Morning and Evening

by Charles Spurgeon

MARCH
 

March 1 — Morning

"Awake, north wind, and come, south wind! Blow on my garden, that its fragrance may spread abroad. Let my lover come into his garden and taste its choice fruits." — Song of Solomon 4:16

Anything is better than the dead calm of indifference. Our souls may wisely desire the cold north wind of trouble—if that alone can be sanctified to the drawing forth of the perfume of our graces. We should not shrink from the most wintry blast that ever blew upon plants of grace. Did not the spouse in this verse humbly submit herself to the reproofs of her Beloved; only entreating Him to send forth His grace in some form, and making no stipulation as to the peculiar manner in which it should come? Did she not, like ourselves, become so utterly weary of deadness and unholy calm—that she sighed for any visitation which would motivate her to action?

Yet she desires the warm south wind of comfort, too—the smiles of divine love, the joy of the Redeemer's presence; these are often mightily effectual to arouse our sluggish life. She desires either one or the other, or both—so that she may but be able to delight her Beloved with the spices of her garden. She cannot endure to be unprofitable, nor can we.

How cheering a thought—that Jesus can find comfort in our poor feeble graces. Can it be? It seems far too good to be true. Well may we court trials or even death itself—if we shall thereby be aided to make glad Immanuel's heart. O that our heart were crushed to atoms, if only by such bruising, could our sweet Lord Jesus could be glorified. Graces unexercised are as sweet perfumes slumbering in the cups of the flowers. The wisdom of the great Gardener overrules diverse and opposite causes—to produce the one desired result, and makes both affliction and consolation draw forth the grateful fragrances of faith, love, patience, hope, resignation, joy, and the other fair flowers of the garden. May we know by sweet experience, what this means!

 

March 1 — Evening

"He is precious." — 1 Peter 2:7

As all the rivers run into the sea—so all delights center in our Beloved. The glances of His eyes outshine the sun! The beauties of His face are fairer than the choicest flowers! No fragrance is like the breath of His mouth. Gems of the mine, and pearls from the sea—are worthless things when measured by His preciousness.

Peter tells us that Jesus is precious—but he did not and could not tell us how precious—nor could any of us compute the value of God's unspeakable gift! Words cannot set forth the preciousness of the Lord Jesus to His people—nor fully tell how essential He is to their satisfaction and happiness. Believer, have you not found in the midst of plenty—a great famine if your Lord has been absent? The sun was shining—but Christ had hidden Himself—and all the world was black to you; or it was night, and since the bright and morning star was gone, no other star could yield you so much as a ray of light. What a howling wilderness is this world—without our Lord! If once He hides Himself from us, the flowers of our garden are withered; our pleasant fruits decay; the birds suspend their songs, and a tempest overturns our hopes.

All earth's candles cannot make daylight—if the Sun of Righteousness is eclipsed. He is the soul of our soul, the light of our light, the life of our life. Dear reader, what would you do in the world without Him, when you wake up and look forward to the day's battle? What would you do at night, when you come home jaded and weary—if there were no door of fellowship between you and Christ? Blessed be His name, He will not allow us to try our lot without Him, for Jesus never forsakes His own. Yet, let the thought of what life would be without Him, enhance His preciousness.

 

March 2 — Morning

"So all Israel went down to the Philistines to have their plowshares, picks, axes and sickles sharpened." — 1 Samuel 13:20

We are engaged in a great war with the Philistines of evil. Every weapon within our reach must be used. Preaching, teaching, praying, giving—all must be brought into action, and talents which have been thought too little for service, must now be employed. Plowshares, picks, axes, or sickles—may all be useful in slaying Philistines; rough tools may deal hard blows, and killing need not be elegantly done—so long as it is done effectually. Each moment of time, in season or out of season; each fragment of ability, educated or untutored; each opportunity, favorable or unfavorable, must be used—for our foes are many and our force but slender.

Most of our tools need sharpening—we need quickness of perception, tact, energy, promptness, in a word, complete adaptation for the Lord's work. Practical common sense is a very scarce thing among the conductors of Christian enterprises. We might learn from our enemies if we would, and so make the Philistines sharpen our weapons.

This morning let us note enough to sharpen our zeal during this day, by the aid of the Holy Spirit. See the energy of the Papists, how they compass sea and land to make one proselyte, are they to monopolize all the earnestness? Mark the heathen devotees, what tortures they endure in the service of their idols! are they alone to exhibit patience and self-sacrifice? Observe the prince of darkness, how persevering in his endeavors, how unabashed in his attempts, how daring in his plans, how thoughtful in his plots, how energetic in all! The devils are united as one man in their infamous rebellion, while we believers in Jesus are divided in our service of God, and scarcely ever work with unanimity. O that from Satan's infernal industry—we may learn to go about like good Samaritans, seeking whom we may bless!

 

March 2 — Evening

"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." — Ephesians 3:8

The apostle Paul felt it a great privilege to be allowed to preach the gospel. He did not look upon his calling as a drudgery—but he entered upon it with intense delight. Yet while Paul was thus thankful for his office, his success in it greatly humbled him. The fuller a vessel becomes—the deeper it sinks in the water. Idlers may indulge a fond conceit of their abilities, because they are untried; but the earnest worker soon learns his own weakness. If you seek humility—try hard work; if you would know your nothingness, attempt some great thing for Jesus. If you would feel how utterly powerless you are apart from the living God—attempt especially the great work of proclaiming the unsearchable riches of Christ—and you will know, as you never knew before, what a weak unworthy thing you are.

Although the apostle thus knew and confessed his weakness, he was never perplexed as to the subject of his ministry. From his first sermon to his last, Paul preached Christ, and nothing but Christ. He lifted up the cross, and extolled the Son of God who bled thereon. Follow his example in all your personal efforts to spread the glad tidings of salvation, and let "Christ and Him crucified" be your ever recurring theme.

The Christian should be like those lovely spring flowers which, when the sun is shining, open their golden cups, as if saying, "Fill us with your beams!" But when the sun is hidden behind a cloud—they close their cups and droop their heads. So should the Christian feel the sweet influence of Jesus; Jesus must be his sun, and he must be the flower which yields itself to the Sun of Righteousness. Oh! to speak of Christ alone, this is the subject which is both "seed for the sower, and bread for the eater." This is the live coal for the lip of the speaker, and the master-key to the heart of the hearer!

 

March 3 — Morning

"I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction." — Isaiah 48:10

Comfort yourself, tried believer, with this thought—God says, "I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction." Let affliction come—God has chosen me. Poverty, you may stride in at my door—but God is in the house already, and He has chosen me. Sickness, you may intrude—but I have a balsam ready—God has chosen me. Whatever befalls me in this valley of tears, I know that He has "chosen" me.

If, believer, you require still greater comfort, remember that you have the Jesus with you in the furnace. In that silent chamber of yours, there sits by your side One whom you have not seen—but whom you love; and ofttimes when you know it not, He makes all your bed in your affliction, and smooths your pillow for you. You are in poverty; but the Lord of life and glory is a frequent visitor to you. He loves to come into these desolate places, that He may visit you. Your Friend sticks closely to you. You cannot see Him—but you may feel the pressure of His hands. Do you not hear His voice? Even in the valley of the shadow of death He says, "Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God."

Fear not, Christian—Jesus is with you! In all your fiery trials, His presence is both your comfort and safety. He will never leave one whom He has chosen for His own. "Fear not—for I am with you," is His sure Word of promise to His chosen ones in the "furnace of affliction." Will you not, then, take fast hold of Christ, and say, "Through floods and flames, if Jesus leads—I'll follow where He goes."

 

March 3 — Evening

"He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove." — Matthew 3:16

As the Spirit of God descended upon the Lord Jesus, the head, so He also, in a measure, descends upon the members of the mystical body. His descent is to us after the same fashion as that in which it fell upon our Lord.

There is often a singular rapidity about it—before ever we are aware, we are impelled onward and heavenward beyond all expectation. Yet is there none of the hurry of earthly haste, for the wings of the dove are as soft as they are swift. Quietness seems essential to many spiritual operations; the Lord is in the still small voice; and like the dew—His grace is distilled in silence.

The dove has ever been the chosen type of purity, and the Holy Spirit is holiness itself. Where He comes, everything that is pure and lovely, and of good report, is made to abound—and sin and impurity depart.

Peace reigns also where the Holy Dove comes with power; He bears the olive branch which shows that the waters of divine wrath are assuaged.

Gentleness is a sure result of the Sacred Dove's transforming power: hearts touched by His benign influence are meek and lowly henceforth and for ever.

Harmlessness follows, as a matter of course. Eagles and ravens may hunt their prey; the dove can endure wrong—but cannot inflict it. We must be harmless as doves.

The dove is an apt picture of love, the voice of the dove is full of affection. Just so, the soul visited by the blessed Spirit, abounds in love to the brethren, and in love to the lost; and above all, in love to Jesus.

The brooding of the Spirit of God upon the face of the deep, first produced order and life—and in our hearts, He causes and fosters new life and light. Blessed Spirit, as You rested upon our dear Redeemer, even so rest upon me from this time forward and forever!

 

March 4 — Morning

"My grace is sufficient for you." — 2 Corinthians 12:9

If none of God's saints were troubled and tried—we would not know half so well the consolations of divine grace. When we find the wanderer who has nowhere to lay his head, who yet can say, "Still will I trust in the Lord," or when we see the pauper starving on bread and water, who still glories in Jesus; when we see the bereaved widow overwhelmed in affliction, and yet having faith in Christ; Oh! what honor it reflects on the gospel.

God's grace is illustrated and magnified—in the troubles and trials of believers. Saints bear up under every discouragement, believing that all things work together for their good—and that out of apparent evils—a real blessing shall ultimately spring! They believe that their God will either work a deliverance for them speedily, or most assuredly support them in the trouble, as long as He is pleased to keep them in it. This patience of the saints proves the power of divine grace.

There is a lighthouse out at sea—it is a calm night—I cannot tell whether the edifice is firm; the tempest must rage about it—and then I shall know whether it will stand. So with the Spirit's work—if it were not on many occasions surrounded with tempestuous waters-we would not know that it was true and strong; if the winds did not blow upon it—we would not know how firm and secure it was.

The master-works of God are those men who stand in the midst of difficulties, steadfast, unmoveable, "Calm mid the bewildering cry, confident of victory." He who would glorify his God—must set his heart upon meeting with many trials. No man can be illustrious before the Lord—unless his conflicts are many. If then, yours is a much-tried path, rejoice in it, because you will the better show forth the all-sufficient grace of God. As for His failing you, never dream of it—perish the thought! The God who has been sufficient until now—should be trusted to the end!

 

March 4 — Evening

"They feast on the abundance of Your house; You give them drink from Your river of delights!" — Psalm 36:8

The Queen of Sheba was amazed at the sumptuousness of Solomon's table. She was overwhelmed when she saw the provision of a single day; and she marveled equally at the company of servants who were feasted at the royal table. But what is this, compared to the feast provided by the God of grace? Thousands of his people are daily fed there! Hungry and thirsty, they bring large appetites with them to the banquet—but not one of them returns unsatisfied; there is enough for each, enough for all, enough for evermore!

