The Ransomed of the Lord
ISAIAH XXXV. 10.
The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
It is a heart-enchanting picture, which Isaiah the Seer paints with glowing colours in the words of our text. It is the representation of that blissful and joyful period, which should gladden the world, after the appearing of the promised Morning-star above the horizon of the earth. This golden period, after the Surety had finished his work, and the Comforter had made his entry into the world, has actually arrived; and the wonders which Isaiah describes in this chapter have already taken place, at least as regards their commencement, and do take place even to this hour. In the verse we have read, he gives a short, but very complete and comprehensive, description of the life of the citizens of the New Testament kingdom, and at the same time points out to us its five gradations or periods. These periods in the life of the children of God, we will contemplate a little more closely on the present occasion.
I. The period of return.
II. That of the entry into Zion.
III. The period of permanency.
IV. The period of rejoicing.
V. The period of fruition.
I.
The first vision which presents itself to our view, is of a peculiar kind — mournful and yet joyful; gloomy, and yet exciting to songs of praise we see before us a troop of travellers. Who are these people, and from whence do they come 1 Were it from beholding their whole property reduced to ashes — they could not look more sorrowful than they now appear, whilst on their march; nor be more afflicted and weighed down with grief, were they returning from a place of interment, where they had buried both hope and joy, the sweetest companions of human life. Not a trace of peace or comfort is discoverable in the whole train. A sable banner waves before them. Ashes instead of garlands are upon every head; and in the appearance of each is only the expression of the profoundest affliction and the most oppressive anxiety. Whilst some melt into tears, others give vent to their grief in loud sighs; some beat, sobbing, upon their breasts, and despair seems to look forth from the visages of others. All are robbed of their repose — all seek some place of refuge, languishing for aid.
A richly decorated figure meets them on their way 5 it is the world! How kindly she looks upon the agonizing troop! “Come,” says she, “I will comfort you; I will cheer you again.” Thus saying, she presents them a cup — the cup of her dissipations, and shows them the wreath-crowned arena of her pleasure and delight, where they, who are now so mournful, were frequently so joyful. But all her allurements and enticements are in vain — they have lost their power. “Away, thou deceiver!” is their language to her. “Long enough did we lie at thy empty wells, and attempted to satisfy ourselves with thy unsatisfying husks. Miserable being, what wre require, thou art unable to bestow!”
Another approaches the train, likewise with a benignant mien, but still more wicked than the world, and says, “You hope for mercy 1 You hope in vain! God is a severe and inexorable man: follow me; enjoy the world and its pleasures as long as you are permitted; for remember that ye are lost.” But to this voice also no attention is paid.
An invisible being has already joined the weeping host; who catches with his powerful shield those fiery darts of Satan, which are intended to carry the gangrene of hopelessness into their souls, and keeps guard over the trembling troop, in order that, though they fear and despond, they may not fall a prey to the awful darkness of despair.
Thus they wander on, unspeakably distressed and dismayed. No man, no angel comforts them. Heaven above them is covered with black clouds, and the whole world around them seems to them as if enveloped in a shroud. Do you recognize this weeping train of wanderers 1 It is the procession of publicans, of malefactors, of sobbing Magdalens; the troop, which, awoke from the sleep of sin, has come to reflection — the people that have suffered the chastisement of the law.
“The Redeemed shall return,” it is said in our text. The redeemed? Yes; for so the prophet calls these weeping aid-imploring people, and that justly; for they are already, in more than one respect, redeemed and free; they are redeemed from the infernal prison of lies and self-deception. Previously, they had regarded themselves as righteous, or at least as those who had less to fear from any quarter than from that of God and eternity. But an invisible hand has now burst these bands of their blindness. The words “Peace! peace!” are erased from their banner, and a “Wo, wo unto us!” is inscribed in their stead.
They are redeemed from sin’s house of bondage. Formerly they were the servants of sin — aye, and its willing vassals and subjects; — they were in alliance with sin. Now they stand at least inflamed with a Divine hatred against sin, under the banners of a Holy Leader, and secretly swear in their hearts, that they will not rest until they have completely and for ever shaken off the yoke of this horrible tyranny from their necks.
