Nehemiah 11:36

REFLECTIONS

MY soul! whilst thou readest the honourable testimony that is given to the people who willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem, the holy city; and observest how the people blessed them for it; think of the yet far happier privilege of those who dwell under the continual light of God's countenance, and are citizens with the saints and of the household of faith. Their admission into the church is sacred; their residence there is blessed; great are their privileges, and everlastingly secure their interest. United to their spiritual head, the Lord Jesus; united to each other in him; members of his mystical body, and members of one another; how closely joined to Jesus; what blessings, mercies, enjoyments, portions, are they born to, and entitled to, by their new birth, redemption in Jesus, and their privileges in his blood and righteousness? My soul! is this thy mercy? Art thou indeed a resident in the holy city? Hath the Son of God made thee free indeed! oh! how sweet to live under his constant eye; to see now the king in his beauty by faith, and shortly to see him in his glory! Blessed king in Zion! precious Lord of Jerusalem, even the beloved Jerusalem, which in the days of thy flesh thou didst weep over; and for the redemption of which thou didst shed thy blood; be thou my chief joy, my daily portion. Thy people shall indeed dwell alone, and not be reckoned among the nations. They shall be continually praising thee. Lord, make me of the happy number, that dwelling in thy Jerusalem below I may at length be admitted into the new Jerusalem which is above, when she shall come down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, to take all her citizens that God himself may be with them, tabernacle forever in them, and wipe away all rears from their eyes.