SOME OF OUR readers know what a microscope is. It is an instrument used to examine the tiniest of things which are not visible to the natural eye, or so very small that they cannot be described. By means of this instrument, the image of very tiny things is so enlarged that we can see them in all their detail. I will use the microscope as an illustration of the Word of God, which is so powerful in its action and so searching in its discovery, that very many things which appear small, indeed, in man’s estimation, are shown to be very different in the sight of God.
The Bible, when it is used by the “eye of faith” to examine things unseen by natural sight, makes them appear actually as they are in the sight of God. Take, for instance, a drop of water. Hold it on the tip of your finger: You see nothing in it; it looks clear as crystal. But put it under the microscope, and lo, it is full of living things! The microscope does not put them there, it only shows they are there.
Here is something called SIN. It may seem very small, and so common, that most people don’t think much about it; but bring the Word of God to throw Its light on it: what then? “God saw that the wickedness of man was great” (Gen. 6:55And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5)). “This people have sinned a great sin.” Ex. 32:3131And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. (Exodus 32:31). When a sinner sees his sin as God sees it, he cries out, “Pardon mine iniquity, for it is great.” Psa. 25:1111For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. (Psalm 25:11).
But, if we put the microscope of God’s word on THE HEART, what do we see? People talk of being “good-hearted” and such like, but when God’s microscope is put on it, we read it is “deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” Jet 17:9; “only evil,” Gen. 6:55And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5); “full of evil,” Eccl. 9:33This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. (Ecclesiastes 9:3).
If we change the object and take a tiny flower, God’s own beautiful handiwork, it is pretty as it grows; but under the lens, each petal is seen to be perfect, each leaf a wonder. So is Christ as set forth in His work and in the Word. The closer you examine the wonders of Redemption, the more perfect they appear.
Rest in the Lord
Psalm 37, 7
Oh, the peace my Saviour gives—
Peace I never knew before;
And my way has brighter grown
Since I’ve learned to trust Him more.
ML-01/25/1970