An Abiding Portion Which Changes Not

“Scripture compares the world’s population to a mighty ocean.  Kings and rulers sit upon this ocean.  As a ship floats upon the waves, so their lives float upon the favor of the multitude.  And what kind of security is there in riding the waves?  For a while they will be lifted up to the heavens, only to fall down again into the deep.  David knew how fickle the world’s preferments are: “We have ten parts in the king,”  said the men of Israel; and in the very next verse the tide had already turned: “We have no part in David, neither have we any inheritance in the son of Jesse.”  Thus was David tossed up and down, almost in the same breath.  (II Sam. 19 and 20)

“But heaven is a kingdom that cannot be shaken.  Christ is an abiding portion which changes not.  His graces and comforts are sure waters that spring up into eternal life.  The quail that were food for the Israelites’ greed soon ceased, but the rock that was drink for their faith followed them.  This rock is Christ.  You may lose every temporal comfort, including family and friends, but if your treasure is secure in Christ, you are a rich man still.  Christ will come to you in your darkest hour with peace and a promise:  “Fear not death nor devils.  I will stay right here beside you until you breathe your last breath.  My angels are waiting with Me.  As soon as your soul is breathed out of your body, they will carry it to heaven and lay it in the bosom of My love.  Then I will nourish you with those eternal joys that My blood has purchased and My love has perfected for you.””

--taken from William Gurnall’s  The Christian in Complete Armor

Thinking today about the persecuted Christians in war-torn Syria.  Reading this morning in Matthew about Jesus healing and teaching all over Syria, and today Damascus lies just recently empty and in ruins…Saturday May 11 Syrian Christians have proclaimed a day of prayer and fasting.  From a letter:  “We were told that around five years ago Syrian Christian leaders from all denominations felt the Lord was going to bring a revival to the country and the church dedicated a time of prayer and fasting the first 3 days of every month.  They knew the Lord was going to do something big, they just didn’t expect it to be war.”  Pray for our brothers and sisters.