Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 51:12a, where we read these words:
"I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should beafraid . . . ?"
When God comforts His church, He always does so through the atonement He gives us in Christ. Because of this supernal grace, we now have no ground for fleshly fear (especially of man). And the reason for this is because of *Who* it is that consoles and strengthens our hearts: it is not another fel-low-sinner, nor an angel, nor anyone (or anything) else—but God Himself.
When we rest, by faith, in Jesus' righteousness alone (as our own), then, how can we possibly justify fearing man or anything else? After all, if God is satisfi-ed with us, in Christ, who cares what anyone else thinks?
[Puritan quote of the day: "If God delivers you from any of your sins, He must do such work as is greater than the making of heaven and earth.” —Jeremi-ah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]
When God comforts His church, He always does so through the atonement He gives us in Christ. Because of this supernal grace, we now have no ground for fleshly fear (especially of man). And the reason for this is because of *Who* it is that consoles and strengthens our hearts: it is not another fel-low-sinner, nor an angel, nor anyone (or anything) else—but God Himself.
When we rest, by faith, in Jesus' righteousness alone (as our own), then, how can we possibly justify fearing man or anything else? After all, if God is satisfi-ed with us, in Christ, who cares what anyone else thinks?
[Puritan quote of the day: "If God delivers you from any of your sins, He must do such work as is greater than the making of heaven and earth.” —Jeremi-ah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]
