Lift up your heads, you poor, you needy, you disconsolate!
(Octavius Winslow) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners!"
What a gospel is this for a poor sinner! It speaks . . .
of pardon,
of acceptance,
of peace with God,
of full redemption here,
and unspeakable glory hereafter!
This glorious gospel proclaims . . .
a Savior to the lost,
a Redeemer to the captive,
a Physician to the sick,
a Friend to the needy,
an Advocate to the criminal.
All that a self-ruined, sin-filled, law-condemned, broken-hearted, justice-threatened sinner needs—this "glorious gospel of the blessed God" provides!
It reveals to the self-ruined, One in whom is his help.
It reveals to the sin-filled, One who can take away all sin.
It reveals to the law-condemned, One who saves from all condemnation.
It reveals to the broken-hearted, One who binds up and heals.
It reveals to the justice-threatened, One who is a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest!
That One is Jesus!
O name that is ever dear.
O name that is ever sweet.
O name that is ever precious.
O name that is ever fragrant.
O name that is ever healing to broken-hearted sinners!
All you can possibly need, is treasured up in Christ!
You have no cross, but Christ can bear it.
You have no sorrow, but Christ can alleviate it.
You have no corruption, but Christ can subdue it.
You have no guilt, but Christ can remove it.
You have no sin, but Christ can pardon it.
You have no need, but Christ can supply it!
Lift up your heads, you poor, you needy, you disconsolate!
Lift up your heads and rejoice that Christ is all to you . . .
all you need, in this valley of tears;
all you need, in the deepest sorrow;
all you need, under the heaviest affliction;
all you need, in lingering sickness;
all you will need, in the hour of death;
all you will need, in the day of judgment!
What more do you desire?
A merciful Father who loves you as the apple of His eye!
A gracious Savior to whom to go, moment by moment!
And a blessed indwelling, sanctifying, comforting Spirit!
Yes, "Happy indeed are those whose God is the Lord!"
"The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners,and recovery of sight for the blind, and to release the oppressed." Luke 4:18