| Devotional Hours with the Bible |
Chapter 24 |
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Think of some definite ways in which we may learn that the things of Christian faith and hope are true, and how we have them become more real to us.
First, by experience. In one of Psalms we read, “They that know thy name will put their trust in thee” (9:10.) It is sometimes said of a man that none know him but to love him. They who truly know God love Him and trust Him. We have to learn by experience to love our human friends. One was telling how he found a particular friend. He had heard much about him. His neighbors spoke well of him, praised him — his unselfishness, his kindness, his sincerity, his helpfulness, his readiness to give time and thought and money in assisting others. But this man never had met him. Some months since circumstances led him to seek his kindly interest. Then he found that all the good he had heard about him was true, and that the half had not been told. Now he believes in him.
In the same way we can only learn to know God. We read in the Bible of His goodness, His justice, His truth, His kindness, His faithfulness. But we must come into personal relations with Him before we can surely know that these qualities are really in Him. When Philip said to Nathanael, “I have found the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth” (see 1:45, 46), Nathanael sneered at the suggestion that the Messiah could come from so lowly a place as Nazareth. Philip did not argue. He said only, “Come and see.” He knew that if His friend would only meet Jesus he would believe. If we can only get people to come to see Jesus, to get to know Him, to experience His love, they will soon believe in Him and follow Him.
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