On Thy Tenderness

“He shall gather the laraha -with His axra, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are -with young.” — Isa. xi. 11.

How soothing, in the hour of sorrow, or bereavement, or death, to have the countenance and sympathy of a tender earthly friend! My soul! these words tell thee of one nearer, dearer, tenderer still — the Friend that never fails — a tender God! By how many endearing epithets does Jesus exhibit the tenderness of His affection to His people! Does a shepherd watch tenderly over his flock? “The Lord is my Shepherd!” Does a father exercise fondest solicitude towards his children? “I will be a Father unto you!” Does a mothers love exceed all other earthly types of affectionate tenderness? “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you!” Is the ajjple of the eye the most susceptible part of the most delicate bodily organ? “He keeps them as the apple of His eye!”

“He will not break the bruised reed!” “When the “Shepherd and Bishop of Souls” finds the sinner like a lost sheep, stumbling on the dark mountains, how tenderly He deals with him! There is no look of wrath — no word of upbraiding — in silent love “He lays him on His shoulders rejoicing!”

When Peter falls, He does not unnecessarily wound him. He might have repeated often and again the piercing look which brought the flood of penitential sorrow. But He gave that look only once / and if He reminds him again of his threefold denial, it is by thrice repeating the gentlest of questions, “Lovest thou me?”

My soul! art thou mourning over the weakness of thy faith — the coldness of thy love — thy manifold spiritual declensions? Fear not! He knows thy frame — He will give feeble faith tender dealing — He will “carry” in His arms those that are unable to walk, and will conduct the burdened ones through a path less rough and rugged than others. When “the Lion” or “the Bear” comes, thou mayest trust the true David, the tenderest of shepherds! Art thou suffering from outward trial? Confide in the tenderness of thy God’s dealings with thee. The strokes of His rod are gentle strokes — the needed discipline of a father yearning over his children the very moment He is chastising them! The gentlest earthly parent may speak a harsh word at times — it may be, needlessly harsh. But not so GOD. “He may seem, like Joseph to his brethren, to speak roughly; but all the while there is love in His heart!” The pruning-hook will not be used unnecessarily. It will never cut too deeply. The furnace will not burn more fiercely than is absolutely required. A tender God is seated by it, tempering the fury of its flames.

And what, believer, is the secret of all this tenderness? “There is a Man upon the Throne /” Jesus — the God-Man Mediator; combining, with all the might of Godhead, all the tenderness of spotless humanity. Is thy heart crushed with sorrow? — so was His! Are thine eyes dimmed with tears? — so were His! “Jesus wept!” Bethany’s “Chief Mourner” still wears the Brother’s heart in glory. Others may be unable to enter into the depths of thy trial. He can — He does I

With such a “tender God” caring for me, providing for me, watching my path by day, and guarding my couch by night —

“l WILL BOTH LAY ME DOWN IN PEACE AND SLEEP; FOR THOU LORD, ONLY MAKEST ME DWELL IN SAFETY!”