A form is seen coming up from the wilderness; but not alone, not unsupported.
There is another form near the first, and on Him all weight is laid.
The truth is clear. We see the Christian deriving support from his Lord.
They proceed together along a path leading up from the wilderness.
The believer is called to leave all for Christ;
to come out from a fallen and polluted world;
to shun its pleasures;
to turn from its smiles;
to disregard its frowns;
to close its ear to its enticing voice;
to reject its fascinating cup;
to trample on its principles and maxims;
to feel that the world in its every aspect is opposed to Christ.
Such views are the true teachings of the Spirit.
The believer, a pupil in this school, arises and departs.
But there is no profit in what he abandons.
The world, when truly seen, is a waste wilderness.
It is no fair garden of Eden, fragrant with beauteous flowers.
It is no vineyard, in which grapes hang down in luxuriant clusters.
It is no peaceful meadow, free from incursions of devouring beasts.
It is no lovely grove, in which the melody of cheerful birds delights the ear.
It is no pleasant path, in which surrounding prospects give enchanting views.
It is a desert wild, dismal, and unsatisfying!
Here no manna falls, and no refreshing streams trickle by the side.
Its food is poison. To taste is to imbibe death.
What is its produce? Thorns! Thistles! Briers!
It yields no nurture but disappointment, misery and woe.
It is an enemy's land, beset with perils and encompassed with malignant foes.
The believer is called to come up from this cheating and deluding scene!
But how can the Christian obey? He is weak and powerless in himself.
But a mighty arm is nearby! Jesus says:
"Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you; I will help you;
I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand!" (Isaiah 41:10) He extends the arm of His omnipotence and cries, "Come, lean on Me!"
As without Jesus the first step cannot be taken, so without Him advance cannot be made. But He is ever near, willing, and able.
The heavenward path is a steep ascent. It requires strong limbs to climb.
But leaning on Jesus, the upward race may be run without loitering.
The path also, through life's course, is slippery. Our feet are liable to slip.
Snares and pitfalls are before us. Our feet are liable to stumble.
But leaning on Him we are upheld, and safely guided.
Thus, let us pass through life leaning on our Beloved.
Let us lean on Him as we pass through the valley of the shadow of death.
His rod and staff will surely comfort us.
Let us enter Heaven leaning on the same arm.
"Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her Beloved?"
[Henry Law]
Song of Solomon 8:5 ... Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee.
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