March 1
JOY FOR THE CAST-OUT
"Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word; Your
brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said,
Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they
shall be ashamed" Isa. 66:5
Possibly this text may not apply to one in a thousand of the
readers of this little book of promises; but the Lord cheers that one
in such words as these. Let us pray for all such as are cast out
wrongfully from the society which they love. May the Lord appear to
their joy!
The text applies to truly gracious men who tremble at the word of
the Lord. These were hated of their brethren, and at length cast out
because of their fidelity and their holiness. This must have been very
bitter to them; and all the more so because their casting out was done
in the name of religion, and professedly with the view of glorifying
God. How much is done for the devil in the name of God! The use of the
name of Jehovah to add venom to the bite of the old serpent is an
instance of his subtlety.
The appearing of the Lord for them is the hope of His persecuted
people. He appears as the advocate and defender of His elect; and when
He does so, it means a clear deliverance for the God-fearing and shame
for their oppressors. O Lord, fulfill this word to those whom men are
deriding!