Isaiah 4:6

REFLECTIONS

BLESSED Jesus! how can I read the first verse of this chapter, without instantly having my mind directed unto thee, as the husband of thy church and people? Thou hast indeed taken away our reproach, in having called us by thy name, and granted us grace to call him our Lord. But, dearest Lord! I cannot say as the Jewish worshipper, I will eat my own bread, and wear my own apparel. No, thou rich and bountiful bridegroom; I am in poverty and wretchedness too deep to do that. Thou art to me both the bread of life, and the garment of salvation; and therefore, Lord, both feed me and clothe me, and be to me all I need; for thou art good and gracious to all that call upon thee. And surely, Lord, in this day of gospel-grace, thou, blessed Branch, wilt be most beautiful and glorious in every eye, both of thy Father and thy people; and all that are engrafted in thee, and upon thee, will bring forth fruit, that shall be excellent and comely.

And oh! ye saints of my God! hail everyone of you who are the written among the living in Jerusalem. Ye shall be called holy, in the holiness of Jesus. And he that hath provided, and opened a fountain for all cleansing, will wash away all filth from the daughters of Zion. Yea, by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning, will God the Holy Ghost accomplish it, and manifest thereby, that it is not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord.

Lord, do as thou hast said: Create upon families, and houses, and churches, and people of thy redeemed, both glory and defense. Yea, blessed Jesus! be thou thyself our glory and our defense, the Holy One of Israel in the midst of us. For then shall we be in grace here, and glory hereafter, the redeemed of the Lord, who dwell safely!