Miller's Year Book—a Year's Daily Readings

A verse of Scripture in the morning, may become a blessing for all the day. It may sing in the heart as a sweet song, from morning until evening. It may become a liturgy of prayer in which the soul shall voice its deepest needs and hungers—amid toils, struggles, and cares. It may be a guide through perplexing tangles, 'God's voice' whispering cheer, a comforter breathing peace in sorrow.

 

JULY

July 1.

The LORD says, "I will restore what you lost to the stripping locusts, the cutting locusts, the swarming locusts, and the hopping locusts. It was I who sent this great destroying army against you!" Joel 2:25

It is God who says, "I will restore." Only the divine hand can do it. Christ is the restorer, for he has made atonement for us.

Wherever there is a Christian who is hurt by sin or sorrow—the face of the Christ on the cross, beams on it with healing in its beams. "By his stripes—we are healed." By his wounding—our wounds are cured. His visage was marred—that the marring of sin in our faces might be changed to beauty. By his sorrows—our sorrows are comforted.

 

July 2.

"Then he said, "Take the arrows," and the king took them. Elisha told him, "Strike the ground." He struck it three times and stopped. The man of God was angry with him and said, "You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times." 2 Kings 13:18-19

Character comes out in little things. It seemed a small matter, there in the prophet's dying chamber, whether the king shot three arrows or six—yet the future successes of his army depended on it. Unconsciously, he was undergoing a critical test. His lack of energy in shooting the arrows, betrayed a fatal weakness of character. And when the test was over the measure of his success in life was unalterably fixed. No doubt he would have given large sums for a repetition of the testing, now that, he knew what depended on it; but it was too late.

Every life is full of just such testings. Destinies are forever turning on events too trivial for record. Our characters are ever being put to proof in the smallest things, and the result settles important matters for our future. He who improves his one talent, receives more. He who is faithful in things that are least, is entrusted with greater things. On the other hand, unfaithfulness in the smallest things, is forever keeping men out of greater trusts. The picking up of a pin in a merchant's office, has made a great destiny for a boy. There is not a lad who may not make or unmake his fortune any day, by some unconscious acts.

God also is continually putting us to the test to see how we do this or that little thing; and he determines thereby whether or not he can entrust great things to us.

 

July 3.

"He has put a new song in my mouth!" Psalm 40:3

The ancient statue of Memnon was fabled to become musical, when the sun rose and the beams of morning light fell upon it. Just so, when the light of the gospel falls upon a darkened heart, it begins to sing. No wonder salvation gives joy! Only think of what we are saved from—the horrible pit of sin; and of what we are saved to—childship in God's family. Can we but rejoice, if we realize our full deliverance?

Every Christian should be a singer. If we cannot acquire the vocal art, we should at least sing and make melody in our heart unto the Lord. God wants to put a song into the mouth of every child of his. Our song should be one that nothing can check. Paul sang in prison with his feet fast in the stocks, and his back gashed with stripes. No trouble or pain should have power to hush the song in a Christian's heart.

Then, our lives themselves should be songs. We cannot all be poets, to write glad hymns of praise for others to sing; or singers, to thrill hearts by the sweetness of our voice; but we can live hymns and songs, and that is just as pleasing to God!

 

July 4.

"For seven days they celebrated with joy the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because the LORD had filled them with joy." Ezra 6:21-22

The Lord is always doing things to make us joyful, if only we will accept the love he sends us in them, and rejoice. Christian life ought to be one of joy. Christ said he wished his disciples to have his joy in them, and wished their joy to be full. There are a great many reasons why we should be joyous Christians. The greatest is that we are saved from sin and are in God's family. Our privileges, blessings, and hopes—are enough to fill our hearts with gladness.

We ought to show our joy in gratitude. Some people take all God gives them, accept all he does for them, and yet go through life grumbling and complaining all the time! Every little trial or care counts for more with them, than all the multitude of God's goodnesses. There is never any sunshine in their faces, for they can always find something that is not satisfactory, to make a cloud of, and to give them excuse for being unhappy. This is a poor, miserable way to live. These people are neither joyful themselves, nor do they help to make the world brighter. We ought to be ashamed to live so unworthily and unbeautifully. God wants us to be burning and shining lights, and to scatter happiness and good cheer wherever we go. Instead of being croakers, he wants us to be sweet singers. It is a sin not to live cheerfully!

 

July 5.

"Praise be to the Lord! Not one word has failed, of all the wonderful promises He gave!" 1 Kings 8:56

It is nearly three thousand years since Solomon uttered this testimony; but we can say now, just as confidently as the king did that day, that in all these centuries since not one word of all God's good promise has failed any one of his people. No one has ever trusted a promise of God—and had that word fail of fulfillment.

The most real and sure things in this world—are the words of God. In every one of them, God's own almighty hand is gloved. We clutch them—and find ourselves clutched in turn by divinity, out of whose clasp we never can fall, nor be torn away. We lean upon these words—and find ourselves encircled and upborne by the everlasting arms. We pillow our head in weariness or sorrow upon God's words of love and comfort—and find ourselves drawn close to our Father's heart, held in his warm bosom, and soothed by his tenderness, which is gentler than a mother's.

So all through life, in every experience, we may trust the promises of God, and commit all our interests to them, and be assured in our heart that not one of them will ever fail us. We may trust them, too, in death, and we shall find everything just as God has said: the divine presence with us in the valley, dying but a going to be at home, absent from the body at home with the Lord, in eternal blessedness. Not one Word of God can fail.

 

July 6.

"This became a great sin!" 1 Kings 12:30

The king's plan was successful. The people did not go back to the temple at Jerusalem—but bowed down before the calves. The separation was thus made complete. No only so—but the false leading of the king, turned the ten tribes into a path that took them farther and farther away from God.

Twenty times the Scripture records that "Jeroboam made Israel to sin." The name of Jeroboam is held up to execration through all the after history—as a man who made others sin!

Sin grows from small beginnings—until it attains giant proportions. The man who starts an error, knows not what moral ruin will come from it. To teach one child falsely, may be to blight thousands of lives. Those who begin new enterprises set in motion streams of influence, good or bad, which may continue to flow forever. Jeroboam gave character to this new kingdom, and all the nineteen kings who followed him walked in his wicked steps.

There is a story of an abbot who coveted a piece of ground. The owner consented to lease it to the abbot for one crop only. The abbot sowed acorns, a crop which took three hundred years to ripen. Jeroboam's one sowing of sin, burdened the new kingdom with evil through all its history. Satan begs for one crop only, and then sows seeds whose harvest will fill all the life to the end. We do not know what we are doing—when we start a wrong thing.

 

July 7.

"Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a well of water welling up to eternal life!" John 4:14

If you are a true believer in Christ, your new life will become a spring of water in you. Wherever you go, into the driest desert, into the hottest plain, far away from the means of grace and from spiritual privileges, into the dark paths of sorrow—your life shall not waste nor fail, for its fountain is within you. It is not fed from without, nor is it dependent upon ordinances and 'means of grace' as sources of nourishment along the way. The fountain of your life, your comfort, your joy, your strength—is fed from the mountains of heaven, from the fullness of Christ; hence it can never waste. Thus from this well of water in the heart of the Christian, flows out a perpetual stream of life, with blessing for the world.

If you can be only a little spring, with but water enough to fill a pilgrim's cup, do not be discouraged; be the sweet blessing that you can be, and thank God for the privilege. Yet Jesus says that "rivers of living water" shall flow from this well in him who believes—not a mere trickling rill—but large rivers, to bless a whole community. We should not be satisfied with any small measure of usefulness. We should seek to bear much fruit. We should always abound in the work of the Lord. We should seek to be the largest blessing we can be.

 

July 8.

"The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables." Mark 4:11

It is astonishing how differently the truth of Christ looks from within and from without. It is like the stained-glass windows in a church. One who stands outside and looks at them sees none of their rich beauty. They seem dull, opaque, and without meaning. But let one stand within the building and look at the rich windows, and all is transformed. The lines and figures appear in all their rich loveliness.

It is the same with the truths of God's Word. They are not attractive to those who are without. People sometimes sneer at the faith of Christians, as they find them leaning upon an unseen God, and clinging to intangible hopes. But when one becomes a Christian, all is changed. Where there was no loveliness, there now appears the loftiest beauty. What was laughed at before, is now seen to be worthy of highest admiration. Only those who have received Christ, can really understand the wonderful things of his love.

 

July 9.

"The LORD upholds all those who fall—and lifts up all who are bowed down." Psalm 145:14

God never gets tired helping us learn our lessons. No matter how often we fail, he is ready to give us another chance. When we fail to have our lesson learned, he does not give us up, putting us out of his school—but tells us to take the lesson over again and try to get it better. Only think how often we have to try—before we do things as he wants us to do them, how often we fall in trying to walk, before we learn to walk. If our great Teacher were not patient with us—we would never become like Christ; but he never wearies of our slowness. He is pleased with our efforts, however faulty they are, and has for us always an encouraging word.

 

July 10.

"By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another." John 13:35

There is one unfailing mark of Christian character, wherever it is found: Love is always in it. Whatever else may be or may not be in the new life of the Christian—the scarlet thread of love is always woven into the character. God is love, and the believer in Christ, is in a measure, like God. To be a Christian is to have Christ in the heart; and Christ is love. Not to have love—is not to be a Christian.

The first effect of faith in Christ—is the springing up of love in the heart of him who believes. This love does not lie hidden—but is revealed in the life. It shows itself in love for God; but there is no love for God—which does not also make the heart warm toward man. He who loves not his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

Christian love is not a mere beautiful sentiment, glowing like a radiant vision in the soul—but fading the moment we meet our brothers in actual life; it is a love that becomes the very mainspring of all action, the burning heart of all ambition. It is a love that makes us pitiful toward all human sorrow, gentle toward human infirmity, helpful toward human need, patient under human unkindness and injury, and ready at every call to do and suffer and sacrifice.

 

July 11.

"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak—and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself." Romans 15:1-3

There are some people who are anointed to be helpers of others—to build them up. Those who have questions or perplexities, those who are seeking light or guidance, turn to them instinctively, with confidence, sure of finding what they seek.

There is need for such helpers. There are questions which books or sermons do not answer; it is a friend that is needed, one who can understand and sympathize. No other ministry to which men are ordained in this world, is so sacred as this, which comes into lives in their deepest experiences, at times when, without wise help, they may be wrecked. There is not one of us who may not be such a helper.

 

July 12.

"I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen." John 3:11

The things that Christ teaches are certainties. Very much human science is only guessing; we cannot be sure of it. Every now and then some new discovery is made, which sweeps away whole volumes of boasted theories. We have to be all the time buying new books—just to keep up with the times; and we are afraid to quote from any but the newest editions, lest there has been some recent discovery which contradicts the older.

But Christ's teachings are certainties. He came down from heaven, where from all eternity he had dwelt, and he knew the things he taught. We may accept his words without the slightest doubt, and may build our soul's hopes upon them. What he said about God, about God's love, about heaven, about the judgment, about the future life, about the way of salvation, is all certainty! As we go on into the future, we shall find everything just as he has described it.

This fact should give us deep and strong confidence—if we are reposing upon Christ's promises for salvation and life. It should drive us speedily to his cross for refuge—if we are still unsheltered, for he has told us of condemnation abiding upon all who do not believe on him. We may not disregard a single word that Christ spoke, for all his words are all true and eternal. Not one of them can ever fail him who leans upon it.

 

July 13.

"Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of a hundred and ten." Judges 2:8

We have no elaborate account of the closing scenes of this godly man's life. Many chapters are filled with accounts of his life, his work, his wise words, and his many activities; but all we know about his death is told in this one little phrase. If he had lived in these days—the scenes of his death would have been described with glowing pen. We would have known what his last words were, how he met the end, whether with or without fear; what dying testimony he left to the power of divine grace. But not a word have we, about any of these things. We are told simply, in the briefest possible words, that 'he died'.

The same is true of all Bible saints. We have no death-bed scenes, no descriptions of dying experiences. The meaning of this, is that it matters very little how a man dies; living is the important thing. Not many people have raptures in the last hour. Some, whose lives have been very Christly, die without any remarkable manifestation of faith or any joyous experiences. Then sometimes those who have not lived a Christian life at all—seem to have the greatest raptures in their last hours. All this proves that it is living, not dying—which tests one's character. In such a man as Joshua, it mattered not whether he had a triumphant end, or sank away in the shadows of old age, and died without a word of ecstasy. His life was his testimony. He needed no other.

 

July 14.

"Joshua ... died . . . and the children of Israel did that which was evil . . . and they forsook the Lord." Judges 2:8-12

That is too often the way. So long as the godly parent or the faithful friend lives, it is not hard to do right; but when the human guide is gone—the restraining hand is withdrawn, and the child or friend drifts away from the holy influence. Many a boy begins to drift away from God—at his mother's grave.

There was a man whose besetting sin was strong drink. He said to a friend one day: "When I am with you, I feel strong; if I could always be with you, I would never give way to my terrible passion." Said his friend: "Whenever you feel the temptation getting the mastery over you, come to me and I will help you." So, many a time this poor man might have been seen hurrying toward his friend's office. Once in that helpful presence, he soon grew strong.

But death came to this friend, and among those who wept at his grave—none shed bitterer tears than he who had so often run to him for the sympathy and help that saved him. Soon the temptation came again, and there was no one to whom to go. In his despair he fell into the old sin, and sank down to ruin! If he had known Christ, when his friend died he would still have missed him, and would have found living harder without his help—but he would not have sunk down in utter helplessness. He would then have had the strength of Christ to support him in his temptation.

 

July 15.

"Jesus gave him no answer." John 19:9

The silences of Jesus are as significant as his words. He was silent before Pilate. He understood the governor's miserable insincerity. Pilate had had opportunity enough to do the right thing—but he had thrown away his chance. Now Jesus would answer no more of his questions. It was not worth while.

One lesson we get from this silence of Jesus is, that if we reject his offers of grace over and over—the time may come, will come, when he will be silent to us. And of all calamities that can possibly ever come to any man, no other could be so great as that Christ should be silent to his prayers, turning his back and answering no more when he calls.

Another lesson from Christ's example is, that there come times in every life when silence is better than speech. Ofttimes to words of reviling or insult, silence is the only true answer. To many of the assaults made by sceptics on our religion, it is better that we remain silent. There is a time to speak boldly in the presence of Christ's enemies; but there also are times when we should keep silence, attempting no answer.

 

July 16.

"Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, 'Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor!' And they rebuked her harshly." Mark 14:4-5

It is very easy to yield to the temptation to criticize others, and find fault with their way of serving Christ. There are many motives which come in to promote this unchristian habit. We are all prone to be envious of others, and hence to form unjust opinions of what they do. One of the last graces to ripen in a Christian, is usually that of rejoicing in another's good work. It is very hard, too, to learn our Lord's lesson: "Do not judge—or you too will be judged." It seems natural, too, as sad as the confession may be, for us to disparage what others do, and to underestimate it.

But we should learn the sinfulness of murmuring against others. We see how unlovely, how unChristlike, it was in these first disciples. Is it any less so in us when we allow ourselves to criticize our fellow-Christians, finding fault with the way they show their love for Christ? Even if they do not do their work as we do ours—have we a right to judge them and blame them, and speak unkind things about what they have done? Between them and their Master, rests the matter, and it is not our duty to make ourselves judges and condemners of their acts. They are responsible for what they do—not us. There are few lessons more needed than this, for there are few faults more common than that which we see here in these first disciples.

 

July 17.

"No chastening seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11

We have all known Christian sufferers who have grown into rare, sweet beauty—as they have suffered.

They have lost their earthliness—and have learned heavenliness.

Pride—has given way to humility.

The harsh music—has grown soft and gentle.

The rough marble—has taken the shape of graceful beauty.

There are elements of loveliness in the depths of every life—which pain alone can bring out. God often chastens His children—to bring out more clearly in them, the features of His own lovely image.

Yet afflictions do not always make people better. Not all suffering yields the harvest of righteousness and peace. We have all seen people suffering, who became only more impatient, selfish, and cold. Their trouble hurt them.

As I watch the effects of suffering upon men and women, I find that it is only in the fewest cases—that the life is made more radiant by pain. There are dangerous shoals skirting all the deeps of affliction, and many frail barks are wrecked in the darkness! In no experience of life, do most people need wise friendship, and firm loving guidance—more than in their times of trouble.

 

July 18

"As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand." 1 Kings 17:1

"You are the God who sees me!" Genesis 16:13.

We all stand in the presence of God. His eye is ever upon us. His face ever beams its light upon us. We all believe this, and say it often with our lips; yet many of us do not really get the truth into our heart! If we did—it would make holier people of us. We would not slight our work as now we do so often, if we were truly conscious that God is looking on us as we work!

This consciousness of the presence of God, would also give us hope and courage in darkness or danger; like Hagar, who said, "You are the God who sees me!" Some people think of the omniscience of God—as a reason for fear and terror. But to Hagar, it meant divine love and care. God had not forgotten her, nor forsaken her. She was cast out of her earthly home—but the Lord saw her and took her up.

If we are God's children, the thought of our Father's presence should always bring us comfort, assurance, and a wonderful sense of security. It is a great thing to stand before God, to be conscious of His eye upon us, and to know Him so well as not to be afraid of Him.

 

July 19.

"You are to drink from the brook. I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there." 1 Kings 17:4

God is never at a loss for a way of providing for His children. The brooks of water, the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, the winds of heaven, the waves of the sea—all creatures belong to him, and are under His direct control. He has no trouble, therefore, in getting food to His children, wherever they may be.

Perhaps none of us ever had ravens carry our daily bread to us—but God sends it to us in other ways; and it is just as really HE who sends it, whether railroad trains carry it across a continent, or ships bring it half around the globe, or birds convey it to our windows, or it comes through hands of loving friends.

Many of us know too much for our good, these 'modern days'. We are so wise about "laws of nature" that we can account for everything on scientific grounds, and have no need for God's assistance anywhere! Consequently we forget, some of us, that God has anything to do with this world. What poor fools we are! What are the laws of nature—but God's established and common ways of doing things? If I sow wheat-seeds on a little patch of soil, and in a few months reap a harvest, and then, taking the wheat to the mill, get fine flour and have good bread on my table. Had God nothing to do with sending it to me? Did not he provide it as really, as when he sent the ravens to Elijah day by day, with food for him?

 

July 20.

"It came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up!" 1 Kings 17:7

That is the way this world's brooks always do. For a time they flow full; then they begin to waste away, and at last dry up altogether. This is true of all earthly joys. There is a comfort, however, in what comes after the statement made in these words. When the brook dried up, God had another place ready for his servant. "Arise, and go to Zarephath." There he found other help ready.

It must have been a sore test of Elijah's faith—to watch the stream growing less and less every day. "What shall I do when the brook is dry?" he would wonder. But we need not suppose that he ever worried about it. He knew that God was providing for him, and would have something else ready when this supply ceased. One morning there was no water running over the stones, and the prophet had to eat a dry breakfast only bread and meat; but still, I think he did not grow anxious. Then after breakfast the Lord came and told him to move.

The lesson is, that we are never to doubt God, no matter how low the supply gets. Though we have come down to the last mouthful of bread—and the last cupful of water, and still see no new provision beyond, we are to take the last morsel with thankfulness, believing that God will have something else ready in time. It will be soon enough if it is ready when we have eaten the last crust!

 

July 21.

"So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her son continued to eat from her supply of flour and oil for many days." 1 Kings 17:15

That is, she took the handful of flour she had and the little oil, and made a cake for her hungry guest first, and then for herself and her son. Then she found that there was as much meal and oil left—as she had before.

There are several things to commend in this woman. One is her faith. She believed what was told her, and acted on it. It is when we do God's commandments, that he blesses us. His promises are conditional, depending upon the fulfillment of our part. Had this woman not believed and obeyed, the wonderful two or three years miracle in her house, would not have been wrought. The woman's unselfish generosity must also be commended. She had enough only for a meal for herself and son—but she fed the stranger first. Had she prepared a meal for herself and son, and left the hungry prophet unfed, there would have been no miracle of increase. We must be ready to share our little with others who need, if we would have the blessing on ourselves.

 

July 22.

"So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her son continued to eat from her supply of flour and oil for many days." 1 Kings 17:15

Had not the prophet come to the widow's door, she and her household would probably have perished in the famine. Or had the woman refused the prophet's request, saying, "I cannot spare anything for a stranger; charity begins at home, and I must look first after my own," she and her son would have starved before the rain fell. The meal wasted not, because she shared it with another.

The lesson is plain. There is a withholding that tends to poverty; there is a giving that enriches. The way to make sure of spiritual blessing is—to seek to be a blessing. If your love is growing cold, help someone, and it will become warm again. We cannot afford to shut our doors in the face of those whom God sends to us for sympathy and for the ministries of love. Such serving brings to us blessings which we must not miss.

