Grace Gems

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Behold the Emperor of Woe!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Behold the Man!" John 19:5

If there is one place where our Lord Jesus most fully becomes the joy and comfort of His people--it is where He plunged deepest into the depths of woe!

Come hither, gracious souls, and behold the Man in the garden of Gethsemane! Behold His heart so brimming with love--that He cannot hold it in; so full of sorrow--that it must find a vent. Behold the bloody sweat as it distills from every pore of His body, and falls upon the ground!

Behold the Man as they drive the nails into His hands and feet! Look up, repenting sinners, and see the sorrowful image of your suffering Lord! Mark Him, as the ruby drops stand on the thorn-crown, and adorn the diadem of the King of Misery with priceless gems!

Behold the Man when all His bones are out of joint, and He is poured out like water and brought into the dust of death! God has forsaken Him--and hell compasses Him about. Behold and see--was there ever sorrow--like unto His sorrow? All you who pass by--draw near and look upon this spectacle of grief! Unique, unparalleled, a wonder to men and angels--an unmatched marvel!

Behold the Emperor of Woe--who had no equal or rival in His agonies! Gaze upon Him, you mourners, for if there is not consolation in a crucified Christ--there is no joy in earth or heaven. If in the ransom price of His blood, there is not hope--you harps of heaven, there is no joy in you; and the right hand of God shall know no pleasures for evermore!

We have only to sit more continually at the cross foot--to be less troubled with our afflictions and woes. We have but to see His sorrows--and we shall be ashamed to mention our sorrows. We have but to gaze into His wounds--and heal our own. If we would live aright--it must be by the contemplation of His death. If we would rise to dignity--it must be by considering His humiliation and His sorrow!

[nChrist]

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Blight and mildew and hail

(Charles Spurgeon)

"I smote you with blight and mildew and hail--to destroy all the produce of your labor." Haggai 2:17

How destructive is the hail to the standing crops--beating the precious grain down to the ground! How grateful ought we to be when the grain is spared so terrible a ruin! Let us offer unto the Lord thanksgiving.

Even more to be dreaded, are those mysterious destroyers--blight and mildew. These turn the corn into a mass of soot, or render it putrid, or dry up the grain--and all in a manner so beyond all human control, that the farmer is compelled to cry, "This is the finger of God!" Innumerable minute fungi cause the mischief, and were it not for the goodness of God, the rider on the black horse would soon scatter famine over the land! Infinite mercy spares the food of men; but in view of the active agents which are ready to destroy the harvest, right wisely are we taught to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." We have constant need of God's blessing!

"I smote you with blight and mildew and hail--to destroy all the produce of your labor." When blight and mildew come--they are chastisements from God, and men must learn to hear the rod, and Him who has appointed it!

Spiritually, mildew is a common evil. When our work is most promising, this mildew appears. We hoped for many conversions, but instead--a general apathy, an abounding worldliness, or a cruel hardness of heart! There may be no open sin in those for whom we are laboring--but there is a deficiency of sincerity and holiness, sadly disappointing our desires.

We learn from this--our dependence upon the Lord, and the need of prayer that no blight or mildew may fall upon our work. Spiritual pride or sloth will soon bring upon us the dreadful evil--and only the Lord of the harvest can remove it.

Mildew and blight may even attack our own hearts--and shrivel our prayers and pious exercises! May it please the great Gardener to avert so serious a calamity. Shine, O blessed Sun of Righteousness, and drive the blights away!

[nChrist]

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Grace found her a maniac--and made her a minister!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"He appeared first to Mary Magdalene--out of whom He had cast seven devils." Mark 16:9

Mary of Magdala was the victim of a fearful evil. She was possessed by not one devil only--but seven. These dreadful inhabitants caused much pain and pollution to the poor frame in which they had found a lodging. Hers was a hopeless, horrible case! She could not help herself, neither could any human support avail. But Jesus passed that way, and unsought, and probably even resisted by the poor demoniac, He uttered the word of power--and Mary of Magdala became a trophy of the saving power of Jesus.

What a blessed deliverance!
What a happy change!

From delirium--to delight,
from despair--to peace,
from hell--to heaven!

At once, she became a constant follower of Jesus, catching His every word, following His winding steps, sharing His toilsome life; and withal she became His generous helper, first among that band of saved and grateful women--who ministered unto Him of their substance.

When Jesus was lifted up in crucifixion, Mary remained the sharer of His shame--we find her drawing near to the foot of the cross. She could not die on the cross with Jesus--but she stood as near to it as she could. She was the faithful and watchful believer--last at the sepulcher where Jesus slept; first at the grave whence He arose!

