The Letters of Ruth Bryan, 1805-1860
The Lord's dealings of love and faithfulness
To Miss C., March 30, 1849.
Dearest Anne,
You know how sweet to my heart is the fellowship of believers; but the Lord does not forget His "sparrow alone." Again and again He comes, laying me lower in the dust, and while I behold His glory I wonder not at the inspired pen so multiplying words—"A far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." Mark, it is now in measure apprehended, while we look not at the things which are seen—but at the things which are not seen, and which are eternal.How wonderful that the Lord should withdraw me from things seen, to bring near, very near, that weight of glory which you know had begun to beam upon me with such brightness and power that I verily thought I could not and would not live. I truly feel that if I do, it will be as real a coming back as Hezekiah's was, so many things seemed to portend going home. The mercies of my blessed affliction it is impossible to recount. Oh, that as the Lord is sowing bountifully, He may not reap sparingly—but Himself be the increase. You know how I have trembled at 2 Chron. 32:25: "But Hezekiah did not respond appropriately to the kindness shown him, and he became proud. So the Lord's anger came against him." We have such a Christ that we little think how far His glories and His matchless love surpass 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 things else but filth and dross.
When I read your note I thought I saw one cause of your ailment in your mental conflict, which I sensitively feel but cannot relieve. I must still keep telling you of our dear, dear Lord; for though it may seem to be in vain, I do not know through which lattice He may please to show Himself. He works variously and wondrously. Do not think, because of the howling storm and tempest, that He is not with you; the stormy wind fulfills His word, and the endangering waves obey His bidding. The keen winds of winter accomplish His will, and the apparent barrenness of that season has its use. So there may be a time too, when our souls seem to lie barren; but the Lord is doing something with the ground; and when it is prepared, He will in the right season cause greenness and growth to enliven it again. Be encouraged then, trust Him through the process. It is not needful you should understand it. Keep venturing your soul, with all its wants and woes, upon the blood and righteousness of Jehovah-Jesus. You may safely risk all here; and if the Spirit so enables you, you cannot be lost, feel what you may. Excuse all this in love from a slow learner. Adieu.
With affectionate love in Jesus, yours ever,
Ruth"Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little." 1 Peter 5:10
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