"He is Faithful that Promised."
"A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not
quench."--MATT. xii. 20.
Strength in the Weak.
Will Jesus accept such a heart as mine?--this erring, treacherous,
traitor heart? The past! how many forgotten vows--broken
covenants--prayerless days! How often have I made new resolutions, and
as often has the reed succumbed to the first blast of temptation, and
the burning flax been well-nigh quenched by guilty omissions and
guiltier commissions! Oh! my soul! thou art low indeed,--the things that
remain seem "ready to die." But thy Saviour-God will not give thee "over
unto death." The reed is bruised; but He will not pluck it up by the
roots. The flax is reduced to a smoking ember; but He will fan the
decaying flame. Why wound thy loving Saviour's heart by these repeated
declensions? He will not--_cannot_ give thee up. Go, mourn thy weakness
and unbelief. Cry unto the Strong for strength. Weary and faint one!
thou hast an Omnipotent arm to lean on. "_He_ fainteth not, neither is
weary!" Listen to His own gracious assurance: "Fear not, for I am with
thee. Be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will _strengthen_ thee; yea,
I will help thee with the right hand of my righteousness!" Leaving all
thy false props and refuges, be this thy resolve: "In the Lord put I my
trust: why say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?"
"REMEMBER _THIS_ WORD UNTO THY SERVANT, UPON
WHICH THOU HAST CAUSED ME TO HOPE!"