LOOK TO THE ADORABLE JESUS IN THE MIDST OF STORMS

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities." —Romans 8:26 [KJV]

How reviving to the soul! how encouraging to the mind of a disciple, is it to hear the experience of his brethren and companions in the faith of Jesus! To this end the blessed Spirit hath caused the saints of old to leave on record His dealings of love with their souls. Thus is the word of God most valuable for our instruction, edification, and comfort. Let no poor follower of the Lamb think he is singular in feeling an insupportable pressure of infirmities. No; the children of God in all ages knew and felt the same. 

Whether prophets or apostles, none were perfectly free from inward distresses, temptations, fears, dejections, etc. All which arise from our still possessing a fallen nature, which subjects us to these sensations and feelings. They are our burdens. We cannot but feel them and groan under them. O sad and dreadful fall, which has so terribly maimed and bruised the royal offspring of God! Though we are kings' sons, yet like Mephibosheth we are lame in our hands and feet. Our infirmities are the effects of our FALL. Shortly we shall be perfectly freed from them. This is our glorious hope. 

But alas! how oft doth present distress deject our hopes; infirmities bow down the soul; faith grows languid; love declines; hope seems at the last gasp, just as if giving up the ghost. And indeed all would end in gloomy dejection and melancholy despair, if the Lord was entirely to forsake His new creation. But that never can be while the Father loves, the Lamb pleads, and the Spirit hath power to help. 

Therefore when the Spirit sees the souls of His charge pressed above measure in themselves, and ready to sink under their burdens, He reaches forth a tender hand of assistance; helps against infirmities, by enabling the soul to look to the adorable Jesus, to an everlasting covenant, to precious promises, to a reconciled God; and puts this sweet cry in the heart, Abba, Father. Then confidence revives; hope springs afresh; love is excited; the power of prayer breaks forth in the heart, and ascends in sweet fervor from the soul. 

Whatever flesh and blood may allege to the contrary, infirmities are made profitable to the soul; or St. Paul would never have declared, "most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities." Why? is there any good in them for which they should be desired? No; but "that the power of Christ may rest upon us."—II Corinthians 12:9.

Eternal Spirit! we confess 

And sing the wonders of Thy grace; 

Thy power conveys our blessings down 

From God the Father and the Son. 

Enlighten'd by Thy heav'nly ray, 

Our shades and darkness turn to day. 

Thine inward teachings make us know 

Our danger and our Refuge too. 

The troubled conscience knows Thy voice, 

Thy charming views awake our joys; 

Thy Words allay the stormy wind, 

And calm the surges of the mind. 

 

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

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