Though the multitude which feeds at Jehovah's table is as countless as the sands of the sea—yet each one has his portion of food. Think how much grace one Christian requires—so much that nothing but the Infinite could supply him for one day! And yet the Lord spreads His table, not for one—but many saints; not for one day—but for many years; not for many years only—but for generation after generation!

Observe the full feasting spoken of in the text, the guests at mercy's banquet are satisfied, nay, more "they feast;" and that not with ordinary fare—but "on the abundance of Your house"—the special abundance of God's own house! And such feasting is guaranteed by a faithful promise—to all those who are sheltered under the shadow of Jehovah's wings.

I once thought, that if I might but get the broken crumbs at God's back door of grace—that I would be satisfied; like the woman who said, "the dogs eat of the crumbs that fall from the master's table." But no child of God is ever served with scraps and leftovers! Like Mephibosheth, they all feast from the king's own table. In matters of grace, we all have Benjamin's portion—we all have ten times more than we could have expected! And though our necessities are great—yet are we often amazed at the marvelous plenty of grace which God gives us experimentally to enjoy!

 

March 5 — Morning

"Let us not sleep, as do others." — 1 Thessalonians 5:6

There are many ways of promoting Christian wakefulness. Among the rest, let me strongly advise Christians to converse together concerning the ways of the Lord. In "Pilgrim's Progress", Christian and Hopeful, as they journeyed towards the Celestial City, said to themselves, "To prevent drowsiness in this place—let us fall into good discourse." Christian enquired, "Brother, where shall we begin?" And Hopeful answered, "Where God began with us." Then Christian sang this song, "When saints do sleepy grow, let them come hither; and hear how these two pilgrims talk together. Yes, let them learn of them, in any wise—thus to keep open their drowsy slumbering eyes. Saints' fellowship, if it is managed well—keeps them awake, and that in spite of hell."

Christians who isolate themselves and walk alone—are very liable to grow drowsy. Hold Christian company, and you will be kept wakeful by it, and refreshed and encouraged to make quicker progress in the road to heaven. But as you thus take "sweet counsel" with others in the ways of God, take care that the theme of your converse is the Lord Jesus. Let the eye of faith be constantly looking unto Him; let your heart be full of Him; let your lips speak of His worth. Friend, live near to the cross—and you will not sleep.

Labor to impress yourself with a deep sense of the value of the place to which you are going. If you remember that you are going to heaven—you will not sleep on the road. If you think that hell is behind you, and the devil pursuing you—you will not loiter. Would the manslayer sleep with the avenger of blood behind him, and the city of refuge before him? Christian, will you sleep while the pearly gates are open—the songs of angels waiting for you to join them—a crown of gold ready for your brow? Ah! no! In holy fellowship continue to watch and pray—that you enter not into temptation.

 

March 5 — Evening

"Say unto my soul—I am your salvation." — Psalm 35:3

What does this sweet prayer teach me? It shall be my evening's petition; but first let it yield me an instructive meditation. The text informs me first of all—that David had his doubts; for why should he pray, "Say unto my soul, I am your salvation," if he were not sometimes exercised with doubts and fears? Let me, then, be of good cheer, for I am not the only saint who has to complain of weakness of faith. If David doubted, I need not conclude that I am no Christian because I have doubts. The text reminds me that David was not content while he had doubts and fears—but he repaired at once to the mercy-seat to pray for assurance; for he valued it as much fine gold. I too must labor after an abiding sense of my acceptance in the Beloved, and must have no joy when His love is not shed abroad in my soul. When my Bridegroom is gone from me, my soul must and will fast.

I learn also, that David knew where to obtain full assurance. He went to his God in prayer, crying, "Say unto my soul—I am your salvation." I must be much alone with God—if I would have a clear sense of Jesus' love. Let my prayers cease—and my eye of faith will grow dim. Much in prayer—much in heaven; slow in prayer—slow in progress.

I notice that David would not be satisfied unless his assurance had a divine source. "Say unto my soul." Lord—You must say it! Nothing short of a divine testimony in the soul will ever content the true Christian.

Moreover, David could not rest unless his assurance was made personal to him. "Say unto my soul, I am your salvation." Lord, if You would say this to all the saints, it would be nothing, unless You would say it to me. Lord, I have sinned; I deserve not Your smile; I scarcely dare to ask it; but oh! say to my soul, even to my soul, "I am your salvation!" Let me have a present, personal, infallible, indisputable sense that I am Yours—and that You are mine!

 

March 6 — Morning

"You must be born again." — John 3:7

Regeneration is a subject which lies at the very basis of salvation, and we should be very diligent to take heed that we really are "born again," for there are many who imagine they are, who are not. Be assured that the name of a Christian—is not the nature of a Christian; and that being born in a Christian land, and being recognized as professing the Christian religion—is of no avail whatever, unless there is something more added to it — the being "born again," by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Regeneration is a matter so mysterious, that human words cannot describe it. "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

Nevertheless, it is a change which is known and felt. It is known by works of holiness—and felt by a gracious experience.

This great work is supernatural. It is not an operation which a man performs for himself. It is a new principle is infused, which works in the heart, renews the soul, and affects the entire man. It is not a change of my name—but a renewal of my nature, so that I am not the man I used to be—but a new man in Christ Jesus. To wash and dress a corpse is a far different thing from making it alive! Man can do the one—God alone can do the other.

