Job 39:30

REFLECTIONS

READER, let you and I, in the perusal of this chapter of GOD'S tender mercies over all his works, draw the same conclusion from the review of so much love, as the Apostle did on another occasion, and say, Doth GOD take care for oxen, or saith he it altogether for our sakes? Doth GOD so clothe the grass of the field (saith our adorable Redeemer when admonishing his people to cast all their care upon GOD, who careth for them) which today is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven? Precious LORD; in the view of such things let our souls be firmly, fully, faithfully established in the unalterable assurance, that in JESUS all our interests are secured; all our concerns are everlastingly provided for. What is there that a believer in JESUS should be anxious about? Hath he not CHRIST for his portion; and can he fail when anchored here? Can he miscarry when JESUS himself hath said, Because I live, ye shell live also? Reader, oh for faith, in lively exercise to hang upon a Covenant GOD in CHRIST, when the outward circumstances of visible comforts seemed dying; for this is the very moment for the exercise. Had Job uniformly done this, and when the streams failed, in sensible comforts, had he removed to the fountain head, he would have found a Covenant GOD in CHRIST, whom he knew, and had professed to be his kinsman-Redeemer, sufficient to have borne him all the way through. Reader, let you and I derive this sweet and blessed conclusion from what the LORD hath so conclusively set forth in this chapter. He that caters for the birds of the air; He that affords suited strength to the wild goats of the rock in bringing forth; that provides against the silly unconcern of the ostrich, and the unthinking horse in the battle; He will never be less provident to his own children, that call upon him. They are the gift of his love to his dear Son! they are the purchase of his Son's blood! they are the objects of his grace, and brought under the quickening influence, and divine teaching, of his blessed SPIRIT; and therefore he will arrange and direct all things for his glory and their welfare. They are brought within a wise appointed covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: they are under his own wise providence; they are encompassed with exceeding great and precious promises; and, to crown all, GOD is a faithful GOD, and a sure Covenant GOD in CHRIST. Hence be gone, I would say, all doubts, all fears, all misgivings. Let nothing so unbecoming in me, and so dishonorable to my GOD, for a moment arise in my mind. Let creatures die; let all my substance, like Job's, be wasted; if my GOD sees it fit, it must be wise, it must be right. JESUS lives, and that's enough. Oh! how sweet his words: 'Amos I not better to thee than ten sons?' Yes, precious LORD! thou art indeed in the place of millions of creature-joys; for millions without thee would be nothing; and having thee, I have all things: my joy here, and my portion forever.