Thus, grace found her a maniac--and made her a minister!

Grace delivered her from Satan--and united her forever to the Lord Jesus!

May I also be such a miracle of grace!

[nChrist]

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The knife of the heavenly Surgeon

(Charles Spurgeon)

"This sickness is not unto death." John 11:4

From our Lord's words, we learn that there is a limit to sickness. In all sickness, the Lord says to the waves of pain, "Hitherto shall you go--but no further!" His fixed purpose is not the destruction of His people--but the instruction of His people. Wisdom hangs up the thermometer at the furnace mouth--and regulates the heat!

1. The limit is encouragingly comprehensive. The God of providence has limited the time, manner, intensity and effects of all our sicknesses. Each throb is decreed, each sleepless hour predestinated, each relapse ordained, each depression of spirit foreknown, and each sanctifying result eternally purposed. Nothing great or small escapes the ordaining hand of Him who numbers the hairs of our head!

2. This limit is wisely adjusted to our strength, to the end designed, and to the grace apportioned. Affliction does not come by 'chance'--the weight of every stroke of God's rod--is accurately measured. He who made no mistakes in balancing the clouds, and measuring out the heavens--commits no errors in measuring out the ingredients which compose the medicine of souls. We cannot suffer too much--nor be relieved too late!

3. The limit is tenderly appointed. The knife of the heavenly Surgeon never cuts deeper than is absolutely necessary. "He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." A mother's heart cries, "Spare my child!" but no mother is more compassionate than our gracious God. When we consider how self-willed we are--it is a wonder that we are not driven with a sharper bit!

The thought is full of consolation--that He who has fixed the bounds of our habitation, has also fixed the bounds of our tribulation.

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Sin is shut out--and they are shut in!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"The sound of weeping and crying will be heard no more!" Isaiah 65:19

The glorified weep no more--because all causes of grief are gone! There are no broken friendships, nor blighted prospects in heaven. Poverty, famine, peril, persecution, and slander--are unknown there. No pain distresses, and no thought of death or bereavement saddens.

They weep no more--because they are perfectly sanctified! No "evil heart of unbelief" prompts them to depart from the living God. They are without fault before His throne, and are fully conformed to His image! Well may they cease to mourn--who have ceased to sin!

They weep no more--because all fear of change is past! They know that they are eternally secure! Sin is shut out--and they are shut in!
They dwell within a city which shall never be stormed!
They bask in a sun which shall never set!
They drink of a river which shall never run dry!
They pluck fruit from a tree which shall never wither!

Countless cycles may revolve--but eternity shall not be exhausted; and while eternity endures, their immortality and blessedness shall co-exist with it. They are forever with the Lord!

They weep no more--because every desire is fulfilled! They cannot wish for anything--which they don't already have in full possession.
Eye and ear,
heart and hand,
mind and imagination,
desire and affection--
all the faculties, are completely satisfied!

As imperfect as our present ideas are of the things which God has prepared for those who love Him--yet we know enough, by the revelation of the Spirit, that the glorified saints are supremely blessed. The joy of Christ, which is an infinite fullness of delight--is in them. They bathe forever in the bottomless, shoreless sea of infinite blessedness!

That same joyful rest remains for us! It may not be far distant. Before long--the weeping willow shall be exchanged for the palm-branch of victory! Sorrow's dewdrops will be transformed into the pearls of everlasting bliss!

"The sound of weeping and crying will be heard no more!"

"Therefore comfort one another with these words."

[nChrist]

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O blessed hurricane!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"On My arm, they shall trust." Isaiah 51:5

In seasons of severe trial, the Christian has nothing on earth that he can trust to, and is therefore compelled to cast himself on his God alone. When his vessel is quickly sinking, and no human deliverance can avail--he must simply and entirely trust himself to the providence and care of God.

Happy storm--that wrecks a man on such a rock as this!

O blessed hurricane--that drives the soul to God and God alone!

When a man is so burdened with troubles, so poor, so friendless, so helpless that he has nowhere else to turn--he flies into his Father's arms, and is blessedly clasped therein! Oh, tempest-tossed believer--it is a happy trouble which drives you to your Father!

[nChrist]

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He who eats the grapes of Sodom

(Charles Spurgeon)

"As long as he is a Nazarite, he must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins." Numbers 6:4

Nazarites had taken, among other vows, one which debarred them from the use of wine. In order that they might not violate the obligation, they were forbidden to drink the unfermented juice of grapes, nor even to eat either fresh or dried grapes. They were, in fact, to avoid even the appearance of evil.

