Thirty-one Meditations on Christ

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their Bibles, from an idea that it was unsuitable and unbecoming in the Son of God to weep. But we have cause to bless the over-ruling providence of God that, though they struck it out from their Bibles, they did it not from ours. It is blessed to us to have it preserved, for it affords <strong>one</strong> of the most satisfying views we can possibly have of the affectionate heart of Jesus in feeling for the sorrows of His people. And, methinks, had they judged aright, they would have thought that if it were unsuitable or unbecoming in Jesus to weep, it would have been more so to put on the appearance of it. And why those groans at the grave of Lazarus, if tears were improper? Precious Lord! How refreshing to my soul is the consideration that, forasmuch as the children were partakers of flesh and blood, You likewise partook of the same; for in all things it behooved 65 You to be made like to Your brethren (Heb 2:14, 17)! Hence, 66 when my poor heart is afflicted, when Satan storms or the world frowns, when sickness in myself or when under bereaving providences for my friends, all Your waves and storms seem to go over me, oh, what relief is it to know that Jesus looks on and sympathizes! Then do I say to myself: Will not Jesus, Who wept at the grave of Lazarus, feel for me? Shall I look up to Him and look up in vain? Did Jesus, when upon earth, know what those exercises were? Was His precious soul made sensible of distresses even to tears; and will He be [so] regardless of what I feel and the sorrows under which I groan? Oh, no! The sigh that bursts in secret from my heart is not secret to Him; the tear that on my night couch drops unperceived and unknown to the world, is known and numbered by Him. Though now exalted at the right hand of Power, where He has wiped away all tears from off all faces, yet He Himself still retains the feelings and the character of the “man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isa 53:3). Help me, Lord, thus to look up to You, and thus to remember You! Oh, that blessed Scripture: “In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them and carried them all the days of old” (Isa 63:9). 65 behooved – was necessary for. 66 hence – from this reason. 33
28 “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” —Zephaniah 3:17 My soul, look at this Old Testament promise through the medium 67 of the New Testament dispensation, 68 and behold what a cluster of rich blessings it contains— and which, like all the other promises of the Bible, is yea and amen in Christ Jesus (2Co 1:20)! Observe how it opens. “The LORD thy God,” that is, Jehovah in His threefold character of person, in rich covenant engagements, 69 is “in the midst of thee.” He has set up His thr<strong>one</strong> in Zion and lives, reigns, and governs in the hearts of His redeemed. So said Jesus, and so that dear Lord explained it in after ages: “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (Joh 14:23). “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth” (Joh 14:16-17). Mark these blessed, precious truths, my soul—in the most lively characters—on your heart; and hence learn that the Lord your God, in covenant engagements, dwells in the midst of His people and in their hearts—[so] that, like the sun at midday in the center of the heavens, He may enlighten, warm, refresh, and give forth all His blessings to bless you. Next, mark what the prophet says of this covenant Lord God, Who is in the midst of His Church and people: “He is mighty!” Shout aloud at this, my soul; for if He be mighty, then He will support your weakness and subdue your foes. What can bear down or destroy the soul whom this mighty God upholds? What shall arise to distress a child of God, as long as God is almighty? And if He has engaged to be for you, who can dare to be against you (Rom 8:31)? Sweet consideration! What signifies my weakness while Christ is strong?—yea, His strength will be made perfect in my weakness (2Co 12:9). Go on farther, my soul, in looking over the many blessed things spoken of in this verse. “He will save.” Yea, He has saved, does save, and will save! And this is the very cause, the angel said, for which His name should be called Jesus: for “he shall save 67 medium – means by which anything is conveyed. 68 dispensation – age; period of time. 69 engagements – obligations by agreement or contract. 34
Page 1 and 2: Thirty-one
Page 3 and 4: 23. “Thy name is as ointment pour
Page 5 and 6: vine things to the heirs of salvati
Page 7 and 8: y and with Jesus? Yea, did not Jesu
Page 9 and 10: 5 “I sat down under his shadow wi
Page 11 and 12: I praise You, my God and King, this
Page 13 and 14: His. Hence, 18 therefore, let your
Page 15 and 16: same assurance of faith, cause me t
Page 17 and 18: 12 “And his name shall be called
Page 19 and 20: me as shall best conduce 28 to this
Page 21 and 22: e now to weep, since all the ruins
Page 23 and 24: 17 “Whom having not seen, ye love
Page 25 and 26: with this man?” my whole soul wou
Page 27 and 28: fall into it, so the more forcible
Page 29 and 30: that all comfort is only in Jesus.
Page 31 and 32: Jesus looked on you, loved you, cal
Page 33: dawn, and the day star” to enligh
Page 37 and 38: Well may you then eat of the bread
Page 39: My soul, ponder these things. Has t

Thirty-one Meditations on Christ

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