Morning By Morning #76

I dwell with you as an alien, a stranger.

Psalm 39:12

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

Yes, O Lord, I “dwell with you”—not “near You.” All the alienation I had from You in my natural state has been removed by Your grace. And now, in true fellowship with You, I walk through this sinful world as a pilgrim in a foreign land. You as well are a stranger in Your own world, for people forget You, dishonor You, and enact new laws and practice customs without knowing or acknowledging You. When Your dear Son “came to that which was his own…his own did not receive him” (John 1:11). “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him” (John 1:10). There was never even a foreigner who was such “a fish out of water” among the citizens of any country as Your beloved Son was among His mother’s own people.

Thus, it is no wonder that I who live the life of Jesus should be unknown and considered a stranger here on earth. In fact, Lord, I would never want to be a citizen in any land where Jesus is considered to be an alien. His pierced hands have loosened the ropes that once tied my soul to earth, and now I find that I myself am a stranger in this land.

My speech seems like a foreign language to “the Babylonians” among whom I live, and all my customs and ways seem strange to them as well. A crude Tartar would be far more at home in the slums of the city than I will ever be among the much-traveled paths of sinners.

Yet here is the sweetest part of my seeming predicament: I am a stranger “with you.” You are my fellow-sufferer—my fellow-pilgrim. Oh, what a joy to wander this earth in such blessed company! My heart burns within me when He speaks with me along the road. (See Luke 24:32.) And though I am a wanderer, I am far more blessed than those who sit on thrones and far more at home than those who sit in their seemingly secure houses.

To me remains no place, nor time,

My country is in every clime:

I can be calm and free from care

On any shore, since God is there.

While place we seek, or place we shun,

The soul finds happiness in none:

But with a God to guide our way,

‘Tis equal joy to go or stay.

William Cowper, 1731-1800

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

“‘Tis equal joy to go or stay” or, as Paul said, “I am torn between the two” (Phil. 1:23). Believers have a God-given yearning for what lies ahead. “We ourselves…groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Rom. 8:23). Yet Paul recognized he was being used to prepare others for glory—“I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith.” Then he left the Philippians with this: “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:25, 27).

What great advice! May we heed this advice today and always.