They are redeemed from the prison of the world. The world possessed their whole heart; the world enchanted them with its empty joys, and imposed upon them in such a manner, that they did not venture to think and judge otherwise than this desperate tyrant thought and judged. They are now also free from this master; and know that the whole world lieth in the wicked one.
They are redeemed from the chains of Satan. For years together, without knowing it, they stood under the sceptre of this dark monarch, and daily and hourly fulfilled his will. They now know the wicked one, and have most decidedly renounced his service. They yet know as little whom they have to thank for this deliverance, as they feel conscious of being delivered. But we know the wondrous Liberator, who descended into their dungeon, and loosed their chains; we know the Mighty One who broke the yoke from off their shoulder, and translated them out of all the false ideas and prejudices, by which they were taken captive from their youth up, into the resplendent light of truth. “Who was it but the Holy Spirit, the Comforter — the Spirit of liberty, of truth, and of power!
It is thus they approach. Whither are they marching 1 They seek a place of refuge, in which they may be eternally safe; and this place glimmers towards them from a distance; it lies in the arms of Him who is the way, the truth, and the life. It is after His grace they hunger, thirst, and languish; to his fellowship is the flight of their ardent desires directed: “the redeemed return.”
II.
We change our point of view, and fix it in the city of God, in the congregation of the faithful. Oh, here it is lovely! it is good to be here! wThere the cross casts its hospitable shade, and where the peaceful waters flow, which emanate from the Saviour’s wounds. Glad to see ourselves there also, we stand within the walls of this Jerusalem.
All at once, new life pervades the streets of Zion. A joyful tumult reaches our ears, and soon we clearly distinguish now an Hosannah, and then a Hallelujah. We hasten nearer, and what do we perceive The same wandering troop, which just before passed weeping and distressed before us. But what a totally different appearance do they now present! what a change has taken place with these people! ashes are no longer on their heads: the expression of grief and anxiety has vanished from their countenances. Nothing but joy beams through every look, and instead of the standard of mourning, the banner of the cross flutters in the breeze, on which is inscribed, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits!” One exults aloud and cries, “I have obtained mercy!” Another, “I know that my Redeemer liveth!” A third, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want!” Some fall into each other’s arms exclaiming, “Blessed be Jesus Christ!” and congratulations abound in another sense than that in which the world is wont to congratulate. It seems as if the ancient inhabitants of the city were all at once inspired with new animation by some spirit; a festival dawns in Zion, and hymns on the blood of the Lamb, and songs of praise to the name of Jesus and the free grace of God, ascend, like tire sweet perfume of sacrifice, towards heaven. And soon do they begin to recount and relate; the one tells of a dove which brought him the olive-branch of peace; another boasts of an invisible door-keeper, who opened the heart of Jesus to him; a third praises a wonderful Comforter, who had audibly whispered to him, “Thou art received into favour.” A fourth says, that he had been suddenly able to apprehend some particular promise, as if written in the Scriptures for none but him alone. A fifth, that after reading the words, “Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness,” he could not do otherwise than joyfully number himself amongst those who are thus counted blessed, since he also experienced such a hunger and thirst. A sixth says. he knows not how he came by it, but in the heavenly peace of his soul he perceives the seal of the Lord’s favour towards him. But all confess, that it is only now they begin to live; all are conscious with unspeakable delight, that their sins are forgiven them; all are heartily ready to lay themselves as living thank-ofTe rings, for every service, on the altar of their infinitely beloved Lord and Saviour. “We are saved, eternally saved!” is the continual echo in their hearts; and so they really are, the happy troop; and were so, even when still afar off in fear and trembling; but now they know that they are so: and since they have known it, and have returned with songs unto Zion, they have entered into the second age and period of life of the citizens of God’s kingdom.
