Spiritual Health and Strength

Is the very life and death, person and work of Jesus the daily feast of your soul? Are you eating His flesh, and drinking His blood? Let us see to it, that we are seeking spiritual health and strength in no other way than by the continual, daily feeding on Christ! 

There is an ever fresh, ever full, sweetness in heaven's precious Lamb! Oh, this precious truth! It is gospel wine to my poor soul! We have such a Christ that we little think how far His glories, and his matchless love surpasses what we have ever yet conceived. 

We do not make half enough of Him heaven's brightest gem, and richest treasure! Oh, that the precious Comforter may reveal Him more and more that we may count all other things but filth and dross. 

It is a present act: "eats" and "drinks." 

[Ruth Bryan]

John 6:55-56 ... For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

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Heart-Searching Suitable to a Birthday

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them. Number 6:24-27

My beloved, 

 I have been told that you this day attain your twenty-first year. Will you accept an affectionate greeting from a pilgrim friend? and will you allow me to express the feelings of my heart, though they be not so lively or so congratulatory as may seem to comport with a birthday. You have reached another milestone on the pathway of life, and where does it find you? In a medium path between the world and Christ? Ah! there is no middle path. Consider it, and then "consider your ways;" for either you are serving the Lord or serving His enemies the world, the flesh, and the devil. I do think you sometimes long to be on the Lord's side, and that your heart says of His people "Numbered with them may I be, Here and in eternity." 

 My heart says Amen; and may it be soon, that I may have joy over you in the Lord, and that He may have the cream of your life, the flower of your days for He is worthy. He who bled and died for sinners such as you and I, is worthy of all our powers, and of a thousand hearts if we had them. May the blessed Spirit make you feel deeply your need of Him, and this very day, if it be His holy will, may your language be "Here's my heart, Lord, take and seal it, Seal it in Your courts above." 

 Most heartily I desire for you a spiritual birthday in the fulfillment of that precious promise "A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you." Then will you say, "My Father, you are the guide of my youth;" and only then will you find true happiness, for "Fading is the worldling's treasure, all his boasted pomp and show; Solid joys and lasting pleasure, none but Zion's pilgrims know!" Though not with you, I am bearing you on my heart before the Lord. May He guide you every step in life and grant you the blessings of the upper and the nether springs. Forgive the intrusion of these poor lines from one who watches for your never-dying soul; and, with tender love, remains your affectionate friend, 

Ruth Bryan

Psalm 90:12 ...  So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. ❤

The Believer's Perfection

Feeling fully what I am in myself, and proving afresh that "in my flesh dwells no good thing" (Romans 7:18) in this sad state I fly to Jesus as my only refuge! 

Oh, that the depth of my sin and misery may be overcome by His rich grace, that with Mary I may weep at His dear feet, and love much, having much forgiven. While in the body we shall never be free from sin. I had been looking for something from and in my flesh which the Word of God does not warrant me to expect. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh" (John 3:6) and ever will be! 

The believer's perfection is in Christ. Oh, that He may condescend to teach me, and lead me to look straight out of self to a glorious Christ! 

[Ruth Byron]

Zechariah 13:1 ...  In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

Colossians 2:10 ... And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: ❤

A Word of Warning Against Worldly Conformity

"Adam, where are you?" Genesis 3:9 

 "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 19:9 

To E. M., August 5, 1854. 

My Beloved Friend, 

The above questions came to my mind for my beloved friend, I know not why. This evening, I have heard a sermon from the last of these passages, and I must send you the substance of a few remarks, though not in the exact words. "What are you doing here, Elijah?" It may be said to some believers, "What are you doing here inactive and indolent in your Lord's cause? You were very lively in the service of Satan and the world. Why are you so lethargic in the service of Him who bought you with His blood, and knew what it was to be weary in working for you?" 

Again, it may be said to some, "What are you doing here in a place, or in society, where your Lord is not loved, honored, or known?" Your soul will suffer, your spirituality will be withered, for it is a very tender plant; and it is easily injured. If the believer will be in worldly society, uncalled by Providence, his spirituality is sure to suffer blight. Ah! What are you doing here, Elijah? "What are you doing here?" it may be said again, when the believer is in the midst of mist and gloom, which hide the Savior from his view. What are you doing here? you whom I have ransomed you to whom I have manifested myself you whom the Spirit has sealed whom I have loved with an everlasting love what are you doing here with darkened evidence? 

