WE had scarcely finished our repast, says a Christian writer, when the mistress of the house came in, to inform us of the situation of a poor man in the street, who had been bed-ridden from the age of fifteen. “He is a very pious creature,” added the mistress, “and a great number of gentry go to visit him. I thought it might be pleasant to you to hear of him.” “That it is,” replied my friend, “and we thank you for it; we will go to see him. Where is his dwelling?” “Five doors only below our house,” she answered, “and the waiter will show you.”
When we came to the poor man’s room, though everything manifested the indigence of his circumstances, yet it was that kind of poverty which recommended itself by its cleanliness. There stood a lady at the foot of his bed, in conversation with the sick man. “How do you live?” I heard her say, as I entered the chamber. “Live, madam!” replied the poor man; “I am in very good circumstances; I am not only rich by reason of present possessions, but I am heir to a large estate.” “Astonishing,” said she; “you were pointed out to me as a very poor man, and I came to give you some relief.” “That you may still do, madam, if you please,” answered he; “for the riches I possess, and the inheritance to which I am born, do not at present make me above charity. I am only rich in faith, and an heir of the kingdom.” “Oh,” replied the lady, “is that all? but in the meantime, how do you manage for this world?” “My God,” cried the poor man, “supplies all my need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound. I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. When my worldly stock is reduced low, and I have neither scrip, nor bread, nor money in the purse, I make use of “bank-notes.” “Bank-notes!” exclaimed the lady.
“Yes, madam,” he answered; “here is a book full of them,” taking up a Bible which lay upon the bed, and opening it; “and oftentimes I find many folded up together in the same place to which I open. Look here, madam,” he continued; “see, here is a promise suited to every man’s case— ‘When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them. I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of valleys.’ (Isaiah 41:17, 1817When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. 18I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. (Isaiah 41:17‑18).) And the high value of these promises is, that they are sure and certain. Faith draws upon the Almighty Banker, and He is all prompt payment.” While the poor sick man said this, he opened his Bible in another part, and he exclaimed again, “See, madam, here is another promise to a soul under doubts and fears, ‘I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way wherein thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.’ (Psalms 32:88I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. (Psalm 32:8).) And thus, madam, in every state, and in every circumstance of life, in this blessed book, are assurances exactly suited to the wants both of my body and soul. Promises of provision for the way; deliverances under danger; preservation in seasons of affliction; support under trouble; direction in times of difficulty; and the Lord’s assured presence in every time of need. ‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.’” (Isaiah 41:1010Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10).)
The lady, without adding anything, put a piece of money into the poor man’s hand, and withdrew. What her sentiments were I know not; but as soon as she was departed, my companion addressed the sick man. “I am much delighted,” he said “to see you, my friend, so cheerful. It is a pleasing consideration that your sickness is sanctified; but are you enabled always thus to rejoice?” “Oh, dear sir,” the poor man answered, “no; very frequently, through unbelief, I am tempted to exclaim with one of old, ‘My hope is perished from the Lord.’ I have seasons of darkness, and times of temptation; notwithstanding all, I can and do say, through grace strengthening me, sometimes under both, ‘Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: for though I fall, I shall arise; though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light unto me.’ (Micah 7:88Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. (Micah 7:8).) Yes, in my heart I cry out, all men are liars; but, blessed be the Lord, under all, MY GOD IS FAITHFUL. He is better to me than all my fears.”
At the poor man’s request, my friend and I sat down, and we had a most refreshing season. I could truly say, it is good to be here!
We parted not till we had spent a few minutes in prayer; and at the conclusion the paralytic broke out in a faint and trembling voice—
“My willing soul would stay
In such a frame as this;
And sit and sing itself away
To everlasting bliss.”
How different would have been the experience of this beloved child of God, had he seen his standing in Christ Jesus, the Head of all principality and power. A sense of this, through faith, wrought in the soul by the Holy Ghost, alone delivers from self. Then again as to his every day need, the first Scripture that he quoted is for us, and is enough: “My God shall supply all your need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” The other quotations are concerning God’s earthly people, the Jews. Still, his reliance on God, and on His faithfulness were very sweet. And we surely know that the Lord’s love and care over us will not be less than over His earthly people; only we should never forget that this is especially the place for the true followers of Christ to suffer for His name’s sake, and to prove the sufficiency of God’s grace and faithfulness to bring them through every trouble, and to rise superior to it, by occupation with the Lord Himself, their Forerunner. The promises to the Jews are blessings in the earth.