Surely this is a lesson to the Lord's separated ones, teaching them to come away from sin in every form; to avoid not merely its grosser shapes--but even the appearance of evil. Strict walking is much despised in these days--but rest assured, dear reader, it is both the safest and the happiest course. He who yields a point or two to the world--is in fearful peril. He who eats the grapes of Sodom--will soon drink the wine of Gomorrah!

A little crevice in a large dyke may soon break open--so that a whole town is drowned. Worldly conformity, in any degree, is a snare to the soul, and makes it more and more liable to presumptuous sins.

Doubtful things--we need not doubt about; they are wrong to us!

Tempting things--we must not dally with--but flee from them with haste!

Careful walking may involve much self-denial--but it has pleasures of its own which are more than a sufficient recompense!

[nChrist]

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The Breaker!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"The Breaker has gone up before them. He will bring you through the gates of your cities of captivity, back to your own land. Your King will lead you; the Lord Himself will guide you!" Micah 2:13

Inasmuch as Jesus has gone before us, things do not remain as they would have been, had He never passed that way. He has conquered every foe which has obstructed the way. Cheer up O faint-hearted warrior. Not only has Christ traveled the road--but He has slain your enemies upon life's road!

Do you dread sin? He has nailed it to His cross!

Do you fear death? He has been the death of death!

Are you afraid of hell? He has barred the gates of hell from being entered by any of His children; they shall never see the gulf of perdition!

Whatever foes may be before the Christian--they are all overcome!

There are lions--but their teeth are broken!

There are serpents--but their fangs are extracted!

There are rivers--but they are bridged or fordable!

There are flames--but we wear that matchless garment which renders us invulnerable to fire!

The Breaker, Christ--has taken away all the power that anything can have to hurt us. Well then, you may go safely and joyously along your journey, for all your enemies are conquered beforehand! What shall you do--but march on to take the prey? They are beaten, they are vanquished; all you have to do is to divide the spoil. You shall, it is true, often engage in combat; but your fight shall be with a vanquished foe! His head is broken! He may attempt to injure you--but his strength shall not be sufficient for his malicious design. Your victory shall be sure--and your treasure shall be beyond all count!

    "Proclaim aloud the Savior's fame,
     Who bears the Breaker's wondrous name;
     Sweet name; and it befits Him well,
     Who breaks down earth, sin, death, and hell!"

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Surely something must be amiss with the scales!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"You are to have honest balances, honest weights, an honest dry measure, and an honest liquid measure; I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt." Leviticus 19:36

Weights, and scales, and measures--were to be all according to the standard of justice.

Surely no Christian will need to be reminded of this in his business, for if justice were banished from all the world beside--it should find a shelter in true Christian hearts!

There are, however, other scales and balances which weigh moral and spiritual things--and these often need examining. We will call in the Judge right now.

Those scales in which we weigh our own and other men's characters--are they quite accurate? Do we not turn our own ounces of goodness--into pounds; and other people's pounds of excellence--into ounces? See to just weights and measures here, Christian!

Those scales in which we measure our trials and troubles--are they according to standard? Paul, who had far more to suffer than we have--called his afflictions light. Yet we often consider our afflictions to be heavy! Surely something must be amiss with the scales! We must see to this matter, lest we get reported to the court above, for unjust dealing!

Those scales with which we measure our beliefs--are they quite fair? The precepts and doctrines should have the same weight with us as the promises--no more and no less! With many, one scale or the other is unfairly weighted. It is a grand matter to give just measure in God's truths. Christian, be careful here!

Those scales in which we estimate our obligations and responsibilities look rather small. When a rich man gives no more to the cause of God, than the poor contribute--is that an honest weight, an honest measure, a just balance?

Reader, we might lengthen the list--but we prefer to leave it as your day's work--to find out and destroy all unjust scales, balances, weights, and measures!

[nChrist]

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They were not carried to heaven on beds of ease!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Woe is me--that I dwell among these scoundrels of Meshech! It pains me to live with these people from Kedar!" Psalm 120:5

As a Christian, you have to live in the midst of an ungodly world, and it is of little use for you to cry, "Woe is me!"

Jesus did not pray, "O that you should be taken out of the world!" And what He did not pray for--you need not desire! Better far in the Lord's strength--to meet the difficulty, and glorify Him in it.

The enemy is ever on the watch to detect inconsistency in your conduct; be therefore very holy. Remember that the eyes of all are upon you--and that more is expected from you, than from others! Strive to give no occasion for blame. Like Daniel, let your godliness and piety be the only faults which they can discover in you.