Is it not because you are looking into your own heart instead of looking unto Me, and coming unto Me, who am made unto your wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption? The Spirit may discover to us what is in our hearts to abase us and lay us low; but if we look into our hearts to find comfort or encouragement, then our evidence will be darkened, the clouds will gather quickly around us, and our dreariness will grow yet more dreary! What are you doing here, Elijah? We must look away from self and learn that we are not to live upon past experience, however real, or upon past manifestations, however bright; but we must be seeking for fresh incomings of grace.

It is a great lesson which we are very slow in learning, not to live upon grace received. 

[Ruth Byron]

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Bearing One Another's Burdens

 My very dear,

Breathe, Holy Comforter, on our souls that they may be quickened. Breathe in providences, that we may be edified by them. Breathe in the written Word that we may be instructed. Breathe on the Rose of Sharon, the Incarnate Word, that by the fragrance thereof our souls may be revived and refreshed. Breathe upon these hearts, that we may commune sweetly in and of, the Beloved, for His glory, and our soul-strengthening. Amen, amen. "Awake, north wind, and come, south wind! Blow on my garden, that its fragrance may spread abroad. Let my lover come into His garden and taste its choice fruits." (Song of Songs 4:160

Jesus is the never-tiring theme! It is He who is the precious stone, wherever He turns, he succeeds. (Proverbs 17:8) On the mount of high communion He is precious. In the valley of humiliation, He is precious. Also, unto you who believe, He is precious. Faith is the "Christ-receiving grace." By faith we apprehend Him, by faith we know more and more of His preciousness; by faith we have the felt benefit of His blood and righteousness, (Romans 3:22, 25) and by faith we cast anchor on this Rock, when to sense and feeling all is dark and stormy.

Ah! indeed there are seasons in experience when we can neither see nor hear nor feel Him whom our souls love and long for; and all within seems barren and powerless then is the trial of faith, and the time for its exercise. If we are walking by sense, our confidence will be shaken, and we shall draw wrong conclusions (Isaiah 9:14;) but if faith prevails, we shall not be greatly moved. The soul does not voluntarily choose to be "a spring shut up, a fountain sealed," neither, if under self-direction, would it prefer to travel "three days in the wilderness and find no water." We would rather linger always at Elim, beside the wells and the palm-trees. Thus, sense would grow mightily, and faith become weak for lack of exercise. But He who ordains all our encampments, and who is to us "instead of eyes," knows best where to lead us; having determined that "faith, though the smallest, shall surely be tried."

Therefore, my beloved and longed-for, "think it not strange concerning the trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you." Whether that trial be inward exercise from indwelling sin, or the fiery darts of the wicked one, or outward affliction, or something in prospect which makes the heart tremble; for all these, and every other, we have the promise, "My grace is sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect in weakness."

What can be weaker than a worm? Yet the Lord says, "Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. I am holding you by your right hand I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, do not be afraid. I am here to help you." "But now, O Israel, the Lord who created you says Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior!" (Isaiah 41:13, 14; 43:1-3)

These are sweet cordials for a time of weakness and trial. May the Lord fulfill them in your experience, and grant that your faith fails not. May you be kept instant in prayer, "watching thereunto with all perseverance" to learn the mind of the Lord respecting you. Times of trial are inquiring times. See Genesis 25:22, 23; 1 Samuel 23:2, 4, 11; 1 Samuel 30:8; 2 Chronicles 18:4; Job 10:2. There are those now living who can testify to the Lord's glory, that they have found a great blessing, in the close dealing with God to which they have been brought by afflictive dispensations under the Divine exercising (Hebrews 12:11) of the Holy Spirit. It is spoken of ancient Israel that "the more they were afflicted, the more they multiplied and grew." Often, indeed, is it thus with the spiritual seed of Abraham, being "chastened of the Lord" there is growth out of SELF into Christ. Blessed is it when we turn our face to the wall; that is, away from every creature expectation, and pour out our hearts before Him. One who did so, in the bitterness of his soul, had afterwards thankfully to say, "O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these is the life of my spirit; so, will You recover me, and make me to live." The Lord grants you like experience, that with me you may have to say, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted."

My heart earnestly desires for you that the present afflictive dispensation, and what may be approaching, may be very much sanctified, that the Lord's name may be glorified, and you come forth as gold, saying, "I know, O Lord, that your judgments are right, and that you in faithfulness have afflicted me;" (Psalm 119:75) and heartily choosing, as Moses did, "to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." (Hebrews 11:25)

"For though our cup seems mixed with gall, there's something secret sweetens all."

