Evening, May 12
Go To Morning Reading
“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 46:3,4
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.