Fortitude in Affliction
221
Gather Every Promise
This is Jesus, the life of every grace, the life of every promise, the
life of every ordinance, the life of every blessing. Jesus is the substance,
the glory and fragrance, the very life itself. “He that followeth Me
shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (
John 8:12
).
Then the royal path cast up the ransomed to walk in is not discouraging
darkness. Our pilgrimage would indeed be lonely and painful were
it not for Jesus. “I will not,” He says, “leave you comfortless” (
John
14:18
). Then let us gather every registered promise. Let us repeat them
by day and meditate upon them in the night season, and be happy.
“And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise Thee: though
Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, and Thou
comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not
be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also
is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out
of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the
Lord, call upon His name, declare His doings among the people, make
mention that His name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord; for He hath
done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout,
thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst
of thee” (
Isaiah 12:1-6
).
Is not this indeed a royal path we are traveling, cast up for the
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ransomed of the Lord to walk in? Can there be provided a better path?
A safer way? No! No! Then let us practice the instruction given. Let
us see our Saviour as our refuge, as our shield on our right hand to
defend us from the arrows of Satan.
Temptations will assail, cares and darkness will oppress. When
heart and flesh are ready to fail, who throws around us His everlasting
arms? Who applies the precious promise? Who brings to our remem-
brance words of assurance and hope? Whose grace is given in rich
measure to those who ask it in sincerity and truth? Who is it imputes
to us His righteousness and saves us from sin? Whose light rolls back
the fog and mist and brings us into the sunshine of His presence? O
who but Jesus? Then love Him, then praise Him. “Rejoice in the Lord
alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (
Philippians 4:4
). Is Jesus today a liv-
ing Saviour? “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which
are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” (
Colossians