SERMON I. And that Trembleth at My Word.
2. Read it with seriousness.
3. Value it greatly.
4. Pray earnestly over it.
5. Strive to align both your heart and your life with the teachings found within it.
6. Treasure it among your most prized possessions.
7. And when you are in a position of spiritual strength, remember the sincere and heartfelt desire of the writer, reader, and listener that this little piece may be greatly blessed.
With that, I bid you farewell and rest, Your true friend and servant to your soul,
Thomas Brooks.
SERMON I.
—And that trembleth at my Word. -Isaiah. 66.2.
The intention of the Holy Spirit, at the beginning of this chapter, is to redirect the people's hearts away from finding satisfaction in the magnificent temple they possess and the outward acts of worship they engage in. The Holy Spirit accomplishes this through two arguments presented at the start of the chapter. Thus says the Lord:
"Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What significance does it hold, then, that you have built such a glorious temple for my honor? I have no need for it, for my throne is in heaven, and the entire earth serves as my footstool. So where is the house you have built for me? Where is the place of my rest?"
Furthermore, not only does God have His throne in heaven and the earth as His footstool, but He has also created all these things. He reminds them that He is the one who has made the entire world.
They may consider the temple they have built as something grand, but in reality, God has created the entire world, and if He so desired,
He could have made a thousand more worlds.
As for outward acts of worship, God wants to discourage them from finding satisfaction in these alone. Therefore, He informs them that when they rely on outward duties while living wickedly, it holds no more value to Him than the slaying of a man. He expresses His abhorrence through four illustrations: First, killing an ox is akin to killing a man. Second, sacrificing a lamb is like cutting off a dog's neck. Third, offering an oblation is akin to offering swine's blood.
Fourth, burning incense is comparable to blessing an idol. These are strong expressions that reveal God's intense disapproval of outward services when accompanied by a sinful life. He provides the reason behind His stance—they have chosen their own way. As long as they persist in their own paths, their actions, no matter what they may be, are detestable in God's eyes. He will not regard their temple or their sacrifices.
So, what pleases God then? He answers this question in the second verse: "But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word." It is as if God is saying,
"Regarding your magnificent temple and all your sacrifices, what do they mean when you choose your own ways?" God looks upon those who are humble, contrite in spirit, and tremble at His word. The glorious temple and all the sacrifices cannot compare to the value of a heart that submits to God and reveres His word.
But are there any impoverished souls, any contrite hearts who acknowledge their own sinful nature? Are there any broken-hearted sinners among you who tremble at my Word? This means more to me than all the sacrifices you can offer. Here we have three qualifications of someone whom God will pay attention to and consider: one who is poor, has a contrite spirit, and trembles at my
Word. Such an individual is the one I look upon, delight in dwelling with, and take pleasure in. Firstly, it is a poor spirit, then a contrite
one, and finally, the one who trembles at God's Word. It is the third qualification that I wish to focus on: trembling at God's Word.
People of the world live extravagantly and possess cheerful spirits. As it says in Malachi 3:15, "And now we call the arrogant blessed." Your bold, joyful, and proud spirits are highly esteemed in the eyes of the world. However, if you want to know who is precious in God's eyes, it is the one with a poor, contrite spirit who trembles at the Word, those whom men despise. Who faces greater contempt from others than those with poor and contrite spirits whose hearts shake and tremble at God's Word? The bold and cheerful spirits of the world scorn being troubled by the Word. But God asks, "Is there anyone who trembles at my Word?" In a gathering as large as this, He searches through all to find if there is any impoverished soul who trembles at His Word. Such an individual is an object of special consideration to God.
May there be many such individuals in this congregation, even today, for God is looking among you. Oh, that He may find objects to gaze upon, those who are delightful in His eyes! And such individuals are those who tremble at His Word. Therefore, the doctrine we are to focus on is this:
Doctrine: A heart trembling at God's Word is highly esteemed in God's eyes.
To him I will look. Some translate it as "To that thing will I look." Oh, that's the thing I truly love to gaze upon—a heart that trembles in response to my Word. In the eyes of God, all the beautiful objects in the world are not as lovely as a heart that trembles at the Word. The Lord considers nothing in the world worthy of His gaze in comparison to this object. He looks upon it with great delight. He does not say, "To him will I look who does my Word, who obeys my
Word," but rather "to him who trembles at my Word." As someone commented on this passage, there is often more godliness in the trembling of the heart than in the work of the hand. Many things
may hinder a true, gracious heart from carrying out God's Word. The heart may genuinely receive the Word and desire to do it, but various obstacles may arise between the heart and the action, hindering someone with a sincere heart from fulfilling it. However, as long as there is a trembling frame of heart in response to the Word, that is what God looks at. Physicians may consider trembling of the heart as a disease, but this trembling of the heart is the excellence of the heart and the joy of the soul wherever it is found.
In 2 Kings 22:19, we see the example of Josiah, a king who merely heard the Word of God being read, and his heart immediately began to tremble. His heart melted before the Lord. Oh, what a blessing it would be for kingdoms to have their kings possess such tender hearts! If God were to grant the great leaders of the world such tender hearts that tremble in the presence of God upon reading or hearing anything from His Word, it would be a great mercy. It is fitting for the greatest individuals in the world to tremble whenever they encounter the Word of God.
Now, in addressing this point, there are four things that need to be done.
Firstly, briefly show how the heart is affected when it trembles at God's Word—what it means to have a trembling heart in response to God's Word.
Secondly, explore what a gracious heart sees in God's Word that causes it to tremble.
Thirdly, distinguish between the trembling of a gracious heart and the trembling that may exist in a hypocrite. We find that even Felix himself trembled, and Scripture tells us that even the devils tremble.
Fourthly, the reason why God accepts such a heart, why it is so pleasing to God and why He looks upon it. These are the four aspects that need to be presented in the point, and they will lead to the application. The point is of great significance.
Firstly, in regard to the workings of the heart that trembles at God's Word, or to describe the frame of a heart trembling at the Word of God (I will briefly touch upon this because I will focus more on the second aspect): If you want to understand the nature of a heart's trembling at the Word, let me explain.
First, such a heart holds high, honourable, and reverent thoughts of God's Word, even if previously it was lightly esteemed. The Word of God was considered no different from other words, like passing wind. But now the soul holds very high, honourable, and reverent thoughts of the Word of God, with a profound appreciation for it. It regards the Word with solemn thoughts, realizing that it is indeed its very life.
Secondly, as a result, the soul attentively listens when the Word is either read or preached, regardless of how it is delivered. It eagerly attends to it and sets its heart upon it. As Moses said to the people in Deuteronomy 32:46, "Set your hearts to all the words which I testify among you this day, which you shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law." Why? Because it is not a worthless or empty thing for you; it is your life. Before, a person may have approached hearing the Word in an ordinary manner, simply to pass the time or to hear what someone had to say. But now, when God works this gracious frame in the heart, the soul sets itself to it as to its life, recognizing that it is not a worthless thing.
I see that my life is in it, and there is a reverent attention to the Word of God. Fear causes the eye to be fixed. When someone has a fearful apprehension of something, it causes their gaze to be fixed upon it. Similarly, when there are many among the audience who tremble at God's Word, it captivates their attention. Their thoughts are directed towards it in a solemn manner, and they dare not allow themselves to be distracted, not even with wandering thoughts or looking around. They are attentive, eager to hear what God has to say to them.
Thirdly, when such a person has heard the Word, they do not dare to dispute against it. It is true that one may examine the preached word, but not to dispute against it. Prior to attaining this trembling frame, the heart may be prone to rise against the Word and entertain objections and futile arguments. However, now that the heart trembles at it, it does not dare to cavil and object as it did before.
Fourthly, the heart that trembles at the Word considers it a dreadful condition to have the Word speak against them. It regards it as the greatest evil for the Word of God to be against them, to hear it speaking against them and proclaiming threats.
Oh, this is an uneasy state! How can I eat, drink, or sleep peacefully when the Word of God is against me?
