by George Everard
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
It is a Christian's privilege to be now, by virtue of his union with Christ, a citizen of no mean city, even the heavenly Jerusalem. In his Surety and Representative, he has taken his seat in the heavenly places. He has "come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and Church of the first-born, which are written in Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel!"
It is well to realize the present position of honor, dignity and security, which belongs to all who have fled for refuge to Jesus, and have trusted in His atoning sacrifice. Such a one is no longer an exile, a stranger, a foreigner. He is a pardoned and accepted child, a fellow citizen with the saints, and of the household of God.
Nevertheless, a Christian has to journey for a while through a world abounding in evil. Peril is on every side. It is like the wilderness to Israel on their way to Canaan. There is oftentimes the dry and barren land, and wells of water are but few; foes are hovering near, and the way is difficult to find — so that a Christian needs help along the way.
It is this which I desire to give in the following pages. They have been written at various times during the last few years, but have all had somewhat of the same object — to guide and strengthen and comfort believers on their pilgrimage to Zion.
They tell of the ladder of mercy which our Father has set up, as the one way of access to Himself.
They tell of that word of truth, and those purposes of grace there revealed, which are as sure and steadfast as the Rock which stands immovable through a thousand storms.
They tell of that Fountain of atoning blood to which pilgrims must resort for daily cleansing.
They tell of that Door into the presence-chamber of Jehovah, which stands open for all who will enter thereby. We need evermore the spirit of prayer, the eye looking upward for grace and help.
Nor must the hand be idle, for we must be workers in our Lord's vineyard.
And, however weak the Christian may be in himself — yet there is strength for the strengthless in all times, of toil, dreariness, or suffering.
And we learn too that the Christian life should progress. The well of grace within the soul must evermore be deepened; and we must strive after a closer walk, and a nearer fellowship with God. The faithful, eternal God, shall be the believer's unchanging support. His everlasting arms shall uphold you even in the dark valley and in the swellings of Jordan, and shall convey you safely to the City of habitation — the Home of God's beloved ones.
May the Spirit of God make use of these pages to comfort and edify some of the weak and tried ones of the flock of Christ!
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Table of Contents
Introduction
The Heavenly Ladder — and How to Climb it
Firm as a Rock!
Christ's Blood More Precious than Gold!
The Upward Glance!
The Door Open — and the Door Shut!
Strength for the Strengthless
Deepen the Well!
Nearer to Thee