 

July 23.

"He himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a juniper tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." 1 Kings 19:4

He was sorely discouraged. It seemed to him that all he had done, had come to nothing. There are few things we need more to guard against than discouragement. When once we come under its influence, it makes us weak, robbing us of our hope and making cowards of us. Many a life is discrowned and drawn down to failure, through discouragement.

It is surely a sad picture: this greatest of the old prophets lying there under the little bush, in the wilderness, longing to die! If he had died then and there, what an inglorious ending it would have made of his life! As it was, however, he lived to do further glorious work and to see great results from his contest with idolatry. God was kinder to him, than he knew.

It is wrong to wish ourselves dead. Life is God's gift to us, a sacred trust for which we shall have to give account. While God keeps us living—he has something for us to do. Our prayer should be for grace to do our duty bravely and well unto the end. From Elijah's after-experience, we learn that we would never be cast down by any discouraging experiences. The things we think have failed are often only slowly ripening into rich success. We have only to be faithful to God and to duty, and we may always rejoice. What seems failure—is often best success.

 

July 24.

"Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God." 1 Kings 19:5-8

Behold the loving gentleness of God. He followed his discouraged servant in his flight, kept watch over him all the way, and did not cast him off. There is great comfort in this for us all. God is very patient with us in our weaknesses and faults. He does not break bruised reeds.

Then it must be noticed that when God would restore his servant's soul—he began with his body. He gave him sleep and then food, until his exhausted nature was refreshed. Much spiritual depression is caused by the bodily condition. Ofttimes the best cure for despondency, is sleep and rest, until the body is restored to healthy conditions.

This incident is typical. God is continually preparing a table in the wilderness where he feeds his weary ones. In their sorrows, he provides for them food which the world knows nothing of; they rise up and go on their journey with joy, sustained by the secret strength which divine grace supplies. Many people whose lot in life is hard—go through the days with cheerful, songful spirit, because every morning in the closet, God gives them food which makes them strong.

 

July 25.

"I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." 1 Kings 19:10

There is something very pathetic in this verse. Elijah really thought he was alone. He did not know of one other man in all the land, who was loyal to God. This made it all the harder for him. Companionship strengthens us. It is comparatively easy in battle for one to march and fight in the ranks, with others all around him; but to move out alone, old soldiers say, is a sore test of courage. It is easy to be good, faithful, and loyal in duty, diligent in Christian service—when one has companionship. But it tests one's life to have to stand alone, the only Christian in the family, the workshop, the store, the school. But many have to stand just in this way. They are really the only one who is in their place to stand for God. If they fail, God's work there will suffer greatly.

But we see also the value of a single life. For years Elijah was the only one who confessed the Lord and was faithful to him. Yet though utterly alone, and not knowing of any others who even secretly were true, he yet stood firm, and bravely maintained the honor of Jehovah in the face of a whole nation. As we read the story through to the end—we see the outcome of his faithfulness. He alone wrought a great reformation. We sometimes find ourselves alone—the only one to witness for Christ in the place where we stand. If we simply stand and falter not, we shall by and by see the triumph of that for which we stand.

 

July 26.

"Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him." 1 Kings 19:18

Things were not so bad as Elijah had thought. He supposed he was the only one left; but there were seven thousand more, scattered here and there through the land, who were still loyal to God. God's cause in this world is never hopeless. He has others, where we think we are the only one.

There is an experience of Luther's which is suggestive: "At one time," he says, "I was sorely vexed and tried by my own sinfulness, by the wickedness of the world, and by the dangers that beset the church. One morning I saw my wife dressed in mourning. Surprised, I asked her who had died. 'Do you not know?' she replied; 'GOD is dead.' 'How can you talk such nonsense?' I said. 'How can God die?' 'Is that really true?' she asked. 'Of course,' I said, not perceiving her aim.' How can you doubt it?' 'Yet,' she said, 'though you do not doubt that—yet you are so helpless and discouraged.' "

July 27.

"The time had come for the Lord to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind." 2 Kings 2:1

When a godly man leaves the world—he does not cease to live. The Lord took Elijah to live in another country, a heavenly one. We are able actually to verify this statement. We have but to turn over to the Gospels to see him again, nearly nine hundred years later, alive, and active still in God's work. "Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus." Matthew 17:3

It is just as true of the Christians who die in our homes—as it was of this old prophet, that the Lord takes them up into heaven, and that they live on in blessedness forever.

One cold autumn day I saw an empty bird's-nest on a tree. It looked desolate and forsaken. But I knew the birds that once were there were living yet, living now in the warm South, beyond the reach of winter's storms, and singing there then sweet songs. There is an empty love nest in many a home, in many a heart—but we know that the dear Christian who is gone—is living with God in heaven. There is comfort in this.

There is a suggestion in the way God took Elijah from earth. It was "in a whirlwind." A whirlwind suggests terror. But this wild storm was God's chariot, and it took the prophet up into heaven. Death always seems terrible to nature. Sometimes it comes in form of great terror. But however it may come, it takes God's child home to glory!

 

July 28.

"As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind!" 2 Kings 2:11

So the most loving friends must sometimes be parted. We walk on together, talking of a thousand things, not dreaming of separation, when suddenly, as we turn some sharp corner in the way, the 'chariot' is waiting, and one is taken and the other left! We ought not to forget the certainty of separation in every friendship we form. Some day one of the two will be taken, and the other must be left to weep by a grave and to walk on lonely and sorrowing after that.

Another thought suggested here is, that heaven is not far away. One of the 'chariots' from the King's country came down that day to carry Elijah home. Another came down to the door of your house when your godly father died, or when mother or brother or sister died. We shall not leave this world as Elijah did, missing death; we shall have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death; but we shall have the heavenly chariot to bear away our freed spirit just as truly as he did.

 

July 29.

"When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?"

"Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied. 2 Kings 2:9

Elisha's choice shows where his heart was. He did not ask for position, for wealth, for ease, for honor—but for more spiritual power. He had watched his master in his great work, his zeal for God, his heroism, his intense earnestness, and he wanted to have a large measure of the same spirit. He wanted most of all to be a better man, a more useful man, more active and mighty in the Lord's work. Here is a good lesson for us. We ought to seek above all other things—the qualities and graces and beauties which make a noble character.

There is something else. Elisha greatly admired his master, Elijah, and his chief desire was to be like him. This is commendable. Christ, our Master, is the one great and perfect example, and all of us should imitate him. Any other model is too low. Yet he gives us in his true followers pictures of at least some fragments of his own beauty, and it is right for us to imitate these. Paul said: "Be imitators of me." Every parent should live so that his child, imitating him, shall be ever following Christ and growing more like him. It is right when we see anything beautiful in another—to desire to have the same beauty in ourselves. Whether we will or not, we grow, even unconsciously, like those whom we admire and love.

 

July 30.

"He picked up the mantle that had fallen from Elijah." 2 Kings 2:13

We are continually seeing useful lives removed from earth. The loss seems irreparable. But there are no accidents in God's providence. Everyone's life is a plan of God, and no faithful servant is taken away—until his part in the great plan is finished. There is abundance of work remaining—but it is the work of others, not of him who is gone. His mantle falls at someone's feet— yours, perhaps.

A godly father dies, and there is grief in the home. How he will be missed! Yes, but an elder son stands by the coffin, strong and gifted, blessed with the blessing of the father's life and teaching. At his feet the mantle falls from the father's shoulders. He must take it up, and with it lift the burdens and responsibilities of manhood. He must become now his mother's protector, and the shelter and defender of his younger brothers and sisters.

A godly mother dies, and when a gentle mother goes out of a home—the loss indeed seems irreparable. But if there is an elder daughter in the sorrowing group at the grave, at her feet the mantle falls.

So it is in all the breaches which death makes in Christian homes and communities, in every case the mantle falls at someone's feet. God makes provision that his work shall not suffer, unless his servants fail in their duty. We must be ready always to take up what is ours.

 

July 31.

"But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night." Psalm 1:2

A perfumer bought a common earthen jar, and filled it with fragrant flowers. Soon every particle of the substance of the jar, was filled with the rich perfume; and long afterward, and even when broken, the fragments retained the fragrance. So it is that a human life becomes filled, saturated, with the Word of God, when one loves it and meditates upon it continually. The thoughts, feelings, affections, dispositions, and the whole character become colored with the spirit of the Word.

Such a filling of the heart and memory with the pure words of God, is the best way to prepare for any future of darkness into which the life may pass. It is like hanging up a hundred lamps while the light of day yet shines, to be ready to pour down their soft beams the moment daylight fades.

 

AUGUST

August 1.

"The Lord has sent me to Bethel."
So they went down to Bethel.
"The Lord has sent me to Jericho."
So they went to Jericho.
"The Lord has sent me to the Jordan."
So the two of them walked on.
"Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind!"
2 Kings 2:2, 4, 6, 11

God leads us on step by step, each step a new revelation. He led Elijah on with new calls to new errands, from Gilgal to Bethel, from Bethel to Jericho, from Jericho to Jordan, and then over the river and up among the hills, until at last, as he went on, the chariot came down and lifted him away to heaven! In this same beautiful way, does God lead each one of his children through life. We know not what any day may bring forth. But God knows; and he calls us forward, to this duty and experience today, to others tomorrow, and so on and on, and on and on, until we come to the last step, and that will be into glory!

Elijah's prompt obedience, teaches us our side of the lesson. He went swiftly from task to task. He would finish his work, before the end came. It was to visit the schools of the prophets that he went to Bethel and to Jericho. He wanted to give his last counsels to the young students whom he had been training, and on whom the future religious work among the people would depend.

The nearing of the end of life, should intensify our earnestness. A godly woman was told that she could not live more than six weeks. "Then I must arise, and hasten to finish my work!" Leaving her bed, she went out and hurried from place to place, laboring intensely until the very end came.

 

August 2.

"Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days." 1 Samuel 31:13

It has been said, that everyone lives for a funeral; that the burial one has—tells the story of one's life. One man amasses great wealth, and when his body lies in state, the rich come and look at him and pass on with their tearless eyes. Another devotes his life to doing good. His hands scatter blessings. The needy are cared for, the hungry are fed, the sick are visited, the fallen are lifted up. When he lies in his coffin, the poor come, the widow and the orphan, those whom his hands have relieved and helped, and with grateful hearts and tearful eyes take their farewell.

It is a beautiful sight this rescuing of the body of King Saul from dishonor on the field where he had fallen, and it is especially so when we learn that it was an act of kindness which he had done many years before, which secured for his dead body the gentle thought and care it received that day. Had Saul's life been filled to its close with such deeds of true valor as marked its beginning, he would have had the gratitude of a whole nation when he came to die.

We should try to live—so that we shall be remembered with gratitude. Also, we would never fail to show gratitude to anyone who has conferred a favor upon us. Let us be sure, too, that we live so as to obtain honor from God, when we come to the end of life. If we miss that, earth's honor will be an awful mockery.

 

August 3.

"When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer." Psalm 32:3-4

Sometimes we would better be silent to God. When sore trials are upon us we should not say a word in resistance. But there is a silence to God which does not bring blessing. Unconfessed sins, produce bitterness. David's words tell a sad story of the suffering of the days when he kept silent about his guilt.

He could not put away the memory of his sin. It stayed in his mind, saddened every joy and embittered every sweet thing in his life. His very body suffered, and his heart cried out continually in anguish.

Unconfessed sins are a burden too great for mortal to bear. We should never keep silence for a moment, about a sin which we have committed. The only godly thing to do—is to confess it instantly, and put it out of our life utterly and forever.

Sin is a demon from the dark abodes, and must be expelled—or it will take up its home in the heart and destroy the life. Sin is poison of eternal death, and if not cast out—it will spread its death through the soul. The only safety is, by confession and repentance, to thrust out remorselessly every sin that has overcome us!

 

August 4.

"The Babylonians broke through the wall—and the city fell!" Jeremiah 39:2

When even the smallest breach is made in a wall—it is the beginning of the end! The breach is easily increased, until, where at first only one or two men could enter—now a whole army pours through.

Each of us lives 'within walls'. There is the wall of innocence, which God sets around every human soul. So long as it remains unbroken, we are safe; but when once a breach is made—enemies pour in! It is then easy to break down the whole wall, leaving the life exposed to every temptation. Then, every wild beast enters the garden at will.

Conscience is another of the walls which God builds around each soul. So long as it is kept inviolable, it is an impregnable protection. But this, too, may be broken; and when one small breach has been made in it—it is easy to make it larger breach. It is not as hard to violate conscience the second time, as it was the first time. It is easier still the third and the fourth time. By and by the whole wall is broken down! When this time comes—the citadel of the heart is utterly in the enemy's hands! Everything beautiful is destroyed. The temple is in ruins, the altar is torn away, the fires are out—and there is only darkness in the place once sacred and bright with God's presence. It is well that we look after 'the walls of our life'!

 

August 5.

"After leaving them, He went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.

He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o'clock in the morning He came to them, walking on the water." Mark 6:46, 48

He did not come immediately; indeed, it was almost morning when He came, and the disciples had been struggling all night in the storm. Yet He had not been indifferent to them meanwhile. From the mountainside where He was praying—He kept his eye upon them. "He saw that they were in serious trouble." All that dark night, He kept a watch upon that little boat that bore His disciples in the midst of the waves.

There is something very suggestive in the picture. This 'boat in the storm', is a picture of 'Christ's friends in this world, in the storms of life'. Sometimes we think we are forgotten—but from His place in glory, Christ's eye is always on us! He sees us struggling, battling with the waves, beaten, and distressed. He has full sympathy with us in all our struggles. It ought to be a great strength and comfort to us in trial, to know this. Jesus intercedes for us in our distresses!

It may not be best always to deliver us immediately—but His prayer continually ascends, that our faith may not fail in the struggle. This also should encourage us.

Then, He always comes in time. He may delay long—but it is never too long. If we call upon Him in trouble—we may be sure that He hears and sees us, and knows just how hard it is for us to endure; that He prays for us that we may not fail, and that He will come at the right time for our deliverance!

 

August 6.

"Jesus did not answer a word." Matthew 15:23

Jesus is not so tender-hearted, that he cannot tolerate to see us suffer—when suffering is the best experience for us. He does not immediately lift burdens from our shoulders when it is needful for our growth that we bear the burdens longer. There is a mushy sentimentality in many people's ideas about Christ—as if he were too gentle to endure the sight of suffering. It is possible to be too tender toward pain. It is possible for parents to be too emotionally kind to their children. Uncontrolled pity is great weakness, and it is ofttimes very injurious.

Christ's tenderness is never too tender to be wise—as well as tender. He never makes the mistake of yielding to anyone's entreaties, when denial would be better than acquiescence. He never lets us have what we want—because he cannot bear to say "no" to our tearful cries. He is not so tenderhearted as to allow his own disciples to go unchastened, when only by chastisement can he promote their spiritual growth.

But one thing we must not forget, it is love which prompts his severity. He was silent here, that, in the end, he might give the full, rich blessing he wanted to give this woman—but which she could not receive at the first. He denies us, and is silent to us when we cry—that he may draw out our faith, and give us his best blessings by and by.

 

August 7

"Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God." Colossians 3:22

Paul speaks of "eye-service" as a kind of service that is not the truest. There always are those who work well when they are under the eye of a master—but who fall off in diligence and faithfulness when the watching eye is absent. This is very imperfect serving. The person who takes advantage of an employer and does his work slowly, or loiters at his tasks, or shortens the time he is expected to be at his post, or in any way is less faithful or less diligent and careful than if his employer were beside him—is yielding to a temptation which will hurt his own life immeasurably. The wrong he does to another by skimping his work, is sin enough; but the injury done to himself is far more serious. The former is only in money; the latter is in character. The man who does a dishonest thing, or is in any way unfaithful in duty, has lowered the tone of his own life, and blighted irreparably some portion of the possibilities of his being.

 

August 8.

"After Hezekiah received the letter and read it, he went up to the Temple and spread it out before the Lord." Isaiah 37:14

That was Hezekiah's way of laying his troubles in the Lord's hands. He could not do anything, and so he gave the matter to God. We all have our cares. Sometimes it is a business perplexity, sometimes it is a temptation; or it may be a combination of circumstances that seems about to crush us.

What is our duty? what is our privilege? We may take the matter directly to God! We may cast the burden upon him. That is what Paul tells us to do with all our anxieties; and he says the peace of God shall then guard our heart and thoughts in Christ Jesus.

Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.
Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.

Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging 'round?
On Jesus' bosom, naught but calm is found.
Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away?
In Jesus' keeping, we are safe and they.

Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours?
Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers.
It is enough; earth's struggles soon shall cease,
And Jesus calls us to heaven's perfect peace.
Edward Bickersteth

 

August 9.

"In those days king Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death." 2 Kings 20:1

Palace walls cannot shut out sickness. Kings and queens, as well as peasants, must yield to the touch of disease and pain. People who live in a plain, humble way—very often feel that somehow this world's troubles have easier access to them than to the rich, who live in a grand way. Sometimes they envy those who dwell in the great houses, and imagine that palace walls exclude most of the ills of life.

But they make a mistake; no splendid doors can shut out trouble. The healthiest people in the world—are working people, who earn their bread by honest toil—the healthiest and the happiest too. Wealth and high station bring more cares than they shut out! The tall peaks are more conspicuous than the little hills—but they are swept by more storms. Contentment, with plainness and God's blessing, is the lesson. "If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction!" 1 Timothy 6:8-9

One stormy night during the American civil war someone in conversation with Mr. Lincoln was pitying the soldiers in the field. The President replied, that there was not one of them with whom he would not gladly exchange places that night. Responsibility brings burdens.

 

August 10.

"Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless." Psalm 119:37

We must be always turning—if we would keep our life true and according to God's commandments. There are some flowers which always turn toward the sun. There was a little potted rose-bush in a sick-room which I visited. It sat by the window. One day I noticed that the one rose on the bush was looking toward the light. I referred to it; and the sick woman said that her daughter had turned the rose around several times toward the darkness of the room—but that each time the little flower had twisted itself back, until again its face was toward the light. It would not look into the darkness.

The rose taught me a lesson—never to allow myself to look toward any evil—but instantly to turn from it. Not a moment should we permit our eyes to be inclined toward anything sinful. To yield to one moment's sinful act—is to defile the soul. One of the main messages of the Bible is, "Turn from the wrong, the base, the crude, the unworthy—to the right, the pure, the noble, the godlike." We should not allow even an unholy thought to stay a moment in our mind—but should turn from its very first suggestion, with face fully toward Christ, the Holy One.

"I will set before my eyes no vile thing!" Psalm 101:3

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things!" Philippians 4:8

But we should train ourselves to turn also from all discouragements. There is always a bright side, and we should find it. Discouragement is full of danger. It weakens and hurts the life.

 

August 11.

"Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold; for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her." Proverbs 8:10-11

It is hard to convince people in these days, that anything is or can be better than silver or gold or rubies. The best way, however, to look at this subject—is to think of some of the greater and deeper needs of life, and ask what these earthly gems can do to meet them.

One writer represents a party of emigrants wrecked on a desert island, far from the tracks of men. They have food to last for a time. The soil is rich and the climate fine. Soon, however, they find gold, and instantly they all begin to search for the precious metal. They gather much, and are rich; but they have not sown a grain of seed, and no harvest is coming, for the season for sowing was now past. Famine is upon them, and their gold will not feed their hunger.

This illustrates the value of godly wisdom. In the great needs of life, riches and jewels amount to nothing; only the grace of God will do then. In the time of great sorrow, no one turns to gold or diamonds for comfort. In the sore struggles of life, in its temptations, trials and perplexities, these symbols of earthly wealth will not meet the needs of the soul. When death comes, these things are utterly worthless, are indeed bitter mockeries! We need a help greater than earth's glittering baubles, in these solemn experiences!

"But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs!" 1 Timothy 6:8-10

 

August 12.

"All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia." Psalm 45:8

We cannot guard too carefully, the influences which we allow to play upon our life, for all of them leave their hue and impress upon us, either for beauty or for marring. A great artist refused to look upon the works of inferior artists, saying that they would affect his style. We should seek continual fellowship with the good, the pure, the holy; for in close, sympathetic mingling with them, we unconsciously receive into our own spirit something of their sweetness, their beauty, and the aroma of heavenliness that surrounds them. We absorb something of whatever we see or touch.

 

August 13.

"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing." Psalm 143:10

There are so many possibilities in life, in attainment and achievement, and so many opportunities of doing good, that it is a glorious thing to live. Surely, then, we ought to make the most of our life, not failing to become what Christ would have us to be, or to do the sweet things he would have us do—as we pass along the way.

