Thinking, praying, reading, studying the Bible – when we do these things, we are reflecting on the Word of God. To reflect is to contemplate and/or consider, and God wants us to deeply reflect on His Word so that we can better understand Him.

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22).

Faith, let us remember, is the root, and assurance is the flower. Doubtless you can never have the flower without the root; but it is no less certain you may have the root and not the flower. Faith is that poor trembling woman who came behind Jesus in the press, and touched the hem of His garment; Assurance is Stephen standing calmly in the midst of his murderers, and saying, “I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” Faith is the penitent thief, crying, “Lord, remember me;” Assurance is Job sitting in the dust, covered with sores, and saying, “I know that my Redeemer liveth”; “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” Faith is Peter’s drowning cry, as he began to sink, “Lord, save me!” Assurance is that same Peter declaring before the council, in after-times, “This is the stone which was set at naught by you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” Faith is the anxious, trembling voice, “Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief;” Assurance is the confident challenge, “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? Who is he that condemneth?” Faith is Saul praying in the house of Judas at Damascus, sorrowful, blind, and alone; Assurance is Paul, the aged prisoner, looking calmly into the grave, and saying, “I know whom I have believed. There is a crown laid up for me.” Faith is life. How great the blessing! Who can tell the gulf between life and death? And yet life may be weak, sickly, unhealthy, painful, trying, anxious, worn, burdensome, joyless, smileless to the very end. Assurance is more than life. It is health, strength, power, vigor, activity, energy, manliness, beauty.
~ J. C. RYLE

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.