Isaiah 10:34

REFLECTIONS

READER! hath it ever struck you, when at anytime perusing the judgments of God upon a guilty land, as set forth in this chapter, how awful the state of those must be, whom the Lord appoints for the correction of his people? Like the Assyrian here spoken of, all of this description are only commissioned to correct, not to destroy. They are by the Lord's bridle in their jaws, but the kindliest ministers for good and not evil. And had the children of God but light enough during the dark hour, to see the limits of their chain, how different would be their views of God's people, and of the divine love in sending them. Howbeit, they mean not so, neither do their hearts think so, for their wish is to destroy: but Jesus appoints, overlooks, regulates, restrains, and brings about his blessed purposes, in all. How sweet the thought!

My soul! bless thy Lord for this most precious scripture! The remnant of Israel is still on the earth. It is in the midst of many people, as a dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass! See to it, my soul, that thou hast the gracious marks here set down: They stay no more upon him that smote them. They look not for salvation from an arm of flesh. Thy false confidences, and false supports have too often, my soul, like the reeds of Egypt, pierced thee through with many sorrows. Surely thou art looking no more to the works of thine hands, not saying to them, Ye are my god; for in Jesus alone the fatherless findeth mercy! See to it, that thou art now finally, fully, and completely returned, among the remnant of Jacob, unto Jacob's mighty God, and staying thyself in truth upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. Oh! for grace to call heaven and earth to witness, that He, and He only is Jehovah's Christ, is thy Christ; and the Father's chosen, thy chosen: so shalt thou never be confounded nor ashamed, world without end.