Yet life's lessons must always be learned slowly. Paul was well on in life when he said, "I have learned, in whatever state I am, therein to be content." The words suggest that the lesson was not easily learned; that it required time and struggle. It is only fair to infer that Paul could not have written thus in his earliest epistles. These is comfort in this for us common mortals, who in younger or middle life grow discouraged because we have not Paul's contentment. If only we are really learning the lesson, there is hope that some day we shall be able to say we have learned it.

 

August 14.

"Each one helps the other, and says to another, Take courage!". Isaiah 41:6

It was Charles Kingsley who said, "We become like God—only as we become of use." The saying is truer than at first we may think. Every glimpse we have of heaven's life—is a glimpse of usefulness, helpfulness. In olden days, angels sometimes came down to earth, and they always came on some errand of service to men. Then, we are told in our New Testament, that the mission of the angels to earth is "to minister to those who shall be the heirs of salvation." Thus these pure creatures of heaven live only to serve. God himself is revealed on every Scripture page, and always in the same character of helpfulness. Christ came as God incarnate; and his whole life is summed up in the words, "He went about doing good." Thus the divine life finds its expression in serving, doing good. "God is love;" and love cannot but minister and bless, even to the point of utter self-sacrifice.

 

August 15.

"I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry." Psalm 40:1

Has God taught you some great truth, or revealed to you, in deep personal experience, some new, sweet thought of his love? What is the next thing? Is it not that you shall whisper the blessed secret to some other soul? After Peter's strange vision, he sat pondering what it could mean; and while he thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, "Behold, three men seek you." The picture is very suggestive. When we have gotten anything from God—there is always someone waiting to get from us what God has just given to us. Heavenly visions are not shown to us, only to be absorbed in our own soul—but to be translated into some form that will bless the world. That is what the artist does with his visions. That is what we should do with ours.

 

August 16.

"We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him as He is!" 1 John 3:2

Thoburn tells a beautiful story about a picture of his dead child. It seemed a very imperfect photograph, so blurred that scarcely a trace of the beloved features could be seen in it. But one day he took the picture to a photographer, and asked him if he could do anything to improve it. In three weeks he returned; and as he saw the picture in its frame on the wall, he was startled. It seemed as if his child were living again before him. The image had been in the old picture—but was concealed beneath the blurs and mists that were there also. The photographer, however, had brought it out in strong, living beauty, until it was life-like in its tender charm.

In every true disciple of Christ, there is the image of the Master, It may be very dim. Its features are overlaid by blurs and blemishes, and are almost unrecognizable by human eyes. It is the work of Christ in our lives to bring out this likeness, more and more clearly, until at last it shines in undimmed beauty. This is what Christ is doing in many of his ways with us.

 

August 17.

"While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, "Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor." And they rebuked her harshly.

"Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to Me!" Mark 14:3-6

Usefulness is not the only test. Acts may be beautiful in Christ's sight, even though they do not seem to be immediately helpful to others. Mary's deed fed no poor, relieved no sick, clothed no shivering child—and yet Jesus commended it. He is pleased when offerings are made from love to Him, even though the things offered may not be necessary to His work.

We may not measure all our services to Christ, by the standard of direct helpfulness to others. Mary's ointment, spilled over Christ's head and feet, was not a really useful ministry, and yet it was good and beautiful in Christ's sight. What shall we say of the loveliness which God lavishes everywhere in nature? Does the beauty of the flowers, of the skies—feed the hunger of the poor? Evidently it was Mary's love for Christ which pleased him, and made her deed beautiful. She had indeed wrought a good work on Him, one that blessed Him; for in the great sorrow of His heart as He drew near His cross, nothing could so strengthen Him, as love! It made Him stronger for the journey to His cross! Likewise, nothing else that we can give another, will be such a blessing, as love.

 

August 18.

"About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Which of us is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?' Jesus called a small child over to Him and put the child among them." Matthew 18:1-2

When the disciples wanted to know who was greatest, Jesus called a little child, and took him on his knee. The disciples were clustered around him, and saw what he did. A little child in the midst, is used ofttimes to teach great lessons to older people. When a new baby comes into a home, God sets it in the midst of a family as a teacher. Parents suppose they are training their children—but the children are also teaching and training them.

I learned more of the meaning of the fatherhood of God, and pf the way he feels toward his children, in one week after the first baby came into my home, than I had learned from teachers and books, even from the Bible, in all the preceding years of my life. Every child's life is a book—a new page of which is turned over each day.

Children are not angels, and yet they bring from heaven to earth many fragments of loveliness. Their influence in a home is a blessing. They soften hearts; they change the whole thought of life in their parents. It is no more SELF; they begin to live for their children. The children open love's chambers. They train their parents in patience, gentleness, thoughtfulness. While a young child is in a home—a school of heaven is set up there. Sad is it for those within, if they miss the chance of learning such blessed lessons.

 

August 19.

"We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces patience." Romans 5:3

Patience is a great lesson to learn. Any school in which we can learn it, is a good school, and the lesson can scarcely be too costly. Few things mean more in life, than patience. Many people wreck the best hopes of their life, for lack of patience. To be impatient in certain conditions, is to lose all; and to be patient, to be able to keep quiet and still in the presence of things that try us, is to gain all. Thus patience becomes the very key to success in living. It is surely worth while to learn the lesson!

Patience is ofttimes learned in the school of suffering. We are there trained to endure; not to cry out in the hour of anguish—but to sing instead. Richter tells of the little bird that is shut away in the darkness, to learn new strains, which afterward it sings in the light. Many Christians are taken into the darkness, and kept there for a time, while they are taught the songs of patience. We look at patient people with admiration, not knowing what it has cost them to get this pearl of the graces.

 

August 20.

"The Lord gave—and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21

God's love is the same in the brightness—and when the brightness fades into gloom. It is the same in joy—and when the joy turns to grief. It is the same when blessings are given—and when the blessings are recalled.

It does not seem so to us; we easily believe that while God showers favors upon us—he loves us; but when he gives suffering and sorrow, we almost feel that he does not love us as before. Yet it may be, that there are even richer blessings in the things which make us grieve—than in those which give us gladness. We know at least that the same love sends both. That should be comfort for us. It is always love that comes from God—in whatever form or guise it comes. We need never doubt that this is true, "For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and punishes every son whom He receives." Hebrews 12:6

 

August 21.

"The Word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time." Jonah 3:1

Jonah had failed the first time—but God gave him a second chance. This shows the divine patience. Strict justice would have left Jonah at the bottom of the sea, or in the jaws of the great fish; but God was merciful to him. He had now gone through a discipline which left him ready to obey.

That is the way God often deals with people. When they rebel or disobey him—he does not cast them off—but puts them under some discipline, sometimes sore and painful, to teach them obedience, and then tries them again. Many of us have to be whipped to duty; but what a blessed thing it is that God is so patient with us! Most of us owe all we are, to God's disciplines. "For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and punishes every son whom He receives." Hebrews 12:6. Thus even our sins may become blessings to us.

We should be very thankful to God for these second chances that God gives us, when we have failed to improve the first chance. Very few people make of their life, what God first wanted them to make. Then he sets them another lesson, that they may try again. Perhaps the second is not so beautiful nor so noble as the first; still it is good, and if they are faithful and diligent, they can make something worthy even yet of their life. Most of us have to be sent more than once, on our errands for God. Happy are we if we obey even at the second bidding, although it is far better that we go at first.

 

August 22.

"So Jonah got up and went to Nineveh, according to the Lord’s command." Jonah 3:3

Jonah had learned his lesson well. We are not told where he was after his deliverance—but no doubt he had a quiet time for thought. He thought over the story of his wilfulness and disobedience, no doubt, and was ashamed of his conduct. Thus he learned humility, and was ready now to do as God might command him. Indeed, he became eager for another opportunity to do the work which at first he had refused to do.

There is a story of a regiment of soldiers which in some war had been dishonored on a certain battle-field. In the next war the same regiment was again in the service, and at the first opportunity they displayed most heroic courage, thus "burning out the shame" of the former field. So Jonah in his penitence, would long for another chance to go for God to Nineveh, that he might wipe out the dishonor of his former disobedience.

So we see prompt obedience this time, no quibbling, no running away. We ought to get the lesson. When we have failed in any task that God has set for us, or broken any command that he has given to us, not only should our repentance lead us to sorrow and confession—but we should eagerly prepare ourselves for burning out the shame of our past sin and dishonor—by a service and an obedience worthy of sincere love for Christ. Thus alone do we make our repentance worthy.

 

August 23.

"Now Elisha was suffering from the illness from which he died." 2 Kings 13:14

A death-bed is a good place from which to look at one's past life. In the strange, dim light that pours in from eternity, things do not appear as they did in the common sunlight. Many things that gave pleasure as life went on—now give pain and shame in the retrospect, and appear calamitous. This is true of all sins and follies, of all gains and pleasures that did not have God's blessing, of all things done for SELF and not for Christ, of all quarrels and strifes.

Many things also that seemed hard when they came, and that cost pain and self-denial, in the light of the death-chamber, now appear radiant and beautiful. Thus the dying hour—is the place to test life. If we would always ask, before doing any doubtful thing, "How will this look—when I am dying?" it would save us from many a mistake and sin!

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

But the death-bed is also a good place for other people to study a man's life. When a man is engaged in the affairs of the world, he suffers more or less from the envy of others. The more active and influential he is, the more are men about him envious of him. But when a man lies dying, all this unjust feeling vanishes. All men feel kindly toward him. Whatever has been faulty in him is forgotten in the glow of tenderness that his dying enkindles; and whatever has been beautiful in him shines out in still fairer beauty.

 

August 24.

"Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man's body into Elisha's tomb. When the body touched Elisha's bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet!" 2 Kings 13:21

The bones of Elisha had no more power in themselves to give life—than any other dead man's bones. Yet we may get here the lesson of posthumous influence. No man ever wholly dies. We have nothing to do with superstitious nonsense about relics, saints' bones, and bits of holy men's clothing or of their coffins; but it is true that a really godly man has influence after he dies. He leaves behind him something which cannot die. His name has power. If he writes good books, these live after him, and give life to the souls that their words touch. We ought ever to seek to live—so as not only to be missed and mourned when we die—but to live on after death in our works, our name, our influence.

 

August 25.

"Mordecai gave Hathach a copy of the decree issued in Susa that called for the death of all Jews, and he asked Hathach to show it to Esther. He also asked Hathach to explain it to her and to urge her to go to the king to beg for mercy and plead for her people. So Hathach returned to Esther with Mordecai's message.

Then Esther told Hathach to go back and relay this message to Mordecai . . ." Esther 4:8-10

We are apt to overlook the minor actors in Scripture stories—in our absorbed interest in the prominent ones. Yet ofttimes these lesser people are just as important in their own place, and their service is just as essential to the final success of the whole—as the greater ones.

The little girl in the story of Naaman the leper, is scarcely seen in the splendors of the Syrian court; but without her part, we would never have had the story at all.

The young lad with the basket, is hardly thought of when we read the account of the miracle; but they were his loaves with which the Master fed all those hungry thousands that day on the green grass.

The smallest links in a chain—are ofttimes quite as important as the greatest links.

Hathach was one of these obscure characters. But his part was by no means unimportant. Without his being a trustworthy messenger, Mordecai's communication with Esther would have been impossible.

If we cannot do brave things like Esther, nor give wise counsels like Mordecai, we may at least be useful, as Hathach was, in faithful service. And perhaps our lowly part may some day prove to have been as essential—as the great deeds which all men praise. We may at least help some others in doing the great things that they are set to do in this world.

 

August 26.

"If you keep quiet at a time like this . . . you and your relatives will die. What's more, who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this?" Esther 4:14

The only safe way in life's thronging field—is straight on in the path of duty. He who falters and hesitates even for one instant, is trodden down by the marching hosts behind him. No danger of the battle is so great—as that of halting and trying to turn backward.

The same is true in all the paths of life. No duty, however hard and perilous, should be feared one-half so much as failure in the duty. People sometimes shrink from responsibility, saying they dare not accept it because it is so great. But in shrinking from duty—they are really encountering a far more serious condition than that which they evade. It is a great deal easier to do that which God gives us to do, no matter how hard it is—than to face the responsibility of not doing it. We have abundant assurance that we shall receive all the strength we need to perform any duty God allots to us; but if we fall out of the line of obedience, and refuse to do anything which we ought to do, we find ourselves at once out of harmony with God's law and God's providence, and cannot escape the consequences of our failure.

So it is always in the end easier and infinitely safer to do our duty, whatever it may involve of cost or peril, than not to do it. To drop out of the ranks in life's crowded pathway—is to lose all. To neglect opportunities, is to throw away honors and crowns.

 

August 27.

"If you keep quiet at a time like this . . . you and your relatives will die! What's more, who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this?" Esther 4:14

Often we sin by speaking, and do incalculable harm with our words. But there are times when it is a sin not to speak—when to be silent is to fail in duty. We are not to speak out the wrong thoughts that may be in our heart—but the good thoughts and feelings which burn within us it is usually our duty to utter. We should never hesitate to speak out boldly in confession of Christ, when his honor is assailed by his enemies. To walk with an impenitent friend day after day and year after year, in close association with him, and never to speak a word to him about his spiritual life—is to commit a grievous sin against him.

We have many cautions about watching our speech, and withholding words that are not good; but we need to beware also lest we fail to speak the words we ought to speak. Especially should we beware of silence about spiritual and eternal things. God gives to each of us a message—a gospel message to others—and we dare not fail to deliver it. We scarcely ever lack words when the themes are trivial; but amid the trivial talk, let us not fail to speak some word which shall not be forgotten.

 

August 27.

"Perhaps you have come to royal position—for such a time as this!" Esther 4:14

One reason Esther was in the palace at this time as queen, was for this very mission—to save her people by interceding for them. She was not there by accident. We know the singular providences by which she came to her circumstances.

We live under the same providence, and nothing is 'accidental' in any of the circumstances of our lives. If we are true to God, doing His will day by day, we are always in the place where He wants us to be; and wherever we are—He has something for us to do there. Each day God sets our work for us. When we find ourselves in the presence of any human need or sorrow, we should say, "Perhaps God sent me here just now—to bring relief or to give help or comfort." Sometimes we wonder at the strange ways of God's providence, by which we are carried into this place or that circumstance; is there not a 'key' to this mystery?

It certainly was a strange providence that led Esther—the lowly, simple-hearted Jewish maiden, into the palace of the great Xerxes to be his queen; but there was a divine purpose in it. She was sent there—because she would be needed there by and by.

Likewise, when God, by some strange providence, brings us into peculiar circumstances or associations, it is because at some time there will be need for us there. We must be careful that we do always the thing, we find there to do.

 

August 29.

"When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven!" Nehemiah 1:4

Tears were not all. Nehemiah also carried the burden to God in prayer. He did this before he took any step himself for the relief of the suffering, and the advancement of his work. Compassion is Christlike; but tears alone are not enough. This is a lesson we should not forget in our compassion for others: God cares more for them than we do, and his compassion is deeper than ours; we may, therefore, be sure of interest upon His part—when we speak the names of our friends in His ear. Besides, He knows best how to help. We should take the burden to Him first—and then be ready to do whatever He may tell us to do.

The best way for us to help others—usually is to PRAY for them. Of course praying is not all we should do; Nehemiah did not stop with tears and prayers. He gave himself to the work in behalf of his people. He left his luxurious palace, and journeyed away to Jerusalem, and took earnest hold with both hands, giving all his energy and influence to the cause.

Likewise, more than tears and prayers are needed; there is something for us to DO. Many people can weep over distress, and then pray fervently for the relief that is needed—but never DO anything themselves! Nehemiah's way is better: sympathy, prayer, work. This makes a threefold cord which cannot be broken!

August 30.

"But we prayed to our God—and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat!" Nehemiah 4:9

We are in danger of making prayer a substitute for duty; or of trying to roll over on God, the burden of caring for us and doing things for us—while we sit still and do nothing! When we pray to be delivered from temptation—we must keep out of the way of temptation, unless duty clearly calls us there. We must also guard against temptation, resist the Devil, and stand firm in obedience and faith. When we ask God for our daily bread, pleading the promise that we shall not lack—we must also labor to earn God's bread, and thus make it ours honestly.

A lazy man came once and asked for money, saying that he could not find bread for his family. "Neither can I!" replied the industrious mechanic to whom he had applied. "I am obliged to work for it!"

While we pray for health—we must use the means to obtain it.

While we ask for wisdom—we must use our brains and think, searching for wisdom as for hidden treasure.

While we ask God to help us break off a bad habit—we must also strive to overcome the habit.

Prayer is not merely a device for saving people from toil, struggle and responsibility. When there is no human power adequate to the need—we may ask God to work without us, and in some way He will help us. But ordinarily WE must do our part, asking God to work in and through us, and to bless us through faithful obedience.

"I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me!" Colossians 1:29

 

August 31.

"Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall!" Nehemiah 4:10

There are always croakers and discouragers! They find fault with their part of the work, and object to the methods of those in charge.

We remember how it was with the spies sent to look over the promised land. It was a good country, they said, rich and fertile—but, oh, the giants that were there! So these ten frightened men discouraged a whole nation!

People are forever making it harder for others to live righteously—by going about with their murmurings and groanings!

These people of Judah in Nehemiah's time, seem to have been only half-hearted. They were not willing to make sacrifices to get the city rebuilt.

Nothing good is ever accomplished without cost! Gold is not picked up in the streets! Half-heartedness is not merely weakness; it is sin! All through the ages, men who have been blessings to the world, have been willing to bear burdens that were too heavy for them. Easy living never accomplished much for God or the world!

 

SEPTEMBER

September 1.

"I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes!" Nehemiah 4:14

Everyone with a spark of manhood in him—will fight to the death, for his family. We are all so tied up together, that this motive is really present in all our defending of 'justice'. We must seek the safety of the town in which we live because our family is in it, and peril to the town—is peril to us. We must seek wholesome water supply, good drainage, and clean streets for the town, because our children and friends live there.

Likewise with the moral and religious influences of the community; the welfare of our sons and daughters, our brothers and sisters, is involved. A man may have no interest in the fight against the saloon; but if the evil is let alone—by and by his own boys may be destroyed by it!

A distinguished man was speaking at the opening of a reformatory for boys, and remarked that if only one boy were saved from ruin—it would pay for all the cost. After the exercises were over, a gentleman asked him if he had not put it too strongly when he said that all the cost of founding such an institution would be repaid—if only one boy should be saved. "If it were MY boy!" was the answer. It is only when we learn to look at all such movements as if we were working for our own—that we do bur best work.

 

September 2.

"The laborers who carried the loads worked with one hand—and held a weapon with the other hand. Each of the builders had his sword strapped around his waist—while he was working!" Nehemiah 4:17-18

We should all work on the wall of God's temple, everyone building near his own door. We should never slacken in our diligence; there is some duty for each moment. But we work amid enemies! On every side are those who oppose us, and are ready to assault us and to stop us in our service. The Christian young man in the store or shop, in the school or college, is constantly exposed to temptation. His companions are not all godly. Some of them will seek to draw him away from Christ. In his own heart, too, there are enemies which resist the good that is striving within him—and seek his destruction! So while he works—he must also be ready any instant to fight.

Every Christian should have his sword girded continually by his side. The Christian's sword is "the Word of God." The best preparation, therefore, for meeting the world's enmity—is to become filled with the Holy Scriptures. There come many occasions through life when a verse quoted will be a sword drawn to smite an enemy. Thus it was that Jesus vanquished the tempter, at each temptation drawing out a Word of God, and with it smiting the adversary!

So we all may learn to fight, building ever on the wall of character, and ever thrusting back the enemy that assails us!

 

September 3.

"And Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of choice foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Do not be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!" Nehemiah 8:10

God loves to have us enjoy ourselves. He does not want us to be long-faced!

JOY is the ideal Christian life!

Of course we are to be sorry when we sin; but when we have confessed the sin, truly repented of it, and found mercy—we are to dry our tears—and rejoice! Why should we not be happy when God has forgiven us, made us His children, and assured us of everlasting glory?

But our joy must not be selfish. When we are prosperous—we should not forget those who are poor. When we are happy in our homes of love, with unbroken circles—we should not forget the families that are in sorrow. The good things God gives us—are not meant for ourselves alone. They are given us to be passed on. "It is more blessed to give—than to receive."

People who keep all to themselves, and consume the choice foods and sweet drinks in their own houses, at their own well-covered tables, never thinking of the hungry ones outside—are not the kind of children God wants them to be.

The very essence of Christian life—is unselfishness!

 

September 4.

