March 3

“I have cJtosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” — Is. xlviii. 10.

fV;pi.^pMFOET thyself, tried believer, with this thought: God saith, “I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” Docs not the word come like a soft shower, assuaging the fury of the flame? Yea, is it not an asbestos armor, 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 ihat you have the Son of Man with you in the furnace. In that pvilont chamber of yours, there sittcth by your side One whom thou hast not seen, but whom thou lovest; and ofttimes when thou knowest it not, lie makes all thy bed in thy affliction, and smooths thy pillow for thee. Thou art in poverty; but in that lonely 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 stick? closely to thee. Thou canst not see Him, but thou mayst feel the pressure of His hands. Dost thou not hear Ilis 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 Ca?sar and all his fortune.” Fear not. Christian; Jesus is with thee. In all thy fiery trials. His presence is both thy coufort 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 le%i,
I’ll folkw where he goes “?