Nature is governed by what it sees-- it is governed by its senses. Faith is governed by the pure word of God (inestimable treasure in this dark world!). This gives stability, let outward appearances be what they may. When God spoke to Noah of judgement impending, there was no sign of it. It was "not yet seen;" but the word of God made it a present reality to the heart that was enabled to mix that word with faith. Faith does not wait to see a thing ere it believes, for "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

All that the man of faith needs is to know that God has spoken; this imparts perfect certainty to his soul. "Thus says the Lord" settles everything. A single line of sacred scripture is an abundant answer to all the reasonings and all the imaginations of the human mind; and when one has the word of God as the basis of his convictions, he may calmly stand against the full tide of human opinion and prejudice.

It was the word of God which sustained the heart of Noah during his long course of service; and the same word has sustained the millions of God's saints from that day to this in the face of the world's contradiction. Hence, we cannot set too high a value upon the word of God. Without it, all is dark uncertainty; with it, all is light and peace. Where it shines, it marks out for the man of God a sure and blessed path; where it shines not, one is left to wander amid the bewildering mazes of human tradition.

How could Noah have "preached righteousness" (2 Peter 2:5) for 120 years if he had not had the word of God as the ground of his preaching? How could he have withstood the scoffs and sneers of an infidel world? How could he have persevered in testifying of "judgment to come" when not a cloud appeared on the world's horizon? Impossible. The word of God was the ground on which he stood, and the Spirit of Christ enabled him to occupy, with holy decision, that elevated and immovable ground.

And now, my beloved Christian reader, what else have we wherewith to stand in service for Christ in an evil day like the present? Surely nothing; nor do we want aught else. The word of God, and the Holy Ghost by whom alone that word can be understood, applied, or used, are all we want to equip us perfectly-- to furnish us thoroughly "to all good works," under whatever head those works may range themselves (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

What rest for the heart! What relief from all Satan's imagery and man's imaginations! God's pure, incorruptible, eternal word May our hearts adore Him for the inestimable treasure. Every imagination of the thoughts of man's heart was only evil continually; but God's word was the simple resting-place of Noah's heart.