"Do not be dejected and sad—for the joy of the Lord is your strength!" Nehemiah 8:10

If we would be strong for service, and would do our best always—we must cultivate a joyful spirit. No duty is urged in the Bible more earnestly, than the duty of Christian joy. Of course we must make sure that it is the 'joy of the Lord' which we have. We must draw the water of our gladness—out of the wells of salvation, and not out of the muddy pools of earth! The 'joy of the Lord' comes from the heart of Christ. When we have this joy—we are strong; for joy inspires us, fills us with hope and courage. When we can sing at our toil, or in our sorrow—we have the Lord's strength—and are in no danger of being overcome.

 

September 5.

"This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth—and He has appointed me to build a temple for Him at Jerusalem!" Ezra 1:2

It comforts us to know that nothing is going wrong in this world, though at times, all seems to be in confusion. It ought to comfort us to know that there is One, greater than men, who rules over all things!

A little boy sat in front of his father in a carriage, and held the reins. But his father held them too, although the boy did not know it. Presently the boy felt one of the reins drawn through his little hands. He understood it then, and said, "Father, I thought I was driving; but I am not, am I?"

Just so, we think that WE are doing great things—but there is One behind us, whose hand really holds the reins!

"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will." Ephesians 1:11

"The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." Proverbs 16:33

"A king's heart is a water channel in the Lord's hand: He directs it wherever He chooses." Proverbs 21:1

 

September 6.

"Whoever is among His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem." Ezra 1:3

There is another temple to build for the Lord, and builders are needed. The proclamation comes now, not from a heathen king—but from Christ himself. Everyone is invited to take part in this great work. The temple at Jerusalem, on which these builders wrought, has long since perished, and every trace of their work has been destroyed. But the temple for which Christ seeks builders, shall stand forever, and everything anyone may do on it shall be eternal.

How can we build on the heavenly temple? By doing all we can in this world for Christ. Our own lives are parts of the temple. We may seek to have our characters made beautiful and holy. Then we can strive to bring others to Christ, to make other lives better, to help build up in them a likeness to the Lord Jesus. The smallest things we can do for Christ, will be like the stones laid on the walls of God's great house, which is rising within the veil; or like ornaments, little touches of beauty, on some part of the glorious building. We cannot see now that our work is of any value—but some day we shall see that nothing which we have done with pure motive for our Lord, has been done in vain! No touch laid on another life in love, shall ever fade out!

 

September 7.

"Then the Israelites, including the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy!" Ezra 6:16

It was a glad occasion when that building stood there completed on the sacred mount. It had risen out of ruins. It had cost great sacrifice and toil. It had been built up amid many discouragements and hindrances. Tears had fallen on many a stone, as it was lifted to its place.

Things we do through cost, self-denial, hardship, and hindrance are far dearer to us, and more sacred—than things we do with ease, without feeling the burden or the cost. Churches built by poor, struggling congregations, whose people have to sacrifice and deny themselves to gather the money, yield far more joy to their builders when finished—than beautiful and costly churches reared by the rich. They are built out of people's hearts, and shine in heaven's sight—in love's splendor.

Our joy in doing God's work, and in making gifts to God, is measured by the real cost of the things we do and give. The more heart's blood there is in them—the more precious will they be to us and also to God. The richest treasures of our lives—are those which have cost us the most.

 

September 8.

"On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the Word of the Lord came through Haggai the prophet" Haggai 2:1

The Lord always seeks to be an encourager. These returned captives were very much discouraged. They had begun with great enthusiasm to build the temple—but difficulties had risen. Then the Lord sent his servant to hearten the governor and the people, to cheer them, that they might go on through all the obstacles which faced them. That is the way the Lord is always doing with his children. He does not want us ever to yield to discouragement. Of course, life is hard at many a point. There are ofttimes difficult tasks to perform, and sore struggles to endure. Things often seem to fail in our hands. Our plans miscarry, our hopes disappoint us. We meet opposition and enmity, and it seems to us we can never get through with the things we are set to do!

But when we open the Bible, we find encouragement on every page. We are there taught never to yield to despair. There can be no failure in duty—if only we are faithful. We never can be defeated in temptation, if only we stand true to Christ. We never can sink under our burden, if only we cast it upon Christ. The things that seem to be failures, become successes, when God's hand is in them. So God ever comes to encourage us in our difficulties. "Fear not; I am with you!" is the formula of divine cheer in every hour of trial. Therefore we should never lose heart.

 

September 9.

"I waited patiently for the Lord—and He turned to me and heard my cry for help." Psalm 40:1

There come times in everyone's life, when no exertion of his own can do anything, and when no human power can help. Then he should commit all to God, and wait for him. And it is no ignorant confidence that we may have at such times; for our Father rules this world, and has a plan for each life. We can safely trust him to bring aid, deliverance, or light at the right time.

There are occasions when a patient waiting is our highest duty. When we are working for souls—we must present the truth, and then commit the result to God. Time is necessary for some spiritual processes, and the result cannot come immediately. In prayer we sometimes have to wait for the answer, even to wait long—but we should never be impatient.

 

September 10.

"What do you see now?" he asked. I answered, "I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl of oil on top of it. Around the bowl are seven lamps, each one having seven spouts with wicks." Zechariah 4:2

A lampstand suggests light. Every Christian should be a light-bearer. God wants us to shine. The world is dark, and we are to pour light into its darkness. Our character must shine. That means, to put it very simply, that we must be holy.

To be holy, is to be first pure in heart. A little child said she liked best of all the beatitudes, the one about a pure heart, because if she had that blessing she would have all the others too. A pure, holy, loving heart—will make a life shine. "God is love," and we are like God just so far as we are loving. That means love to God first, and then love to all men. We are therefore to be obedient, trustful, and reverent toward God—and gentle, unselfish, patient, thoughtful, kindly and helpful toward men.

We will find that it is not always easy, to shine with love's light. The candle wastes, burns itself up, in shining. So does life. It costs to be unselfish, patient, thoughtful, and useful. We have to be forgiving, to bear injuries sweetly, to deny ourselves and make personal sacrifices, continually, in order to be gentle, patient, and kind when others are crude to us. It costs to shine; nevertheless we are to shine. Christ gave his blessed life—to be consumed on the candlestick of divine love, to light the world.

 

September 11.

"Be strong, all you people of the land, and work; for I am with you,' declares the Lord Almighty." Haggai 2:4

There are many times in most people's lives, when this fragment of a lesson ought to be inspiring and helpful. Men are called to do some work for God, and their resources of strength appear to be altogether inadequate. They look at the small beginning or the unpromising condition, and say they never can do the work, nor achieve the result expected. Nearly all beginnings of good things, are small. The Christian church began with two followers. Missionary efforts have all had a most unpromising start.

In our individual lives the same thing is true. It does not seem to us that we can ever accomplish anything worthy, with our feeble strength. But the Word of God rings out: "Be strong, and work; for I am with you." God never gives us a duty, but that he means to help us with his presence and strength, so that we need not fail in it. If we lose heart, and, let our hands hang down in idleness, nothing will come of the little beginning, and God's purpose will fail in our hands through our own lack of earnestness. But if we do our whole duty, the end will be blessing and success.

 

September 12.

"The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you!" Zechariah 3:2

The Lord is the friend of his people, and will not stand by inactive when Satan is plotting against any of them. He is the defender, especially of the defenseless. This characteristic of the divine love, is revealed in all parts of the Scriptures. God is the God of the weak. In the Mosaic laws, definite provision was made for the widow and the orphan. Something was to be left for them when the harvests were gathered. The poor were put under special protection, to shield them from the oppression of the rich and the strong. God's thought for the poor appeared amid even the detailed laws given for common life.

Every child of God is an object of peculiar divine care. The weakest of his children is safe in his keeping, even amid the greatest dangers. No harm can come to any of them, while nestling in his bosom. We may safely leave our defending in the Lord's hands, when Satan assails us, and when anyone would do us harm.

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord!" Romans 8:38-39

"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish—ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand!" John 10:28

 

September 13.

"The child sat on her lap until noon and then died."
"Did I ask you for a son, my lord?" she said.
    2 Kings 4:20, 28

The woman's thought seems to have been, "It would have been better had I remained as I was, with no voice of love in my home, my heart unfilled with affection, than that I should know and experience the gladness of motherhood for this brief time, and then be robbed of the joy." No doubt similar thoughts ofttimes come to those who are bereft of friends. In their deep grief, it seems to them that it would have been better if they had never had their friends at all—than to have had them a little while, to have learned to love them so, and to find such blessing in them—and then to lose them!

But Tennyson's word is far more true:
'Tis better to have loved and lost,
Than never to have loved at all.

Loving itself blesses us. It opens our heart and enriches our life. It teaches us the true meaning of life; for to live truly—is to love.

The taking away of our dear one—does not rob us of the blessings which loving has wrought in us. These we keep forever, though the friend is with us no more. Even if this child had not been restored to the mother in this world, she would still have kept forever the impressions and the influences which the child in its brief, beautiful years had left upon her life.

 

September 14.

"That they may be ever seeing—but never perceiving,
and ever hearing—but never understanding" Mark 4:12

It is a mistake not to use one's eyes to see things that are to be seen. The result is that in the end—one has no eyes with which to see. Refusing to listen to the words of God that are spoken in gentleness and love, results in the loss of the power to hear, so that in all God's universe of love, one shall hear no sweet sound; so that the very voices of tender mercy shall become screams of terror. Refusing to understand the things of God—leads to the dulling and deadening of the soul, so that at last one cannot understand—even if he would.

We should learn to keep all the gates of our soul open toward heaven. We should train ourselves to see whatever God would show us. Thus shall our eyes become able to see more and more beauty in God and in all his works. We should keep our ears intent to hear every Word that God speaks to us. We should strive to understand what God teaches us; for to those who seek, all hidden mysteries at length become clear.

 

September 15.

"Who touched Me? Jesus asked." Luke 8:45

The people were crowding against Jesus, and many people touched him; but there was one touch different from the others. There was a heart's cry in it, a pleading, a piteous supplication. It was a touch of faith, inspired by a deep sense of need. It was not an accidental touch, a mere touch of nearness; it was intentional.

This incident illustrates what is going on all the while, about Christ. We cannot move without pressing up against him. Sometimes in our heedlessness we jostle him rudely. But when among all earth's millions, one person intentionally reaches out a hand to feel after Christ, to touch him with a purpose, to seek for some blessing, to crave some help—Jesus instantly knows the pressure of that touch, and turns to answer it. He knows when any heart wants him, no matter how obscure the person, how poor, how hidden away in the crowd. Blessing came that day to none in that crowd, so far as we know—except to this poor, sick woman, who touched Christ's clothes. It came to her, because she had a burden on her heart—and sought Christ's help.

So in every company, there are some who are close, and yet receive no blessing, because there is no faith in their touching. Then there are those who are no nearer—but who reach out their hands in faith, and touch Christ's clothes, and go away helped, comforted.

 

September 16.

"Blessed are you who are poor, because the kingdom of God is yours!" Luke 6:20

The blessed ones of the Bible, are not those whom this world considers happy. Indeed, in the opinion of worldlings, those whom Christ calls blessed, have a dreary life. He says the meek are blessed, the poor in spirit, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who mourn, and those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. It would be hard to convince the man of this world—that these are the really blessed ones. But that is the way it appears to the eyes that look down from heaven—and that is the standard of life by which we must be measured in the divine judgment.

It is assuring to hear Jesus himself speak beatitudes for men. He knew who really are the blessed. He knew the difference between the earthly ideals of happiness, and the heavenly ideals. We may safely trust his estimates, and know that they are right. We know, too, that he came into this world to make blessedness possible for men who were lost in sin. On the cross he died to make men happy. It is pleasant to remember, too, that the last glimpse this world had of Jesus—he was in the attitude of blessing men. He had his hands stretched out over his disciples when he began to ascend. Ever since that moment, blessings have been raining down from those pierced hands upon a sorrowing earth. Those who do not receive blessings shut their hearts against them.

 

September 17.

"When the Lord saw her, His heart went out to her and He said, Don't cry!" Luke 7:13

A sorrow in a home sends out a wave of tender feeling which impresses a wide community. While the death-crape hangs on a door, almost everyone of the great throng of passers-by is made at least for the moment, a little more thoughtful. Even strangers going by feel the influence, and their hearts are warmed by it. Whatever thus touches men with a gentler mood, though but transiently, becomes a blessing in the world. There is a humanizing influence in sympathy. It makes men more tolerant of each other, more patient with each other's faults, more loving and thoughtful. That which is changing the world these days from cruelty and savageness, into lovingness and brotherliness, is a sorrow—the sorrow of Calvary.

 

September 18.

"Then a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him." Luke 9:35

Many of the sweetest revealings of comfort, are spoken to God's children out of the clouds of sorrow. Many a Christian learns more about God in a brief season of trouble, than he has learned before in years of earthly prosperity. We would never see the stars—if the sun did not go down. We would never see the promises that gem the Bible pages, like stars in the sky—were there no darkening of the sky of human prosperity and joy. Out of our clouds, too, comes the Father's voice, saying, "This is my Son." It is Christ who comes even in the shadow, who for a time hides and darkens his face. HE is in the center of every cloud.

There is significance also, in the message from the cloud, "Listen to him!" We must learn to listen to Christ—and to him only. There are mysteries about Christianity, things hard to be understood—but we may safely wait for the solution of these, meanwhile doing sweetly and quietly the things that Christ bids us do. Hereafter, we shall know.

Rain comes out of clouds, and if there is no rain—all nature suffers. So out of sorrow's clouds—the rain falls, and our lives are enriched thereby.

 

September 19.

"Then He said to them all, If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Luke 9:23

The more important the position we occupy is, and the greater its responsibilities are—the more cares will it bring. The quiet calm is found in the low valley, not on the mountain-top. As we rise in life—our burdens increase. We need to learn how to carry our load cheerfully when it gets heavy. We cannot reach the higher places, and miss the steep climbing that leads to them. If we would gain the heights—we must consent to climb up the steep and rugged mountain. It was not a mere dream, which envisioned life to the patriarch as a ladder.

 

September 20.

"If you love Me—you will keep My commandments." John 14:15

Love is more than a mere sentiment; it is also a life. The proof of it must be in acts. Thus in one of his epistles this disciple of love writes: "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him—how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:16-18

This same principle applies to our profession of love for Christ. It is not enough that we sing it in our hymns, say it in our prayers, or utter it in our creed; we must show it in our life! A fruit-tree proves its usefulness by bearing fruit in the season. The rose-bush puts forth beautiful roses. And when we claim to be Christ's friends—we must show it by doing what he bids us to do.

 

September 21.

"Yes, Lord—but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table!" Matthew 15:27

When Jesus spoke to the poor Gentile woman in the language of the time, as if she were but a 'dog'—she was not offended. She was willing to be as a dog under the Master's table. She was ready to grant to the Jews—the children's place. The position Jesus had assigned to her satisfied her. For the dogs under the table did not starve. The children were first served, and then the pieces of food which they let fall, belonged to the dogs. Even the crumbs from that table were enough for her. Thus her humility and also her faith were shown.

We should come to Christ with a deep sense of our unworthiness, ready to take the lowest place; and we should realize that even the crumbs of his grace and love are better than all the feasts of this world.

 

September 22.

"Follow my example—as I follow the example of Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1

"Be imitators of me—as I also am of Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1

One way in which God reveals himself to us, is through the lives of the godly and the saintly. Next to living in direct communion with him—is living with others who thus live with him. Converse with those who lie in Christ's bosom and who know the secret of the Lord, cannot but greatly enrich our own knowledge of divine things. Yet in these busy days we are quite in danger of losing almost altogether out of our lives, this rich means of grace. One has said: "Do not think it wasted time— to submit yourself to any influence which may bring upon you any noble feeling."

 

September 23.

"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows—he will also reap" Galatians 6:7

People have loose notions about sin. They think they can go on through life in disobedience of God's commands, and defiance of all moral laws—and then, by a single act of penitence, in a moment, have all the consequences of their sinning wiped out, all the effects in their own nature of lifelong evil habits reversed, and their character changed into saintly beauty and fitness for the kingdom of heaven.

But the Bible does not teach this. Those who choose sin for their way in life—must eat sin's fruit. The fruit of trees drops off—but sin's fruits stay in the life and become part of it. One may sow common seeds, and others gather and eat the harvest; but the sinner must gather and eat the fruit of his own sowing.

We are not through with our life—as we live it. Every act, every word, every thought, every choice, is a seed which we drop. We go on carelessly, never dreaming that we shall ever again see our deeds. Then some day, we come upon an ugly plant growing somewhere, and we ask, "What is this?" Comes the answer, "I am one of your plants. You dropped the seed which grew into me." Our lives are the little garden plots, in which it is our privilege to drop seeds. We shall have to eat the fruits of the seeds of which we are planting these days.

 

September 24.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights." James 1:17

There are many good things that come to us through our friends. The father toils and saves, and leaves an inheritance for his children. Many rich blessings come to us through human affections. Hands are ever being reached out to us, hands of love and kindliness, offering us good things. We owe far more than we ever can estimate, to those who love us. The kindly ministry of friends, brings countless benefits to our lives.

But everyone of these is a blessing sent to us from God. The human hands which bring them—are but the hands of messengers. This is only one of God's ways of sending his good things to us.

James tells us also, that all that God gives us is good, and that every blessing of his is perfect. Sometimes we think that what we receive from God, cannot be good. We think he must have changed toward us. It is a loss or a disappointment, and it seems unkind. But in whatever form it comes, there is a blessing—some good is wrapped up in everything God sends to any of his children.

 

September 25.

"But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your calamities and distresses." 1 Samuel 10:19

We are very quick to see ingratitude in those whom we have befriended, who forget our kindness and treat us unkindly. We like to quote in such connection, the fable of the serpent, frozen by the wayside, which the benevolent passer-by took up and put in his bosom to warm—but which returned his kindness, by striking its deadly fangs into his flesh!

Let us be honest toward God. Let us judge ourselves in relation to his mercies and favors to us, by the same rule which we so inexorably apply to our fellow-men. What has God done for us? What mercies and favors have we received from him? From what adversities and tribulations has he delivered us? Are we saved? Are we on the way now to heaven and glory? Who forgave us our sins? Who rescued us out of the hands of Satan? Who keeps us day by day?

There is only one answer. How, then, are we treating this Deliverer, Savior, and Friend? Do we recognize him as our King and Lord? Or are we rejecting him and demanding another? It is well that we sit down quietly, while this matter is before us, and see whether we are free from the sharp blame which the prophet here lays upon these ancient people. May it not be that we, too, are neglecting the God who has saved us?

 

September 26.

"The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

The thought is, that God is a fortress like stone walls around His people. The same thought is found elsewhere. "The eternal God is your refuge." "God is our refuge." "Just as the mountains surround and protect Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds and protects His people, both now and forever." It is not said that the Lord builds a refuge around His people—but that He Himself is the refuge! He puts Himself between them and peril.

The stork and other birds, when there is danger, cover their young with their own bodies, receiving the assault themselves and shielding their brood. So Christ said that He would gather His people as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings. Thus on Calvary, He received on Himself the terrible storm of wrath—that His people, coming under the shadow of His cross, might be sheltered.

So around every individual believer's life—God is a fortress, in which, in every danger, he may hide and be safe. If this is true, of whom indeed shall we be afraid? The only thing is, to make sure that we can say for ourselves the words, "The LORD is the stronghold of my life." It makes a very great difference on which side of a fortress one is on—when the battle is raging. Outside its strong walls one finds no protection, while its missiles fall everywhere, dealing death. It is only inside—that its shelter is enjoyed. Thus, we must be in Christ by a simple faith.

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold!" Psalm 18:2

"He is my loving God and my fortress, my tower of safety, my deliverer. He stands before me as a shield, and I take refuge in Him!" Psalm 144:2

 

September 27.

"So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, "You are old . . ." 1 Samuel 8:4-5

They meant that his old age made him inefficient as a ruler. It was a suggestion to him that he would better resign and let them choose some other ruler. They seem to have forgotten that he had grown old in their service; that they owed to him whatever of grandeur or real glory there was in their land. They forgot, also, that his years had brought him more wisdom, and had fitted him all the better to rule them, and that he could do more for them now—than ever he had done. Their conduct toward him was most ungrateful.

This fault is too common in our own days. We are lacking in reverence for the aged. We are too ready to ask them to step aside when they have grown gray in serving us, to make room for younger people to take up the work they have been doing so long and so faithfully.

We ought to venerate old age, especially when it has ripened in ways of righteousness and in service of self-denial for the good of others. Those who have given all their life to God's service, ought to receive honor and affection from younger Christians. Often they are lonely; we know not what sorrows they have endured, what sad memories fill their hearts, how they crave sympathy and love. No sight is more beautiful, than that of a young person showing respect and homage to one who is old.

