From: Suzianty Herawati
"Your refuge from the avenger of blood." --Joshua 20:3
It is said that in the land of Canaan, cities of refuge were so arranged,
that any man might reach one of them within half a day at the utmost. Even so
the word of our salvation is near to
us; Jesus is a present Saviour, and the way to Him is short; it is but a simple
renunciation of our own merit, and a laying hold of Jesus, to be our all in
all. With regard to the roads to the
city of refuge, we are told that they were strictly preserved, every river was
bridged, and every obstruction removed, so that the man who fled might find an
easy passage to the city. Once a
year the elders went along the roads and saw to their order, so that nothing
might impede the flight of any one, and cause him, through delay, to be
overtaken and slain. How graciously do the
promises of the gospel remove stumbling blocks from the way!
Wherever there were by-roads and turnings, there were fixed up hand-posts, with
the inscription upon them--"To the city of refuge!" This is a picture of the
road to Christ Jesus. It is no
roundabout road of the law; it is no obeying this, that, and the other; it is a
straight road: "Believe, and live." It is a road so hard, that no
self-righteous man can ever tread it, but so easy, that every sinner, who knows
himself to be a sinner may by it find his way to heaven. No sooner did the
man-slayer reach the outworks of the city than he was safe; it was not
necessary for him to pass far within the walls, but the suburbs themselves were
sufficient protection. Learn hence, that if you do but touch the hem of
Christ's garment, you shall be made whole; if you do but lay hold upon him with
"faith as a grain of mustard seed," you are safe.
"A little genuine grace ensures
The death of all our sins."
Only waste no time, loiter not by the way, for the avenger of blood is swift of
foot; and it may be he is at your heels at this still hour of eventide.
CH Spurgeon
===============================================
From: Suzianty Herawati
"I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction."--Isaiah 48:10
Comfort thyself, tried believer, with this thought: God saith, "I have
chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." Does not the word come like a soft
shower, assuaging the fury of the flame? Yea, is it not an asbestos armour,
against which the heat hath no power?
Let affliction come--God has chosen me. Poverty, thou mayst stride in at my
door, but God is in the house already, and He has chosen me. Sickness, thou
mayst intrude, but I have a balsam ready--God has chosen me. Whatever befalls
me in this vale of tears, I know that He has "chosen" me. If, believer, thou
requirest still greater comfort, remember that you have the Son of Man with you
in the furnace. In that silent chamber of yours, there sitteth by your side One
whom thou hast not seen, but whom thou lovest; and ofttimes when thou knowest
it not, He makes all thy bed in thy affliction, and smooths thy pillow for
thee.
Thou art in poverty; but in that lovely house of thine the Lord of life and
glory is a frequent visitor. He loves to come into these desolate places, that
He may visit thee. Thy friend sticks closely to thee. Thou canst not see Him,
but thou mayst feel the pressure of His hands. Dost thou not hear His voice?
Even in the valley of the shadow of death He says, "Fear not, I am with thee;
be not dismayed, for I am thy God."
Remember that noble speech of Caesar: "Fear not, thou carriest Caesar and all
his fortune." Fear not, Christian; Jesus is with thee. In all thy fiery trials,
His presence is both thy
comfort and safety. He will never leave one whom He has chosen for His own.
"Fear not, for I am with thee," is His sure word of promise to His chosen ones
in the "furnace of affliction." Wilt
thou not, then, take fast hold of Christ, and say--
"Through floods and flames, if Jesus lead,
I'll follow where He goes."
CH Spurgeon
=================================================
From: yunike andreas
God works
God doesn't work according to our heart desire, because sometimes, we only
focus on our wants. God works for heaven's interest. Thus, make sure you go
well with His.
FirmanMU itu pelita bagi kakiku dan terang bagi jalanku. Aku telah bersumpah
dan aku akan menepatinya, untuk berpegang pada hukum hukumMU yang adil (Mazmur
119:105 -106)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have taken an oath
and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws (Psalm 119: 105 - 106)