Fifthly, a heart that trembles at the Word receives every command of the Word with reverence and humility. It submits itself to the Word and does not resist any part of it, neither the commands nor the threats. It opens itself to receive and embrace whatever the Lord has to give. There was a saying of someone who declared, "Let the Word of the Lord come, and we will submit even if we had six hundred necks to place beneath it." Similarly, a heart that trembles at the Word does not resist it but willingly opens itself to receive everything the Lord has to offer.
Sixthly, even the promises in God's Word are received with trembling. This means that the heart apprehends the immense distance between God and itself, as well as its own unworthiness of the mercy extended through the promise. Though the heart takes hold of the promise, it does so with reverence and fear.
Therefore, a heart that trembles in this manner at the Word of God is precious in God's eyes and receives His attention.
Now, what is it that a gracious heart sees in God's Word that causes it to tremble? Understanding this will help you sanctify the name of
God in many sermons to come. What God requires of all of you is that when His Word is sent among you, your hearts should not swell against it. Instead, you should receive it with a trembling frame of heart. Oh, the honour that would come to God and the benefit to your own souls if you were to receive it with a trembling frame of heart! I will show you the reasons why a gracious heart has cause to tremble at God's Word, what it sees in it. It is not out of weakness of spirit that it does so, but the Lord reveals it in His Word to the heart, leaving it no other option. In Judges 3:20, when Ehud came to Eglon, the King of Moab (a pagan king), he prefaced his message by saying, "I have a message from God for you." Notice how the king responded, he immediately rose from his seat in reverence for the Word that came from God. You should regard all the ministers of God who reveal His truths to you with great reverence. God cannot but take offense when He sees that even the most wicked person behaves irreverently towards his master, yet does not care about showing irreverence towards the Word of God. In Jeremiah 13:15, it says, "Hear and give ear; be not proud, for the Lord has spoken." If it is the Word of God, there must be no swelling of the heart against it.
The greatest and most wicked pride of all is when people's hearts swell against the Word. Many of you may think that pride lies in clothing and appearance, but the greatest pride is when you rise against the Word. Many of you may think that there is no pride in your hearts, but how have you behaved when the Word of God has confronted your deepest corruptions?
First, it is the Word of God. He sees God in it.
Secondly, not only does he see that it is God's, but he sees an abundance of glory, majesty, greatness, and excellence of God that shines in His Word. The Lord reveals to this heart that there is an immense divine radiance and glory in the Word that it trembles at, which causes it to tremble. Among all things in the world, the Word of God contains the highest amount of God's glory. Though it is true that a soul, while in darkness, may not see any of this for a long time, when God's time comes to work graciously upon the heart, God
opens up to this heart a divine radiance shining in the Word that it has never seen before. This makes the heart stand in awe of it more than ever before. In Psalm 138:2, it says, "For you have magnified your word above all your name." Or, as some read it more fully according to the original text, "You have magnified your word above all your name; that is, the name of God is magnified above all things.
Oh, the Word of God contains more of God's name than the whole world! Take heaven and earth, the entire creation combined, and they do not possess as much of the name of God as the Word of God does. There is more of God, a greater and more divine radiance in the Word of God than in heaven and earth.
And therefore, by the way, you may be convinced of a great deal of ignorance and darkness that has been in you all this while. If we believe this truth that in God's Word there is more divine radiance than in all the creatures in heaven and earth, surely you have been in the dark. I appeal to your consciences: have you seen this divine radiance? We know that there is much of the glory of God in all His works - in the heavens, the sun, the moon, the stars. We behold the glory of God shining there. And in the seas, those who go down into the depths behold the wonders of the Lord. Even on the earth, all creatures cry out to us to fear the Lord and to tremble before Him. It is an indication of a stubborn, wretched, vile, and hardened heart that does not tremble before the Lord as He appears glorious in His great works. Every creature cries out to us, "Oh, will you not fear the God who has made me?" Every creature calls out, even though you may have had a deaf ear until now, it calls out, "Will you not fear the God who has made me?" Yes, God Himself wonders that mankind does not fear Him upon considering the glory that shines in some pieces of His work. In Jeremiah 5:22, God asks, "Fear you not me?"
