Spurgeon
“Abide in me.”
- John_15:4
Communion with Christ is a certain cure for every ill. Whether it
be the wormwood of woe, or the cloying surfeit of earthly delight,
close fellowship with the Lord Jesus will take bitterness from the
one, and satiety from the other. Live near to Jesus, Christian,
and it is a matter of secondary importance whether thou livest on
the mountain of honour or in the valley of humiliation. Living near
to Jesus, thou art covered with the wings of God, and underneath
thee are the everlasting arms. Let nothing keep thee from that hallowed
intercourse, which is the choice privilege of a soul wedded to THE
WELL-BELOVED. Be not content with an interview now and then, but
seek always to retain his company, for only in his presence hast
thou either comfort or safety. Jesus should not be unto us a friend
who calls upon us now and then, but one with whom we walk evermore.
Thou hast a difficult road before thee: see, O traveller to heaven,
that thou go not without thy guide. Thou hast to pass through the
fiery furnace; enter it not unless, like Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, thou hast the Son of God to be thy companion. Thou hast
to storm the Jericho of thine own corruptions: attempt not the warfare
until, like Joshua, thou hast seen the Captain of the Lord’s
host, with his sword drawn in his hand. Thou art to meet the Esau
of thy many temptations: meet him not until at Jabbok’s brook
thou hast laid hold upon the angel, and prevailed. In every case,
in every condition, thou wilt need Jesus; but most of all, when
the iron gates of death shall open to thee. Keep thou close to thy
soul’s Husband, lean thy head upon his bosom, ask to be refreshed
with the spiced wine of his pomegranate, and thou shalt be found
of him at the last, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.
Seeing thou hast lived with him, and lived in him here, thou shalt
abide with him for ever.
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The Lord
is saying
I am here
close by. I am watching. I know what will happen concerning
what you are going through and I am watching you, watching
to see a look of trust, a look of knowing that I will not
let you down. A look of love and gratitude, a childlike joy
in sharing with me the anticipation of what I am doing and
what I am going to do. It seems to you a mighty task but for
me it is nothing, nothing. Wait upon me child in wonder and
see what a mighty thing I will do in this 'impossible' situation.
Unshakeable
Confidence Part
2
Hebrew
12:18-29
Wherefore
we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have
grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence
and godly fear:
When all
is shaking around us, where should we find refuge?..... In
Hebrews it tell us of two mountains, Sinai and Zion. One represents
the Old Covenant law and speaks of terror, of fire and wrath.
The other, Mount Zion, signifies mercy and grace, the New
Testament Covenant of promise, and of the blood of Jesus that
speaks better things...... .
When all
is shaking around us we need to run to the mountain of grace
to find a firm foundation for our feet, not to the mountain
of law. For when we look within ourselves to see where we
have gone wrong, looking to see where we have missed it, its
always shaky ground, for we always fall short. When we put
ourselves under law again, we find no help there... only darkness,
gloom and fear..
However,
when we remind ourselves of our forgiveness, purchased by
the precious blood of Jesus, of our right standing with God,
of His grace and mercy... that is truly the place of help,
that is the solid ground that cannot be shaken for it is founded
on what Jesus did and not what we did. Thank God believer,
it doesn't depend on us but on him that cannot fail.
In this
grace, God will show us if there is anything we need to do,
anything we need to change how we are best to serve Him. He
will do it in the most wonderful way of a loving Father. For
He has promised.... He will finish the work He started in
you..
Hebrew
4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of
need.
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We're
justified - Song by Shirley Howitt
| email:
shirleyhowitt@houseofbread.net |
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