It is well to know that this is not the day of Christ's power. It is the day of His grace and sympathy.
When passing through the deep waters of affliction, the heart may at times feel disposed to ask: "Why does not the Lord display His power and deliver me?"
The answer is, "This is not the day of His power." In the time of His child's deep need, "He giveth more grace." He could avert that sickness—He could remove that difficulty—He could take off that pressure—He could prevent that catastrophe—He could preserve that beloved and cherished object of your heart from the cruel grasp of death.
But instead of putting forth His power to deliver, He allows things to run their course. He pours His own sweet sympathy into the oppressed and broken heart in such a way as to draw out the acknowledgment that we would not for worlds have missed the trial because of the abundance of the consolation.
Such, my reader, is the manner of the Lord Jesus just now. By and by He will display His power. He will come forth as the rider on the white horse. He will bare His mighty arm. He will avenge His people, and right their wrongs forever.
But now His sword is sheathed. His arm is covered. This is the time for making known the deep love of His heart, not the power of His arm, no, nor the sharpness of His sword.
ARE YOU SATISFIED TO HAVE IT SO? IS CHRIST'S SYMPATHY ENOUGH FOR YOUR HEART, even amidst the keenest sorrow, and the most intense affliction?
The restless heart, the impatient spirit, the unyielded will, would lead one to long to escape from the sickness, the difficulty, the pressure. But this would never do. It would involve incalculable loss to the one in affliction's ways.
We must pass from form to form in the school of life, but the Master accompanies us. The light of His countenance and the tender sympathy of His heart sustain us under the most trying circumstances.
"Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior." Isa. 43:1, 2, 31But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. (Isaiah 43:1‑3).