If you have then, been "born again," your acknowledgment will be, "O everlasting Father, You are my spiritual Parent; unless Your Spirit had breathed into me the breath of a new, holy, and spiritual life—I would have been to this day, 'dead in trespasses and sins.' My heavenly life is wholly derived from You—to You I ascribe it. 'My life is hid with Christ in God.' It is no longer I who live—but Christ who lives in me." May the Lord enable us to be well assured on this vital point, for to be unregenerate is to be unsaved, unpardoned, without God, and without hope!

 

March 6 — Evening

"Before destruction, the heart of man is haughty." — Proverbs 18:12

It is an old and common saying, that "coming events cast their shadows before them;" the wise man teaches us that a haughty heart is the prophetic prelude of destruction. Pride is as safely the sign of destruction, as the change of mercury in the weather-glass is the sign of rain; and far more infallibly so than that. When men have ridden the high horse—destruction has always overtaken them. Let David's aching heart show that there is an eclipse of a man's glory—when he dotes upon his own greatness. "David's conscience troubled him after he had taken a census of the troops. He said to the Lord—I have sinned greatly in what I've done. Now, Lord, because I've been very foolish, please take away Your servant's guilt!" 2 Sam. 24:10.

See Nebuchadnezzar, the mighty builder of Babylon, creeping on the earth, devouring grass like oxen, until his nails had grown like bird's claws, and his hair like eagle's feathers! Dan. 4:33. Pride made the boaster a beast—as once before it made an angel a devil. God hates high looks, and never fails to bring them down. All the arrows of God—are aimed at proud hearts! O Christian, is your heart haughty this evening? For pride can get into the Christian's heart as well as into the sinner's; it can delude him into dreaming that he is "rich and increased in goods, and has need of nothing." Are you glorying in your graces or your talents? Are you proud of yourself, that you have had holy frames and sweet experiences? Mark it, reader, there is a destruction coming to you also! Your flaunting poppies of self-conceit will be pulled up by the roots! Your mushroom graces will wither in the burning heat! Your self-sufficiency shall become as straw for the dunghill.

If we forget to live at the foot of the cross in deepest humility of heart—God will not forget to make us smart under His rod! A destruction will come to you, O unduly exalted believer—the destruction of your joys and of your comforts, though there can be no destruction of your soul. Therefore, "He who glories—let him glory in the Lord!"

 

March 7 — Morning

"Have faith in God." — Mark 11:22

FAITH is 'the foot of the soul' by which it can march along the road of the commandments. Love can make the feet move more swiftly; but faith is the foot which carries the soul. Faith is the oil, enabling the wheels of holy devotion and of earnest piety to move well. Without faith—the wheels are taken from the chariot, and we drag heavily. With faith I can do all things; without faith I shall neither have the inclination nor the power to do anything in the service of God. If you would find the men who serve God the best, you must look for the men of the most faith.

Little faith will save a man—but little faith cannot do great things for God. Poor "Little-faith" could not have fought "Apollyon;" it needed "Christian" to do that. Poor "Little-faith" could not have slain "Giant Despair;" it required "Great-heart's" arm to knock that monster down! Little faith will go to heaven most certainly—but it often has to hide itself in a nut-shell, and it frequently loses all but its jewels. Little-faith says, "It is a rough road, beset with sharp thorns, and full of dangers; I am afraid to go!" But "Great-faith" remembers the promise, "Your shoes shall be iron and brass; as your days—so shall your strength be:" and so she boldly ventures. Little-faith stands desponding, mingling her tears with the flood; but Great-faith sings, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine! When you go through deep waters and great trouble—I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty—you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior!" and she fords the stream at once.

Would you be comfortable and happy? Would you enjoy your religion? Would you have the religion of cheerfulness, and not that of gloom? Then "have faith in God." If you love darkness, and are satisfied to dwell in gloom and misery, then be content with little faith; but if you love the sunshine, and would sing songs of rejoicing, covet earnestly this best gift, "great faith."

 

March 7 — Evening

"lt is better to trust in the Lord—than to put confidence in man." — Psalm 118:8

Doubtless the reader has been tried with the temptation to rely upon the things which are seen—instead of resting alone upon the invisible God. Christians often look to man for help and counsel—and mar the noble simplicity of their reliance upon their God.

Does this evening's portion meet the eye of a child of God anxious about temporal needs? Then would we reason with him for a while. You trust in Jesus, and only in Jesus, for your salvation; then why are you troubled? "Because of my great burden!" Is it not written, "Cast your burden upon the Lord"? "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Cannot you trust God for temporals? "Ah! I wish I could." If you cannot trust God for temporal needs—how dare you trust Him for spiritual needs? Can you trust Him for your soul's redemption, and not rely upon Him for a few lesser mercies? Is not God enough for your needs—or is His all-sufficiency too narrow for your needs? Do you need another eye—beside that of Him who sees every secret thing? Is His heart faint? Is His arm weary? If so, seek another god; but if He be infinite, omnipotent, faithful, true, and all-wise, why do you gad you abroad so much to seek another helper? Why do you rake the earth—to find another foundation, when this is strong enough to bear all the weight which you can ever build upon?

Christian, do not mix your wine—with water; do not alloy your gold of faith—with the dross of human confidence. Wait only upon God, and let your expectation be from Him. Do not covet Jonah's gourd—but rest in Jonah's God. Let the sandy foundations of terrestrial trust be the choice of fools—but you, like one who foresees the storm, build for yourself an abiding place upon the Rock of Ages!

