up His freshness, till He became "like a bottle in the smoke."
us all right.
But am I warranted in trusting God at all times, whatever may be the evil that I feel to be in me? Of course you are, just as you are bound to obey the command which says, "Thou shalt love Him with all thy heart." You would not say, "I am so bad that I am not warranted in loving God." That would be adding sin to sin. So you ought never to say, "I am so bad that I am not entitled to trust God." God commands you to trust Him; and not to do so would just be adding sin to sin. Trust Him at all times, for He is worthy to be trusted. Stay upon Him, for His arm is strong enough to bear the whole weight both of yourself and your sins. Do not hesitate or delay. Trust Him at once, and as you are. Trust Him now.
The Man of Sorrows
"His visage was so marred more than any man."—ISA. 52:14.
HE of whom the prophet speaks is the same as is said to be "fairer than the children of men." Yet, behold, He is so marred that He has "no form nor comeliness!" Once fairer than all, now more disfigured than any!
1. Earth's climate did not suit this "tender plant." The air was not genial like that of heaven, whence He had come; and the soil had the curse on it. How could it but wither?
2. Inward grief consumed Him. Like a fire within, His sorrow dried up His freshness, till He became "like a bottle in the smoke."
3. Man's hatred smote Him. Each day did He meet the contradiction of sinners against Himself. He was forced to say, "Reproach hath