Letters: A Friend in Blairgowrie (2)
The sermon emphasizes the comfort and hope found in resting in the grace of Jesus and growing in knowledge of His love.
Andrew Bonar encourages believers to rest in the grace of Jesus, emphasizing that His grace is an inexhaustible source of comfort and strength. He reminds us to draw from this well of free love, especially during times of sadness due to personal sin or the struggles of others. Bonar also reassures that God is aware of our journey through life's wilderness, providing safety and guidance, and encourages a deepening love for Christ as we grow in grace. He concludes with a hopeful reminder that the wilderness will end, and we will see the beauty of the King.
Text
GLASGOW, 2nd Sept. 1859.
DEAR FOLLOWER OF THE LAMB,
-- He that believeth shall not make haste. Go on quietly resting in the grace of Jesus, for His grace is like a full well which you may draw from and yet no way exhaust. Sit beside this well, and when your soul is sad because of sin in you, drink of this free love again. Sit beside this well, and when your soul is sad because of sin around you, drink of this well again. Yes, sit there always, and when the coldness of backsliding ones grieves you, drink of this well of free love again! Is it not a cure for every evil? Does it not also put hope and expectation into your soul? Sit there and pray on. Sit there and praise!
Pray for us here. We have some drops from heaven on our pasture.--Yours in the Lord Jesus,
ANDREW A. BONAR.
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GLASGOW, 1st January 1875.
DEAR FRIEND,
--Thanks for your letter--it is always acceptable, and I try in return to pray for you as you desire. Is not this a word that we may use as Israel did: 'He knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the Lord thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing' (Deut.2:7). All this is true, and oh, what a comfort is here, 'He knoweth!' for it tells us that He will see to our safety and will order all for our good. And soon now the wilderness will be over. 'Thine eyes (yes, your eyes) shall see the King in His beauty,' and that is the very heart of heaven.
I think Christ grows more and more precious every day--His person, His obedience, His blood, all, all in Him. O to know His heart of love, and to be able to love Him as He has loved us; I mean, to love Him with all our heart, as He loves us with all His heart.
. . . Let this be our watchword this year, 'Grow in grace!'
'The Lord is at hand!'
Yours truly in the Lord,
ANDREW A. BONAR.
Sermon Outline
- The Source of Comfort
- The Knowledge of God
- Growing in Grace
- The Preciousness of Christ
- Knowing Christ's Heart of Love
- Loving Christ with All Our Heart
Key Quotes
“He that believeth shall not make haste. Go on quietly resting in the grace of Jesus, for His grace is like a full well which you may draw from and yet no way exhaust.” — Andrew Bonar
“Is it not a cure for every evil? Does it not also put hope and expectation into your soul?” — Andrew Bonar
“''He knoweth!'' for it tells us that He will see to our safety and will order all for our good.” — Andrew Bonar
Application Points
- Rest in the grace of Jesus and draw from the well of His free love in times of sadness.
- Let 'Grow in grace!' be your watchword this year and focus on knowing Christ's heart of love.
- Recognize God's presence in the wilderness and trust in His order for your good.