But happy as they are, since they have obtained this assurance — yet they do not on that account stand on the loftiest summit of the Christian life; the state of permanent peace is not yet theirs. Perhaps, if we visit them again after the lapse of a few days, we shall find already a great alteration.
Many a harp already hangs upon the willows; and many a lip, instead of hymns of praise, pours forth afresh only sighs and lamentations. One says, he has no longer any love j another is deficient in the desire for prayer, or in zeal for the Lord’s glory 5 and a third has even been guilty of some unfaithfulness to his Saviour. And where do we now meet the very people, whom we had so lately left in Jerusalem’s halls rejoicing 1 They are now sitting in Zion’s penitentiaries; they are lying about in Jerusalem’s lazarettos, temptationcells and mournful retreats; for such-like nooks and habitations are to be found also in the city of God. Their language now is, We have rejoiced too soon; we deceived ourselves, and how is it possible that the Lord should take such pleasure in such as we 1 — and many other such self-accusations are heard.
This state of sorrow is certainly not permanent and abiding; it will change again. No sooner does a warm breath of the morning blow upon the heart, and agitate the frozen pool of godly feeling, than they again begin to make room for more favourable and joyful thoughts of their connexion with the Lord. Yes, they again rejoice and say, “Truly, I am the Lord’s.” But if the sensible grace departs, and the susceptible unction is removed, their rejoicing is instantly turned into mourning, and their peace disappears anew.
III.
Therefore, blessed is he, who is able to find the way, from this second period of the inward life, to the third. We called it the period of permanency. Isaiah points it out in the words: “Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads!” Joy is then no longer a timid bird, which in silence takes its flight at the slightest noise; it then obtains firm footing in our hearts; for we have made a blissful discovery; we are then acquainted with only one Star that is never extinguished; with places that are ever verdant; with a mirror that never sullies, a robe which moths do not corrupt, and a prospect which is never obscur. ed. And since we know this, we know also how to maintain our footing, and our courage, whatever comes.
A Star that never becomes extinct — do you know this Star 1 We ought to be glad to know it, for how many a star we are acquainted with, which though it beam with a friendly light, is soon extinguished, or sinks behind the clouds. The love of God is a sweet and precious star; how joyfully do we walk in its ravishing beams! A benignant star is our own fidelity; and how beneficial is the feeling not to have departed from the Lord and his ways! A consolatory star beams upon us in the obedience we are enabled to yield him. How cheering, at the close of the day, is the consciousness that we have sought, by Divine grace, to glorify
God according to our ability! A star that shines upon us with particular loveliness in life, is the consciousness of ardent love to Jesus in our hearts, How blissfully do we proceed on our way, as long as this flame burns; but how do we feel, when these consoling stars all at once become extinct, or sink beneath the clouds! — when the love of God no longer reflects itself so brightly in the guidance of our lives — when our fidelity no longer bears us witness that we belong to the Lord, but backslidings and deviations take its place; and when, instead of obedience, from whence we might have inferred the genuineness of our faith — only disobedience and sin as is mostly the case, manifest themselves in our lives; and when the fervour of our hearts is suddenly changed into barrenness, and even into coldness! Yet still, my dear hearers, even then another Star is seen in the sky, which shines down upon us with radiant brightness; — it is the fidelity of our covenant God; the fidelity which is immutable and eternal as his nature, which never forsakes the once adopted child, but goes after it in all its aberrations, and would prefer resolving upon any thing rather than upon leaving unfinished the good work once begun in the soul of the poor sinner. Ah, he who knows how to contemplate this Star in the darkness of his life, is secure from despair. Wherever thou mayest direct thy path, thou wilt take firm steps in the light of this Star.
There is no other staff to support us in our pilgrimage, nor any other rock on which we can lean, than that which is pointed out in the words, “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful he cannot deny himself.” Let every other support fall away; if thou hast found that Star, and walkest in its light, thou wilt never be shaken nor moved any more.
