Many may rebuke you; many may scorn you; even your brethren may treat you with contempt; yet your God, your Redeemer, will not depart from you.

Posted : 10 Aug, 2013 02:23 AM

Psalm 119:141 I am small and despised; yet do not I forget Your precepts.





Evidently David did not love the word for selfish gain. Small

and despised was his condition, when the Lord first looked on

him. It was also the reproach, which in the height of his glory he endured for the name of his God. Yet- stripped and

destitute as he might be-did he not forget His precepts. The

remembrance of his God was a cheering encouragement to

his faith in his lowly condition; and no less his support in the

far greater trials of his prosperity. Thus habitually did he

realize the unspeakable privilege of an ever-present God!

The objects of the Lord's sovereign choice, whom He has

stamped as a "peculiar treasure unto Him above all people,"

and whom at the day of His appearing He will bring forth as

the "jewels" of His crown-are most frequently in their worldly

condition-always in the eyes of the world, and in their own

estimation-small and despised. And yet pride and hypocrisy in

the natural heart will sometimes assume this character for

selfish ends. This language of humility is not infrequently in

the mouth of the professor, to enable him to maintain "a name

to live" in the church of God. But are those who call

themselves small and despised willing to be taken at their

word? Are they content to be despised by those, whose

esteem this "voluntary" spurious "humility" was meant to

secure? Do they really believe themselves to be what they

profess-false, vile, mean, deceitful creatures? Have they any

experimental knowledge of the depth of inner wickedness,

that God could open door after door in "the chamber of

imagery" to confound them with the sight of greater, and yet

"greater abominations!" When, therefore, they "take the lowest

place," do they feel it to be their own place? Or does not the

language of self-abasement mean in the eyes of God-'Come,

see how humble I am?'

Christian! do not think these self-inquiries unnecessary for the

cautious scrutiny of Your own heart. A self-annihilating spirit

before men, as well as before God;-to feel small and

despised, when we have a reputable name in the Church-is a

rare attainment-a glorious triumph of victorious grace- usually

the fruit of sharp affliction. This was the spirit of Brainerd-that meek and lowly disciple of his Master, who would express his

astonishment that any one above the rank of "the beasts that

perish" could condescend to notice him. But if we are small

and despised, in the estimation of men, let us think of "Him,

whom man despises-Him whom the nation abhors." Never

was such an instance of magnanimity displayed, as when

Pilate brought out the blessed Jesus, arrayed in the mockery

of royalty, and with the blood streaming from His temples: and

said, "Behold the man!" Then was there a human being,

sustaining himself in the simple exclusive consciousness of

the favor of God, against the universal scorn of every face.

This was independence-this was greatness indeed. With such

a pattern before our eyes, and such a motive touching our

hearts, we may well account it "a very small thing, that we

should be judged of man's judgment." What upheld "the man

Christ Jesus," will uphold His servants also. "He committed

himself to Him that judges righteously." Must we not desire to

"know the fellowship of His sufferings"-yes, to rejoice in the

participation of them?

Christian! do you love to be low, and still desire to be lower

than ever? Small and despised as you are in your own eyes,

and in the eyes of the world, "you are precious in the eyes of

Him," who gave a price "for your ransom"- infinitely more

precious than "Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba," and who will suffer

"none to pluck you out of His hands." Many may rebuke you;

many may scorn you; even your brethren may treat you with

contempt; yet your God, your Redeemer, will not depart from

you, will not permit you to depart from Him; but will put His

Spirit within you, and bring forth His precepts to your

remembrance, that you may keep them, and many a sweet

supporting promise for your consolation. Therefore "fear not,

you worm Jacob; I will help you, says the Lord, and your

Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel."



by

Charles Bridges

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