A Devotion from Charles Spurgeon

“I have exalted one chosen out of the people.” —Psalm 89:19

Why was Christ chosen out of the people? Speak, my heart, for heart-thoughts are best. Was it

not that he might be able to be our brother, in the blest tie of kindred blood? Oh, what

relationship there is between Christ and the believer! The believer can say, “I have a Brother in

heaven; I may be poor, but I have a Brother who is rich, and is a King, and will he suffer me to

want while he is on his throne? Oh, no! He loves me; he is my Brother.” Believer, wear this

blessed thought, like a necklace of diamonds, around the neck of thy memory; put it, as a

golden ring, on the finger of recollection, and use it as the King’s own seal, stamping the

petitions of thy faith with confidence of success. He is a brother born for adversity, treat him as

such.

Christ was also chosen out of the people that he might know our wants and sympathize with us.

“He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin.” In all our sorrows we have his

sympathy. Temptation, pain, disappointment, weakness, weariness, poverty—he knows them

all, for he has felt all. Remember this, Christian, and let it comfort thee. However difficult and

painful thy road, it is marked by the footsteps of thy Saviour; and even when thou reachest the

dark valley of the shadow of death, and the deep waters of the swelling Jordan, thou wilt find

his footprints there. In all places whithersoever we go, he has been our forerunner; each

burden we have to carry, has once been laid on the shoulders of Immanuel.

“His way was much rougher and darker than mine

Did Christ, my Lord, suffer, and shall I repine?”

Take courage! Royal feet have left a blood-red track upon the road, and consecrated the thorny

path for ever.