You are the objects of the Blessed
Redeemer's particular care. By William Nicholson. Christians,
the Redeemer with all His glorious salvation, in all His offices,
and under all the characters which He sustains, is yours. you may say with the fullest
assurance, My Beloved is Mine, and I am His. You are the objects
of the Blessed Redeemer's particular care, given into His hands by
His and your Father to be saved by Him from the guilt and dominion
of sin, from all the powers of darkness, and from the vengeance
of eternal fire. he executes all of his offices
on your behalf. As a priest, he has made an atonement
for your sin, and reconciled you to God. As a prophet, he
teaches you from his word all that you need for life and godliness. As a king, he reigns in his church,
and rules in the heart of every believer. He is a physician to
heal the diseased. He is a shepherd to feed and
guide his flock. He is a counselor to direct them
in all the intricate paths of life. He is a friend that sticks
closer than a brother, and whose friendship is unchangeable and
everlasting. He is an advocate to plead his
people's cause. He is a Redeemer to emancipate
their souls from sin's bondage. He is a sun to enlighten you,
a shield to defend you, a door to admit you to heaven, a tree
for fruit to nourish you, a balm of Gilead to heal your soul maladies. Well may Christ be called the
consolation of Israel for His unchangeable grace and mercy,
His perfect obedience unto sin atoning death. and His constant
divine intercession are replete with comfort to the lost and
undone sinner. By the power of Christ's grace,
our unbelief receives a death wound, our distracting fears
are hushed to silence, and we are filled with joy unspeakable
and full of glory. While in ecstasy we exclaim,
God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto
the world. I have found Him whom my soul
loves. I have found the pearl of greatest
price. My Christ is first. My Christ
is last. My Christ is all in all. Look, Christians, to your Redeemer,
and listen to the gracious words that proceed from His mouth.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. You are my
friends, if you do what I command you. The Father himself loves
you, because you have loved me. I am the Good Shepherd. My sheep hear my voice. I know
them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and
they will never perish. Ever. No one will snatch them
out of my hand. What more could your Lord say?
Here He opens His heart to you and declares that no good thing
will He withhold from you who are united to Him. Oh, contemplate
the great object of your devout desires, and look to the glorious
Friend who utters these promises and guides your feeble steps.