.

Those who call upon God aright — must be sincere. Prayer is rather the work of the heart — than of the head or tongue. God does not look so much at what we say — as at what we feel. Desire is the soul of prayer.

There must also be simplicity. Praying, is but a child pleading with its father. In prayer the more simple we are — the better. In this sense as well as others — we must become as little children.

There must also be earnestness. We must really mean what we say, ask for what we need, and ask as if we desired what we ask. Prayer is not eloquence — but earnestness. If we thus call upon God — we shall find that he is good. The Psalmist gives us the character of God, in speaking to God. His testimony is also a plea. "You, Lord, are good." God is essentially and eternally good. He is, The Good One. There is none good but God. He is the benevolent and beneficent One. He is good in himself, and delights to do his creatures good. "The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works." But he is especially good to those who call upon him, to the soul who seeks him. His goodness appears in nature, it is daily displayed in providence — but especially in grace.

He is "ready to forgive." There is no backwardness in God to forgive his worst enemies, as there is in us. He is ready, like the father of the Prodigal, who as soon as he saw his son in the distance — ran to him, forgave him, fell upon his neck and kissed him. He is always ready to forgive. He is at this moment. Reader, God is ready to forgive you. Nothing is necessary to dispose him to do so, he is naturally disposed to it. You need not a saint to intercede for you. You may go to him yourself, and go just as you are — and prove that he is ready to forgive.

He will forgive all kinds of sinners. He has done so. Old sinners, and young sinners. The great among men, as Manasseh; the lowest dregs of society, as the dying robber on the cross. The openly profane, as the adulteress in the temple; and the moral and gentle, as the evangelist John. There are no exceptions, for all are invited; none are rejected, for he will never cast out.

All manner of sins — he will pardon. If deep-dyed as scarlet, or glowing like crimson — he will make them like wool; and the foulest sinner — he will make whiter than the driven snow! That he is ready to forgive is clear, not only from the plain testimonies of his word — but from the provision he has made in the person and work of Jesus, for bestowing pardon in the easiest way, and on the most honorable principles.

He can be just while he forgives, and his justice would be obscured, to say the least, if he was to refuse to pardon any one who came seeking forgiveness for the Savior’s sake. But he has not only devised a way, in which he can pardon the greatest sinners, consistent with his character for justice and holiness — but he has also sent us his gospel to inform us of this! And not only to inform us of this — but to stir us up to seek for pardon and eternal life, and to give us the clearest possible warrant to expect it, if we apply for it in the name of Jesus. In addition to this, he gives his Holy Spirit to convince of sin, unfold the gospel, reveal the Savior, and to lead the poor dejected sinner to him for pardon and peace! And to crown the whole, he has set before us in his word, innumerable exmples; he has taken them from all countries, through all time, of every class of sinners — and for Christ’s sake has freely forgiven them all trespasses! All that he requires of us as a qualification — is to feel that we are sinners, guilty, polluted and undone. All that he prescribes is, that we confess our sins and plead for mercy. All that he expects as a return — is contrition, and consecration to his service. He says, "Only acknowledge your iniquity." And "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." "He is ready to forgive."

He is also "plenteous in mercy." The ocean of mercy is as full as it ever was. The sun of mercy shines as freely as it ever did. "God is rich in mercy." Abundant in mercy. His mercy is . . .
as vast as his nature,
as varied as the needs of his creatures,
as free as the evening breeze!

There is no lack of mercy in God — but there is a great lack of faith in us. His mercy is great unto the Heavens, and his truth reaches unto the clouds. Reader, whatever may be your case, whatever your circumstances — there is in God’s mercy, just what will suit you. There is mercy . . .
to pardon your sin,
to purify your heart,
to cheer your spirit,
to supply your needs,
and to save your soul.

Apply for it, apply for it in the name of Jesus, ask the Lord to glorify his mercy in your present and everlasting salvation — and you shall find that he is plenteous in mercy.

Let us then be careful, that our views of God’s character are consistent, that they are derived from his own word; for unless our minds are rightly informed — our hearts will not be rightly affected. Unless we have right views of God — we cannot have right feelings towards God. Let us endeavor, also to exercise faith and hope in God. Let us believe that he is good, ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy; and then hope or expect to prove his goodness, enjoy the comforts of a pardoned state, and rejoice in the plentitude of his mercy.

Let us also speak honorably of God to others, if we meet with any who have harsh and unscriptural views of God, let us endeavor to correct them, and by all means in our power let us spread the good, the glorious news — that the Lord is good, ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy unto all those who all upon him!