"Now the hand of the Lord was upon me in the evening." --Ezekiel 33:22
In the way of
judgment this may be the case, and, if so, be it mine to
consider the reason of such a visitation, and bear the rod and Him that hath
appointed it. I am not the only one who is chastened in the night season; let me
cheerfully submit to the affliction, and carefully endeavour to be profited
thereby. But the hand of the Lord may also be felt in another manner,
strengthening the soul and lifting the spirit upward towards eternal things. O
that I may in this sense feel the Lord dealing with me! A sense of the divine
presence and indwelling bears the soul towards heaven as upon the wings of
eagles. At such times we are full to the brim with spiritual joy, and forget the
cares and sorrows of earth; the invisible is near, and the visible loses its
power over us; servant-body waits at the foot of the hill, and the master-spirit
worships upon the summit in the presence of the Lord. O that a hallowed season
of divine communion may be vouchsafed to me this evening! The Lord knows that I
need it very greatly. My graces languish, my corruptions rage, my faith is weak,
my devotion is cold; all these are reasons why His healing hand should be laid
upon me. His hand can cool the heat of my burning brow, and stay the tumult of
my palpitating heart. That glorious right hand which moulded the world can
new-create my mind; the unwearied hand which bears the earth's huge pillars up
can sustain my spirit; the loving hand which incloses all the saints can cherish
me; and the mighty hand which breaketh in pieces the enemy can subdue my sins.
Why should I not feel that hand touching me this evening? Come, my soul, address
thy God with the potent plea, that Jesu's hands were pierced for thy redemption,
and thou shalt surely feel that same hand upon thee which once touched Daniel
and set him upon his knees that he might see visions of God.
Morning and Evening Index
