Letter 105
The Lord's mercy is available to us in our struggles, and He bids us not to fear, but to stand still and see His salvation.
James Bourne preaches about the struggles and fears we face in life, likening them to the entanglements of the wilderness that shut in the Israelites. He encourages seeking God in times of difficulty, even when faced with great obstacles and enemies. Bourne shares his personal experiences of feeling cast down and fearing abandonment by God, but finding comfort in God's tender mercies and sweet instructions. He emphasizes the importance of prayer, vigilance, and trusting in God's sovereignty and mercy, urging gratitude for His goodness and wonderful works.
Text
[To the Rev. B. G.] London, 8 April 1836.
My dear Friend,
I have often thought that there may be many about you that will say like Pharaoh, "They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in." If you are like me you will find a fearful testimony within, that often makes you, for a season, to believe the same. If you are of Israel, no doubt your difficulties will be both great and numerous; for God says, "I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them." You will find (as I have found) that this pursuit or our enemies will make us sorely afraid; but it will be our mercy if like the children of Israel we in our fear cry unto the Lord; for though this cry be accompanied with much secret mourning and repining, the long-suffering mercy of God is such that he does not send us to our deserved place, but bids us not to fear, but "stand still, and see the salvation of God."
I wish not to complain, but I would have you know that I have many difficulties on all hands which are far beyond the help of flesh and blood. Yet I am not left to fight my battles alone; and though many watch for my halting, the Lord often draws very nigh and whispers sweet instruction. Since I wrote last I have been greatly cast clown, fearing the Lord would give me up. In my sorrow I mourned before the Lord, and I remember the sweet sensation he created in my heart when he told me it was a time of double circumspection - "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise." Be much in prayer; "Watch and be sober." The enemy is very busy; cleave close to me; and see, if this counsel be taken, whether it falls to the ground. Was it not infinite condescension in our God, to deal so tenderly with one so base, so abject, so treacherous, as myself? But he is a sovereign, and will have mercy because he will have mercy. But to return, I found grace from on high to take his sweet counsel, and was astonished to see that I had not to fight, but to pray, for the battle was his, not mine. "O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! "
Let me conclude this letter with the next verse for Mrs. G.; "For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness."
From yours affectionately in the Lord, J. B.
Sermon Outline
- ['A. The struggle is real', 'B. The enemy is busy']
- ['A. The wilderness has shut us in', 'B. We are entangled in the land']
- ['A. He bids us not to fear', 'B. He whispers sweet instruction']
- ['A. Watch and be sober', 'B. See that ye walk circumspectly']
- ['A. Praise the Lord for his goodness', 'B. He satisfieth the longing soul']
Key Quotes
“The wilderness has shut us in.” — James Bourne
“He bids us not to fear, but 'stand still, and see the salvation of God.'” — James Bourne
“O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” — James Bourne
Application Points
- We must cry out to the Lord in our fear, and trust in His mercy.
- Prayer is essential in our struggles, as it allows us to watch and be sober, and to see that we walk circumspectly.
- We must praise the Lord for His goodness and wonderful works, and trust in His sovereignty.