 

March 8 — Morning

"It is necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the kingdom of God." — Acts 14:22

God's people have their trials. It was never designed by God, when He chose His people, that they should be an untried people. They were chosen in the furnace of affliction; they were never chosen to worldly peace and earthly joy. Freedom from the sicknesses and pains of mortality, was never promised them; but when their Lord drew up the charter of privileges, He included chastisements among the things to which they should inevitably be heirs. Trials are a part of our lot; they were predestinated for us in Christ's last legacy, "In this world you will have trouble." John 16:33. So surely as the stars are fashioned by his hands, and their orbits fixed by Him, so surely are our trials allotted to us! He has ordained their season and their place, their intensity and the effect they shall have upon us.

Godly men must never expect to escape troubles; if they do, they will be disappointed, for none of their predecessors have been without them. Mark the patience of Job; remember Abraham, for he had his trials, and by his faith under them, he became the "Father of the faithful." Note well the biographies of all the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs—and you shall discover none of those whom God made vessels of mercy, who were not made to pass through the fire of affliction. It is ordained of old, that the cross of trouble should be engraved on every vessel of mercy—as the royal mark whereby the King's vessels of honor are distinguished.

Though tribulation is thus the path of God's children, they have the comfort of knowing that their Master has traversed it before them; they have His presence and sympathy to cheer them, His grace to support them, and His example to teach them how to endure; and when they reach "the kingdom," it will more than make amends for the "much tribulation" through which they passed to enter it.

 

March 8 — Evening

"She called his name Ben-oni (son of sorrow)—but his father called him Benjamin (son of my right hand)." — Genesis 35:18

To every matter there is a bright side—as well as a dark side. Rachel was overwhelmed with the sorrow of her own travail and death; Jacob, though weeping the mother's loss, could see the mercy of the child's birth. It is well for us if, while the flesh mourns over trials—that our faith triumphs in divine faithfulness. Samson's lion yielded honey, and so will our adversities, if rightly considered. The stormy sea feeds multitudes with its fishes; the wild forest blooms with beauteous flowerets; the stormy wind sweeps away the pestilence, and the biting frost loosens the soil. Dark clouds distill bright drops, and black earth grows mirthful flowers. A vein of good—is to be found in every mine of evil.

Sad hearts have peculiar skill in discovering the most disadvantageous point of view from which to gaze upon a trial; if there were only one slough in the world—they would soon be up to their necks in it; and if there were only one lion in the desert—they would hear it roar. About us all—there is a tinge of this wretched folly, and we are apt, at times, like Jacob, to cry, "All these things are against me!" Faith's way of living is to cast all care upon the Lord—and then to anticipate good results from the worst calamities. Like Gideon's men, faith does not fret over the broken pitcher—but rejoices that the lamp blazes forth the more. Out of the rough oyster-shell of difficulty—she extracts the rare pearl of honor; and from the deep ocean-caves of distress—she uplifts the priceless coral of pious experience. When her flood of prosperity ebbs—she finds treasures hidden in the sands; and when her sun of delight goes down, she turns her telescope of hope to the starry promises of heaven. When death itself appears, faith points to the light of resurrection beyond the grave—thus making our dying Benoni to be our living Benjamin!

 

March 9 — Morning

"Yes, He is altogether lovely!" — Song of Solomon 5:16

The superlative beauty of Jesus is all-attracting; it is not so much to be admired as to be loved. He is more than pleasant and fair—He is altogether lovely. Surely the people of God can fully justify the use of this golden word, for He is the object of their warmest love, a love founded on the intrinsic excellence of His person, and the complete perfection of His charms.

Look, O disciples of Jesus, to your Master's lips, and say, "Are they not most sweet?" Do not His words cause your hearts to burn within you as He talks with you by the way? O worshipers of Immanuel, look up to His head of much fine gold, and tell me—are not His thoughts precious unto you? Is not your adoration sweetened with affection as you humbly bow before that beauteous countenance? Is there not a charm in His every feature, and is not His whole person fragrant with such a fragrance of His good ointments, that therefore the virgins love Him? Is there one member of His glorious body—which is not attractive? Is there one portion of His person—which is not a fresh loadstone to our souls? Is there one office—which is not a strong cord to bind your heart?

Our love is not as a seal set upon His heart of love alone; it is fastened upon His arm of power also; nor is there a single part of Him upon which it does not fix itself. We anoint His whole person with the sweet spikenard of our fervent love. His whole life we would imitate; His whole character we would transcribe. In all other beings—we see some lack; but in Him there is all perfection. The best even of His favored saints have had blots upon their garments, and wrinkles upon their brows; but He is nothing but loveliness. All earthly suns have their spots; the fair world itself has its wilderness; we cannot love the whole of the most lovely thing; but Christ Jesus is gold without alloy —light without darkness — and glory without cloud. "Yes, He is altogether lovely!"

 

March 9 — Evening

"Abide in Me." — John 15:4

Communion with Christ—is a certain cure for every ill. Whether it is the wormwood of woe, or the cloying surfeit of earthly delight—close fellowship with the Lord Jesus will take bitterness from the one, and satiety from the other. Live near to Jesus, Christian, and it is matter of secondary importance whether you live on the mountain of honor—or in the valley of humiliation. Living near to Jesus, you are covered with the wings of God, and underneath you are the everlasting arms.

Let nothing keep you from that hallowed fellowship, which is the choice privilege of a soul wedded to the Well-beloved. Do not be content with an interview now and then—but seek always to retain His company, for only in His presence—have you either comfort or safety. Jesus should not be unto us, a friend who calls upon us now and then—but one with whom we walk evermore. You have a difficult road before you—see, O traveler to heaven, that you go not without your guide. You have to pass through the fiery furnace; enter it not unless, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you have the Son of God to be your companion. You have to storm the Jericho of your own corruptions; do not attempt the warfare until, like Joshua, you have seen the Captain of the Lord's host, with His sword drawn in His hand. You are to meet the Esau of your many temptations; meet him not until at Jabbok's brook you have laid hold upon the angel, and prevailed.

