Letter 109
The Lord will protect and provide for His people, working all things for their good and ultimately bringing them through times of affliction and prosperity.
James Bourne preaches about the assurance of God's love in Christ Jesus, emphasizing that nothing can separate us from His love. He uses the analogy of 'the vineyard of red wine' from Isaiah 27:2-3 to illustrate how the Lord protects His people from sin, death, and the devil, watering them with affliction or the waters of life. Bourne highlights that all things work together for good for God's elect, providing a safe passage for His people while bringing destruction to their enemies, ultimately showing God's sovereignty and protection over His chosen ones.
Text
[To the Rev. W. Maddy.] Tunbridge Wells, 5 August 1836
My dear Sir,
I was glad to see your two letters, and more exceedingly to see the spirit of them; nor can I think that the Lord will suffer either your pupils or anything else to separate you finally from his love in Christ Jesus. I had a good morning in speaking upon "the vineyard of red wine " [Isaiah xxvii. 2, 3] - that the Lord will keep it - that none shall hurt it, neither sin, death, nor the devil; for the Lord will water it, either with affliction or the waters of life, so that neither the night of desertion nor the day of prosperity shall hurt it. All things shall work together for good in his elect. The Red Sea shall afford a safe passage for his people, but prove the destruction of his enemies. I felt greatly encouraged in many ways, and in the things that seemed to turn up in my favour. The Lord was present to heal, and has left a sweet savour of godly fear, with some hope that he will be with me in speaking in the evening upon the 4th and following verses.
Yours &c. J. B.
Sermon Outline
- The Lord's Protection of His People
- The Lord's Sovereignty Over All Things
- The Lord's Presence in Times of Need
- The Lord was present to heal
- Leaving a sweet savour of godly fear
Key Quotes
“The Lord will water it, either with affliction or the waters of life, so that neither the night of desertion nor the day of prosperity shall hurt it.” — James Bourne
“All things shall work together for good in his elect.” — James Bourne
Application Points
- We can trust that the Lord will work all things for our good, even in difficult circumstances.
- The Lord's sovereignty over all things gives us hope and confidence in His plan.
- We must not be afraid of affliction, but rather see it as an opportunity for the Lord to water the vineyard of red wine and provide for us.