Contents

« Prev Truth Speaks Inwardly Without the Sound of Words Next »

The Second Chapter

Truth Speaks Inwardly Without the Sound of Words

 

The Disciple

SPEAK, Lord, for Thy servant heareth.”2626    1 Kings 3:9. “I am Thy servant. Give me understanding that I may know Thine ordinances2727    Ps. 119:125. . . . Incline my heart to Thine ordinances2828    Ps. 119:36. . . . Let Thy speech distil as the dew.”2929    Deut. 32:2.

85 The children of Israel once said to Moses: “Speak thou to us and we will hear thee: let not the Lord speak to us, lest we die.”3030    Exod. 20:19.

Not so, Lord, not so do I pray. Rather with Samuel the prophet I entreat humbly and earnestly: “Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth.” Do not let Moses or any of the prophets speak to me; but You speak, O Lord God, Who inspired and enlightened all the prophets; for You alone, without them, can instruct me perfectly, whereas they, without You, can do nothing. They, indeed, utter fine words, but they cannot impart the spirit. They do indeed speak beautifully, but if You remain silent they cannot inflame the heart. They deliver the message; You lay bare the sense. They place before us mysteries, but You unlock their meaning. They proclaim commandments; You help us to keep them. They point out the way; You give strength for the journey. They work only outwardly; You instruct and enlighten our hearts. They water on the outside; You give the increase.

They cry out words; You give understanding to the hearer.

Let not Moses speak to me, therefore, but You, the Lord my God, everlasting truth, speak lest I die and prove barren if I am merely given outward advice and am not inflamed within; lest the word heard and not kept, known and not loved, 86 believed and not obeyed, rise up in judgment against me.

Speak, therefore, Lord, for Your servant listens. “Thou hast the words of eternal life.”3131    John 6:68. Speak to me for the comfort of my soul and for the amendment of my life, for Your praise, Your glory, and Your everlasting honor.

 

 


« Prev Truth Speaks Inwardly Without the Sound of Words Next »
VIEWNAME is workSection