 

September 28.

"I stand here, an old, gray-haired man. I have served as your leader since I was a boy." 1 Samuel 12:2

Old age is the test of life. It is the harvest of all the life's sowing. In its evening shadows, the deeds of all the past years appear at their real value. All life's memories gather about the old man's last days, and make either sweetness or bitterness for him. It is a great thing to be able to stand up in old age, and face all one's past without a blush, and challenge everyone to witness if anything wrong is known.

Nothing but well-lived years all along life's way, can yield such a happy consciousness in old age. We must begin in early youth—to grow old; that is, to grow into the beauty and sweetness which we all want to have in our character, when we become old. If we would be able to face our own past without blushing, when we reach seventy years—we must not do anything during the seventy years that we shall be ashamed to face. If we would be able to challenge the scrutiny of the world, turning the light on every chapter of our life, every page and line—we must be careful that we leave nothing behind us as we go on, which anyone can bring up against us. It was because that from a child, Samuel had served God, and had been exemplary in his conduct—honest, faithful, and upright in all his dealings—that he could now so confidently appeal to his record.

 

September 29.

"Now tell me as I stand before the Lord and before his anointed one—whose ox or donkey have I stolen? Have I ever cheated any of you? Have I ever oppressed you? Have I ever taken a bribe? Tell me and I will make right whatever I have done wrong." "No," they replied, "you have never cheated or oppressed us in any way, and you have never taken even a single bribe." 1 Samuel 12:3-4

It is a noble testimony to the purity and nobleness of a man's life, that in his old age, not a voice can utter a word of complaint against him. Especially is it so, when a man has lived all his days in public, in the eyes of his neighbors, charged with sacred trusts. The life of Jesus was thus unblamable. Even his enemies, searching with all the keenness of their wicked malice, could find not the slightest thing with which to accuse him.

The aim of everyone of us, should be to so live, that when we come to the close of our days—no one can lay any wrong or injury to our charge. It is a sweet joy in our last hours to have others say to us with unanimous voice, "You have never done anything to harm us. You have never treated us unkindly. You never robbed us of anything. You have been only and always kind to us. You have comforted our sorrows. You have encouraged us in our toils, tasks, and trials. You have helped us in all ways, generously, unselfishly, thoughtfully. You have done us nothing but good." To have such a testimony at the last, one must begin early to live an upright, helpful life, and must never allow his hand to slacken until it is folded on his bosom in its final rest.

 

September 30.

"As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD—by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right." 1 Samuel 12:23

We sin against our friend—when we do not pray for him. Of all the ways of doing good and showing kindness to others—prayer is the best. Sometimes we catch ourselves saying to one who is in sore trouble: "I am sorry I cannot do anything to help you; I can only pray for you." But if we really pray for him, we do the very best that we could possibly do! God knows better how to help him, than we do. Ofttimes the help we would give would only harm him. We would lift away burdens, which it would be best if he would carry longer. We would make easy the path, which would better be left rough. We are always in danger of hindering God's work in a man's life—when we come in with our help. The best we can do—is to pray for him.

 

OCTOBER

October 1.

"My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When can I come and appear before God?" Psalm 42:2

One may have everything else—riches, honor, human friends, social rank, health, home joys—but if he has not God, all these things fail to make him truly and deeply happy. On the other hand, if we have God we are blessed, though we have nothing else.

A gentleman came home from business heavyhearted. Disaster had overtaken him. Throwing himself into a chair, he said, "Everything is gone. We are beggared. There is nothing left." His little child, seeing his distress and hearing his words, climbed up on his knee, and said, "Why, papa, you have mamma and me left." Yes; while such human love remained, was he not still rich? Still more, if everything else is taken, and God and his love remain, are we not rich?

 

October 2.

"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces a large crop." John 12:24

Jesus was a very wise teacher. He did not use fine illustrations which the common people would not understand—but took those whose meaning would be plain to them. He pointed to the lilies, to the birds, to leaves, to vines, to the hen and her chicks, and other familiar things.

The illustration here from nature is very simple. The farmer who would keep his wheat in the dry, safe granary, because if it were sown in the field—it would rot and die, would make a very foolish mistake. The only proper thing to do with the grain which the farmer wishes to preserve and take care of in the best way, is to sow it in the ground. True, that seems to be wasting it, losing it, throwing it away. But it is thus it is made to increase. It has to die—to live. This is the law of life.

Our Lord meant here that the only way for him to be glorified—was by giving his life. He could have saved himself from his cross; his sacrifice was voluntary. But suppose he had saved himself—what would have been the result? He would have missed the suffering; but souls would not have been saved, no church would now be praising his name. But in dying, he made blessing for the world. From the one precious seed let fall into the ground on Calvary, has sprung a glorious harvest, whose full fruitage will not be known until all the redeemed are gathered home!

 

October 3.

"The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." John 6:63

God's own life is in the words of Scripture. Put a handful of flower-seeds in your window-box, under the sunshine, and they will soon become lovely flowers. Put the truths of the gospel into a human heart, and soon the life will begin to grow into the beauty of Christ. Its effects will be seen in the disposition, in the character, in the conduct, in all the daily acts.

At an auction, a crude jar of common earthenware was bought by a seller of perfumes for a penny. But he filled it with attar of roses, and soon every particle of the substance of the jar had partaken of the sweetness. The fragrance within it had permeated it. Long, long afterward, when emptied and broken, every smallest fragment was still sweet with the precious perfume.

So it is, when even the most common life is filled with the Word of Christ. It flows out, as it were, in the character, in the feelings and affections, in the thoughts and desires, in the tempers and dispositions, until the whole being is permeated, filled with the spirit of Christ. For where the Word of Christ dwells—the Holy Spirit dwells; and where the Holy Spirit dwells—is the kingdom of heaven, heaven begun in a human life. We see the effects of this indwelling—in the gentleness, the sweetness, the purity of heart, the truth, the patience, the love, which the Word of Christ always produces.

 

October 4.

"I came that they may have life—and may have it abundantly!" John 10:10

To have abundant life, we must use the life we have. If the child would have his puny arm grow into strength—he must exercise it. The smith wields his hammer—and his muscles become like bands of iron. If you would have your brain develop into mental strength—you must use it. It is so of every faculty and function of the life. If you would have your power of sympathy grow, until you are able to be a true helper and comforter of others—you must find expression for your sympathy. If you would become a true helper—begin in little ways. Every outgoing of love in true service—makes our love itself more abundant.

Begin with the little life you have, accept every opportunity to use it—and by and by you will reach a capacity for helpfulness and service which will amaze you. But sit down and do nothing, put forth no effort, and your little life will dry up and shrivel to a crisp. "If the stars did not move," said Horace Bushnell, "they might rot in the sky!" The curse on thousands of Christian lives, is inactivity. Do not use your hand, and it will wither to death. The same is true of all physical, mental, and moral powers; unused they will die. If you would have abundant life, use every particle of the life you have, and it will develop until it reaches fullness of power.

 

October 5.

"Then a Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt deep pity." Luke 10:33

"O Lord, advertise your love through us!" was the prayer of an earnest Christian. A young Christian, when asked if she loved Jesus, was moved to tears, saying in her heart, "What a dim light mine must be, if others are not sure that I love Jesus!" A Christian writer has recently said, that the deadliest heresy is to be unloving.

God advertised his love through the good Samaritan. Others needed not to ask him if he loved God. He was not guilty of the deadly heresy of being unloving. He had true compassion. He was not content merely to say a few pitying words. His sympathy took the practical form of doing something. He bound up the man's wounds—that was help of the best kind. He stopped the bleeding away of the sufferer's life. He rested not until he had him safe in a warm shelter.

He did not even content himself with getting the man into an inn, then throwing off further responsibility. He might have said, "I have done my share; let some other one look after him now." But he was in no hurry to get the case off his hands. He took care of the man for a time, and then provided for the continuation of the care as long as it would be needed. The good Samaritan is Christ's own picture of what Christian love should be in everyone of his disciples.

 

October 6.

"Jesus wept." John 11:35

This is the shortest verse in all the Bible—but it is rich in meaning. It is a great window in Christ's bosom, showing us his very heart. It tells us that our Savior, though so glorious, is touched by our griefs. He is the same now in heaven, that he was that day when Mary lay at his feet and he wept with her. He is with us in all our sorrows, and sympathizes with us. This alone is a wonderful comfort to those who are in trouble.

A little child visited a neighbor who had lost her baby, and came home and told her mother that she had been comforting the sorrowing woman. Her mother asked her how she had done it, and she said, "I cried with her." It does us good when we are in trouble, to know that some other one sympathizes with us. It brings us a sense of companionship in our loneliness. It puts another shoulder under our load. But when it is Jesus who cares and is touched, weeps with us, comes up beside us in gentle companionship, it is wondrous comfort indeed.

 

October 7.

"Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong." Acts 3:7

A lady was asked for her ideal of happiness, and gave this answer: "My ideal of happiness, is the helping of somebody up." This has the ring of that word of the Master's, in which he said he came, "not to be ministered unto—but to minister." At first thought, most people would look for their ideal of happiness in some possible good or favor to be received by themselves. But this lady was right. There is more real happiness in helping somebody up—than in the receiving of the largest benefits for ourselves. This glimpse of ideal happiness shows how near the desired blessing lies all the while, to everyone of us. There is not a day nor an hour, when we cannot be helping somebody up.

 

October 8.

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15

Strange as it may seem, it is easier to weep with those who weep; than it is to rejoice with those who rejoice. There is something in sorrow that makes its resistless appeal to every heart, touching it with tenderness, and calling out sympathetic expressions. Suffering in another, disarms all unkindly feeling, and bids a truce, for the time at least, to all bitterness, jealousy, and resentment. We weep even with our enemy, whom we find in pain or sorrow. No one is ever envious of another's grief.

But when we see others rejoicing, it is not so according to nature to rejoice with them. The mood of gladness is not so sure to find sympathetic chords in the hearts of others. There are those who are envious of the happiness of others—and are made even more miserable by their joy! This surely is a most undivine spirit, and yet none can deny its existence in many hearts.

Gladness in others makes no such appeal to a heart, as sorrow does. It does not need help. Yet we should mark well the lesson that it is as much our duty to rejoice with those who rejoice—as it is to weep with those who weep. It is a close test of character, this being able to be glad because our friend is prosperous, even though at the time we do not have prosperity ourselves. It shows a wholesome spiritual condition.

 

October 9.

"Affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character." Romans 5:3-4

At first we would say that a home into which no sorrow had ever come, is the happiest home. It has had only prosperity. It is a Christian home, too, and has all the blessings of true religion. It is a home of love, ideal in its fellowship. But it has never known a sorrow. The circle is unbroken. No tears have been shed in it. We would say that this is the happiest home we know.

But it takes sorrow to perfect 'love's happiness'. There is little doubt that the sweetest home, is one in which there has been grief. We do not find the richest things in the Bible, until we pass into shadows. We do not see the stars, until night comes. There is no rainbow, except when there are clouds. We do not find out the richest love, even of our human friends, while we are strong and well and prosperous; it is only when we are in some grief or trouble, that we discover how much they love us. And we do not get the best of God's grace—until we are in sorrow.

Besides, grief softens our hearts, makes us capable of deeper affection and sympathy, and draws us nearer to each other. After a household has stood together around the coffin of one of its own—it is a new tenderness that unites the members. Suffering together, brings a new closeness in loving. Thus, even sorrow may be put among the elements of home happiness.

 

October 10.

"I have had God's help to this very day!" Acts 26:22

It had been through nearly twenty-five years of hard, toilsome life, that the heroic old apostle had stood, never giving up, never faltering in his confession. But he takes no praise to himself. The help came from God.

Many young people are afraid to set out on a Christian life, fearing they will not be able to be true to the end. Here is the word for all such; they will obtain help from God—for every duty, for every struggle, for every sorrow, which they must endure. They need only to be faithful day by day, doing the day's duty, and trusting God for grace. The help will come silently, just as it is needed, always sufficient grace—so that they will ever be able to stand.

God never puts a burden upon us—without giving us the strength to carry it. The way to obtain help from him, is to go promptly forward in the way of duty, asking for the help, and sure of getting it. It will not come if we wait to get it before we set out to obey. It will come only as we do God's will moment by moment.

"But He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you!" 2 Corinthians 12:9

 

October 11.

"That you may be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ" Philippians 1:10

Sincere means 'without wax'. Many people in Rome's palmy days, lived in fine marble palaces. Sometimes a dishonest workman, when there was a piece chipped off a stone, would fill in the chink with a kind of cement called wax, an imitation of marble. For a time the deception would not be discovered—but after a while the wax would become discolored, thus revealing the defect. It became necessary to put in contracts, a clause stating that the work should be 'sine cera', without wax. This is the origin of the word sincere. It means that the life thus described, is true through and through. It makes no pretensions. It has nothing to hide.

Insincerity in any form mars the beauty of life. Unreal professions of friendship are to be guarded against. So are over-statements of religious experience. We remember in what scathing words our Lord denounced hypocrisy. This was the only sin of which he did not speak with pity and compassion. So in many parts of the Scripture we are cautioned against insincerity. We are to have sincere faith. We are to have sincere love of the brethren. We are to love without hypocrisy. Few things do more harm to the cause of Christ, than insincerity in those who profess to be his friends. Sincerity gives influence and power to life.

 

October 12.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name!" Psalm 103:1

Every part of our being should join in praising God. The song of praise we sing, should not be a solo, or a duet—but a full chorus the feelings, affections, mental powers, tastes, desires—all mingling in praise.

There are some who praise with their voice—but not with their heart. Others give intellectual worship, while their affections are not engaged. Others give emotional praise—but their will and conscience do not join heartily in the song; they have good feelings—but lack in practical obedience. Some sing missionary hymns with zest—but give nothing to missionary work! Or they sing consecration hymns—but then live for themselves! The true way to praise God—is to rouse every faculty, energy, power, and affection—to hearty, enthusiastic, practical praise, all that is within us, joining in glad and holy songfulness!

 

October 13.

"Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust." Psalm 40:4

This is not what the world says. It calls the man blessed, or happy—who gets on in business, who prospers and grows rich, or who rises to power. It is along the paths to these places of distinction, that the world throngs. There is no scramble for the honors of sainthood. Not many people envy the heroes of Christian faith. Yet as the angels see this world, its highest seats are filled by God's believing ones. If we study the beatitudes, we shall learn who are really "blessed." If we trace the word "blessed " through the Bible—we see who come within the radiant circle.

The man who makes the Lord his trust is blessed. Why? He has been lifted out of the horrible pit. His feet are on a rock which cannot be shaken. He has a joy which nothing ever can break. His trust is one which no storm or flood, no financial panic, no bank failure, no defalcation, no fire, no political defeat—can ever disturb.

Is it not worth while, to have such a secure blessedness? No other trust is absolutely safe, even in this life. Then what about the day of death, and the judgment that comes after, and the eternity? We cannot leave out these stupendous events, when estimating what is best. It is not hard to prove that none are really blessed, except those whose trust is stayed on God. The question, however, is, Where is your trust? Are you among the blessed?

 

October 14.

"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." Proverbs 22:1

We cannot be too careful of our good name. Many things, perhaps not morally wrong in themselves, when seen by other and uncharitable eyes; may yet be construed to mean wrong-doing, and may thus hurt one's good name. There is need, too, of the most delicate moral sense in the regulation of conduct, and the most careful interpretation of duty, lest there be a lowering of tone which shall permit of acts not in accord with the perfect law of right. We cannot hold ourselves too strictly to "whatever things are true, whatever things are of good report." A name once tarnished, never can be made altogether bright again.

"The fleece that had been by the dyer stained,
 Never again its native whiteness gained."

 

October 15.

"If you turn to my reproof—then I will pour out my spirit on you and teach you my words." Proverbs 1:23

After repenting, comes new divine anointing. The Holy Spirit will not enter or stay in a heart that is cherishing sin. But when we turn away from the wrong things—the Spirit will come and live in us.

There is a great deal in the Bible about the conditions on which divine things are revealed. "The secret of the Lord is with those who fear him." These words promise a very sweet confiding—even God tells the secret things of his heart to his children. The condition is, "with those who fear him," that is, reverence, honor, love, and obey him. We have an illustration of this, in God's dealing with Abraham. "The Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that which I do? " Abraham was the "friend of God," and the secret of the Lord was confided to him.

In, our Lord's parting words to his disciples, we have the same truth: "No longer do I call you servants: for the servant knows not what his Lord does; but I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father I have made known unto you."

Again we have the condition of this confidence: "You are my friends—IF you do the things which I command you." If we would know divine things—we must submit ourselves to divine guidance.

 

October 16.

"What do you see?" Zechariah 4:2

The world is full of lovely things which only a few people can see.

Many people have eyes—yet see nothing lovely in all the splendors of earth, or sky, or sea. Well would it be, if an angel walked by the side of everyone, saying continually, at every turn, "What do you see?" The world is full of visions of loveliness, for everyone who can see.

Then in the Bible, too, there are wonderful things on every page. Here, again, we should train ourselves to ask, as our eyes fall on verse after verse, "What do you see?" If we had this habit well formed, we would be ever coming upon new things. Visions of divine loveliness would rise up continually before us, with their heavenly teachings, and their inspirations toward loftier, holier, nobler life!

 

October 17.

"There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." Proverbs 23:18

What you see of the brilliance, the delight, and the pleasure of sin—is only a cheat. Wait until the end comes. "Sin, when it is finished, brings forth death!" For a while, a wicked man may seem to prosper in his sin; but there is a hereafter, and sin will surely bring its harvest of curse and punishment at last! Indeed, if we could see all, we would find that even day by day, the fruits of a good life are far sweeter than those of sin. No godly young man would envy his mirthful neighbor, if he could follow him from his dissipation and reveling—and see the sickening sequel.

"Sorrow follows wrong,
 As echo follows song."

The peace which comes to the heart of him who lives after God's laws, is a thousand times better than the remorse which is the portion of the sinner. There would be no envy if a Christian young man could, set the two lives side by side, and see them in fair, honest light.

One young man was placed in unfortunate circumstances. Nearly all the young men he knew drank alcohol. Would he go with them? He took a philosophical look at the older men about him, and saw what drink had done for those who had formed the drinking habit in their youth. Then he looked at the men who had refused to learn to drink. He made his choice. "There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off."

 

October 18.

"How foolish are those who manufacture idols to be their gods. Their delectable things shall not profit." Isaiah 44:9

"Delectable things," are the things in which they took delight, that is, their idols. They bestowed honor upon them, prayed to them, looked to them as gods. But these delectable things could do nothing for them.

We have it all in the old psalm: "For our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes. Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They cannot talk, though they have mouths, or see, though they have eyes! They cannot hear with their ears, or smell with their noses, or feel with their hands, or walk with their feet, or utter sounds with their throats! And those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them." Psalm 115:3-8

These idols could give no comfort in sorrow, no strength in weakness, no deliverance in danger. Suppose you were an idol-worshiper, and had in your house a beautiful 'god of gold'. Then suppose there was death in your family, or some other trouble, in which you needed help that no human friend could give you; what could your idol do for you?

No better than these idols, are other worldly trusts which men have, their money, for instance. Suppose there is sorrow in a home of wealth, filled with works of art and with fine furniture, and without Christ; what comfort can these 'delectable things' give?

 

October 19.

"Today also my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning." Job 23:2

Job does not mean that he was rebellious—but that even with his submission to the divine will, he could hardly keep his pain from breaking out in cries. If we are God's children, we should bear even the greatest sufferings without complaining. It may not always be possible to repress the outcries of anguish; but even if our affliction is too full of pain to be altogether repressed, we should not have in our heart, any rebellious feeling toward God.

An English writer tells of two birds, and how they acted when put into a cage. One bird flew violently against the wires of its prison, in unavailing efforts to escape, only bruising its own wings in the struggle. The other bird perched itself on the bar, and began to pour forth from its little throat, bursts of sweet song. We know well which bird was the wiser, which had learned the best way to meet hard conditions.

Some people are like the foolish bird—when they are in trouble they chafe, cry out, and complain. The result is, they only hurt themselves, make themselves more miserable, and do not in any sense lessen their trouble. It is wiser always, as well as more pleasing to God—for us to bear our trials patiently, singing songs of faith—rather than complaining in rebellion and discontent. Thus we take the bitterness out of trial, making it sweet.

 

October 20.

"How priceless is Your unfailing love! Men find refuge under the shadow of Your wings!" Psalm 36:7

"He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge." Psalm 91:4

'Under His wings' is a blessed shelter into which to flee—when the world is cold. It is a warm place into which to creep—when the heart is smitten with sorrows. It is when we are troubled—that we find these wings the softest. We call sorrow a shadow, and we talk about the shadow falling upon us and deepening, until sometimes all the light is obscured. Have you ever thought that it is the shadow of God's wings, which makes this darkness? It does not seem love's shadow; it seems unkindness. But really it is love. God is never so close to us—as when we are in deepest sorrow.

