Wait upon the LORD's Leisure and Be Strong

"I will put a division between My people and thy people: to-morrow shall this sign be." -Exodus 8:23 [KJV]

Thus speaks the sovereign Jehovah to the haughty, stubborn monarch Pharaoh. Loving children delight to treasure up in their memories the words of an affectionate father: they love to reflect on them, and draw comfort from them. O that we may do so to-night, by this speech of our heavenly Father! Consider, 

(1st.) here is a people distinguished from a people. The Lord has a people among a people, chosen out of a people. These He particularly calls His own—My people. They are so, by everlasting love, eternal choice, and covenant grace. 

(2d.) Though near and dear as they are to the Lord, yet they may for a season continue under the power of, and suffer oppression from their enemies. Though the love of the Lord’s heart is ever set upon you, and the eye of His providence is ever over you, yet He may seem to leave you. O! tarry the Lord’s leisure, and be strong. Though deliverance stay, yet wait for it: the Lord will surely appear. For, 

(3d.) the Lord puts a division between His people and others. He separates them by His power; calls them by His grace; and, according to His rich mercy, divides them from the wicked: or, as it is in the margin, puts a redemption between them. O, believer, there is not a plague which you deserve, and others suffer, but the redemption of Jesus stands between, has averted from you, and therefore can never fall upon you. Precious indeed, beyond conception of expression, is this redemption! It shall be manifest so to be; for, 

(4th.) there is a set-time for it. To-morrow shall this sign be. Ah, soul! to-day thou seest the wicked in great prosperity—not burdened with sin, harassed with temptation, and bowed down with sorrow as thou art. Do not envy, but pity them. Remember thy Lord’s words, to-morrow, and His sign. St. Paul gives it you, “In nothing be terrified by your adversaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God” (Philippians 1:28.) 

O, study this precious text: there is much instruction in it. Have you adversaries for Christ’s sake? It is now evident, they are in a state of perdition; but you of salvation. The Lord is at hand. O love, look, and long for His appearing. Rejoice in His cross, which is the sign of your salvation: by that you shall overcome. “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galations 6:14.) And see, that, while you glory in the cross, you likewise strive to adorn the doctrine of God your Saviour, in all things, see Titus 2:10. 

 

To-day the wicked, great and strong, 

Hector the saints of God: 

To-morrow God will change their song 

In hell, their dark abode. 

Cheer up my soul! 

Be not dismay’d; 

Christ thy redemption is: 

His sov’reign pow’r, His saving aid 

Shall lead thy soul to bliss.

 

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)