KenH
Well-Known Member
"Unto you who fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings." Malachi 4:2
Oh, what a mercy it is for the Church of Christ, that the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ has not left her, as he might justly have done so, to perish in her sins. What a mercy it is that he has provided for her a Savior, and a great one, and does from time to time encourage every poor, self-condemned sinner to hope in his mercy!
The very things, poor exercised soul, that most try your mind, are the very things that make such a Savior suitable to you. You are dark; this makes the Sun of righteousness exactly suitable to enlighten you. You are cold; this makes you need the Sun to warm you. You are cheerless and cast down; this makes you need the Sun to gladden you. You are barren and unfruitful, and lament that you cannot bring forth fruit to God's glory; you need the Sun to fertilize you. You are, at times, very dead in your feelings, and can scarcely find any inclination to pray, meditate, or read the Scriptures; you need the Sun to enliven and revive you.
Are not, then, these very trials and temptations necessary to make you feel that the Lord Jesus is the Sun you need, the very Sun that made David sing unto him? (Psalm 84:11).
What value do those put upon the Lord Jesus who make a fire for themselves, and walk in the sparks of their own kindling? (Isaiah 50:11). What is Jesus to those who know no trouble of soul? What real and earnest prayer do such offer, or what fervent desire do they have after him? What ardent longing do they feel for his appearing, and what breathings do they experience to see and feel his blood and righteousness? Oh, it is sharp exercises, manifold trials, and powerful temptations that make the soul really value the Lord Jesus.
- J.C. Philpot, Through Baca's Vale, September 2
Oh, what a mercy it is for the Church of Christ, that the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ has not left her, as he might justly have done so, to perish in her sins. What a mercy it is that he has provided for her a Savior, and a great one, and does from time to time encourage every poor, self-condemned sinner to hope in his mercy!
The very things, poor exercised soul, that most try your mind, are the very things that make such a Savior suitable to you. You are dark; this makes the Sun of righteousness exactly suitable to enlighten you. You are cold; this makes you need the Sun to warm you. You are cheerless and cast down; this makes you need the Sun to gladden you. You are barren and unfruitful, and lament that you cannot bring forth fruit to God's glory; you need the Sun to fertilize you. You are, at times, very dead in your feelings, and can scarcely find any inclination to pray, meditate, or read the Scriptures; you need the Sun to enliven and revive you.
Are not, then, these very trials and temptations necessary to make you feel that the Lord Jesus is the Sun you need, the very Sun that made David sing unto him? (Psalm 84:11).
What value do those put upon the Lord Jesus who make a fire for themselves, and walk in the sparks of their own kindling? (Isaiah 50:11). What is Jesus to those who know no trouble of soul? What real and earnest prayer do such offer, or what fervent desire do they have after him? What ardent longing do they feel for his appearing, and what breathings do they experience to see and feel his blood and righteousness? Oh, it is sharp exercises, manifold trials, and powerful temptations that make the soul really value the Lord Jesus.
- J.C. Philpot, Through Baca's Vale, September 2