Millpond Ink Musing, 2015 – Sanctified Trembling

Jeremiah Burroughs in his sermon, ‘What True Sanctified Trembling Is,’ wrote, “Some, perhaps, in time of sickness may tremble at God’s word, aye, but if they have health, then they are quiet. In afflictions they tremble, but in prosperity they are quiet. But the heart, that is struck with the fear that God intends to bring it to good, will never be quiet with anything but reconciliation with God.”

As to that reconciliation, it is first and forever acquired by the blood of Christ leading to regeneration and justification. Following that, it is retained by the washing by water daily through our confession and cleansing of sin so that we may enter into the Father’s presence with boldness and confidence. Without such confidence, where are we? As for the presence of such trembling and the reconciliation of which Jeremiah Burroughs wrote, I would liken it to the reaction one should have after tasting the sweetest wine and eating of the choicest meat and finding yourself sitting before a glass of vinegar and a plate of vermin. Would you not tremble at the prospect of eating such dung; even as the prodigal ate, when you can sit at the table with your heavenly Father? This is the expected response and trembling of a godly man, who finds himself harboring any sin. There is no safe harbor in sin. It only returns us to dine at the world’s table.