Eddie Webster, Nottingham

Which verses would you take to the desert island?

The Lord is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

This verse struck me several years ago because, up until that point, I thought the Christian life was meant to be easy. As a new Christian, I thought that obedience and holiness would come naturally. However, I soon found that there was even more reason to be disappointed in myself than I first realised. Each time I gave into sin I would be conflicted within; ‘I’m a Christian! Christ lives in me! But… I keep on sinning. I am making no progress in holiness. Why am I still the same?’. These thoughts would get me down, but upon reading this I realised that I was meant to be broken over my sin, and that through the experience of sorrow God was close by saving me from my sin and transforming me into his likeness! Praise God that he saves those who are crushed in spirit!

Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord! Psalm 25:7

This has also been of help in times of brokenness. It requests God would not remember our sins but, as I pray this, I also gather assurance that he has forgotten them. His steadfast love on the cross is evidence that he has remembered me, and that he has removed my sin from me. Praise God that our sins (especially remembering those sins we commit in our youth!) have been slain on the cross and are remembered no more!

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

My sin has been dealt with on the cross! I have been crucified with Christ! The old reign of sin has gone; the new reign of Christ is here! He lives in me! This is such a great verse and there is much to expound from it. However, the part which has most helped me has been the second half where it speaks of living by faith in the Son of God. When I have realised my weakness and have been broken over my sin I then return to have faith in Christ. I no longer live according to the flesh, but now I live trusting in his unfailing love and strength to help me live for him. Praise God that he has come to live in us!

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith. Philippians 1:25

At times, however, I have wished that I was already with the Lord in heaven. The constant battle between the flesh and the Spirit is tiring; surely it would be better to be with the Lord in heaven! Paul also wrestled with this issue (Philippians 1:18-26). “To live is Christ”, he thought. Indeed, we live in Christ but “to die is gain”. He knew that it was far better to be with the Lord. Alas, it is not up to us to determine the time of our death. Rather, we have been called to deny ourselves, to take up our cross and to follow him. How to do this? We live for the joy and progress of others. This verse helps me remember my calling on earth when I would long to be with Christ right now. As we live in Christ, our lives are to be given in service of one another, encouraging and rejoicing with one another. Praise God that he has given us this great purpose of building one another up for the praise of his glory!

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14

That is the great reason we exist, to glorify the Son, to boast in him! Our lives are to overflow with praise for God and Christ, for who they are and what they have done! I have been crucified to my sins and to the world! We now live, trusting and boasting in Jesus! Our weakness serves only to magnify his strength and power at work in us through the cross! May we all boast only in Christ and his cross as the power to save and transform lives!

Who would you like to find on the island for company?

Thanks to modern reprints (such as Banner of Truth’s Puritan Paperbacks) I have benefitted much from the writings of John Owen. His teaching is both thoroughly biblical and experiential; there is such nuance to his writing that I often find myself thinking ‘that’s exactly what it is like! That’s exactly the remedy I need!’. For instance, I recently read the abridged form of his work ‘On Temptation’, finding his application to be so precise and relevant to my life. I’m sure he would have been able to figure out how best to glorify God on a desert island!

It is also evident from his writing that he loved the Saviour and the Church very dearly, for he served faithfully till the end. The day before his death he wrote:

‘I am going to Him whom my soul has loved, or rather who has loved me with an everlasting love – which is the whole ground of my consolation… I am leaving the ship of the church in a storm; but whilst the great Pilot is in it, the loss of a poor under-rower will be inconsiderable. Live, and pray, and hope, and wait patiently, and do not despond; the promise stands invincible, that He will never leave us, nor forsake us.’

The great Pilot of the Church loves us, just as he loved the ‘poor under-rower’ John Owen. May we live and pray and hope and wait patiently, trusting that great invincible promise that he will never leave nor forsake us!

Which song would you take to the island?

There are perhaps too many favourite hymns to choose from, but I am always humbled when I sing this one. It strikes the perfect balance between our weakness and Christ’s power, grace and salvation. It is all of him! Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling!

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee;

Let the water and the blood,

From Thy riven side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure,

Save me from its guilt and power.

Not the labour of my hands

Can fulfil Thy law’s demands;

Could my zeal no respite know,

Could my tears forever flow,

All could never sin erase,

Thou must save, and save by grace.

Nothing in my hands I bring,

Simply to Thy cross I cling;

Naked, come to Thee for dress,

Helpless, look to Thee for grace:

Foul, I to the fountain fly,

Wash me, Saviour, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,

When mine eyes shall close in death,

When I soar to worlds unknown,

See Thee on Thy judgment throne,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee.