January 29

Living Redeemer. Before his incarnation, he lived, and was in the bosom of his Father, his joy and delight. Before the everlasting hills were laid, countless ages before time began to roll, he lived and was Jehovah's fellow, and was always rejoicing before him. (Proverbs 8:23—31.) Christ was coexistent with the Father—from everlasting to everlasting, God. As our Redeemer, he was crucified and put to death; but he was not holden of death, but by his almighty power he arose; and though dead, he is now alive again, and liveth for evermore. He is not only a living Redeemer, but the great fountain of life: he has life in himself, and is the life of the world. The first Adam long since died; but the second Adam ever liveth. Patriarchs and prophets, priests and apostles, have died, but the Head of the Church—the Great High Priest and Apostle of our profession—ever liveth. Did he not live, he could not save, and impart life to others. II.—Christ is my Redeemer. Job could appropriate Christ to himself; and less than this cannot give hope and comfort to the soul. My beloved is mine; and I am his. We must feel that he loved us, and gave himself for us. The believing soul says he is mine; for he is the Redeemer of the lost and the perishing, and I am one of the lost and the perishing. He is mine; for he has enabled me to throw myself at his feet, and look up to his cross. He is mine; for my hands

E are laid upon his sacred head — my iniquities he has borne away. III. — I know that my Redeemer liveth. I know he is mine. He has said to my soul "I am thy salvation." He has spoken peace. He has justified me. He has shed abroad his love within my heart. His Spirit bears witness with my spirit. He dwells within me the hope of glory. I know that he liveth. He lives in my heart, as the resurrection and the life. He lives in the church on earth, as its head, and source of vitality and support. He lives on his mediatorial throne in heaven, and ever maketh intercession for us. How delightful! — how necessary! — to feel and know that our Redeemer liveth. What present satisfaction and joy it produces, and what solid comfort and hope as to our future and eternal state!