In every case, in every condition, you will need Jesus; but most of all, when the iron gates of death shall open to you. Keep close to your soul's Husband, lean your head upon His bosom, ask to be refreshed with the spiced wine of His pomegranate, and you shall be found of Him at the last, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. Seeing you have lived with Him, and lived in Him here—you shall abide with Him forever!

 

March 10 — Morning

"In my prosperity, I said—I shall never be moved." — Psalm 30:6

"Moab settled on his lees—he has not been emptied from vessel to vessel." Give a man wealth; let his ships bring home continually rich freights; let the winds and waves appear to be his servants to bear his vessels across the bosom of the mighty deep; let his lands yield abundantly; let the weather be propitious to his crops; let uninterrupted success attend him; let him stand among men as a successful merchant; let him enjoy continued health; allow him with braced nerve and brilliant eye to march through the world, and live happily; give him the buoyant spirit; let him have the song perpetually on his lips; let his eye be ever sparkling with joy — and the natural consequence of such an easy state to any man, let him be the best Christian who ever breathed, will be presumption. Even David said, "I shall never be moved;" and we are not better than David, nor half so good.

Brother, beware of the smooth places of the way. If the way is rough, thank God for it. If God should always rock us in the cradle of prosperity; if we were always dandled on the knees of fortune; if we had not some stain on the alabaster pillar; if there were not a few clouds in the sky; if we had not some bitter drops in the wine of this life—we would become intoxicated with pleasure, we would dream "we stand;" and stand we should—but it would be upon a pinnacle; like the man asleep upon the mast, each moment we should be in jeopardy. We bless God, then, for our afflictions; we thank Him for our changes; we extol His name for losses of property; for we feel that had He not chastened us thus—we might have become too secure. Continued worldly prosperity is a fiery trial. "Afflictions, though they seem severe—in mercy often are sent."

 

March 10 — Evening

"Man... is of few days, and full of trouble." — Job 14:1

It may be of great service to us, before we fall asleep, to remember this mournful fact—for it may lead us to set loose by earthly things. There is nothing very pleasant in the recollection that we are not above the shafts of adversity—but it may humble us and prevent our boasting like the Psalmist in our morning's portion, "My mountain stands firm—I shall never be moved." It may keep us from taking too deep root in this soil, from which we are so soon to be transplanted into the heavenly garden.

Let us recollect the frail tenure upon which we hold our temporal mercies. If we would remember that all the trees of earth are marked for the woodman's axe, we would not be so ready to build our nests in them. We would love others—but we would love with the love which expects death, and which reckons upon separations. Our dear relations are but loaned to us, and the hour when we must return them to the lender's hand may be even at the door.

The like is certainly true of our worldly goods. "Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle." Proverbs 23:5 Our health is equally precarious. Frail flowers of the field—we must not reckon upon blooming forever. There is a time appointed for weakness and sickness, when we shall have to glorify God by suffering—and not by earnest activity. There is no single point in which we can hope to escape from the sharp arrows of affliction. Out of our few days—there is not one secure from sorrow. Man's life is a cask full of bitter wine; he who looks for joy in it, would sooner find honey in an ocean of brine! Beloved reader, do not set your affections upon things of earth—but seek those things which are above, for here the moth devours, and the thief breaks through—but there all joys are perpetual and eternal. The path of trouble is the way home. Lord, make this thought a pillow for many a weary head!

 

March 11 — Morning

"Sin... exceeding sinful." — Romans 7:13

Beware of light thoughts of sin. At the time of conversion, the conscience is so tender, that we are afraid of the slightest sin. Young converts have a holy timidity—a godly fear lest they should sin against God. But alas! very soon the fine bloom upon these first ripe fruits is removed by the rough handling of the surrounding world—and the sensitive plant of young piety turns into a willow—too pliant, too easily yielding. It is sadly true, that even a Christian may grow by degrees so callous, that the sin which once startled him does not alarm him in the least.

By degrees—men get familiar with sin. The ear in which the cannon has been booming—will not notice slight sounds. At first a little sin startles us; but soon we say, "Is it not a little one?" Then there comes another, larger, and then another—until by degrees we begin to regard sin as but a minor thing. And then follows an unholy presumption: "We have not fallen into open sin. True, we tripped a little—but we stood upright in the main. We may have uttered one unholy word—but as for the most of our life, it has been consistent." So we palliate sin; we throw a cloak over it; we call it by dainty names.

Christian, beware how you think of sin. Take heed lest you fall little by little. Sin, a little thing? Is it not a poison? Who knows its deadliness? Sin, a little thing? Do not the little foxes—spoil the grapes? Does not the tiny coral insect—build a rock which wrecks a navy? Do not little strokes—fell lofty oaks? Will not continual droppings—wear away stones? Sin, a little thing? It girded the Redeemer's head with thorns, and pierced His heart! It made Him suffer anguish, bitterness, and woe. Could you weigh the least sin in the scales of eternity—you would fly from it as from a serpent, and abhor the least appearance of evil. Look upon all sin as that which crucified your Savior—and you will see it to be "exceeding sinful."