Places that are always verdant — know ye these places 1 It ought to be of importance to us to know them; we may indeed know many a green spot, but how soon do they fade! The place is verdant, where the Lord sensibly approaches us 5 but who possesses always this consciousness of the Saviour’s presence 1 The place is verdant, where he pours out upon us the spirit of unction; but who is unacquainted with the hour of barrenness and fearful abandonment? The place is verdant, where striking answers to prayer strengthen our faith; but to whom are the seasons strange when prayer seems presented in vain 1 Therefore blessed are the sheep who find a pasturage, wThere the grass never wTithereth! — and this is found in the promises of the great God and his eternal assurances; these are spots which are ever flourishing and verdant; and are never deficient in delightful food. Though every other pasture may be parched up; yet he who knows how to feed in these meadows, shall have bread and water, peace and joy, in abundance, even in the days of heat, barrenness, and famine.
A seal that can never be obliterated — do you know this impress and this seal 1 This seal, as the sign of adoption and favour, was formerly discovered in the intense and heartfelt hatred to sin; in a glowing consciousness of love to the Lord; in a lively thirsting after his presence; and in the cheerfulness with which we do his will, and make sacrifices to him. Certainly, all that I have just mentioned may indeed assure us of our state of grace; they are very unequivocal characteristics of those who are no longer of the world, but are drawn to God. He that perceives these features in himself, has read with his own eyes the new name which is given him. But who does not know, that these bold and striking characters may occasionally grow very faint and obscure! yet still there is one remaining, which is sufficient to preserve to us the conviction that we are his children — one, which we formerly little heeded and valued; one, which when every thing else disappears, may still be every moment met with in the centre of our being; and that is, the exclusive direction of the heart and soul to the Lord, the decided will to that which is good, though the performance may sometimes be wanting; it is the sincere delighting, after the inner man, in Jesus and his yoke and service ‘, it is the desiring nothing so much as Him, and Him alone; aye, and though every other trait were to be effaced from the tablet of our hearts, these Divine characters remain — not indeed always in letters of flame, but still always legible; we know them, we pay attention to them, and are able to appreciate them; and thus we possess a permanent document of our adoption, an inwardly flowing fountain of peace and joy in our hearts.
A vesture which moths do not corrupt, nor thieves are able to steal; and do you ask, “where shall we find such a dress V Ah, you are well aware that it is not to be found in your own gifts and abilities; not in your impulse to pray; nor in your conviction, your loving feelings, fidelity, and gratitude towards God; nor in the purity and blamelessness of your walk. All this, though certainly a vesture, and even a beautiful one — one that is acceptable to God, and extremely desirable — yet is it also an uninterruptedly existing and abiding one 1 Ah, you experience the reverse! But the more frequently the latter is the case, the more zealously do you look around you for a vesture which you may have daily and hourly at hand, and at length you find such a one; you find it in the great living treasury, which is called Christ. It is Christ’s blood and righteousness. Then let every vestment of our own disappear, let the crown of our own personal beauty fall from our heads; yet we are never naked: the merits of the Surety stand in our inventory; his righteousness is amongst our clothing, and his merits never fall from us in our course, nor does any dust defile this robe of salvation.
A prospect that never grows dim. — There are many pleasing- prospects; but it often happens, that before we are aware, night has veiled them from our view, and they perhaps never present themselves again. Such is the prospect of complete holiness of life — the prospect of a pleasing inheritance here below, or a peaceful existence — the prospect of the conversion of some particular friend — the prospect that the beloved of our hearts may not depart from our side — or whatever prospect it may be. Alas! when so many cheering prospects close, whither shall we direct our eye 1 Then lift it upwards, and look towards the place which is prepared for us beyond the stars; then cast it inwards into that golden hereafter, and the mansions which already bear our names — this prospect cannot grow dim, nor be obscured. It is true our stumblings are clouds; our unfaithfulness and our aberrations are clouds; but we know that they are not such as can obscure that prospect. If we belong to Christ — that prospect remains eternally bright, and eternally open to us.
