Morning
Time: 7:15 AM PST
"I have exalted one chosen out of the people." --Psalm 89:19
Why was Christ chosen out of the people? Speak, my heart, for heart-thoughts
are best. Was it not that He might be able to be our brother, in the blest tie
of kindred blood? Oh, what relationship there is between Christ and the
believer! The believer can say, "I have a Brother in heaven; I may be poor, but
I have a Brother who is rich, and is a King, and will He suffer me to want while
He is on His throne? Oh, no! He loves me; He is my Brother." Believer, wear this
blessed thought, like a necklace of diamonds, around the neck of thy memory; put
it, as a golden ring, on the finger of recollection, and use it as the King's
own seal, stamping the petitions of thy faith with confidence of success. He is
a brother born for adversity, treat Him as such.
Christ was also chosen out of the people that He might know our wants and
sympathize with us. "He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without
sin." In all our sorrows we have His sympathy. Temptation, pain, disappointment,
weakness, weariness, poverty--He knows them all, for He has felt all. Remember
this, Christian, and let it comfort thee. However difficult and painful thy
road, it is marked by the footsteps of thy Saviour; and even when thou reachest
the dark valley of the shadow of death, and the deep waters of the swelling
Jordan, thou wilt find His footprints there. In all places whithersoever we go,
He has been our forerunner; each burden we have to carry, has once been laid on
the shoulders of Immanuel.
"His way was much rougher and darker than mine
Did Christ, my Lord, suffer, and shall I repine?"
Take courage! Royal feet have left a blood-red track upon the road,
and consecrated the thorny path for ever.