God's Promises by Spurgeon

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 15, 1883

God's Promises.

By Spurgeon

Some people say, "Oh, we know we are saved, because we are so happy." It is by no means a sure evidence, for joy may be carnal, unfounded, unspiritual. Certain Christians are afraid that they cannot be in a saved state because they are not joyous, but we are saved by faith and not by joy. I was struck with the remark of Ebenezer Erskine when he was dying, and some one said to him: "I hope you have now and then a blink to bear up your spirit under affliction." He promptly replied, "I know more of words than of blinks;" that is to say, he had rather trust a promise of God than his own glimpses of Heaven; and so would I. The word of God is a more sure testimony to the soul than all the raptures a man can feel. I would sooner walk in the dark, and hold to a promise of my God, than trust in the light of the brightest day that ever dawned. Precious as the fruit is, do not put the fruit where the root should be. Please to recollect that. Joy is not the root of grace in the soul; it is the fruit, and must not be put out of its proper position.—Spurgeon.