We know the omnipotent “I will” of the eternal Son — “I will that they whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am.” With these mighty words we sweep heaven of its clouds, and dispel the mists* O sweet though distant view! 0 blissful look into
13S THE RANSOMED OF THE LORD.
boundlessness!” Then let every other prospect be closed; this one, above the reach of every other earthly power, recompenses for all.
Now see, my brethren, this is the star that is never extinguished; these are the places which are ever verdant; this is the seal which is never obliterated; this is the vesture which the moth does not consume; and this the prospect which never fades away. Ylre become acquainted with them in the third period of the Christian course, and are then secured from despondency. Permanent joy, if not always in the same measure and degree, is upon our heads.
IV.
However, there is still a more blissful state than the one above described, and the prophet points it out in our text. In the third period, the Christian certainly rejoices; but we forcibly cause ourselves this joy, so to speak, by the consideration of some particular points, and the preserving it is also accompanied with some trouble. But there is still a fourth, in which we are differently situated with respect to joy. The latter is, then, by no means a constrained guest, who is with difficulty detained. We then continue passive, and obtain joy and gladness, as the prophet says. We arc now more accustomed to forget our own persons; and, in our own ideas, no longer separate them from Christ. We are more exercised in the blissful art, of knowing ourselves no longer after the flesh, but regard ourselves in the garment presented to us by our Surety. The manner of viewing the subject, by means of which we are every moment conscious of being blameless in Christ, — aye, and of being an object of the Divine good pleasure, is become more easy to us; and we have gained breath and strength to the fulfilment of that most glorious and greatest of all evangelical commands, “Be ye perfect!” We then no longer constrain joy to favour us with a visit 5 but joy urges itself upon us. Joy and gladness then become like two powers, which, as it were, are always lying in wait for us j they conceal themselves, I might almost say, behind every bush and thicket; and, before we are aware, dart out and overpower us. Whether we direct our looks upwards to the stars — those lamps in our paternal mansion; or to the blooming scene which Nature presents around us — this faintly reflected image of that beauteous paradise to which we are proceeding 5 or to the majestic flashing of the thunder-clouds on which He rides, whom we, notwithstanding his exalted dignity, are permitted to greet with an “Abba Father!” — or if we direct to them our exit from this world, which cannot be any thing else than an entrance into the festive halls of heaven — blissful delight continually pervades and thrills through us; joy and gladness meet us on our way. and seize upon us.
V.
However, as long as we sojourn on this side the grave, it is seldom that unmingled joy is our lot. Pain walks hand in hand with it in most cases; and if we rejoice, we do so on a field of battle, and in the midst of a vale of tears. We are saved indeed; but it is by hope; hence we wait with an ardent longing for our entrance upon the highest stage of Christian life, upon the period of eternal fruition. We therefore cast our anchor upon the coasts of heaven, and live upon the pinions of a cheerful confidence, more in the future than in the variously troubled present state. O happy period, when the little tenement which oppresses us falls to ruin, and when we joyfully lay down the dusty clothes of our pilgrimage and our wanderer’s staff, and our warlike attire at the throne of the Lamb! Incomparable moment, when we exchange the crown of thorns for the crown of eternal life, and learn to sing in realms above, the great and everlasting Hallelujah to the sound of golden harps! Then it is, as saith the prophet, that sorrow and sighing flee away; no melancholy tear any longer trembles in our eye, which glistens with delight. We then behold Him, who is our love, as well as our hope, face to face, and are like unto him. His peace dwells in our breasts, and the last remains of our earthly suffering has for ever perished beneath the waves of that peace.
THE RANSOMED OF THE LORD. 1-il
See, my dear friends, these are the stations on the wondrous paths which Christ has trodden and prepared for his people. Enter upon them, ye redeemed of the Lord; return with exultation to Zion; let everlasting joy be upon your heads; obtain joy and gladness; and at length, may that happy land unite us all together, where sorrow and sighing flee away, and the mighty song resounds, “To the Lamb that was slain, be praise, and thanksgiving, and worship, and honour, and glory to all eternity!” Amen.
VZ