Ah, Christian, why is thy heart sad and thy brow clouded? Hast thou
been gazing down into the depths of thine own soul, and--art thou
startled at what thou hast there seen? Hast thou met with evil
thoughts which thou wouldst gladly never have harbored, and art thou
despairing because of thy short-comings and unworthiness? Art thou
looking to the future with dread, and trembling lest in the hour of
trial and temptation thou wilt fall?
Turn away thine eyes from the pollution of thine own sinful heart, and
gaze upon One who has become a perfect sin-offering for thee. True,
thou art frail and unworthy, but the Lamb that was slain _is worthy_,
and his perfection is enough for thee; his righteousness alone
recommends thee to the Father. Dost thou trust in him with all thy
heart? Dost thou hope for eternal life because he died? Then thou
art safe. "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath thee are the
everlasting arms." The storms may howl, and tempests may gather around
thee; the billows may rage, but they only lash the Rock upon which
thou standest. "Though the earth be removed, and the mountains be cast
into the midst of the sea;" yet thou art safe, for he who made the
heavens and the earth is thy Father. He who commandeth the sun, and it
riseth not, and sealeth up the stars; "who alone spreadeth out the
heavens and treadeth upon the waves of the sea," is thy nearest and
dearest friend. The same voice which said, "Let there be light, and
there was light;" which commanded the raging waters, "Hitherto shalt
thou come, but no farther: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed,"
is still whispering in thine ear, "Fear thee not, for I am with thee;
be not dismayed, for I am thy God." Yes, thou art safe! thou art
trusting in the mighty One of Israel, and thou shalt never be
confounded.
Thou hast been looking away into the regions of the blessed; thou hast
beheld with an eye of faith the things which God has prepared for
those that love him, and amid the ineffable glory of that beautiful
world thou hast heard the voices of the redeemed from the earth,
saying: "Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto
the Lamb," until thou hast longed to join with them in the song of
redemption, singing praises forever and ever to him who has ransomed
thee with his own precious blood. Then a cloud has gathered over thee,
thy sinfulness has risen like a mountain, and thou hast sighed in thy
spirit, "Oh, that I were sure of a part with them; oh, that I was safe
as they!" and thou art as safe this moment with thy feet upon the Rock
of Ages, as if thou didst walk the golden streets of the New
Jerusalem, or bow with the angelic hosts around the dazzling throne of
thy Creator. Thou art safe, for thy "life is hid with Christ in God";
and could'st thou ask for a surer hiding-place! Thou hast entered into
an everlasting covenant with the King of kings, and while thou dost
cling to his side shall it ever be broken? Thou hast entrusted thy
soul into his hands, and is he not able to "keep that which thou hast
committed unto him?" Thine enemies are many and powerful, but what are
they compared to the living God? In the hour of temptation "he will
never leave thee nor forsake thee"; when thy foes surround thee on
every side, and the darkness of midnight gathers over thy soul, the
Almighty arm shall lift up a standard, and thou shalt safely repose
"under the shadow of his wings." "The Lord is thy rock, and thy
fortress, and thy deliverer." "The Lord is thy light and thy
salvation; whom shalt thou fear? The Lord is the strength of thy life,
of whom shalt thou be afraid?"
Then look up, Christian! 'tis no time for desponding. The glittering
spires of the Eternal City are already heaving in sight; perchance
another storm, another beating against the fragile bark, and thou art
there! Already the music of that glorious land steals softly over the
roaring billows, and reminds thee thou art nearing the peaceful shore.
Already the dark cloud which gathers above thy head is tinged with the
beams of immortal glory, and away in the distance thou canst behold
the first faint glimmerings of the Morning Star. Joy for thee, O
wanderer! the shadows of the night are passing away, and the unclouded
morning comes on apace!
Yes, thou art safe! lift up thine eyes,
And calm thy anxious fears;
The Sun of glory gilds the skies,
And Christ thy life appears.