Is it not so? Have you not found some drops of Divine love in this bitter cup? May the Beloved further show Himself through this lattice, and walk with you in this furnace, causing some fetters to be burned off, that you may freely walk in the way of His commandments. It is better to walk with Jesus in the fire, than to walk after the flesh in the slippery places of worldly indulgence and carnal security. I trust He has a special favor towards you and means to have you walk very closely with Himself. Would that I could speak more worthily of our precious Well-Beloved, who may safely be trusted in the flood and in the flame. Praise Him, O our souls. Adieu, much-beloved.

Your very affectionately,
Ruth.

[To E. M., September 25, 1850]

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Constrained.

May the sweet love of Jesus constrain us more and more to speak well of His name, and may its savour perfume our souls, lips, and lives, that men may take knowledge of us, as being much with Him, and much like Him! 

[Ruth Bryan]

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ... For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.❤

Endless and Blissful Theme!

There are heights and depths in the love of Christ of which the most favored have no conception. And there are beauties and glories in His person which none have yet beheld! Oh! I would have none rest short of the revelation of His person. His benefits indeed are all precious: His atoning blood and sacrifice, His justifying righteousness, and the effects flowing therefrom, pardon, justification, peace in the conscience, etc., etc. 

But it is a further and sweeter privilege to know and enjoy Himself! Salvation is sweet but the Savior crowns all! I must cease, though I seem to have said nothing of the endless, blissful theme, the love and loveliness of our dear Redeemer, the Redeemer of worms! May He favor you with His precious presence! 

[Ruth Bryan] 

Ephesians 3:19 ...  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

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For His Poor Rachel!

Did Jacob serve seven years for his Rachel by day in the heat, and by night in the frost—and did they seem but as a day unto him for the love he had for her?

Our spiritual Jacob has far exceeded him! He left the throne of His glory for His poor Rachel, and took her humble flesh in the form of a servant; and for her sake served thirty-three years under the Law! He bore the heat of temptation, weariness and thirst; as well as the cold of reproach and scorn, and the malice of sinners against Himself. This He thought not too much; for when He had finished the work on her behalf, for her He cheerfully entered upon the most bitter part of His sufferings, which made even His mighty heart to shudder with agony, while His dear lips prayed, "O my Father, if it is possible, (with the rescue of my Bride) let this cup of suffering be taken away from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."

Behold the depth of His unflinching love! The 'cup of curse' must be drunk or the captive Bride must perish! And so He takes the bitter cup, and does not turn away until every dreg is consumed! And the same sacred lips which emptied it could say in triumph, "It is finished!"

For the joy that was set before Him (of possessing His beloved bride) He endured the cross, despising the shame, and has now sat down at the right hand of God, until the blissful consummation before assembled worlds, when it will be joyfully proclaimed, "The marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready!"

Then shall the spiritual Jacob and His Rachel meet and embrace, and part no more forever! She transformed into His likeness, shall be satisfied! And He seeing her in glory, (the very travail of His soul,) shall be satisfied likewise!

[Ruth Bryan]

Ephesians 3:19 … And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.❤

The Patience of The Heavenly Farmer

To E. M., Nottingham, May 10, 1850.

My Dear,

All health and peace to you in our glorious Covenant-Head. My soul desires that yours may prosper, and greets you affectionately in that dear name which, when breathed into the soul by the Holy Spirit, is truly precious. (1 Peter 2:7) Precious indeed He is, but not to the carnal mind; to such He has no loveliness, no beauty, that they should desire Him. There must be spiritual life, spiritual sight, and spiritual appetite, before a glorious Christ can be appreciated in His preciousness and suitability! 

These gifts, my beloved friend, I believe you have received through rich sovereign grace; and it can be truly said, "You has He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins." This one mercy of quickening, this first communication of grace, is a sure pledge of glory, according to Philemon 1:6. Eternal life is the same in kind, though not in development, in "the blade," "the ear," and "the full corn in the ear." The great Farmer is watching over all, giving sun and rain as well as storms and frosts in due season. We like the showers and sunshine, but would rather go on without the cold and stormy weather, which is likewise needful, and often very conducive to our spiritual growth. I have often said before the Lord, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23, 24) But when a cutting north wind has come, I have complained, little thinking that it was just an answer to my prayer. Perhaps you may pass through some such experience, and in these wintry seasons you may think that growth is stopped, and life will soon be gone; but no, it is "incorruptible seed" of which you are born, which lives and abides forever. (1 Peter 1:23) Amidst our many changes, how encouraging is this thought; and also the knowledge that the great Farmer has more interest in the seed, than it has in itself. "You are not your own," but His who bought you with His blood. You are His portion, His inheritance, in whom He will be glorified.

