Morning, January 23

Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings

"I have exalted one chosen out of the people."

  Psalm 89:19

   Why was Christ chosen out of the people? Speak, my heart, for
   heart-thoughts are best. Was it not that he might be able to be our
   brother, in the blest tie of kindred blood? Oh, what relationship there
   is between Christ and the believer! The believer can say, "I have a
   Brother in heaven; I may be poor, but I have a Brother who is rich, and
   is a King, and will he suffer me to want while he is on his throne? Oh,
   no! He loves me; he is my Brother." Believer, wear this blessed
   thought, like a necklace of diamonds, around the neck of thy memory;
   put it, as a golden ring, on the finger of recollection, and use it as
   the King's own seal, stamping the petitions of thy faith with
   confidence of success. He is a brother born for adversity, treat him as
   such.

   Christ was also chosen out of the people that he might know our wants
   and sympathize with us. "He was tempted in all points like as we are,
   yet without sin." In all our sorrows we have his sympathy. Temptation,
   pain, disappointment, weakness, weariness, poverty--he knows them all,
   for he has felt all. Remember this, Christian, and let it comfort thee.
   However difficult and painful thy road, it is marked by the footsteps
   of thy Saviour; and even when thou reachest the dark valley of the
   shadow of death, and the deep waters of the swelling Jordan, thou wilt
   find his footprints there. In all places whithersoever we go, he has
   been our forerunner; each burden we have to carry, has once been laid
   on the shoulders of Immanuel.


   "His way was much rougher and darker than mine

   Did Christ, my Lord, suffer, and shall I repine?"

   Take courage! Royal feet have left a blood-red track upon the road, and
   consecrated the thorny path forever.