CHRISTIANS, remember this, all the causes of prizing persons and things are eminently and only in Christ, therefore, set a very, very high price upon the Lord Jesus. You prize some for their beauty, why the Lord Jesus Christ is the “fairest among the children of men” (Psalm xlv. 1, 2; Canticles v. 10). “My beloved is white and ruddy, the chieftest, or the standard-bearer, among ten thousand.” You prize others for their strength (Isaiah xxvi. 4). “Trust ye in the Lord for ever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” You prize others for bearing their father’s image; why, the Lord Jesus is “the brightness of His Father’s glory and the express image of His person,” (Hebrews 1 & 3). You prize others for their wisdom and knowledge. Such a one is a very wise man, you say, and, therefore, you prize him; why, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Christ (Col. ii. 3). The truth is, all these perfections and excellencies that are in all angels and men, are all epitomized in Christ. All the angels in heaven have but some of these perfections that be in Christ. All wisdom and all power, all goodness, all mercy and all love, etc., is in no glorified creature, nor in all glorified creatures put together. But now in Christ all these perfections and excellencies meet, as all water meets in the sea, and all light meets in the Sun. Others you prize for their usefulness; the more useful persons and things are the more you prize and value them. The Lord Jesus Christ is of universal use to His people; why, He is the right eye of His people, without which they cannot see, and the right hand of His people, without which they cannot do. He is of singular use to all His people. He is of use to weak saints to strengthen them; He is of use to doubting saints to confirm them; and He is of use to dull saints to quicken them; He is of use to falling saints to support them; He is of use to wandering saints to recover them. In prosperity He is of use to teach His saints to be humble and watchful, spotless and fruitful; and in adversity He is of use to keep them contented and cheerful. All which should very much engage our hearts to prize this Christ.—Thomas Brooks.
The happiest seasons for a child of God are when he and his Heavenly Father have but one will between them.—Toplady.