There is no testimony to the faithfulness of GOD in His
Word so convincing and touching as that of the dying believer.
If ever a man
is sincere, it is then. If ever the veil is laid aside and the soul appears
real and undisguised, be it a saint or a sinner, it is at that solemn
moment.
No motive now exists for the false, and no cloud can conceal the
true; the coin that has passed current with many for genuine is now found to
be counterfeit, and that which many regarded as counterfeit - even the
possessor himself - proves to be genuine!
Nature now appears to be but
nature; and grace, vindicating its true character, proves itself grace.
The
specious hope dies, and the true hope gathers life; the false faith sinks,
and the real rises;
And the timid believer, who went doubting and trembling
all the way to Jordan's brink, plunges boldly into the river, and passes
over to the other side, with the paean of triumph breathing sweetly from his
lips, "O Death, where is your sting? O Grave, where is your victory?"
Such is the picture which the position of Joshua now
presents to our view.
He is standing upon the sunny slope, and before the
soles of his feet smite the cold waters, he casts a back glance upon all the
way the LORD his GOD had brought him...
And in words the most emphatic and
impressive, testifies to the divine faithfulness and unchanging love of his
covenant GOD in making good all His great and precious promises He had so
graciously given, "Not one thing has failed of all the good things which
the LORD, your GOD, spoke unto you; all are come to pass."
Such is the divine assurance with which we conclude our
daily thoughts.
What more precious truth, blended with sweeter melody, could
linger upon the ear as we close the volume than this...GOD'S faithfulness
in the fulfillment of His Word?
Let us look at this truth as confirmed
by the experience, first, of the living, and then of the dying believer, for
both are GOD'S witnesses.
What is the life of the child of GOD but a continuous
experience of the truth of His Word, and the veracity of His promises?
You
have, perhaps, been placed in trying circumstances; resources have lessened
and demands have increased;
Your faith has been sharply tried; your spirits
depressed; the sky has lowered and the waters have risen...
But lo! the
Spirit, the Comforter, has guided you to some precious promise which has
just met your case.
It has touched your heart, moistened your eye, uplifted
the pressure, and your whole soul has been, as it were, absorbed in GOD.
And
now the harp that hung sad and mute upon the willow is taken down, and
thrills with a new song of praise and thanksgiving to the faithfulness of
GOD in the fulfillment of His Word.
Yes, my soul, you can testify to the truth that every
sweet invitation and precious promise and loving word of Jesus, upon which
He causes your soul to rest in its grief and desolation, has come to
pass - not one word has failed.
This is a clear proof of God's veracity in
the making good His every word of promise.
Has He not promised to provide
for you? then trust Him.
Has He not pledged Himself to guide you?
then commit your way to Him.
Has He not undertaken to save you? then believe
His Word and pray - "Say unto my soul, I am your salvation."
Soon the living witness to the faithfulness of the
LORD in His Word will become the dying one.
When heart and flesh are
failing - when the solemn curtain of eternity is rising...
When the eye is
darkening, and the pulse is sinking, and earth is receding...
And eternity is
nearing, and, heaven is opening, oh, then, like Joshua, you shall testify to
the unchanging love and faithful word...
And precious comforts and secure
supports of your covenant GOD and redeeming Savior, as He gently leads you
down the valley, radiant with His presence, resounding with your song - up
the delectable mountains, home to your Father's House..."Forever with the
Lord!"
~Octavius Winslow~
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