Truly the gospel of the blessed God, while it is most strengthening as showing all the work to be His; is most humbling, as showing all weakness and sin to be ours. Had it not been so, such mighty cost and pains would not have been needful for our redemption. I pray that the oil and wine of gospel grace may flow into your soul, for this makes us nothing, and Jesus all. I hope you are well, and that the Lord is making your holiday a holy day unto Himself by His own presence and power. The Lord be with your spirit, and strengthen your faith, and make all needed grace abound towards you.

So desires, with much love, your very affectionate, but very unworthy,

Ruth.

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Oh! My Precious Ishi

Oh! my precious Ishi, I am Your Hephzibah, made for You alone. Vile as I feel, You see it not but view me in Your own beauty all lovely, and without spot or fault.

You are my joy and crown, my holiness and happiness, my heaven and my all. I drink the spiced wine of Your love, and taste the river of Your pleasures!

[Ruth Byron]

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Hosea 2:16 ... And it shall be at that day, saith the Lord, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali.


Song of Solomon 5:16 ... His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.


Isaiah 62:4 ... Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.❤

The Life of Faith

To know nothing but Jesus; to delight in no other;  to look nowhere else for holiness, happiness, and fruitfulness this is the life of faith, and "living godly in Christ Jesus." His love is a bottomless, shoreless ocean, in which we shall be absorbed forever and ever!

[Ruth Byron]

Jeremiah 31:3 ... The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Ephesians 3:18-19 ... May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Romans 8:38-39 ... For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.❤

Streams and Fountain

While thinking this afternoon of some friends who have been running eagerly from one place to another after a celebrated, and, I suppose, most interesting preacher; this idea forcibly struck me; why manifest such undue concern after streams, when we have the Fountain always accessible? I can, in my humble cottage, approach the footstool of the Father of mercies, and enjoy the manifestation of His love!

[Ruth Byron]

Luke 1:50 ... And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

Romans 9:15-16 ...  For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

1 Timothy 1:15-16 ... This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.❤

We Shall Behold Him

My endless, blissful theme is ever new; Jesus and His salvation will never wear out. I would never have any sit down satisfied, but still press on after fuller revelations of Jesus; for there are heights and depths in the love of Christ of which the most favored have no conception, and there are beauties and glories in His person which none have yet beheld.

Oh! I would have none rest short of the revelation of His person, though His benefits are all precious. Things of earth often repeated grow stale, but the same view of a precious Jesus a thousand times over is ever new. When Jesus shows Himself again to us, is He not as a lamb newly slain; and is not His sacrifice, as an odor of a sweet smell, as fragrant as though but just offered without spot unto God? Oh, yes, He is ever the same without sameness, and will be to all eternity. The glories, beauties, and excellences of His person are infinite; and from these boundless sources our finite minds will be feasted forever and ever.

[Ruth Byran]

Isaiah 33:17 ... Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.

Not An Inch

I see not an inch of the road before me, and  have no stock of strength or ability for the journey.   But I must live moment by moment on the Lord God,   who will make my feet like hinds' feet, to tread upon  very high places, even the God who performs all   things for me.

Moreover, to use another figure, I must lie in the   arms of my Beloved as a helpless infant, without  wisdom or power to do anything for myself but  believing that "the everlasting arms of love" will   prove a safe conveyance.

Oh! what a blessed Jesus we have who can so soften  affliction and so sweeten Marah's bitter stream, making us exceeding joyful even in tribulation.

 

[Ruth Bryan]

 

 

 

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2 Samuel 22:34 ... He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.

 

 

 

 

Deuteronomy 33:27 ... The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

 

 

 

2 Corinthians 7:4 ... Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.❤

What A Mercy ...

What a mercy, then, to be stripped of all, and have . . .
Christ for wisdom,
Christ for righteousness,
Christ for  strength,
Christ for purity,
Christ for power,
Christ for beauty,
Christ for holiness,
Christ for acceptance above,
Christ for our daily walk,
Christ for our daily work,
Christ for rest,
Christ for food,
Christ for medicine!  Yes, to know nothing among men or before God—but Jesus crucified and glorified!

[Ruth Bryan]

Colossians 2:10 ... And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Psalm 16:11 ... Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Ephesians 3:19 ... And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.❤