Greetings sis Reis, et al;
When I think of the manner in which the LORD "removes" HIMSELF from
HIS children I think of the disciples toiling away fishing after HIS
resurrection. They could not see HIM even though HE was no doubt
standing upon the sea shore watching them the whole time. "/Simon Peter
saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with
thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that
night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus
stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then
Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him,
No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship,
and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to
draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus
loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that
it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,)
and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a
little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two
hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they were
come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and
bread." (John 21:3-9/)
HE never forsakes HIS children, continually directing their steps
and making provision for them, though HE sometimes does hide HIMSELF
from them in order to cause them to appreciate HIS mercy. I think of
Peter after his denial and no doubt he though he was forsaken, yet the
LORD never lessened HIS mercy towards Peter, and returned with mercy
when HE told him to feed HIS sheep and raised him up to do so on the Day
of Pentecost.
Blessings, mike
On 8/4/2021 4:23 PM, Soraya Reis wrote:
*"Therefore, thus saith the Lord, I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies." Zechariah 1:16*
*My soul, think what a sad state that land, that church, that family, that heart is in, where God withdraws but for a moment! This will be one way of rightly appreciating his presence. What a mercy, what an unspeakable mercy is it when God returns! For until he returns in grace, there will be no return to him in a way of seeking mercy. Pause, my soul, over the thought. Though a child of God loseth not the interest and favour of God in his covenant, because what unworthiness soever, as in ourselves, we must appear in before God, yet in Christ there is an everlasting worthiness, in which his people are accepted and beloved: yet if the Lord suspends his gracious influences on the soul; if Jesus speaks neither by Urim nor Thummim; if the Holy Ghost, though at home in the heart, manifests not himself to the heart; what shall the soul do? *
*Ordinances are nothing if the God of ordinances be not in them. To look inward, the soul finds no peace. To look upward, there can be no comfort. For if the Lord commands the clouds to poor no rain upon his inheritance, their heaven is as brass, and their earth as iron. Hast thou, my soul, experienced trying seasons; and, though convinced of an interest in Jesus, hast thou languished after the sweet and blessed visits of his grace? Listen then to this precious scripture," I am returned, saith the Lord unto Jerusalem with mercies." Welcome, Lord, to my soul, to my heart! Thy presence is better than life itself. And the mercies thou hast brought with thee, in pardoning, quickening, renewing, reviving, comforting, strengthening me, will put more joy in my heart than thousands of gold and silver. *
*There will be no barren ordinances, no barren hearts, no barren land, where our God comes. Thou hast said," I will be as the dew unto Israel." Oh what a revival in my poor heart; what a revival will thy presence make in my family; what a revival in thy churches; what a revival in this dear land of our nativity! Oh come, Lord Jesus, come in our midst; and let us hear thee say," I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies." "Thou shalt no more be termed forsaken, neither shall thy land any more be termed desolate; but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah; for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married."*
*Robert Hawker (1753-1827) *