Seek to be useful--as well as consistent. Perhaps you think, "If I were in a more favorable position, I might be able to serve the Lord's cause. But I cannot do any good where I am!" But the worse the people are among whom you live--the more need they have of your exertions! If they are crooked--the more necessity that you should set them straight! If they are perverse--the more need have you to turn their proud hearts to the truth. Where should the physician be--but where there are many sick? Where is honor to be won by the soldier--but in the hottest fire of the battle?

When weary of the strife and sin which meets you on every hand--consider that all the saints have endured the same trial! They were not carried to heaven on beds of ease!--and you must not expect to travel more easily than they! They had to hazard their lives unto the death, in the midst of the battlefield--and you will not be crowned--until you also have endured hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Therefore, "Be courageous! Be strong!" 1 Corinthians 16:13

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Lest Madam Bubble bewitch them with her vile suggestions

(Charles Spurgeon)

"She grabbed him by his garment and said, 'Sleep with me!' But leaving his garment in her hand, he escaped and ran from the house." Genesis 39:12

In contending with certain sins, there remains no mode of victory, but by flight. He who would be safe from acts of evil--must hasten away from occasions of it. A covenant must be made with our eyes--not even to look upon the cause of temptation; for such sins only need a spark to begin with--and a blaze follows in an instant!

Who would wantonly enter the leper's hut--and sleep amid its horrible corruption? He alone who desires to be leprous himself--would thus court contagion. If the mariner knew how to avoid a storm, he would do anything rather than run the risk of weathering it. Cautious pilots have no desire to try how near the quicksand they can sail, or how often they may touch a rock without springing a leak; their aim is to keep as nearly as possible in the midst of a safe channel.

This day I may be exposed to great peril--let me have wisdom to keep out of it and avoid it. The wings of a dove may be of more use to me--than the jaws of a lion. I may be an apparent loser by declining evil company--but I had better leave my cloak--than lose my character! It is not needful that I should be rich--but it is imperative upon me to be pure. No ties of friendship, no chains of beauty, no flashings of talent, no shafts of ridicule--must turn me from the wise resolve to flee from sin. I am to resist the devil--and he will flee from me. But the lusts of the flesh, I must flee--or they will surely overcome me!

O God of holiness, preserve your Josephs--lest Madam Bubble bewitch them with her vile suggestions. May the horrible trinity of the world, the flesh, and the devil--never overcome us!

[nChrist]

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Your children

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Bring him unto Me!" Mark 9:19

Despairingly the poor disappointed father turned away from the disciples, to their Master. His son was in the worst possible condition, and all means had failed--but the miserable child was soon delivered from the evil one, when the parent in faith obeyed the Lord Jesus' word, "Bring him unto Me!"

Your children are a precious gift from God--but much anxiety comes with them. They may be a great joy--or a great bitterness to their parents. They may be filled with the Spirit of God--or possessed with the spirit of evil. In all cases, the Word of God gives us one recipe for the curing of all their ills, "Bring them unto Me!"

O for more agonizing prayer on their behalf, while they are yet babes. Sin is there, let our prayers begin to attack it.

In the days of their youth we shall see sad tokens of that dumb and deaf spirit, which will neither pray aright, nor hear the voice of God in the soul--but Jesus still commands, "Bring them unto Me!"

When they are grown up, they may wallow in sin and foam with enmity against God! Then, when our hearts are breaking--we should remember the great Physician's words, "Bring them unto Me!" Never must we cease to pray for them--until they cease to breathe. No case is hopeless--while Jesus lives.

The Lord sometimes allows His people to be driven into a corner--that they may experimentally know how necessary He is to them. Ungodly children, when they show us our own powerlessness against the depravity of their hearts--drive us to flee to the Strong One for strength--and this is a great blessing to us!

Whatever this day's need may be, let it like a strong current--bear us to the ocean of divine love! Jesus can soon remove our sorrow. He delights to comfort us. Let us hasten to Him--while He waits to meet us!

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We need You to bring us to You!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"When my heart is overwhelmed--lead me to the Rock that is higher than I!" Psalm 61:2

Most of us know what it is to be overwhelmed in heart--sinking like a vessel deluged by the storm!

Discoveries of inward corruption will do this--if the Lord permits the great deep of our depraved heart to become troubled, and cast up its mire and dirt.

Disappointments and heartbreaks will do this--when billow after billow rolls over us, and we are like a broken shell hurled to and fro by the raging surf!

