We are called to confess Jesus in a day when the fury and rage of persecution are restrained. Bonds and imprisonments do not await us. Yet we must not think to be exempt from trials and difficulties of various kinds. Our adversary is not dead. The corruptions of our hearts are alive, and daily fight against us. The love of Jesus is ever accompanied with the world's hatred. His people are not mere stoics. Such opposition is a trial to them. Sometimes it may be their lot, like the disciples, to be in the midst of a sea of troubles, tossed with the waves of difficulty; the wind of providence appearing contrary; and, to the eye of nature and sense, Jesus seems asleep to their sorrows, as though his kind love to them and tender care over them were suspended. Here is the trial of our faith. But this grace never consults nature and appearances; it looks through all, to the everlasting love and almighty power of Jesus; knowing he can save from the uttermost depth of distress, and raise to the extremest height of comfort.
Thus triumphs the church under all her tribulations: "I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me." Micah. 7:7,8. Sweet confession of faith, under most discouraging views. For, while the Lord cares for us, what can harm us? While we east our every care on him, we obey his will, honor his word, and he fills our hearts with peace. How composed did the three children of faith stand before the wrathful monarch? How easy their minds, under the dreadful threatening of a fiery furnace! How calm their reply! "O king, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter." The Lord careth for us. We cast all our care upon him.
Ever judge of Jesus' care for sinners by his love to them. Ever remember, while we were enemies his blood atoned for our sins. Can we believe his love to us, and doubt his care for us? O how unreasonable is unbelief! But, if we had no corruptions to conflict with, no troubles to exercise us, no burdens to bow us down, no cares to beset us, no fears to attend us, a great part of God's word would be useless. As we are not to expect total freedom from these, the exhortations of the word are suited to our state, and direct to a loving Friend, whose kind invitation under every distress is, "Come unto me." Matt. 1l:28.
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