 

March 11 — Evening

"You shall be called, Sought out." — Isaiah 62:12

The surpassing grace of God is seen very clearly, in that we were not only sought—but sought out. Men seek for a thing which is lost upon the floor of the house—but in such a case there is only seeking, not seeking out. The loss is more perplexing and the search more persevering, when a thing is sought out. We were mingled with the mire—we were as when some precious jewel falls into the sewer, and men gather out and carefully inspect a mass of abominable filth, and continue to stir and rake, and search among the heap until the treasure is found. Or, to use another figure, we were lost in a labyrinth; we wandered hither and there, and when mercy came after us with the gospel, it did not find us at the first coming, it had to search for us and seek us out; for we as lost sheep, were so desperately lost, and had wandered into such a strange country, that it did not seem possible that even the Good Shepherd should track our devious roamings. Glory be to unconquerable grace, we were sought out! No gloom could hide us, no filthiness could conceal us, we were found and brought home! Glory be to infinite love, God the Holy Spirit restored us!

The lives of some of God's people, if they could be written—would fill us with holy astonishment. Strange and marvelous are the ways which God used in their case to find His own. Blessed be His name, He never relinquishes the search—until the chosen are sought out effectually. They are not a people sought today and cast away tomorrow. Almightiness and wisdom combined will make no failures, they shall be called, "Sought out!" That any should be sought out is matchless grace—but that we should be sought out—is grace beyond degree! We can find no reason for it—but God's own sovereign love; and can only lift up our heart in wonder, and praise the Lord that this night we wear the name of "Sought out."

 

March 12 — Morning

"You shall love your neighbor." — Matthew 5:43

"Love your neighbor." Perhaps he rolls in riches—and you are poor, and living in your little cottage side-by-side with his lordly mansion. Every day you see his estates, his fine linen, and his sumptuous banquets. God has given him these gifts, covet not his wealth, and think no hard thoughts concerning him. Be content with your own lot, if you cannot better it—but do not look upon your neighbor, and wish that he were as yourself. Love him—and then you will not envy him.

Perhaps, on the other hand, you are rich—and near you reside the poor. Do not scorn to call them neighbor. Own that you are bound to love them. The world calls them your inferiors. In what are they inferior? They are far more your equals—than your inferiors, for "God has made of one blood all those who dwell upon the face of the earth." It is your coat which is better than theirs—but you are by no means better than they. They are men, and what are you more than that? Take heed that you love your neighbor even though he is in rags, or sunken in the depths of poverty.

But, perhaps, you say, "I cannot love my neighbors, because for all I do—they return ingratitude and contempt." So much the more room for the heroism of love. Would you be a feather-bed warrior, instead of bearing the rough fight of love? He who dares the most, shall win the most; and if your path of love is rough—tread it boldly, still loving your neighbors through thick and thin. Heap coals of fire on their heads, and if they are hard to please, seek not to please them—but to please your Master. Remember, that if they spurn your love, your Master has not spurned it, and your deed is as acceptable to Him as if it had been acceptable to them. Love your neighbor-for in so doing you are following the footsteps of Christ.

 

March 12 — Evening

"To whom do you belong?" — 1 Samuel 30:13

No neutralities can exist in Christ's religion. We are either ranked under the banner of Prince Immanuel, to serve and fight His battles—or we are vassals of the black prince, Satan. "To whom do you belong?"

Reader, let me assist you in your response. Have you been "born again"? If you have, you belong to Christ—but without the new birth, you cannot be His. In whom do you trust? For those who believe in Jesus, are the sons of God. Whose work are you doing? You are sure to serve your master, for he whom you serve is thereby owned to be your Lord. What company do you keep? If you belong to Jesus, you will fraternize with those who wear the livery of the cross. "Birds of a feather flock together." What is your conversation? Is it heavenly or is it earthly? What have you learned of your Master? — for servants learn much from their masters to whom they are apprenticed. If you have served your time with Jesus, it will be said of you, as it was of Peter and John, "They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." We press the question, "To whom do you belong?"

Answer honestly before you give sleep to your eyes. If you are not Christ's you are in a hard service — Run away from your cruel master! Enter into the service of the Lord of Love, and you shall enjoy a life of blessedness.

If you are Christ's let me advise you to do four things. You belong to Jesus — obey him; let his Word be your law; let His wish be your will. You belong to the Beloved, then love Him; let your heart embrace Him; let your whole soul be filled with Him. You belong to the Son of God, then trust him; rest nowhere but on him. You belong to the King of kings, then be decided for Him. Thus, without your being branded upon the brow—all will know to whom you belong.

 

March 13 — Morning

"Why sit we here until we die?" — 2 Kings 7:3

Dear reader, this little book was mainly intended for the edification of believers—but if you are yet unsaved, our heart yearns over you—and we would gladly say a word which may be blessed to you.

Open your Bible, and read the story of the lepers, and mark their position, which was much the same as yours. If you remain where you are—you must perish; if you go to Jesus—you can but die. "Nothing ventured—nothing won," is the old proverb, and in your case the venture is no great one. If you sit still in sullen despair, no one can pity you when your ruin comes; but if you die with mercy sought, if such a thing were possible, you would be the object of universal sympathy. None escape who refuse to look to Jesus; but you know that, at any rate, some are saved who believe in Him, for certain of your own acquaintances have received mercy—then why not you?

The Ninevites said, "Who can tell?" Act upon the same hope, and try the Lord's mercy. To perish is so awful, that if there were but a straw to catch at, the instinct of self-preservation should lead you to stretch out your hand.

We have thus been talking to you on your own unbelieving ground, we would now assure you, as from the Lord, that if you seek Him—He will be found by you. Jesus casts out none who come unto Him. You shall not perish—if you trust Him; on the contrary, you shall find treasure far richer than the poor lepers gathered in Syria's deserted camp! May the Holy Spirit embolden you to go at once, and you shall not believe in vain. When you are saved yourself, publish the good news to others. Tell the King's household first, and unite with them in fellowship; let the porter of the city, the minister, be informed of your discovery, and then proclaim the good news in every place. May the Lord save you before the sun goes down this day.

