Spurgeon: May PM
* 05/12/PM
"Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a
great nation: I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will
also surely bring thee up again."
--Genesis 46:3,Genesis 46:4
Jacob must have shuddered at the thought of leaving the land
of his father's sojourning, and dwelling among heathen
strangers. It was a new scene, and likely to be a trying one : who shall venture among couriers of a foreign monarch without
anxiety? Yet the way was evidently appointed for him, and
therefore he resolved to go. This is frequently the position of
believers now--they are called to perils and temptations
altogether untried: at such seasons let them imitate Jacob's
example by offering sacrifices of prayer unto God, and seeking
His direction; let them not take a step until they have waited
upon the Lord for His blessing: then they will have Jacob's
companion to be their friend and helper. How blessed to feel
assured that the Lord is with us in all our ways, and
condescends to go down into our humiliations and banishments
with us! Even beyond the ocean our Father's love beams like the
sun in its strength. We cannot hesitate to go where Jehovah
promises His presence; even the valley of deathshade grows
bright with the radiance of this assurance. Marching onwards
with faith in their God, believers shall have Jacob's promise .
They shall be brought up again, whether it be from the troubles
of life or the chambers of death. Jacob's seed came out of
Egypt in due time, and so shall all the faithful pass unscathed
through the tribulation of life, and the terror of death. Let us
exercise Jacob's confidence. "Fear not ," is the Lord's command
and His divine encouragement to those who at His bidding are
launching upon new seas; the divine presence and preservation
forbid so much as one unbelieving fear. Without our God we
should fear to move; but when He bids us to, it would be
dangerous to tarry. Reader, go forward, and fear not.