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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
Devotional: January 25th

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I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me. Song of Solomon 1:5-6.

The true Church of Christ, as well as the real children of God are ’’black" and uncomely in the eyes of the world, partly because of their lowly estate; partly because they are few in number against the great multitude of the world, and partly because of the tribulations that befall them. But the more "comely" and beautiful is their inner form in the eyes of God. Outwardly they resemble the poor tents of the Kedarines in desolate Arabia, but inwardly they are, because of the gifts of the Holy Ghost and His blessings, as glorious as Solomon’s curtains that were wrought in gold. Therefore take no offence at the outward blackness of Christ’s bride. She has become so tanned and swarthy from the heat of persecutions and temptations that she resembles one "afflicted, tossed with the tempest, and not comforted" (Isaiah 54:11). Nor is she vexed by unbelievers, Jews, Gentiles and Turks alone, but by the children of her own mother, that is, by such as would be within the pale of the Church. True Christians must always suffer all kinds of outrage by false brethren and merely outward members, who are ever more powerful than they are. But it makes them beautiful and glorious in the eyes of God, who washes and cleanses them so that they resemble their Lord and King who, although the most despised of all, and outwardly not possessed of any beauty, yet was the most beautiful among the children of men.

In fierce temptation’s darkest hour.

Save me from sin and Satan’s power;

Tear every idol from Thy throne.

And reign, my Savior, reign alone.

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