Blessed be God, at such seasons we are not without an all-sufficient solace--our God is the harbor of weather-beaten souls, the hospice of forlorn pilgrims! His mercy is higher than our sins! His love is higher than we could imagine!

It is pitiful to see unsaved men putting their trust in something lower than themselves; but our confidence is fixed upon the exceeding high and glorious Lord.

A Rock He is--since He changes not. And He is a high Rock--because the tempests which overwhelm us--roll far beneath at His feet! He is not disturbed by them--but rules them at His will. If we get under the shelter of this lofty Rock--we may defy the hurricane! All is peaceful under the shelter of that towering cliff!

Alas! such is the confusion in which the troubled mind is often cast, that we need piloting to this divine shelter. Hence the prayer of the text, "When my heart is overwhelmed--lead me to the Rock that is higher than I! O Lord, our God, by Your Holy Spirit--teach us the way of faith, and lead us into Your rest. The wind blows us out to sea--and our puny hand cannot steer the helm! You, You alone can steer us over the wide ocean between yon sunken rocks--and safe into the fair haven. How dependent we are upon You! We need You to bring us to You! To be wisely directed and steered into safety and peace is Your gift, and Yours alone!"

[nChrist]

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The diamond rivet!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"The Lord will give grace and glory!" Psalm 84:11

Jehovah is bounteous in His nature--to give is His delight. His gifts are precious beyond measure, and are as freely given as the light of the sun!

He freely gives grace in all its forms, to all His people:
  saving grace,
  comforting grace,
  preserving grace,
  sanctifying grace,
  directing grace,
  instructing grace,
  assisting grace!

He gives grace . . .
  abundantly,
  seasonably,
  constantly,
  readily,
  sovereignly!

He doubly enhances the value of His grace--by the manner of its bestowal. He generously pours grace into their souls without ceasing--and He always will do so, whatever may occur. Sickness may befall--but the Lord will give grace. Poverty may come to us--but grace will surely be afforded. Death must come--but grace will light a candle at the darkest hour. Reader, how blessed it is as years roll along, to enjoy such an unfading promise as this, "The Lord will give grace!"

The little conjunction "and" in this verse is the diamond rivet binding the present with the future! Grace and glory always go together. God has married them--and none can divorce them! The Lord will never deny a soul eternal glory--to whom He has freely given His saving grace. Indeed, glory is nothing more than grace in its heavenly dress; grace in full bloom; grace like autumn fruit--mellow and perfected.

How soon we may have glory--none can tell. It may be before this month has run out--that we shall see the Celestial City. But be the interval longer or shorter--we shall be glorified before long. The Lord will surely give glory to all His chosen ones:
  the glory of heaven,
  the glory of eternity,
  the glory of Jesus!

Oh, rare promise of a faithful God! Two golden links of one celestial chain! Whoever has grace--shall surely gain glory!

[nChrist]

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One wrong step--and down we go!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life!" Matthew 7:14

In some sense, the path to heaven is very safe--but in other respects, there is no road so dangerous! It is beset with difficulties. One wrong step--and down we go! And how easy it is to take that treacherous step--if grace is absent!

What a slippery path is that--which some of us have to tread! How many times have we to exclaim with the Psalmist, "But as for me, my feet were slipping--and I was almost gone!"

If we were strong, sure-footed mountaineers, this would not matter so much; but in ourselves, how weak we are!

Even in the best roads--we soon falter!

In the smoothest paths--we quickly stumble!

These feeble knees of ours--can scarcely support our tottering weight!

A straw may trip us up--and a pebble can wound us!

We are mere infants, tremblingly taking our first steps in the walk of faith. Our heavenly Father holds us by the arms--or we would soon tumble down!

Oh, if we are kept from falling, how must we bless the patience, power and wisdom of God--who watches over us moment by moment--and day by day! Think--
  how prone we are to sin,
  how apt to choose dangerous paths,
  how strong our tendency to cast ourselves down
--and these reflections will make us sing more sweetly than we have ever done, "Glory to Him, who is able to keep us from falling, and to present us before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy!" Jude 24

We have many foes--who try to push us down, and destroy us!

The road is rough--and we are weak!

But in addition to this, enemies lurk in ambush, who rush out when we least expect them, and labor to trip us up, or hurl us down the nearest deadly precipice!

Only an Almighty arm can preserve us from these unseen foes, who are seeking to destroy us at every step! Such an arm is engaged for our defense. He is faithful, who has promised, and He is able to keep us from falling, so that with a deep sense of our utter weakness, we may cherish a firm belief in our perfect safety!