EB 2:18{Sometimes the Lord leads His people into rough places of suffering, whether from temptation, pain, or any adversity. Not one step here but Jesus has gone before us; and He still goeth before us, often so very close before us, that even by the still waters we never seemed so near Him. "The things which He suffered" include and cover, and stretch wide on every side beyond, all possible "sufferings of this present time." It is in patient suffering, rather than in doing, that we are specially called "to follow His steps." "The footsteps of Thine anointed have lain through reproach," and "the reproach of Thy servants" is no light part of "the fellowship of His sufferings." How specially tender the Master's hand is when it is laid upon us to put us forth into any path of suffering! How specially precious, then, to know that it is indeed His own doing!
E'en in our hearts is evil bound,
And, lurking stealthily around,
Still for our souls doth wait.
Thou tempted One, whose suffering heart
In all our sorrows bore a part,
Whose lifeblood only could atone,
Too weak are we to stand alone;
And nothing but Thy shield of light
Can guard us in the dreaded fight.