220 The Spiritual Man
through the Holy Spirit, the soul no longer is able to be anxious
about itself. While self-consciousness is the soul’s prime expression,
yet believers actually lose their self in God; hence they can trust God
utterly. Every work of the soul, including self-love, self-seeking and
self-pride, have been so eliminated that believers are no longer self-
centered.
Because the cross has done its task we do not busily plan any
more for ourselves. Instead of suffering anxiety we can restfully seek
God’s kingdom and righteousness. We know if we care for God’s
cares that God will take care of our cares. Once we wondered at
miracles, now we live by the God of miracles and know in
experience how God provides every need. This all flows naturally
since God’s power is backing us. The cares of this life emerge as
very small items indeed along our daily path.
“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will do right
and entrust their souls to a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4.19). Many
people know God as the Creator but not as Father; believers, though,
should experience Him not only as Father but also as Creator. As the
latter God reveals to us His power. By this we will understand and
acknowledge that the whole universe is in fact in His hand. Formerly
it was hard for us to believe the idea that things in the world could
not move against His will; but now we know that every element in
the universe—be it human, natural, or supernatural—is under His
careful scrutiny and clever ordering. We now acknowledge that all
things come to us either through His order or by His permission. A
soul governed by the Holy Spirit is a trusting one.
Our soul ought to desire the Lord as well as to trust Him. “My
soul clings to thee” (Ps. 63.8). No more do we dare be independent
of God nor do we dare serve the Lord according to the idea of the
soul. Rather, we today follow Him with fear and trembling and trail
after Him closely. Our soul genuinely clings to the Lord. No more is
there independent action, but instead a full surrender to Him. And