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Higher Experience
369
wounded for their transgressions, bruised for their iniquities. The
chastisement of their peace was upon Him, and with His stripes they
were healed. He heard the shout of the redeemed. He heard the
ransomed ones singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Although
the baptism of blood must first be received, although the sins of the
world were to weigh upon His innocent soul, although the shadow
of an unspeakable woe was upon Him; yet for the joy that was set
before Him He chose to endure the cross and despised the shame.
This joy all His followers are to share. However great and glori-
ous hereafter, our reward is not all to be reserved for the time of final
deliverance. Even here we are by faith to enter into the Saviour’s
joy. Like Moses, we are to endure as seeing the Invisible.
Now the church is militant. Now we are confronted with a world
in darkness, almost wholly given over to idolatry.
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The Joy of the Lord
There were ninety and nine that safely lay
In the shelter of the fold
But one was out on the hills away,
Far, far from the gates of gold—
Away on the mountains wild and bare,
Away from the tender Shepherd’s care.
“Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine;
Are they not enough for Thee?”
But the Shepherd made answer: “One of Mine
Has wandered away from Me,
And although the road be rough and steep,
I go to the desert to find My sheep.”
But none of the ransomed ever knew
How deep were the waters crossed,
Nor how dark was the night that the Lord passed
through
Ere He found His sheep that was lost.
Far out in the desert He heard its cry—
Fainting and helpless, and ready to die.