Isaiah 46:13

REFLECTIONS

READER! I find it good to see the Lord's hand, in every word of the Lord's scripture. While in this chapter we trace the gracious purposes of God to his people, in setting forth the folly and weakness, as well as the wickedness of idolatry, we discover also his grace, and mercy, and love. Oh! how condescending is the Lord, in thus appealing, for the testimonies of his own truth and faithfulness, to the plainest evidences around them.

While this short, but interesting chapter, makes a general appeal to the Church at large, how blessedly doth it more immediately address the ancient believer! Methinks I would have our aged fathers in the Church very frequently peruse this precious portion, by way of forming one of their songs in the house of their pilgrimage: and as they read the gracious promises of a gracious God in Christ, compare what the Lord saith with their own experiences; until, like Joshua's appeal to Israel, they can, and do say, Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord their God hath here spoken concerning them; but all are come to pass as it is this day.

My venerable father! (if peradventure these lines should fall under The eye of one of God's ancient believers) think, I beseech you, what a rich volume of promises is here brought into one view, for you; and how sure, if you know God's Christ, the whole is yea and amen in Jesus. He that first called you from the womb of his grace, hath borne you to the present hour; and amidst all your growing infirmities, Jesus is your Jesus still. Friends may forsake you; your dearest and nearest relations you may be a burden to; yea, you may be a burden to yourself; but hear what Jesus saith, Even to your old age I am He; and even to hoary hairs will I carry you. The same that Jesus was when he called you, the same is he now to you, and for you; and the same will he be forever. Oh! the preciousness, amidst all the changes in us, and by us, to live upon an unchangeable God in Christ! May the Lord give grace and faith in lively exercise to every believer, to give God the credit of God, and to gather up the feet in the bed of death, as good old Jacob did when dying, that he may cry out, with him, I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord!