January 23

“I have exalted one chosen out of the people.” — Ps. lxxxix. 19.

THY was Christ chosen out of the people? Speak, ifuJi my heart, for heart-thoughts are best. Was it no*. that He might be able to be our brolht, in the llest tie of kindred blood? Oh, what relationship there is between Christ and the believer! The believer can say, “1 have a Brother in heaven; I may be poor, but I have a Brother who is rich, and is a King, and will He suflfcr 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 reachcst the dark valley of the shadow of death, and the deep waters of the swelling Jordan, thou wilt find Hia footprints there. In all places whithersoever we go, He has been our forerunner; each burden we have to carry, has once laid on the shoulders of Immanuel.

“His way was much rougher and darker than mine; Did Christ, my Lord, suffer, and shall I repine?”

Tateo courage! Royal feet have left a blood-red track apon Ui» road, and consecrated the thorny path forever.