the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her: she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. Psalms 46:1-5. We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Isaiah 26:1.
’’The city of God" is the Church of Christ, the communion of saints, the congregation of the faithful. The Church is ever in this world in great tribulation, but she cannot perish. The Church always is besieged, threatened, persecuted and ridiculed by her enemies, the flesh, the world and the devil. But the Church remains a firm, invincible city, no matter "how weak she may seem from the outside, devoid of battlements, ordnance and weapons, exposed to all the attacks of the enemy, situated in the midst of the enemy’s camp. Why, then, does she not fear? Why does she even dare to be glad? The Lord is in the midst of her. " Jesus dwells in His believers. They are all the "habitation of God through the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:22; Ephesians 3:17). Therefore she is glad. She has the streams of the river, yea, living rivers of water within (Joel 3:18; John 7:38; Ezekiel 47:1). The comfort of the Holy Spirit gladdens, strengthens and preserves her, so that she remains unmoved "though the earth be removed and the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. " She is a rock in the sea. All waters and billows break against her. She conquers all by Him who is with her, who never forsakes her, who makes her strong and mighty. Therefore, do not lose courage, ye believing souls. As long as you have the Lord with you, you shall not be moved. Only see to it that the Lord abides in you. If you depart from Him, or if He depart from you; if you fail to cling to Him; if you be not enclosed in Him as in a fortress and surrounded by Him as by a cordon of chariots, you will be put to shame. But he who abides in Him may sing, ’’As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about His people from henceforth even forever" (Psalms 125:2).
Savior, if of Zion’s city
I, through grace, a member am.
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in Thy Name.
Fading is the worldling’s pleasure.
All his boasted pomp and show;
Solid joys and lasting treasure
None but Zion’s children know.
