If I didn't believe that I was called to preach this gospel, then I'd find a man who was… lest I lose my soul. By the grace of God, I'd find somebody who spoke from God to my heart, and then I'd sit faithfully under his ministry. Or, I fear that I'd die in my sins. Healing ONLY comes by the gospel, and we're powerless unless we hear from God. Doubts, compromise, lusts of the flesh, and especially despair will swallow us up unless we hear from God. (Ps. 107:20) "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."
By the Word, God reveals His promises, whereby we're delivered from the consequences of our own rebellion. The Israelites rebelled against God and rejected the counsel of the Most High, therefore He sent plagues and death among them (Ps. 106). Yet, God held back His wrath on one occasion through the intercession of Moses. When Moses pleaded for the people, he pleaded God's covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, irrespective of the obedience of the people– "Remember thy servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; look not unto the stubbornness of this people, nor to their wickedness, nor to their sin (Deut. 9:27)." Remember, O God, that you promised salvation as something that you would give to the seed of Abraham, who spiritually speaking, is the Lord Jesus Christ and all the children of faith (Gal. 3:16, 29). Moses also pleaded God's own honor. Since God made the promise, God would be a failure if He didn't bring it to pass– "Lest the land whence thou broughtest us out say, Because the Lord was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them… (vs. 28)." But God cannot fail. God forbid that we cast our souls upon Jesus Christ–trusting Him alone for sanctification and justification–only for Him to fail to give us eternal life. O no, "Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure… (Rom. 4:15)." The Risen Christ, whose presence in glory shouts full redemption for His people, ever reminds God of the certainty of His covenant.
God, being mindful of His covenant, put Moses in remembrance. This is why Moses had power to pray. Likewise, you and I need continual remembrance of the freeness of grace, or we'll famish in this way. In Psalms 106, the psalmist has real sin that he compares to the rebellion of Israel; his petition for acceptance is found in God's free electing grace (vs. 43-47). (Ps. 106:4-5) "Remember me, O Lord, with the favor that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation; That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance." Without any doubt, a chosen people have been accepted through the blood of the covenant. The preaching of the gospel reveals that this acceptance is for you.
God's Word also heals by showing us where we've erred and pointing us to the right way. The Israelites were afflicted because of "their destructions". Like them, our abasement is for things that we've brought upon ourselves. What good would it be for a doctor to heal a man of lung cancer, but never instruct him away from cigarettes? Likewise, God teaches us wherein we've erred to ever draw us into His Way (Job 34:29-32). What is our constant lesson? God is determined that everyone He saves sincerely knows that salvation is by mercy and not by merit, according to the blood and sweat of Christ and not the strength of our will.
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