Will you not tremble at my presence? God speaks in a way of admiration. He wonders that men have such hard hearts. "What?
Will you not fear me, who has placed the sand as the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, so that it cannot pass it? And though its waves toss themselves, they cannot prevail; though they roar, they
cannot pass over it." God only mentions this one work of His. Oh, is there any bold, desperate sinner who will not fear such a God as I am, who does such a great work as this? And then again, in verse 24, the Lord mentions another work of His. God wonders that men do not say in their hearts, "Oh, let us fear God who gives rain! We see that we depend upon the God who gives rain. Oh, therefore let us fear Him." Now God expects that all His creatures who see this glorious work should reason in this way: "Oh, what a glorious God is this, at whose mercy we lie! Let us fear this God!"
Well then, if God wonders that men do not fear Him upon seeing His glory in these two works of His, then He may wonder even more that men do not fear Him in light of all those glorious names of His that appear in His Word. Now, a gracious heart begins to see this, which it did not see before, and therefore trembles at His Word.
Thirdly, it sees more. It sees not only a divine radiance, but also a most dreadful authority in the Word of God. It is not just the greatness, splendour, and glory that causes fear, but the authority. If we were to see a prince in his greatness, in his pomp, it would cause some fear. But when we consider the authority that he has over us, that is what truly instils fear. In Jeremiah 10:6-7, it says, "There is none like you, O Lord; you are great, and your name is great in might. Who would not fear you, O King of the nations? For to you it appertains," etc. See how fear is grounded upon authority. "O Lord, you have absolute and supreme authority over all nations of the world. Who would not fear you?" Certainly, this is the reason why people's hearts are so vain and indifferent before the Word of God, because they do not apprehend the dreadful authority within it. It has authority that encompasses potentates as well as the poorest individuals living on the face of the earth. It has authority over all other authorities. It has authority over the heart, over the soul.
Nothing in the world has authority over people's consciences except the Word of the Lord, and that Word has authority. It has the authority to bind consciences, to awe and terrify men.
So, a gracious heart sees the great seal of heaven stamped upon every truth in God's Word and therefore dares not trivialize it as it did before. It approaches the Word either as a sovereign to receive laws or as a judge to receive the sentence of condemnation. It regards the Word as backed with such authority that it must either yield to it or be bound over to eternal death, with bonds that no power of any creature in heaven or earth can release. When a soldier is rebuked by a fellow soldier, it doesn't bother him much. But if the general speaks, who holds his life in his hand, then he trembles. Similarly, when people come to hear the Word as coming from a minister whom they consider their equal, they don't pay much attention to it.
But a gracious heart, regardless of the minister, regards the Word as superior. Cyprian calls it the tribunal of the church because that is where people receive the sentence of death upon themselves. When the soul sees this, it cannot help but tremble at whatever truths are revealed to it. That's the third aspect.
But fourthly, a gracious heart trembles at God's Word because it sees infinite justice in it, the justice of God that threatens eternal curse upon every soul that does not obey it in every aspect. In Deuteronomy 33:2, it is called a fiery law, a part of God's law, the fiery law of God. We know how the law was given with great dreadfulness, as can be seen in Exodus 19. The mountain shook and trembled when the law of God was given. And God expects the hearts of sinners to tremble when they hear the law of God at any time.
But you may ask, "We are delivered from it, so why should we tremble?"
However, even though we have been delivered, there is still a reason to tremble because we were once under the law, and we deserved to be under it. We read about Moses himself, a godly man who was in Christ, yet in Hebrews 12:21 it says that the sight was so terrible that Moses, the servant of God, said, "I exceedingly fear and quake." This is especially true if the soul does not fully understand that it has been completely delivered from the guilt of sin. The conscience will testify
that the Word of God has an advantage over it. When Samuel came to Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled at his coming, as mentioned in Ezra 16:2, it says, "The people sat trembling because of the matter." They had much guilt in them and knew that the Word had the advantage over them, so they trembled. It is important for everyone to tremble to some degree. That's the fourth aspect.