As feeble babes that suffer,
Toss and cry and will not rest,
Are the ones the tender mother
Holds the closest, loves the best.

So when we are weak and wretched,
By our sins weighed down, distressed,
Then it is that God's great patience
Holds us closest, loves us best.

 

October 21.

"Let another praise you—and not your own mouth; someone else—and not your own lips." Proverbs 27:2

We would better not talk about ourselves. People do not want to hear about you—from your own lips. Even though your good deeds, your greatness, or your fine attainments do not become known—what does it matter? God knows about them—and that is enough!

One says wisely, "Think as little as possible about any good in yourself; turn your eyes resolutely from any view of your acquirements, your influence, your plans, your success; above all, speak as little as possible about yourself. The inordinateness of our self-love makes speech about ourselves, very foolish. Nothing but duty should open our lips upon this dangerous theme, except it be in humble confession of our sinfulness before God."

 

October 22.

"If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished." Ecclesiastes 5:8

It is a comfort in a world where so many things continually go wrong, to know that God regards His people, and that He will surely in some way bring justice out of injustice, good out of wrong. He is always on the side of the oppressed, of the weak, of those whom the strong would crush.

We naturally pity any person whom we see treated unfairly by others. Our hearts cry out against the injustice—and yet we may be powerless to do anything to set it right. Our comfort, however, is that God sees all this wrong, and not only sees—but cares, and in His own time and way—He will vindicate the cause of those who are made the victims of the cruelty of the strong. We may safely leave the adjustment of the equities, in His hands. The vindication may not come in this world—but the end of events is not here.

The Queen of France once said to her bitter enemy, Cardinal Richelieu, "There is one fact that you seem to have entirely forgotten: God is a sure paymaster. He may not pay at the end of every week or month or year—but I charge you to remember, that He pays in the end!"

One of the strongest arguments for a future life is in this fact: that in the present world, full justice cannot always be had. It takes an after-life, to right earth's wrongs. But we may be sure that they will all be righted in the end!

 

October 23.

"The people grew discouraged because of the way." Numbers 21:4

There are a great many discouraged people in the world. They have lost heart, and when one has lost heart, life is very hard; the wheels roll heavily.

No doubt there are things in everyone's path, that are discouraging. There are hardships to endure. There are disappointments to suffer. We come up to the very edge of brilliant expectations, when suddenly our path is turned away! There are hostile enemies, too, besetting all the way. No wonder we are discouraged sometimes—if we look no higher than the road at our feet.

Some of the reasons why a Christian should not be discouraged by any hardness in the way are, because it is God's way, and He leads; and because the way leads to heaven; and we should be willing to endure any hardships to reach such blessedness as there waits for us!

 

October 24.

"Even if my father and mother abandon me—the Lord will hold me close!" Psalm 27:10

We all know how much our father and mother love us. It seems to us there never could be a stronger love than theirs. No matter how wickedly a son may act, the love in his father's and mother's heart, still continues tender and faithful. Though all the world turn him out-of-doors, the 'home door' still stands open for him.

But this verse tells us that even if parental love is worn out, and parental patience exhausted, and the home door shut in one's face—there is still a place in God's heart and home for the outcast! This is the verse for the man or the woman who has gone down to the lowest depths of shame, until even his mother—if this is possible—has given him up and shut him out of her heart!

God's love outlasts human love.

This is also the orphan's verse. When God removes father and mother, He Himself takes up the child in special love and care. Very desolate is the world, when both father and mother are gone. Life is never the same again. There is no place to go with the heart's hunger, and with the burden that is too heavy. Yet God remains, and in the loss of the human, there are first revealed, ofttimes, the warmth, tenderness, faithfulness, and help of the divine love.

Cast all your care on God—that anchor holds!

 

October 25.

"Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care . . . Even angels long to look into these things!" 1 Peter 1:10-12

Both earth and heaven are intensely interested in the great redeeming work of Christ. There are wise men who are so busy in their researches into little earthly matters, that they cannot get time to study the things of the spiritual kingdom of God. But nothing in this world so merits the thought, study, and research of the wisest beings in the universe—as Christ's work of redemption.

The interest of the angels in Christ's suffering as the Redeemer, is very beautiful. There is a picture by Domenichino which represents the scene on Calvary, after the Savior's body had been taken down and laid in the grave. The cross is empty. An angel stands beside the crown of thorns which lies there, feeling with the tip of his finger, one of its sharp points. His face wears a look of wonder. He is trying to find out the meaning of suffering—but he cannot understand it nor fathom its depth.

The artist's thought is, that to this angel the sufferings of Christ were a great mystery which he was trying to comprehend. The same thought is suggested in the words, "even angels long to look into these things!" Surely it is worth while to give thought and attention to the wonderful things of Christ's redemption, since even the angels find in them mystery worthy of their deepest study.

 

October 26.

"Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful." John 14:27

Two artists went out to paint a picture of peace. One painted a silvery lake embosomed deep amid the hills, where no storm could ever touch it—calm, sweet, quiet in its shelter. The other painted a wild sea, swept by tempests, strewn with wrecks—but rising out of the sea a great rock, and in the rock, high up, a cleft, with herbage and flowers amid which, on her nest, a dove was sitting. The latter is the true picture of Christian peace.

Anybody can be confident—when there is nothing to disturb, no danger, no storm. Anybody can be happy—when there is no trouble, nothing to hurt or vex. Anybody can be patient—when there is nothing to make one impatient. Any little lake can be smooth and glassy—when there is no wind to ruffle it, or when it is hidden away within a wall of mountains. But we want a religion which will help us to have peace—when the sorest trials are upon us! How can we get this peace? Only by hiding in Christ!

 

October 27.

"I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances." Philippians 4:11

Contentment depends upon the person—not upon his circumstances.

One is content, living in the poorest way—with bare necessaries and no luxuries, working hard and enduring many trials.

Another is discontented in a palace—with all the comforts, delicacies, and ease that money can provide.

The difference is in the hearts of the two people.

The former has in himself—all the resources of contentment, and is not affected by changes in his circumstances. The latter depends entirely upon his circumstances for his contentment, and therefore is affected by every vicissitude.

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in poverty." Philippians 4:12

 

October 28.

"He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel He had around Him." John 13:4-5

"What I am doing, you do not understand now—but afterwards you will understand." John 13:7

At this time Peter did not know why the Messiah he really needed—was a Messiah with basin and towel. He was thinking of a Messiah with throne and crown and scepter and earthly pomp! He did not understand it—until after the blood of Calvary had been shed. Christ referred to these days by "afterwards."

This saying of Christ, however, may be used in a much wider sense. There are a great many things which He does, which at the time we cannot understand; yet in due time—all of them will become clear. As they appear to us, while we are passing through them, they are unfinished acts; when the work is completed—it will appear beautiful. This is especially true of many mysterious providences in our lives. One time Jacob thought and said, "All these things are against me!" But he lived to see that the very things which he thought were against him—were really all working together for his good.

So it is always, in the providences of God with His own people. "We know that all things work together for good, to those who love God."

The back side of a tapestry appears to be a mystery of tangle and confusion—but there is a beautiful picture on the other side. Just so—we are looking at our lives, largely on the back side. We cannot see the Master's plan—until 'afterwards'.

 

October 29.

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me! But He said to me—My grace is sufficient for you—for My power is made perfect in your weakness!" 2 Corinthians 12:8

Many prayers which seem to be unanswered—are really answered. The blessing comes—but in a form we do not recognize. Instead of the very thing we sought—something better is given!

The burden is not lifted away—but we are sustained beneath it.

We are not spared the suffering—but in the suffering we are brought nearer to God, and receive more of His grace.

The sorrow is not taken away—but is changed to joy.

Our ignorant prayers are taken into the hands of the great Intercessor, and are answered in ways far wiser than our thought!

Instead of earthly trifles—heavenly riches!

Instead of things which our poor wisdom sought—things God's infinite wisdom chose for us!

Instead of pleasure for a day—gain for eternity!

 

October 30.

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith—we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" Romans 5:1

PEACE is a favorite word with Paul. His life was full of suffering, care, toil, and trial; yet his epistles are starred all over with the bright word 'peace'.

He speaks of different kinds of peace. Here it is "peace with God." This means the consciousness of reconciliation with God. Sin separates us from God. While guilt is in the heart, there is no peace with God. We cannot look into God's face. But when we have repented of our sins, and have confessed them, and received God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ, we have peace with God.

Paul speaks elsewhere of "the peace of God." Writing from a prison, he exhorted his friends, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This is a step farther than peace with God. It is the peace which holds the heart quiet and still—in the midst of whatever things are hard and trying in this world. It comes from resting in God's love, and leaving all tangled things in his hands. Christ promised the same peace when he said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you."

Peace is named as one of the fruits of the Spirit. It comes, therefore, through having the Holy Spirit in our heart, and is not an earthly attainment.

 

October 31.

"May He incline our hearts toward Him—to walk in all His ways and to keep His commands, ordinances, and judgments." 1 Kings 8:58

We must be obedient and faithful—or else we forfeit the divine promises. We are "prone to wander" from God; our hearts are deceitful and incline to lead us away. Hence this prayer is a fit one to be always on our lips—that God may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, to keep his commandments.

We are charged to keep our heart with all diligence. The heart is the fountain of all motive and action, and therefore it must be under constant guard. We in our weakness, cannot keep it ourselves, and hence the need of divine keeping.

Fenelon's prayer was, "Lord take my heart—for I cannot give it to you; and when you have it, oh, keep it—for I cannot keep it for you; and save me in spite of myself, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen." This is a good daily prayer for any of us. God will never compel us to be obedient; but he will grant to us the grace of his Holy Spirit, if we ask for it, and will incline us, draw us, help us. We need, therefore, to pray continually to him—to throw over us the mystic influence of his Spirit that we may seek to walk in God's ways.

 

NOVEMBER

November 1.

"Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry" Ephesians 4:26

It is well for us to have horizons which cut off our life for the time, as if it were ended. These temporary endings keep us thoughtful and mindful of the final ending—after which will come no beginning again in this world. Evening puts an end to life's work for a season. We leave the plough standing in the furrow, the hammer lying by the anvil, the axe resting against the root of the tree. We shut the door of the mill or office and go home. Our work is done for the day—and we may never take it up again! Every setting of the sun, should therefore be a testing of life. Everything should be finished—as if it were the ending of all.

Especially should the hour of evening, when we bow at God's feet, be always a time for setting right all that may have gone wrong in us during the day. Then every feeling of bitterness should be cast out of our heart. Life is too critical for us—to venture into any night's darkness and sleep, cherishing anger or envy. "Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry" is a wise counsel.

 

November 2.

Paul said, "Unless these men stay with the ship—you cannot be saved." Acts 27:31

The sailors were needed to help save the lives of the passengers. Yet Paul had said before, that there should be no loss of life. He had received this assurance from the angel of God. If it was God's purpose that no life should perish—then why did Paul say that unless the seamen stood at their posts and continued to attend to their duties—that the passengers could not be saved? Was God's promise dependent on a few heathen sailors?

The divine assurance did not do away with the use of all proper means for securing deliverance. We are not to sit down and do nothing, when we find a promise of God; we are rather to do bur whole duty, as if the fulfillment of the promise depended altogether upon us! There is no real conflict between these two truths: that God has a plan which extends to all things; and that men are free moral agents, who are responsible for their acts. Theology may find it impossible to harmonize the two—but common-sense accepts both, and does not worry about the harmonizing. It is clear that the working out of God's purposes depends upon human faithfulness to duty—and that God's purpose of deliverance for us may and will fail unless we do our part. There is no excuse, therefore, for inaction in the assurance that God plans for our good; the plan will not be carried out—unless we work it out for ourselves! Every divine purpose depends on human fidelity.

 

November 3.

"Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea." Acts 27:40

Anything which hinders our getting to heaven—we should resolutely sacrifice.

An illustration of this is the flight of Cortez, on that fearful night when the Aztecs compelled the invaders to escape for their lives. The vast masses of gold that had been accumulated, were more than could be carried away, as each soldier would have to fight his way through. The men were allowed to take what they would—but the commander warned them against overloading. "For," said he, "he travels safest in the dark night—who travels lightest." The more cautious men heeded the advice so given—but others were less self-restrained. Some bound heavy chains of gold around their neck and shoulders, some filled their pockets with the bulky gold ingots, until they literally staggered under their burden.

The experience of the conflict that ensued, demonstrated the wisdom of the advice given by the commander, and the folly of those who failed to heed it; for all such became an easy prey to the lances of the Aztecs! To save life—all else had to be abandoned; and that night poverty itself was the greatest riches.

We ought to see whether there is anything keeping us away from Christ or hindering our faithfulness and devotion; and if we find that there is anything, no matter how dear it is to us—we should cut it off or cast it away!

 

November 4.

"Whoever is faithful in very little—is also faithful in much; and
whoever is unrighteous in very little—is also unrighteous in much."
    Luke 16:10

We are apt to under-estimate little failures in duty.
It seems to us a small matter:
that we do not keep an engagement,
that we lose our temper,
that we say an impatient or angry word,
that we show an unkind or harsh spirit,
that we speak uncharitably of another,
that we treat someone with discourtesy, or
fail in some other way which appears trivial.

We think that so long as we are honest, faithful, and loving in the larger things—that it of small importance, that we make 'little slips'.

But we never can tell what may be the consequences of our failure, in even the most minute duty.

It hurts our own life! It leaves us a little weaker in our character, a little less able to resist the next temptation that comes at the same point. It breaks our habit of faithfulness, and makes it easier for us to break it a second time. We sin against ourselves, when we relax our diligence or our faithfulness, in even the least thing!

Then, we do not know what the consequences to others will be—when we fail in their presence. An outburst of temper in a Christian, may hinder many others in their Christian life. The failure of a Christian minister to pay a little debt, may destroy the minister's influence over many in his church.

 

November 5.

"Do not work for food that perishes—but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you!" John 6:27

We need to be continually reminded of the unsatisfying nature of the things of this world—and exhorted to seek the lasting things in life. We live in a material age, when the quest of people is for money, for power, for things of the earth.

John Bunyan gives a picture of 'a man with a muck-rake', working hard, scraping up the rubbish at his feet—and not seeing the crown which hung above his head. It is a picture of the great majority of the people in this world. They are wearing out their life in gathering rubbish out of the dirt—not thinking of the heavenly treasures, the divine and imperishable gifts, which they might have—with half the toil and care!

We ought not to spend our life in picking up rubbish which we cannot carry beyond the grave! If we are wise, we will seek rather to gather lasting treasures and riches, which we can take with us into eternity!

Whatever we build into our character, we shall possess forever!

Money which we spend in doing good in Christ's name—we lay up as safe and secure treasure in heaven.

All true service for Christ—stores up rewards for us in the future.

What we keep—we lose!

What we give in love—we keep!

 

November 6.

"I will bless those who bless you; and whoever curses you I will curse." Genesis 12:3

It is wonderful how God makes common cause with his people, in this world. They represent him wherever they are, and the things that are done to them—God regards as done to himself. It is a perilous thing to lift a hand against any of God's people, for he who does so, lifts his hand against God! Christ says the same of his relation to his friends. To harm a Christian—is to harm his Master! To neglect a suffering Christian—is the same as if Christ himself were suffering and we neglected him!

We need to beware that we never do injury of any kind to any of Christ's little ones. On the other hand, all kindness shown to a friend of Christ—is shown as to Christ himself, and is rewarded accordingly. Even the giving of a cup of cold water to a disciple of his, in his name, does not go without reward.

Surely it is worth while to be a Christian, to have such divine friendship, to have God on our side to defend us, and to make common cause with us!

 

November 7.

Unconfessed sins give bitterness. It is written in the old psalm: "When I refused to confess my sin, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer." Psalm 32:3-4

But the moment he made confession, back on the echo of his prayer of penitence came the assurance of pardon, "I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord"—and you forgave the guilt of my sin!" Psalm 32:5

That is always the way. God loves to forgive. The instant he hears the voice of penitence, he speaks the word of remission. So we learn the only way to get clear of our sins—we must put them out of our heart, by sincere and humble confession. Then they will trouble us no more forever.

Some people try to flee from their sins—but they can never get away from them. Their sins are a part of themselves. Some people try to hide from God when they have sinned—but this also is a vain effort. Adam and Eve tried this, hiding in the garden after their transgression, when they heard the footsteps of God approaching. The only safe flight from sin and from God—is to God. In his mercy there is secure and eternal refuge.

 

November 8.

"My son, if your heart is wise—my heart will indeed rejoice!" Proverbs 23:15

Every true father is affectionately interested in the lives of his children. His own joy, in later years, depends largely upon the way they live. He is made very happy by seeing them make something noble and worthy of their lives, and living honorably and righteously among men.

Notice here, also, the place of the heart—in the making of the life. We are never better—than our own heart. If our heart is evil, full of wrong thoughts, dispositions, and tempers—then our character cannot be lovely and winning. "Beautiful thoughts—make a beautiful soul." As we think in our heart—so we are.

There is a thought here for parents. If they would have happiness in seeing their children live beautiful lives, they must do more than give them good and wise counsels. Solomon was splendid at advising. His words are full of wisdom. If followed faithfully, they will build into a life, whatever things are true, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely. But we know how Solomon lived. It is little wonder that his son did not turn out well. Other parents need to guard against the same fatal mistake. No matter how well they may advise, if they do not themselves live godly lives—they will probably draw their children with them to ruin! They cannot by good advice, overcome the force of bad example.

 

November 9.

"Do not grumble!" 1 Corinthians 10:10

No spirit is more fruitful of discomfort, than that of habitual complaining. It makes misery in him who indulges it—and in those who suffer from contact with it. The complaining man is never happy himself. Indeed, he strives not to be happy, since in whatever circumstances he finds himself—he at once sets about trying to discover something unpleasant. Of course he never seeks in vain; for people find in this world, what they look for. It would not be so bad, if he made only himself miserable—but he succeeds also in imparting more or less of his wretchedness, to all he meets. It is about as poor a use of one's immortal powers, as one can find—to live to grumble and thus add to the unhappiness of others!

 

November 10.

"What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Sovereign Lord." 2 Samuel 7:20

Who has not felt in prayer the utter inadequacy of speech—to express his heart's deep longings? We try to tell God of our sorrow for sin, our hunger after righteousness; but we can tell him only the merest fraction of what we feel. Words are never large enough for thought. No poet ever gets into his lines—the whole of the vision of beauty which floats before his soul. No true orator ever finds sentences majestic enough—to express the sentiments that burn in his breast. Deep, pure love—is never able to put into language its most sacred feelings. It is only the commonplace of the inner life—that can be interpreted in words. There is always more, which lies unexpressed, than is uttered in speech.

In one of Paul's epistles, there is a wonderful word which shows how God understands our unexpressed prayers. "Unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." God is able to answer prayer, not only beyond what we can express—but even beyond what we can think. He knows our deepest and most sacred feelings. Even the hungers of our heart, the longings of our soul—he understands. We need not fret because we cannot tell God all that we feel or desire. He reads all that is within our heart, and answers not our mere words—but our yearnings, our longings.

 

November 11.

"But Samuel said—What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?" 1 Samuel 15:14

Sin is hard to hide! We may think that we have covered up our disobediences, so that detection shall be impossible; but suddenly something tears away the covering, and they are exposed to the gaze of the world! A man carries on a series of dishonesties through a series of years, and covers them up by expert bookkeeping, thinking he is safe. But some morning he is startled to find that the stolen sheep have been bleating, and the purloined cattle have been lowing, and all the world knows of his thefts and embezzlements.

It is the nature of sheep to bleat, and cattle to low, and they have not sense enough to keep quiet when they are expected to. Indeed, they are almost sure to make a noise and reveal their whereabouts, just when they are depended on to keep perfectly still.

It is the same with sin. It is a poor friend to a man. It professes well when it is offering its solicitations—but when it has been committed, it is a poor confidant. It cannot keep a secret. It is sure at some time to betray the man who depends upon it for prudent silence.

In most of our lives there are some bleating sheep and lowing cattle—faults, evil habits, blemishes of character, tendencies or idiosyncrasies, which tell the story of the imperfectness of our obedience, things which we would not want even our nearest friend to know.

 

November 12.

"I delight to do Your will." Psalm 90:8

This is consecration. All ambition should start and end there. Duty is simple obedience. The highest thing possible in this world for any life—is obedience to the will of God.

