November 2

I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. - Isaiah 42:16.

HERE we view God as our Interpreter. We may observe five instances in which the Lord makes darkness light before his people, and crooked things straight. First, As to doctrine. It is not for us to determine with how much error in judgment real grace may be found in the heart. We find our Saviour one day putting his fingers upon the eyes of a blind man, who afterwards said, “I see men as trees walking:” yet he was under the Saviour’s own operation. And our Lord touched his eyes again, and commanded him to look up, when he saw all things plainly. For a time persons may have very confined and obscure, and sometimes very perplexing, views of some doctrines of the gospel, compared with what others know now and what they shall know by-and-by. God is gradual in all his operations, both in nature and grace. We see in nature things are slow in proportion to their value and importance. But though his mode may be sometimes slow, it is always sure, and under his agency.

Secondly, As to experience. There are many things perplexing here. The temptations that often assail them are among the number; for they hoped to go on in their Christian course without annoyance. Then the Christian’s life must be a warfare. So also with regard to prayer. They are often perplexed; they read that God answers prayer: “But,” says the Christian, “he has not answered mine.” But Christians should learn to distinguish. God immediately hears our prayers, but he does not always immediately answer. “For he is a God of judgment,” and while his mercy constrains him to give, his wisdom leads him to withhold the blessing for a time; but he waits to be gracious.

Sometimes by strange, sometimes by terrible, things in righteousness does he answer his people. It is the same also with regard to joy. Christians read in the Scriptures that religion is friendly to joy; that the redeemed shall come to Zion with songs, and with everlasting joy upon their heads. But many say, “I have so little of this.” But do not we find that religion is described by sorrow as well as joy,-by fear as well as hope? Again, with regard to assurance. “Oh that I knew,” says one, “my interest in that everlasting covenant ordered in all things and sure!” Oh that he would say unto my soul, I am thy salvation! I could then face a frowning world and defy the king of terrors: but all is obscurity.

“’Tis a point I long to know,-

Oft it causes anxious thought,-

Do I love the Lord, or no?

Am I his, or am I not?”

The most that I am able to reach at present is peradventure, and to say, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Why, “wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart.” Again, with regard to practical duties. With regard to a change of situation, a transition from one business to another, the Christian may be at a loss what step to take, and this will awaken in a pious mind a concern that others never feel; and it is natural he should feel this, because how much depends on every step he takes! And we know a wrong step may give a complexion to the whole of our future lives. We therefore feel a concern to know the way wherein we should walk, and our souls will be lifted up for divine guidance and direction.

When Christians get to heaven, how will these words be realized in their blessed experience! then he will “make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight;” then they will have leisure to survey and capacity to understand the dealings of God, and all his conduct will appear faithfulness and truth; then the future will have been supplied, and all things explained; then they will see how all things advanced their welfare; though many had appeared dark, disorderly, and perplexing, yet all will harmonize, and they will exclaim, “Just and true are thy ways, O thou King of saints.”