Fifthly, a gracious heart sees the Word of the Lord backed by infinite power. In Ecclesiastes 8:4, it says, "Where the word of a king is, there is power." Similarly, where the Word of the Lord is, there is power to fulfill it. In the latter end of Matthew 28, Jesus says, "All power in heaven and earth is given unto me." What follows? "Go therefore and preach." What can we observe from this connection? It implies that all the power in heaven and earth given to Jesus will accompany you while you are preaching His Word to fulfill the word that you preach.
Therefore, whenever you hear any truth of God preached from His Word, know that all power in heaven and earth is sent forth to assist and fulfill it. Whether it is a threat to be fulfilled or a promise to be fulfilled, the power of God is at work.
In Isaiah 55:11, the Lord says that His Word shall not be in vain, it will not return empty, but in one way or another, it will accomplish the purpose for which He sent it. We may hope that God's intention in sending His Word to you has been out of mercy, but it will surely achieve some specific purpose that God has had among you. In Ezekiel 6:10, God declares, "They shall know that I am the Lord, and that I had not said in vain that I would do this evil to them." God wants every sinner to know that He is the Lord and that His words are not spoken in vain. It is as if God is saying, "If I am God, then My
Word shall prevail and have an impact. All the power I possess will accompany My Word to fulfill it." We know from Matthew 5:18 that heaven and earth may pass away, but not one jot or tittle of God's
Word will pass away. This reveals God's firm commitment to His Word. He would rather remove His power from upholding heaven and earth than withdraw His power from assisting His Word. If even one small truth (as you may consider it) has touched your conscience
and made you ponder, "If this is true, what will become of me?" Pay attention, for heaven and earth may pass away, but God's Word will always be fulfilled. The Lord would rather lose the entire world than lose His Word.
Sixthly, a gracious heart sees the radiance of God's holiness, and being aware of its own impurity, it trembles. In Psalm 99:3, it says,
"Let them praise your great and awesome name; Holy is He!" The name of God is great and awesome, and it is great and awesome because it is holy. The Word of God is nothing less than a reflection of His infinite holiness. When the brilliance of His holiness is revealed, it strikes fear into their hearts. In Isaiah 6, when the prophet heard the seraphim crying out, "Holy, holy, holy," the text says that even the blessed prophet himself cried out, "Woe is me, for I am undone!" The mere mention of the glory of God's holiness caused the prophet's heart to shake and tremble. Now, if a godly person trembles in this way, how much more should the hearts of those who are impure and corrupt tremble at the Word when they come to realize that it is a reflection of the holiness of the infinite
God!
Seventhly, there is another aspect that must not be overlooked, and that is the glorious, lofty, and divine mysteries that are revealed in God's Word, which cause a gracious heart to tremble. In the Word of God, there are wondrous, exalted, and awe-inspiring mysteries that are disclosed—mysteries that should be approached with trembling.
It is more fitting for humble creatures to receive them with reverence than to attempt to unravel them through inquiries. Oh, the mysteries of salvation! They are of such infinite magnitude that they cannot help but instill trembling in the hearts of those who come to comprehend their glory. There is the mystery of election, redemption, the hypostatic union, the death of the Son of God, justification, reconciliation, adoption, sanctification, and glorification. These are mysteries to be revered due to their unfathomable depth, length, height, and breadth.
Junius, the renowned theologian whose works have been a great blessing to the Church, recounts his own experience. He confesses that he was an atheist before his conversion. However, on a rainy day, as he returned home and noticed a New Testament lying before him, he picked it up and began to read. He came across the first chapter of John, which is filled with majestic words. He recalls, "As I read the book, my body trembled, and my soul was immediately astonished. I was so overwhelmed with horror and amazement that I shook in every part of my being, and my heart trembled within me. I was in a state of confusion and astonishment throughout the entire day, not knowing where I was."
And this was the means of the conversion of that renowned theologian: when God allowed a few rays of the gospel to shine upon his heart through His Word, his heart was struck with trembling, and it became the instrument of his soul's conversion. How many times have you read that chapter and heard other mysteries of the gospel without being so deeply affected! When the Lord intends to show favour to a soul, He reveals some of the profound mysteries found in His Word.
I have heard of a godly man, a great scholar, who was in his study, deeply engrossed in contemplating the glory of God as it manifested in the arts and sciences. For indeed, various arts are nothing more than glimpses of God's wisdom. While pondering this, he was so overwhelmed that he fell upon his face. Surely, these glorious mysteries ought to cause us to bow down, adore, and tremble before the Lord even more intensely.
In heaven, it will be the grand occupation of the saints and angels to stand in awe and marvel at these splendid mysteries of the gospel.
The soul not only trembles at the demands of strictness found in God's Word but also at the awe-inspiring mysteries contained within it.
Eighthly, furthermore, a gracious heart trembles at the Word because it finds it to be exceedingly effective and powerful. The Word is likened to a two-edged sword, remarkably alive wherever it goes, as stated in Hebrews 4:12 and onwards. "For the word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart," and so on. The Word of God operates with vivacity, working within the soul with great swiftness, leading towards either heaven or hell.
This is why it is a Word to be trembled at. It is not the same for people when the Word comes with power as it was before. In the days of ignorance, God overlooked certain things. Thus, in the very first commission that Christ gives to His apostles, to go and preach,
He declares, "Go you, and preach the Gospel to every creature; he that believeth shall be saved; he that believeth not, shall be damned."
You can see how prompt Christ is. If they come in and believe, even the greatest sinner of all shall be saved. Approach the most wicked sinner, if they come in, they shall be saved; if not, they shall be damned. The Lord deals with great swiftness with those who live under the powerful ministry of the Word. Therefore, when John the Baptist comes to preach, he declares, "Now is the axe laid to the root of the tree." Why now? Why not before? Because now John the Baptist has arrived among the people, and now their natural condition is being revealed to them, and they feel the Word speaking directly to their consciences. If they do not submit now, then the axe is laid to the root of the trees. They must not expect to go on as they did before. Perhaps they were old drunkards, habitual swearers, and they managed to escape consequences for a long time. But now they must not think they can continue to escape for long. Therefore, as the Apostle says, "The word is either the savour of life unto life, or else the savour of death unto death" (2 Corinthians 2:16). This may seem challenging to understand, so let us explain it a little further. He does not say that death comes to one and life to another, but rather the savour of death and the savour of life.
The meaning is this: It is derived from things that are so full of spirit and efficacy that even the very scent is enough to bring about life or death. If one were to encounter a medicine whose scent alone could revive someone from death to life, we would say it is a very potent substance, full of vitality. Well, the Word is so full of vitality that if it is embraced, it brings life through its very essence, but if not, it becomes the scent of death leading to death. Ambrose, in his commentary on the text, uses this expression: "They receive the Word as the Plague if they do not obey it." Just like the plague, the mere scent of it is enough to bring death. Similarly, the Word of God, when not obeyed, becomes like a plague to wicked and ungodly individuals, and its very essence destroys them. This means that when I come to hear the Word, I come to hear something so powerful that each sermon I listen to, I must expect to be either closer to heaven or closer to hell. If you have attended a sermon and left carelessly, without taking it seriously or reflecting upon it, ask yourself: Did this sermon bring me closer to heaven than before? If not, then you are closer to hell.
Ninthly, furthermore, it trembles at the Word because it recognizes that the Word determines everyone's eternal destiny. If you wish to know how it will be for you in eternity, if you simply examine the Word and pay attention to it, you can know. For the Word contains what determines the eternal fate of every human being. Therefore, the Word deserves great reverence. When a prisoner is being sentenced to life, they look upon those in power with a trembling heart, even if they know they are innocent and hope for a favorable verdict from the jury. However, when they look at the jury, they realize that these are the individuals who will decide their fate, and they cannot help but tremble. Similarly, if you understand the immense consequence of an eternal destiny, you cannot help but tremble. When you open the Book of God, you recognize that this is the book that will determine your eternal fate, so it is a Word to be trembled at.