Nothing is small if it be God's will for us for the moment. Nothing is great, however brilliant in men's eyes, if it is not God's will. Here should be our life motto, "I delight to do Your will." Since Christ himself filled his life with such loving devotion to his Father's will, it should be our highest joy to do the same.

 

November 13.

"The people soon began to complain to the Lord about their hardships; and when the Lord heard them, His anger blazed against them!" Numbers 11:1

There are people who can speak of little else, but the unpleasant things in their own experience. If you ask them about their health, or even unfortunately put your salutation in the form of "How do you do?" you get as an answer, a description of many ills and infirmities to which they are subject, instead of any cheerful reciprocating of your greeting. All their ordinary conversation is filled with dolorous rehearsals of discouraging things. They have keen eyes for the unpleasant happenings, and never fail to mention them to others.

We all have troubles things in our daily personal life, that are vexing and annoying; sometimes things that are painful and burdensome. But we should not talk about them. We have no right to scatter our briers and thorns about us—so that others' feet may be torn by them. It does us no good, and it does others immeasurable harm!

Silence about ourselves, should be a rule almost without exception. Especially should the rule never to complain, be an absolute one. No matter how poorly we have rested through the night, we need not tell the whole family about it at breakfast. Patient bearing of the portion of life's ills which comes to us—is the characteristic of ideal Christian living.

 

November 14.

"Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side." Matthew 14:22

Even when Christ sends us out—we may encounter storms. It was so here; the disciples were sent out by their Master, even constrained by him to go upon the sea—and yet a terrific storm arose. We must not expect that when we begin to obey Christ—that we shall have all favoring breezes. We must not conclude, whenever we find obstacles or hindrances in anything we have undertaken, that we are not doing right, and that these difficulties are providential indications that we ought not to proceed in the course. They are providential; but they may have a different mission altogether to inspire us to stronger faith and greater endeavor.

Jesus sent his disciples out alone; but in all their life, they had few more profitable experiences, though the night was one of such terror. They knew their need of Christ after that experience, better than ever before. Then they had a new revelation of Christ's power and glory, which they never could have had if he had not stayed behind, and then come to them on the waves. We do not see Christ's cross, until we are left in the night of conviction. We can never understand the sweetness of the divine comfort, if we never have sorrow. So it may be a blessing for us sometimes, even to go alone a little way, to learn lessons we could never learn with Christ beside us. We can at least learn our need of him.

 

November 15.

"To obey is better than sacrifice." 1 Samuel 15:22

Many people set a great deal more stress on religious rituals, than upon practical obedience. They will be faithful in attendance upon church services, devout and reverent in worship—and yet in their daily life, they will disregard the plain commandments of God! They fill the week with selfishness, pride, bitterness, and evil-speaking, and then go to church on Sunday, with great show of devotion, to engage in the worship of God!

But what God desires before our worship can be acceptable, is that we obey what He commands us. He bids us to love one another, to be unselfish, patient, kind, honest, pure, true; and unless we obey these commands, our religious rituals, no matter how conspicuous, how costly, how seemingly devout and reverent, are not acceptable to God!

There are many other phases of the truth. It is exact obedience which God desires, and not something else of our own substituted. When he tells a mother to care for her child, He is not satisfied if she neglects that duty to attend church. When God wants a man to help a poor family in some obscure street, He is not satisfied if instead of that lowly service, the man does some brilliant thing that seems to bring ten times as much honor to the Lord.

The supreme thing in Christian life—is to obey God; without obedience nothing else counts. The obedience must also be exact, just what God commands, not something else. "If you love Me—you will keep My commandments." John 14:15

 

November 16.

"The dove returned to Noah in the ark. He reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark." Genesis 8:9

One night in a home by the sea, the family sat around the evening lamp. Within, all was peace; without, however, the storm was wild. Rain and sleet beat against the windows. During the evening, one of the group heard a strange fluttering outside one of the windows. Making careful examination, it was found that there was a little bird flapping its wings against the pane. It had been caught in the storm, and was unable to find shelter. The light in the window had attracted it, and there it was beating against the glass. Quickly the window was opened, and the little thing flew in, drenched and faint—but happy and safe. Inside it found shelter, light, warmth, and food.

Often there are lives among us, like the bird caught in earth's storms, swept by temptation, by sorrow, or by passion; defeated, weary, with no shelter. For all such, the only refuge is in the heart of God, under the shadow of the wings of divine love. There the weary heart finds all it craves of refuge, love, warmth, joy, and satisfaction. Flying to the window of the divine ark—a strong, gentle hand draws it in.

 

November 17.

"Hannah did not go. She said to her husband—After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always." 1 Samuel 1:22

Just at this time, Hannah's religious duties were at home. Her child required her attention, and she believed that she was worshiping God acceptably, in staying at Ramah and mothering her boy. No doubt she was right. A mother's first duties—are to her children. No amount of public religious service, will atone for neglect of her sacred home tasks. She may attend Dorcas meetings and missionary services, do good work among the poor, and carry blessings to many a sorrowful home; but if she fails meanwhile to look after her own children—she has miserably failed to serve God.

A mother's first duty—is to bring up her children for God. Whatever she can do for others after that, will be acceptable to God.

Many things must be crowded out of every earnest life, things that are good and desirable in themselves. No one can do everything that needs to be done, and we must select the things we shall do. But it will be a sad thing if a mother allows the proper care of her own children to be crowded out of her life, by the appeals on behalf of other people's children, the calls for public service however important, or the cries of any other human needs in the world. These outside duties may be hers in some measure—but the duties of the home—are hers and no others!

 

November 18.

"I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body." Philippians 1:23, 24

Two desires draw upon our hearts—if we are living in this world as citizens of heaven. The heavenly life woos us with its visions of bliss, its being with Christ, its tearless joy, its disenthrallment from sin, its realizations of holy hopes. At the same time, earth has its strong hold upon us. It is natural to want to live; any other desire in ordinary conditions is unwholesome. Human affections form a network of chains binding us to this life. So we are all "torn between the two desires."

 

November 19.

"I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision." Acts 26:19

Doddridge, in his life of Colonel Gardiner, describes the conversion of this soldier. He was waiting near midnight, the hour fixed for a sinful meeting with another, and was carelessly turning over the pages of a religious book, when suddenly he saw before him, vivid and clear, the form of the Redeemer on the cross, and heard him speak: "All this have I done for you; and is this your return?" Like Paul, he was not disobedient to the heavenly vision—but from that moment turned and followed Christ.

That is what everyone of us should do; when we see Christ and hear his voice—we should immediately leave all and go after him. Not only at the beginning—but all the way through life—God sends us visions to guide us. Every time we see in a verse of Scripture, a glimpse of some beautiful thing commended, it is a heavenly vision given to lead us to the beauty it shows.

Every fragment of loveliness we see in a human life—is a heavenly vision sent to woo us upward. Wherever we see beauty which attracts us, and kindles in us desires and aspirations for higher attainments, it is a vision from God, whose mission is to call us to a higher life. We should make sure that we do not prove disobedient to any heavenly vision—but that we follow every one—as an angel sent from heaven to woo us nearer God!

 

November 20.

"As He was praying, the appearance of His face changed!" Luke 9:29

Artists put a halo around Christ's face in their pictures—but there was no visible halo on the face men saw, as He walked about and did his works of love. Now, however, for a little while the glory broke through his flesh and the disciples saw it. It must have been an experience of great joy to Jesus. That mountain-top reached into heaven that night; and he climbed up out of the mists and shadows—and stood in his native glory for a little while, to be refreshed by the ministry of the heavenly visitants for his dark way of sorrow.

An Alpine traveler tells of climbing one of the mountains in a dense, dripping fog, and standing at last in the clear air, under a cloudless sky. In the valley below him lay the fog, like an ocean of white vapor, and he could hear the chiming of bells, the lowing of cattle, and the sounds of labor coming up from the villages that were hidden beneath. Now and then a bird would dart up out of the mist, fly about a little while in the joyous sunshine, sing a few notes of sweet song, and then fly down again and disappear.

What this brief time of radiance was to the bird, the transfiguration was to our Lord. His earthly life was spent in the valley, beneath the clouds of suffering and sorrow; now for once he climbed up above the mists into the glory of heaven, bathed his soul in its brightness, heard the converse of messengers from his home.

 

November 21.

"Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through." Luke 19:1

Jesus had never been in Jericho before—and He never went there again! He was now on His last journey, and in a few days He would be dead. Hence this was the only opportunity the people there ever had of receiving blessings from Him. If any sufferers neglected to seek for help just that one day—they never had another opportunity.

Think what that passing hour was, in the history of the old city. Some caught a blessing at Christ's hand as He went by; and they must ever after have remembered with gratitude, the face that shone upon them and the eyes that looked into theirs. But there must have been many who did not seize the opportunity, and were left unblessed.

Christ is ever passing by. He may come again He does continually come again; but he is ever moving, and the blessing we would get from Him at any time—we must get as He passes.

All the days seem alike as they come to us; but each day comes with its own opportunities, its own calls to duty, its own privileges, holding out hands offering us radiant gifts. The day passes—and never comes again. Other days as bright may come—but that day never comes a second time. If we do not take just then the gifts it offers—we shall never have another opportunity to get them, and shall always be poorer for what we have missed. We need to be alert to take quickly from each day, the blessing which it brings.

 

November 22.

"What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world—yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26

Eternal life is the only thing worth living for. No matter how much pleasure, or how great success, or how high honor, one may gain in this world, if at the end of life, a man passes into eternity unsaved—of what comfort to him will it be to remember his pleasant life on this earth?

A rich man failed in business. He then gathered together the fragments of his wrecked fortune—in all a few thousand dollars. He determined to go to another part of the country to start again. He took all his money, and bought a splendid car, furnishing it in the most luxurious style, and stocking it with provisions for his journey. In this sumptuous car he traveled to his destination. At length he stepped from the door of his rolling palace, and only then thought for the first time of his great folly. He had used the last cent of his money in getting in this magnificent way to his new home, and had nothing on which to begin life anew!

This illustrates the folly of those who think only of this life, and make no provision for eternity. They use up all their time, their opportunities, their life's strength—in getting to the gate of the grave, and find themselves forced to begin eternity with nothing, no treasure laid up. The only true success—is that which makes a man rich for eternity!

 

November 23.

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven!" Matthew 18:3

Our great Teacher spoke strong words, when he said that only those who become like little children, can enter into the kingdom of heaven. It is of vital importance that we learn just what the words mean. What is it—to become like a little child?

There is a legend of a man whom the angels loved, and wished to have honored in some way. They asked that some remarkable power might be bestowed upon him. They were told to learn what the man would choose. But he would make no choice. Pressed to name some new power which should be given him, he said he would like to do a great deal of good in the world—without even knowing it. So it came about, that whenever his shadow fell behind him—it had healing power—but when it fell in front of him—it had not this power.

This is Christlikeness, goodness, power to do good, usefulness, helpfulness, without being conscious of the possession of these qualities. Ambition to have distinction, craving for praise, consciousness of being good, bright, useful, or great—all are marks of a worldly spirit. In another place Jesus said that greatness in his kingdom, is the spirit of unselfish serving, desiring "not to be served unto—but to serve." He who serves others the most unselfishly—is the greatest Christian.

 

November 24.

"The Word of the Lord abides forever!" 1 Peter 1:25

Men often make promises to others, on which the others depend—perhaps staking all their interests and happiness on the promise given to them, only to find at last that the promises have been forgotten. But God's least Word is sure and eternal. When a soul takes any divine promise, and builds a fabric of hope upon it, sooner might the stars fall from heaven, than that God should forget his Word or fail to make it good.

An English nobleman, walking in the country one day, found a little child in distress. She had broken her pitcher, and her family were poor, and the vessel could not be replaced. The good man put his hand in his pocket to find some money to give the child—but had not a penny. Then he bade her meet him tomorrow at the same place, at the same hour, promising to bring her money to buy a new pitcher. The child ran away very happy, reposing perfect confidence in the stranger's word to her.

Tomorrow he was invited to dine with the queen at the very hour of his appointment with the child. But he promptly declined the invitation. He would not fail in his word, even to an unknown child of poverty. She had trusted him, and his promise had made her happy. He would not disappoint her for a thousand dinners with royalty! Will God be less faithful to his Word? No Word he has spoken shall ever be broken!

 

November 25.

"It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him." Philippians 1:29

We cannot know in what way we can best glorify God. It may be in hard work; it may be in quiet waiting; it may be in painful suffering. It is better, therefore, that we let God choose the way in which he would have us serve and honor him. The bird glorifies God—by singing its sweet song; the flower glorifies God—by pouring out its fragrance. Mary praised Christ—by sitting at his feet, Martha—by serving him. If we simply obey his will—that will always be the best.

 

November 20.

"If he offers it as an expression of thankfulness" Leviticus 7:12

The idea of this offering was, that when there was any special favor shown or blessing received, the heart's gratitude should express itself in this way. If the ship arrived safely through the storm, the passenger, as soon as he reached the shore, hastened to present his thank-offering. If one recovered from a dangerous sickness, his first walk abroad was to the tabernacle with his sacrifice. Should we not bring some new gift to God's altar—after every recovery from sickness, every deliverance from danger, every new kindness enjoyed?

There is a story of a Scotch mother whose child was stolen away by an eagle. Almost crazed, she saw the bird soar away to its eyrie far up the cliff. No one could scale the crag. The mother went to her room and prayed. An old sailor climbed the cliff, and crept down with the child. As the mother was still praying, with outstretched hands and shut eyes—he softly laid the babe on her arms and vanished. Rising in silence, she did not even kiss her little one, until she had carried it to the church and solemnly given it to God. Should not every life given back again, every joy plucked from death and restored, as well as every new blessing granted, be given to God in solemn dedication before it is put to any other use?

 

November 27

"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " Acts 20:35

All Christians are brethren. When one suffers—the others should share the pain. Fortunate people should not forget the unfortunate people. There are some of God's other children who are sick—while you are well; some who are hungry or cold—while you have plenty of bread and are warmly clad; some who are in sorrow—while you have joy; some who are orphaned and homeless—while you have home and friends. You, in your comfort and gladness, should not forget those who are in adversity. Keep your heart open toward them. Watch for opportunities to do good to them.

Remember what Jesus said about the judgment day—that the places on his right hand will be for those who have fed the hungry, given drink to the thirsty, clothed the naked, visited the sick, the perishing, and the suffering, and that to these he will say, "Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren—you have done it unto me!"

 

November 28.

"For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life! And who is equal to such a task?" 2 Corinthians 2:15-16

The consciousness that others trust us—is one of the strongest possible motives to faithfulness. We dare not fail, when we feel the pressure of other lives upon us; for if we faint, or falter, or prove untrue—we shall draw them down with us. When a man has lived in such a way as to win the confidence and become the guide of others—he bears a responsibility which he can meet only by unalterable fidelity. Every word of his is believed and rested upon. What if he speaks an untrue word, a word which misrepresents the divine teaching!

His example, too, is of infinite importance. Others believe in him so unquestionably, that anything they know him to do—they will regard as right and will feel at liberty to do themselves. But what if it is not right?

It is a weighty burden which a man bears—who has become trusted teacher, guide, and friend of others. If he is not faithful to his sacred obligation, he misrepresents Christ, and hurts the lives that lean upon him. To know that one stands for God to certain human souls, and is set to do God's work, to be the very hand of God to lead, or hold up, or lift up struggling, fainting souls—is enough to crush the strongest, bravest heart, if God is not real to it in his love, power, and presence.

 

November 29.

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves!" 2 Corinthians 4:7

Earthly success is not the test of spiritual life. Sometimes failure is better than success! God can do more with our weakness—than with our strength. Paul learned that when he was weak in himself—then he was strong, because then the strength of Christ rested on him in fuller measure. Sometimes we do more effective work, when we seem to fail—than when we appear to get through victoriously. Many a preacher has learned that his best sermons are not those he thinks the best. Ofttimes when he has failed in making his discourse, it has accomplished more than any of his finer sermons on which he prided himself.

It has been said that some of the greatest treasures in heaven—will be the blunders which God's children have made, when trying to show their love. A mother said that the most sacred treasure in her home was a puckered handkerchief which her little girl, now in heaven, had tried to hem for her.

 

November 30.

"All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them." Acts 9:39

A good many people have to die—to be appreciated. They go through the world living quietly, devoted to the interests of those who are dear to them, seeking no recognition. They are merely commonplace people, and so are allowed to love and serve without appreciation.

But one day they are missed from their accustomed place—their work on earth is done—and they are gone! Then the empty place reveals the value of the blessing they have been. In their absence, people learn for the first time the value of the services they had been accustomed to receive from them.

 

DECEMBER

December 1.

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." Matthew 6:34

One reason our Lord gives for not worrying about the future—is that we have nothing to do with it. Each day has its own duties, its own needs, its own trials and temptations; and God always gives us strength enough 'for the day'. We must not drag in tomorrow's cares, and add them to today's—for our strength will not be enough, for God will not add to the day's portion of strength, just to humor our whims of anxiety.

So the lesson is, that we should keep the days fenced off, each one by itself. Do today's duty, fight today's temptation, and do not weaken and distract yourself by looking forward to things which you cannot see, and could not understand if you saw them. When tomorrow comes—it will bring its own strength. "As your days—so shall your strength be." Deuteronomy 33:25

 

December 2.

"Go away for now. When it is more convenient, I will call for you again." Acts 24:25

This the way men are continually acting. They hear the truth and feel its power—but put off action. Felix was not true to his own best interests. He was not honest with himself. He saw the wrong in his own life; he had a glimpse of the judgment; he was terrified; he knew what he ought to do—yet he put the matter off. He did not doubt the truth of what Paul said, he did not actually reject the Savior Paul offered; he merely postponed action. Some other time, he would find it more convenient to adjust his life to the requisite condition.

This is a well-trodden highway, and there always are thousands upon it. They believe the Word of God, and are terrified when they think of the solemn facts of eternity. They mean to turn and be saved—but they put it off. There will be a more convenient season by and by. It is a terribly mistaken way to go. The best time to repent and be saved—is always NOW. A more convenient season will never come. Countless thousands have been lost by saying tomorrow when they should have said today.

 

December 3.

"This is the man who teaches against our people and tells everybody to disobey the Jewish laws. He speaks against the Temple—and he even defiles it by bringing Gentiles in!" Acts 21:28

This was a case of gross misrepresentation. Paul had never uttered a word against either the Jewish people, the law, or the temple. They had perverted and distorted his words—into meanings he never thought of. Many people thus take the words of others, give a wrong sense to them, and then repeat them!

Misrepresentation is a grievous sin. Many a calumny that destroys a fair name, grows from a mere misstatement, an inexact reporting of something said or done. We should be scrupulously careful, if we must repeat what others say, that we state the precise truth. No fault of speech is more common—than lack of accuracy in quoting. Most people's ears seem to hear with a bias in favor of their own prejudices; then in reporting what they have heard, the bias is too apt to show its influence a second time in emphasizing the distortion.

Besides, when a story travels as far as from Ephesus to Jerusalem, and passes through a number of ears and tongues, it is scarcely to be expected that it will arrive just the same as it started. It is proverbial, that stories grow in frequent repetition. Paul is not the only person who has not recognized at all his own words after they had gone the rounds. Let us learn the virtue of accuracy. Inaccuracy is lying!

 

December 4.

"Having loved His own who were in the world—He loved them unto the end!" John 13:1

His own! How sweet the words are! They tell of a close and most sacred relation. His own! We belong to him, not simply as property—but in the ownership of love. "You are not your own, for you are bought with a price." The prints of the nails—tell of the cost of our redemption. We are "His own" because the Father gave us to Him. "They were Yours—and You gave them to Me!" Then we are "His own" because we have voluntarily given ourselves to Him. That is what you did when you became a Christian. You accepted the love that claimed you.

The relation is like that between two friends. The world cannot intermeddle. It is a close, personal relation. All believers are Christ's own—but there is a sense in which each one has all of Christ for himself. We all sit down at the same communion table and the banner of love is over all; yet each one has a whole communion of his own. The sun shines upon the broad field and bathes all the million grass-blades and flowers in his beams. But each blade and each flower can say, "The sun is mine; he shines for me!" Christ's love is for all his church; but the smallest of his little ones can say, "He is my Friend, my Savior, my Master!" "We are Christ's own." All of Christ is ours—all of his love and all of his grace.

 

December 5.

"Blessed is the man whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered!" Psalm 32:1

True blessedness can ever come to anyone—until forgiveness has come. Unforgiven sin lies as a heavy curse upon a life. No other favor or prosperity is of any avail while sin remains uncancelled. But with forgiveness, comes all the blessedness of life and glory. When we are forgiven, we become at once God's children, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ to all the rich inheritance of eternal life. All the blessings of salvation are in this one.

