December 5

"And now I exhort you to be of good cheer."—Acts 27:22.

THE prisoner becomes the preacher; the captive is the captain of the labouring ship. It is a picture of how the child of God is kept in perfect peace when the rains descend and the fierce winds blow.

He remembers the Proprietorship, which is his safeguard and fortress. God whose I am, he says. He lies in the hollow of that great and tender Hand. He is covered by the shadow of those soft and brooding Wings. And what harm can befall him there? The wild waves must overwhelm his strong and sufficient God ere they will be able to submerge him.

He remembers the Obedience, which is his habit and delight. God whom I serve, he says too. It is his joy to do the will of the Father, and to finish His work. It is his convinced assurance that, while he is about this blessed will, no real evil will come nigh. All the omnipotence of the King, whose tasks and enterprises are entrusted to him, is ranged on his side; and he is invincible till the King's pleasure is fulfilled.

He remembers the Vision, which is his solace and stay. There stood by me this night an Angel, he says. There are chariots of fire and horses of fire round about him. There are "troops of beautiful tall angels" sent to "enshield him from all wrong." By faith he sees them—he hears the rustle of their pinions. Their bright squadrons encircle his soul. Their invisible and most mighty hands hold him up.

Mine be the proprietorship, the obedience, the vision. Then I shall not only be glad of heart, but I shall be able to comfort those who are in tribulation with the comforts wherewith I myself have been comforted of God.