Tenthly, yes, not only does it determine our eternal destiny, but it is also a probing Word that examines and scrutinizes us in the present.
It delves into the innermost recesses and secrets of the heart, dividing between the marrow and the bones, and revealing the very thoughts within. When a wounded person has a surgeon examine their wound, they look upon them with a trembling heart.
And many can attest to it from their own experience. How often have I come to the Word of God and found it penetrating my very heart, reaching the depths of my soul beyond all superficiality, laying bare everything before the Lord. And oh, the trembling that follows for a long time thereafter. In 1 Corinthians 14:25, it is said, "And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. So, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you." This is spoken of a poor ignorant man who enters a congregation, initially curious and in awe, but eventually realizes that the secrets of his heart are being exposed. In response, he falls down in reverence to God, worships Him, and acknowledges that God is present in that place.
Similarly, many men and women, when they come to hear the Word, do so with worldly and empty hearts. However, when they discover that the Word scrutinizes them, enters into their being, wrestles with them, and confronts the inward and hidden disorders of their spirits, they are compelled to bow before the Word and proclaim, "Truly,
God is in this Word." This experience causes sinners to humble themselves, and those with gracious hearts have encountered this effect through the Word.
Lastly, a gracious heart trembles at God's Word because it recognizes that it will be opened to judge them on the great Day. It examines and probes the soul in the present and will be one of the books opened to judge all humanity on the final day. In John 12:48, it is written, "He who rejects me and does not receive my words has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day." The words you hear now will be called to account once again—every sermon you have heard, every truth that God has impressed upon your conscience will be summoned and will judge
you on the great Day. If you consider the Word as the arbiter of judgment on the final Day, it cannot help but make you tremble. Oh, if a gracious heart perceives the depth of meaning in the Word of God as has been revealed, surely there is ample reason for it to tremble at the Word of God. Let us not condemn those who tremble.
Even if you do not tremble, do not be surprised, for God has granted them a vision that He has not yet granted you. But when the time of God's love arrives for your souls, you too shall see.
A few words of application: If this is true, then you should realise, firstly, how little you have understood the Word of God all this time!
Oh, how little have I personally grasped of all that has been explained! Yet, there are some who see, regardless of what you do.
Sometimes, even great scholars fail to see this, those with exceptional intellects. But perhaps, it is a poor servant who does see. "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth," says Christ, "that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children." Now, if you find that God has worked these things in your hearts and your hearts tremble at His Word, then praise God for it. This can greatly help you in facing other fears that you may have. Oh, we fear what malicious people can do! But if you fear God's Word, you need not fear anything else. But you may say, "I have much sinfulness and wickedness in my heart, and I find that I am unable to do what God's Word requires." This can bring you comfort in all your weaknesses. Even though you may not fulfill everything the Word requires, God knows that you have a heart that obeys His Word in some things as well as in others. The Lord accepts your trembling, even when you lack the ability to perform. "Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him," says God, "for those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. 'They shall be mine,' says the LORD of hosts, 'in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.'" If you fear God, now you have a promise that even with many weaknesses, God will spare you as one spares his only child who serves him.
Secondly, there are numerous sources of consolation.
Certainly, if you tremble at God's Word, you will be comforted, even if you may not find comfort at this moment. If the Word of God can make your heart tremble, it will bring you comfort. Wait for it. There is as much comfort in the Word of God for your soul as there was terror. Look at the chapter where my text is, verse 2: "I will look to him who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word."
So, what will happen to them? Verse 5: "Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at his word." God repeats it because He loves it so.