We may study also with profit the word "cover." There is one way of covering sin which brings no blessing. We must not try to cover our own sin. "He who covers his sins shall not prosper; but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy." Sins that we cover—are not put away. They are like the quiet fires in the volcano, ready to burst out any moment in all their terribleness. But when God covers our sins they are put out of sight forever out of our sight, the world's sight, God's sight.

In one place God says he will remember our sins against us no more. The covering is complete and final. The sins are covered by the atonement of Christ. "All we like sheep have gone astray; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquities of us all." If our sins were laid on Jesus Christ—they are covered forever, and will never rise up against us.

 

December 6.

"He got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." John 13:4-5

There are many pictures of Jesus the Holy Child in the manger, the Redeemer on the cross, the Conqueror with the keys—but none of them surpasses that of the servant with the towel and basin. We get the lesson of service. Jesus did hot think his holy hands too fine for the washing of the feet of the twelve men who sat around the table. Many of us think we are too fine in the texture of our being, or too high in our rank among men, to stoop to lowly service like this! This picture of the Christ is a New Testament answer to all such pride and pretension.

Our service should be personal. Christ washed the feet of his disciples with his own hands. Too many like to do all their serving by proxy. They believe in washing feet—but they get some other person to do it for them. They will pay something to a missionary to visit and relieve the poor or the sick—but will not do the work with their own hands. This is not what Christ's example teaches us. We would better do the serving ourselves.

 

December 7.

Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." John 13:7

It is never wise for us to pass judgment on any of God's providences, while we can read but a part of their meaning. No work can be fairly judged, while it is only in progress. We must wait until it is completed. As the end must sometimes lie far out of sight, whether it be in future years of earthly life, or in the unrevealed life beyond earth's horizon—we need to train ourselves to trust the goodness and the love of God, believing that he will do only what is right—and what is best also for us. It is faith alone can give us peace.

 

December 8.

"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" James 1:19

We ought to think twice before we speak. Sometimes we are advised if we are feeling unkindly, to count ten before we open our mouth. Yet hasty words ofttimes fly from our lips in the moment of excited feeling; and before we have time to think twice, or count half of ten, the harm is done, the sharp word has flashed like a dart into some gentle heart.

These hasty words are spoken, too, most frequently between those who love each other. We control our speech fairly well when it is with strangers, or ordinary acquaintances we are speaking; but with those we love best—we are less careful. We let our worry or our weariness make us irritable, and then we utter the hasty words which five minutes afterward, we would give all we have to recall. But such words never can be recalled. They may be forgiven, for love forgives until seventy times seven times; but the wounds, the scars, remain.

 

December 9.

"So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice—I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart." 1 Kings 3:11-12

The Lord approved the choice Solomon had made. It was an unselfish choice. He was thinking of his people, and wanted to be a good king. It was a spiritual choice—not gold, power, victory, and fame—but wisdom to qualify him for duty, to fit him for fulfilling well his mission. Such a choice always pleases God. He loves to have us choose the best things.

James says that the reason men ask and receive not—is because they ask that they may consume God's gifts on their lusts. The prayer of selfishness is never pleasing to God; but he is pleased when we ask for things to be used in blessing others. The prayer for mere earthly things, may really be for a curse upon our life. Midas desired the power to change whatever he touched into gold. His request was granted; and the fruits he plucked, and the food he would put into his mouth—all turned to gold, until in the agonies of starvation he was compelled to cry for the withdrawal of the power. It was a curse, not a blessing to him.

So it is with those who live only for wealth; they get it, but their souls are starving! Solomon asked for wisdom only, and left all other matters to God's own choice. Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."

 

December 10

"I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God. But this word of the LORD came to me: You are not to build a house for my Name." 1 Chronicles 22:7-8

God was pleased with David's desire, but it was not David's work to build a temple. His part was to conquer the country, and gather materials for the house. Sometimes the things we purpose to do—we are not permitted to accomplish. They belong to some other worker who is to come after us, and are not part of our mission at all.

There are many people called to do preparatory work. A man goes to the West, and clears off a piece of ground, building a crude log hut. His son succeeds him, and in the midst of broad, rich acres erects a palatial home. The father's work was just as important in its place, though not so conspicuous, as the son's. One set of men make the excavations for a building, and then put in the foundations. For weeks they toil underground; and then another set of men come, the walls rise up, and the magnificent building attracts all eyes. The foundation work is buried out of sight, but who will say that it is less important than the splendid walls that tower above the street?

But for what David did, Solomon never could have built the temple. It is the same in all life. To each one God allots a place and a part; and if we do that which God gives us to do, he asks nothing more.

 

December 11.

"This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here." Zechariah 3:7

The way to rise to higher places—is to be faithful where we are. Unless we do well, the smaller things which God gives us to do—he will not entrust greater things to us. The man who was faithful and diligent in the use of his two talents, saw the two become four, and found himself put in trust also with new responsibilities. The promise here was, that if this good priest would walk in God's ways, and keep his charge—he would have influence and power in God's house, and should stand among angels.

This latter is a remarkable promise. It seems to mean that even on the earth, those who are faithful in holy things, shall have fellowship with angels. They may not be conscious of the companionship amid which they stand, but really they are working alongside spiritual beings continually while they wait upon God.

Then, those who serve God faithfully and diligently in holy things in this world will be received into the good fellowship of angels in the other world. The lesson, however, is that faithfulness in the common duties of the passing days is the one thing of life with us. If we live thus, God will lead us step by step, even into larger service and greater usefulness, as he may find us ready. We need not worry about our promotion; the only real promotion is that which comes through fidelity.

 

December 12.

"The entire Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness!" Exodus 16:2

As soon as the people of Israel got away from the visible means of sustenance, they lost heart. It is strange, we say, that so soon they could have forgotten all God's wonderful deliverances in the past.

But are we any more trustful? We sing and are joyful while things go well; and then when affliction or need come—away go the song and the joy! There is a great deal of murmuring still done—when pleasant Elims have to be left for wilderness wanderings. How much happier we would be, if we had learned to walk by faith rather than by sight! A promise of God really is a great deal better security for provision in life, than any quantity of food in store, or any amount of money in the bank. Nothing in this world is so real—as are the invisible things of God's love. If we are his children—we may trust him absolutely, no matter how dreary the desert may be!

 

December 13.

"Moses alone shall come near unto the Lord. The others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him." Exodus 24:2

There are always some who are admitted to closer intimacy with Christ than others. In his first disciple family, John came nearest. The way is open, however, for all to come as near as they will. Yet it is not height on earth's hills, that takes us closest to him. Those are greatest in the kingdom of heaven—so the Master said—who are most like children; also those who serve the most sweetly and unselfishly. In the Psalm, too, when the question is asked, "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?" the answer is, "He who has clean hands and a pure heart."

Getting up in the world—may not be getting up toward God; yet we may rise toward God, and that surely is infinitely the worthiest aspiration of an immortal soul. Moses was called up near to God that he might get blessings to carry down to the people. Those who get closer to God than others—are always privileged to become blessings to the world. God fills their hands with gifts that they are to distribute, and reveals to them precious things that they are to communicate to others.

 

December 14.

"All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5

What is humility? It is not thinking lowly of one's self. It is not a voluntary humbling of one's self for any particular purpose. It is the spirit which is ready always to use its best powers and its richest gifts—in the lowliest service of love. Love is at the heart of it. When we truly love others—we are interested in them, and will do them any service they need, however hard or costly or lowly it may be, not considering ourselves too fine to serve them, nor any possession of ours too good to be used in their behalf.

It is not the lowly place in which one lives and works which makes one humble. One may be proud, and move in a very obscure sphere. Humility is in the spirit, not in the station.

 

December 15.

"My little children, we must not love in word or speech—but in deed and truth!" 1 John 3:18

More and more are Christian people learning that true religion must have adequate and fitting expression in the life. A sound creed and activity in Christian work, are not the best tests of Christlikeness. It is in Christian character, and in the exercise of the spiritual graces in life's contacts—that Christian culture finds its finest expression.

To put it more simply, love is the true measure of Christian life. Becoming a Christian is simply letting the love of God into the heart. This love is something which cannot be hidden. If the love of God is in the heart—it will work its way out in the life! So it always does. The love of God dwells not in a man—who does not love his neighbor. The nearer we come to the heart of Christ, the deeper and tenderer becomes our interest in our brothers and sisters.

 

December 16.

"Buy the truth—and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding." Proverbs 23:23

It is not with money that we buy the truth; the price we must pay is our self-will, our pride, our self-confidence. We ought, however, to yield ourselves utterly to the truth, and should do it promptly. He who will not pay any price, however great, to be true—is losing where he seems to be saving.

There is a legend of King Tarquin and the sibyl. The old woman came into the king's presence with nine large books, containing prophecies and counsels concerning Rome. She offered them for sale, but asked a price so high, that the king hesitated to buy them. "Wait until tomorrow," said the king. Next day she came again, but with only six books, having destroyed three; and for the six she asked twice as much as she had asked for the nine. Tarquin again declined to purchase, and the woman again withdrew. Once more she came, this time with only three of the volumes, and asking a yet higher price! Tarquin dared delay no longer, and purchased the books at the cost of half his treasure, for they were of great value to him.

Likewise, the truth is offered to us, but at a high price. If we delay, less and less is offered to us, and it ever costs us more to buy. The best time to begin to buy God's truth—is in gentle youth. We buy it when we live it, no matter at what sacrifice.

 

December 17.

"He was despised and rejected by men." Isaiah 53:3

The saddest thing about the life of Christ—was the rejection he met among those he had come to bless. He came with a great love in his heart. He wanted to do them good, to draw them away from their sins, to make them love God, to lead them to heaven. "He came unto his own—and his own received him not." He went to their doors and knocked, and they kept their doors shut upon him; and he had to go away with his gifts and blessings unbestowed, leaving "his own" in their sin and sorrow.

It is the same yet. Christ comes with treasures of life and glory, which he offers to all; but men and women pay no heed to his knocking and his calls, and he has to pass on. "He is despised and rejected." He never forces his blessings on any. He knocks, but we must open the door. He will never open it himself.

In Holman Hunt's picture, "The Light of the World," the door has no knob on the outside; it can be opened only from within. You can keep the omnipotent Christ outside your heart if you will; you do keep him out by simply not rising to open to him. It does not need dishonoring sins, nor any violent rejection of the Savior, to make one a lost sinner; the mildest and gentlest indifference to his knocking and call—will do it just as effectually.

 

December 18.

"Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 28:31

This is the last glimpse the book of Acts gives us of Paul. The glorious apostle appears as a prisoner, though keeping open house and receiving all who came to him. No doubt many came to him with their questions, their burdens, their sorrows. Men with gentle spirit and deep and wide sympathies become a blessing to many people in the world. Those whose hearts are hungry, or who are under the shadow of grief or of sin, turn to them with eagerness, as thirsty animals turn to springs of water. That was the kind of man Paul was, and no doubt many came to him with their needs. He had something they had not. He listened to them patiently, and sympathized with them tenderly.

But notice also, the kind of help he gave to those who came. He preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. He fed their hunger with the bread of heaven. He pointed them to the only source of comfort. He presented Christ to them as the only One who could help them and bless them. We have nothing in ourselves to give to those who come seeking help or comfort. We can only point them to the Savior!

These prison days of Paul were among the most fruitful of his whole ministry. Likewise, we may make our shut-in days full of good for the world.

 

December 19.

"He went on his way rejoicing!" Acts 8:39

He did not give up his journey and decide to go back among the other Christians, because he was now a believer. He went on his way to his own country and to his own business; but he had a new secret of joy in his heart. Part of the duty of this new convert was to carry the knowledge of Christ back to the people among whom he had been living. He had found something which they needed, and which would bless them as it had blessed him.

We learn that a new-born Christian is not to give up his work. Of course, if he is engaged in any sinful occupation he must give it up. But if his occupation is right, he is usually to stick to it, and carry Christ with him into it. A carpenter when converted, is to continue a carpenter—with Christ.

To be a Christian, makes one happy. This man went on his way rejoicing. His heart was full of song. The Christian goes on in his work day by day; but while he works his heart sings, and the songs make the way shorter and the burdens lighter for him, while at the same time they give cheer to others on whose ears they fall.

 

December 20.

"The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life!" Revelation 22:17

A great novelist tells of a child that had run away from her home. Every night when it grew dark, a candle was set in the window, to show to the lost one, if ever she crept back repentant, that love's place was kept for her within. The Bible seems to me like a great palace standing in the center of a dark world. It has a thousand windows; and in everyone of them a bright light shines, to tell earth's lost ones of a home where they will find a welcome if they but come to its door.

 

December 21

"He who is righteous—let him do righteousness still." Revelation 22:11

The life in the eternal world—will not be different from the life here. The same good things we have learned to do here—we shall continue to do there. Those who have learned here to do righteousness shall continue, in the other life, to do righteousness. We shall still obey God there, and do his will; only we shall be more obedient than we have been here, and shall do his will better—perfectly! We shall love God there with all our heart, and love each other as ourselves; our life there shall be a perfect brotherhood, and heaven shall be a perfect home. It will still be more blessed there to give than to receive. They will still be chief there, who shall serve. Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, meekness, gentleness, goodness, truth—will still be fruits of the Spirit there—as they are here.

Life in heaven will not be so strange to us as we think, if we have learned to do God's will in this world. The everlasting life begins the moment we believe on Christ. While we remain on this earthly sphere, it is hindered and hampered by the limitations of earth, but in all true Christian experiences there are intimations of what the full blessedness will be. When we reach heaven the life begun here will go on, only without hindrance, limitation, or imperfection, forever. We are taught to pray that the will of God may be done on earth—as it is in heaven. Thus we are to get ready here for heaven.

 

December 22.

"It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35

We shall have a happier Christmas for ourselves, if we have helped to make a little joy for some others. We give presents to our friends—and that is right; but if we would get the richest blessing from our giving, we must remember also some one who really needs our gift: feeding some hungry one, or sending clothing to one who is shivering in the cold. This is the giving that is more blessed than receiving.

 

December 23.

"Silver or gold I do not have—but what I have I give you." Acts 3:6

Someone once said, "It's very hard to know how to help people—when you can't send them blankets, or coal, or needed food." With many people this is very true. They know not how to help others, except in such ways. Yet the needs which these material things satisfy, are the smallest needs of human lives. There are better ways of helping: with sympathy, hope, cheer, courage, inspiration, comfort. These are the blessings which most people need, far more than they need blankets or coal or food.

So far as we know, Jesus gave no money. He did not have it to give. Yet there never was in this world another such dispenser of true charity as he was. He gave encouragement, instruction, love. He told people of higher things.

None of us are too poor to give help in the same way. We may not have silver and gold to bestow, but out of a warm heart we can give coins of love which will mean far more than money! We should always keep a gentle heart—and then we can be a blessing to many.

 

December 24.

"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people!" Luke 2:10

If we are sitting in peace and joy, our hearts filled with sweet Christmas thoughts, we should remember those whose homes will be dark and sad tomorrow, when all over the land the bells will be ringing. Perhaps we can do little to give them comfort; but we can pray for them, and thus call down blessings upon them. For, after all, the best way to send blessings to people—is through God. He has thousands of messengers, and he can always send the blessings of his love, where we can send a kindly wish.

 

December 25.

"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh." Matthew 2:11

They were not content merely to worship the King, showing him homage in word or in posture; but they also laid their gifts at his feet. It is not enough for us to sing our songs of praise to Christ, to bow before him in reverent worship, and to speak our heart's homage in words. We should bring our gifts too, the pledges of our love, to lay at his feet.

There is a great deal of mere sentimentality in the consecration of many people. It is sentiment only; and when there is call for gifts or sacrifices, or for real services—the sentiment instantly vanishes. People sing missionary hymns with great warmth, and when the collection-plate comes to them—they sing on but allow the plate to pass by. They make prayers that God would send laborers into his vineyard, but they do not themselves respond to God's call for laborers and errand-runners. We need to learn the lesson: that our singing and praying can never go beyond our living.

Not only did these magi bring gifts, but they brought rich and costly gifts; we should bring our best—our gold, incense, and myrrh—the alabaster box of our heart's deepest love, and the best of all our life and service. Too often we give Christ only what is left over after we have taken all we desire for self-indulgence, or for the promotion of our own ambitions. We should always let him have the best!

 

 

December 26.

"And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens." Mark 13:27

There is no danger that in the last day, that anyone will be overlooked or forgotten who has been a true follower of Christ. The obscurest Christian, hidden away in the lowliest or most neglected spot, will not be missed by the angels, when they come to gather in Christ's little ones. On nearly every battle-field where the slain are buried, there are graves marked by the sad word "Unknown." But if among these, there are those who belonged to Christ, the angels will not fail to find them and bring them.

A ship went down on the British coast, and all on board perished. None of the bodies of those who had been lost were found, except the little body of an infant that was washed ashore among the wreckage. The kindly people of the place who picked it up buried the body, and having no clew to its name, put on the little stone simply, "God knows." When the angels come they will know whose body it is, and will not overlook it.

There is only one thing about which we need to concern ourselves, that we are indeed of those who have accepted Christ and have been faithful to him in this life. It will not matter in that day whether we have been rich or poor, famous among men or unknown; the determining element will be, whether or not we have belonged to Christ.

 

December 27.

"That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me." John 17:21

The nearer we get to God, and the more of the spirit of Christ there is in us, the less will we, too, think of the things that divide, and the more of the things that bind us together. When we get home to heaven—we shall see how trivial were the things that divided us here, ofttimes keeping us far apart, and what possibilities of fellowship we missed as we journeyed heavenward.

 

December 28.

"Returning the third time, he said to them, Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners!" Mark 14:41

We need to learn the importance of timeliness in duty. There are many things which if done today, will prove untold blessings—but which tomorrow, it will not be worth while to do. It is today the sick neighbor needs your visit, your help; tomorrow he may be well, or others shall have ministered to him, or he may be dead. It is today that the tempted one needs your cheer; tomorrow he may be defeated, lying in the dust of shame. Tomorrow is a fatal word; countless thousands of hopes have been wrecked on it.

 

December 29.

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

There are several ways of numbering our days. One way is merely to count them off as we tear off the daily leaves of our calendar. Each evening a man has one day less to live. But that is not true numbering. Another, way is merely to count the days into the aggregate of life. A man is one day older, but that is all. He is no better. He has left no worthy record on the day's page. The true numbering, is that which fills the days as they pass—with records of godly and beautiful living, and with lines of growth in character.

Just now we are looking back over the story of a closing year. What have we given the days to keep for us? What lessons of wisdom have we learned from them, as one by one they have passed? There is little good in worrying over the failures of the year—but we ought to learn from our past. He is the wise man, not who makes no mistakes—but who does not repeat his mistakes.

 

December 30.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever!" Hebrews 13:8

We leave many things behind us, as we go on. We can never go back again over the closing year. We never go over any life-path a second time. We never pass a second time through any experience. We have infancy once, childhood once, youth once, manhood and womanhood once, old age once, and we die once. We are forever leaving things, places, conditions, and experiences behind us. But through all these, we have the same Christ, unchanged, unchanging.

The Christ of childhood and of youth remains the Christ of manhood and of old age. Whatever changes the years bring to us—we must ever keep our eyes on the living Christ. He will always be all we need. There will never be a path which he cannot find for us and show us. There will never be a dark valley which he cannot light up for us. There will never be a battle which he cannot fight for us. There will never be an experience through which he cannot safely take us. We are leaving the old year behind, but we are not leaving Christ in the dead year. We need not be afraid, therefore, to go forward, if we go with him. We have not passed this new way before, and it is all strange to our inexperience; but Christ knows and he will guide us, and all will be well—if we put our hand in his.

 

December 31.

"One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on." Philippians 3:13-14

There is a proper use of past experiences. We should remember our past lost condition—to keep our hearts ever humble. We should remember the lessons learned from past experience so as to profit by our mistakes. The true science of living—is not to make no mistakes, which is impossible—but not to commit the same mistakes a second time.

We should remember past mercies and blessings. If we do, our past will shine down upon us like a sky full of stars. Such remembering of the past will keep the gratitude ever fresh in our heart, and the incense of praise ever burning on the altar. Such a house of memory becomes a refuge to which we may flee in trouble. When sorrows gather thickly; when trials come on like the waves of the sea; when the sun goes down and every star is quenched, and there seems nothing bright in all the present—then the memory of a past full of goodness, a past in which God never once failed us, becomes a holy refuge for us, a refuge gemmed and lighted by the lamps of other and brighter days. Thus there are right uses of the past.

But there is a sense in which we should altogether forget our past. It is unwise to live looking back. We should keep our eyes ever turned forward to new hopes, new attainments, new achievements!