A BROTHER IS BORN FOR ADVERSITY

 

A brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17

 
THIS may be true of others,
  but it is empathetically true of Jesus.
 
We brought ourselves into adversity, and
  Jesus became our brother to bring us out.
 
The children being partakers of flesh and blood,
  he likewise himself took part of the same.
 
He who was our God, became our brother.
He who created us, became like us.
 
And he did so that he might show
  his love to us,
  sympathize with us,
   and deliver us.
 
As our brother,
  he became responsible for our debts,
   and he paid them.
 
He engaged to restore us to our Father's image and
  to set us before his face for ever, and he will do so.
 
In all our seasons of adversities in this world,
  he shows us brotherly love.
He visits us.
He counsels us.
He comforts us.
He supplies us.
He stands by us when all else forsake us.
He makes up all our losses,
  sanctifies all our crosses,
  bears all our burdens, and
   carries all our cares.
He has always a brother’s heart.
He performs a brother’s part.
He is our nearest of kin, and
  he performs the part of the kinsman well.
 
O wondrous love of Jesus,
  which brought him into the closest relationship to us,
  and influenced him to do every thing he could for us!
 
O Saviour,
 

Thy wounded hand and feet proclaim

That love and mercy made in thee:

That Jesus is the sweetest name,

The Brother in adversity!

 
James Smith 1849