Isaiah 9:1-7 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation… There is that in Jesus Christ alone which may and can afford sufficient comfort and relief in the worst of times and conditions. I. WE WILL INQUIRE INTO THE TRUTH OF IT (Colossians 2:9). 1. If you look into Scripture you shall find that the promises and prophecies of Christ are calculated and given out for the worst of times. 2. If there was enough in the types of Christ to comfort and relieve the people of God under the Old Testament in the worst of their times; then there must needs be enough in Christ to comfort the people of God now in the worst of our times. In the times of the Old Testament, in ease they had sinned, what relief had they? A sacrifice to make an atonement (Leviticus 4:20), and so a type of Christ the great Sacrifice (Hebrews 9:26). In case they were in the wilderness and wanted bread, what relief had they? Manna, a type of Christ, "the true Bread that came down from heaven.' In case they wanted water, what relief had they? The rock opened, and "that rock was Christ." In ease they were stung wire the fiery serpents what relief had they? They had the brazen serpent, and that was a type of Christ (John 3:15). 3. If all the promises of good things made to us were originated in Christ, and if all the promises that were made unto Christ of good things to come, do descend upon us, then surely there is enough in Christ to succour in the worst of times. For what are the promises but Divine conveyances? 4. If all our want of comfort and satisfaction doth arise from the want of a sight of Christ's fulness and excellency, and all our satisfaction and comfort doth arise from the sight of Christ's fulness and excellency, then this doctrine must needs he true. II. WHAT IS THAT IN CHRIST THAT MAY OR CAN COMFORT, SUCCOUR AND BELIEVE IN THE WORST OF TIMES AND CONDITIONS? 1. Look what that good thing is which the world can either give or take away, that is in Christ in great abundance; and if that be in Christ in great abundance which the world can neither give or take away, then there is that in Christ that may or can succour, comfort, and relieve in the worst of times. Can the world take away your estate, gold, or silver? Then read what is said in Proverbs 3, concerning wisdom, where Christ is called wisdom (ver. 13). Can the world take away your liberty? Then you know what Christ says, "Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." Can the world take away your life? You know what Christ saith, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." On the other side, what can the world give to you? Can the world give you peace, rest, quietness? Then you know what Christ saith (Matthew 11:28; John 14:27). Can the world give you happiness? I am sure Christ can. 2. There is in Jesus Christ the greatest excellency under the best propriety, "My Lord and my God." 3. There is in Jesus Christ the greatest fulness joined with the most communicativeness. 4. The sweetest love under the greatest engagement. Is not a brother engaged to help his brother? A father his children? A husband his wife! Now, suppose there were one person that could stand under all these relations — a brother, a father, a husband; how much would that person be engaged to help? Thus Christ doth; He stands under all these relations. 6. There is that in Jesus Christ that suiteth all conditions. III. HOW FAR THIS CONCERNS US. (W. Bridge, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. |
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