Are there any poor individuals whose conscience can testify, "Now the Lord knows that, despite my many weaknesses, He has instilled the awe and fear of His Word in my heart"? Your brethren, who hated you and cast you out for the sake of my name, will say, "Let the LORD be glorified." But He will appear to your joy, and they will be put to shame. Why does He speak of this comfort? Why does He say,
"Your brethren, who hated you and cast you out for the sake of my name, will say, 'Let the LORD be glorified'"? Among these people, there were some who had tender consciences and dared not do the things others did. Therefore, their brethren hated them and cast them out. And it was not only notorious wicked individuals, but they said, "Let the LORD be glorified." They claimed to desire God's glory just as much as you. Yet, they cast out their brethren. But the Lord would comfort those who were cast out, those who trembled at His
Word and refused to yield to the things others did.
Is it not the same today, my brethren? Some were willing to yield to anything to preserve their possessions and avoid trouble. But there were others who trembled at God's Word and would risk anything rather than go against the Word of God in any way. Now these individuals were thrown into prison, and the pretext was, "Let God be glorified." Now hear this: He will appear to your joy, and they will be put to shame. Oh, how this has been fulfilled.
Those proud individuals who were cruel in their oppression and cast out their brethren, yet the faithful ones gave up everything and
entrusted their cause to God. But in a short time, how God has appeared to our joy and their shame. The fulfillment of this scripture alone should make us cherish the Word of God. If our forefathers, who trembled at God's Word and endured much persecution, were alive to witness this fulfillment, it would be enough to astonish them and acknowledge God's goodness. They would exclaim, "The Word of the Lord is good, and the Lord is faithful to all His promises."
And whatever may be imposed upon you in the future, if anything is imposed upon you that the Word of God does not uphold, be cautious. One who trembles at God's Word dares not do anything that is not supported by God's Word. It will not be enough for you to say on the great Day of Jesus Christ, "Such and such great men did this and that, and they commanded me or persuaded me, so I followed their commands or examples." But someone who trembles at the Word of the Lord will not do so. Surely the Lord has individuals in this congregation who tremble at His Word. I can clearly see the serious intention you have towards the Word of the Lord that is being delivered. God looks upon those families and individuals in a parish who set such good examples, making it evident to others that their hearts are captivated by the authority of God's Word.
Whenever you come to hear, do not regard it as the word of men, but as the Word of God. Even if it seems harsh to you, know that it comes for your own good. And there is a reason you should do so. It is the Word from which you received your life, the immortal seed of the Word by which you were born again. I ask you, have you been born again or not? If you have been born again, it is the Word that has begotten you, and it is that Word which is the object of your faith for your souls and eternal state. Surely, it deserves your reverence.
Once again, the Word of God should be the foundation of all your prayers. Whenever you pray to God, if you do not base your prayers on the Word, it will be of little use. As David said, "Have mercy on me according to your Word." Furthermore, in times of affliction, the
Word should be your source of comfort. Therefore, it is crucial that you reverence it now.
Indeed, if your souls are to be saved, it will be through the Word.
Therefore, be cautious not to despise it. Oh, it will weigh heavily on your conscience, both on your sickbed and deathbed! Fear the Word of God now!
You may say, "We will fear the Word of God," but is everything a person says considered the Word of God? We know that individuals hold different opinions.
To that, I respond, when something is presented in God's name, do not dismiss it lightly. Instead, test and examine it. Suppose someone comes to you with the official seal; will you say, "I don't recognize it as the official seal, so I won't obey it"? Doing so may cost you your possessions or even something dear to you. Similarly, when something is presented in the name of God, do not dismiss it without consideration. Rather, examine it and test it against the Scriptures to determine if it aligns with the divine standard.
I knew a gentleman who, upon returning home from a sermon, said, "Well, if what this minister says is true, then we are in a bad situation." Woe to the person whose primary comfort relies on the false belief that what they hear from the Word is not actually the Word. That individual is in a wretched state, having no other foundation for their comfort. However, you may ask, "Should we accept everything that is taught?"
No, not without discernment. In the book of Acts, they were commended for examining whether what Paul delivered to them was true. It is indeed commendable for people to scrutinise whether what a minister imparts is truly the Word of God.
Yet, some of us are poor and ignorant individuals, you might say.