 

March 13 — Evening

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

Wearied out with her wanderings, the dove returns at length to the ark as her only resting place. How heavily she flies — she will drop — she will never reach the ark! But she struggles on. Noah has been looking out for his dove all day long, and is ready to receive her. She has just strength to reach the edge of the ark, she can hardly alight upon it, and is ready to drop, when Noah puts forth his hand and pulls her back to himself in the ark. Mark that: "pulled back to himself in the ark." She did not fly right in herself—but was too fearful, or too weary to do so. She flew as far as she could, and then he put forth his hand and pulled her in unto him. This act of mercy was shown to the wandering dove, and she was not chidden for her wanderings. Just as she was—she was pulled into the ark.

So you, seeking sinner, with all your sin, will be received. "Only return" — those are God's two gracious words — "only return." What! nothing else? No, "only return." She had no olive branch in her mouth this time—nothing at all but just herself and her wanderings; but it is "only return," and she does return, and Noah pulls her in. Fly, you wanderer; fly you fainting one, dove as you are, though you think yourself to be black as the raven with the mire of sin—fly back, back to the Savior. Every moment you wait—does but increase your misery; your attempts to plume yourself and make yourself fit for Jesus are all vanity. Come to Him—just as you are. "Return, O backsliding Israel." He does not say, "Return, O repenting Israel" (there is such an invitation doubtless)—but "you backsliding one," as a backslider with all your backslidings about you—Return, return, return! Jesus is waiting for you! He will stretch forth His hand and "pull you in" — in to Himself, your heart's true home!

 

March 14 — Morning

"Let him who thinks he stands—take heed lest he fall." — 1 Corinthians 10:12

It is a curious fact, that there is such a thing as being proud of grace. A man says, "I have great faith—I shall not fall; poor little faith may fall—but I never shall." "I have fervent love," says another, "I can stand, there is no danger of my going astray." He who boasts of grace—has little grace to boast of. Some who do, this imagine that their graces can keep them—not knowing that the stream must flow constantly from the fountain head, or else the brook will soon be dry. If a continuous stream of oil comes not to the lamp, though it burns brightly today—it will smoke tomorrow, and noxious will be its odor.

Take heed that you don't boast in your graces—but let all your glorying and confidence be in Christ and His strength, for only so can you be kept from falling. Be much more in prayer. Spend longer time in holy adoration. Read the Scriptures more earnestly and constantly. Watch your lives more carefully. Live nearer to God. Take the best examples for your pattern. Let your conversation be redolent of heaven. Let your hearts be perfumed with affection for men's souls. So live that men may take knowledge of you—that you have been with Jesus, and have learned of Him. And when that happy day shall come, when He whom you love shall say, "Come up higher!" may it be your happiness to hear Him say, "You have fought a good fight—you have finished your course—and henceforth there is laid up for you an unfading crown of righteousness!"

On, Christian, with care and caution! On, with holy fear and trembling! On, with faith and confidence in Jesus alone, and let your constant petition be, "Uphold me, according to Your Word!" He is able, and He alone, "To keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy!"

 

March 14 — Evening

"I will take heed to my ways." — Psalm 39:1

Fellow-pilgrim, do not say in your heart, "I will go here and there, and I shall not sin;" for you are never so out of danger of sinning, as to boast of security. The road is very miry, it will be hard to pick your path, so as not to soil your garments. This is a world of pitch; you will need to watch often, if in handling it you are to keep your hands clean. There is a robber at every turn of the road to rob you of your jewels! There is a temptation in every mercy! There is a snare in every joy! And if you ever reach heaven at last—it will be a miracle of divine grace, to be ascribed entirely to your Father's power. Be on your guard!

When a man carries gun-powder in his hand, he should be careful that he does not go near a candle; and you too must take care that you enter not into temptation. Even your common actions are sharp-edged tools—you must mind how you handle them. There is nothing in this world to foster a Christian's piety—but everything to destroy it. How anxious should you be to look up to God—that He may keep you! Your prayer should be, "Hold me up—and I shall be safe!" Having prayed, you must also watch; guarding every thought, word, and action, with holy jealousy.

Do not expose yourselves to evil unnecessarily; but if called to exposure, if you are bidden to go where the darts are flying, never venture forth without your shield; for if once the devil finds you without yours—he will rejoice that his hour of triumph is come, and will soon make you fall down wounded by his arrows! Though you cannot be slain—you may be wounded. "Be sober; be vigilant, danger may be in an hour when all seems securest to you." Therefore, take heed to your ways, and watch unto prayer. No man ever fell into sin through being too watchful. May the Holy Spirit guide us in all our ways—so shall they always please the Lord.

 

March 15 — Morning

"Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." — 2 Timothy 2:1

Christ has grace without measure in Himself—but He has not retained it for Himself. As the reservoir empties itself into the pipes—so has Christ emptied out His grace for His people. "We have all received grace after grace from His fullness." He seems only to have—in order to dispense to us. He stands like the fountain, always flowing—but only running in order to supply the empty pitchers and the thirsty lips which draw near unto it. Like a tree, He bears sweet fruit, not to hang on boughs—but to be gathered by those who need. Grace, whether its work is to pardon, to cleanse, to preserve, to strengthen, to enlighten, to quicken, or to restore—is ever to be had from Him freely and without price; nor is there one form of the work of grace which He has not bestowed upon His people. As the blood of the body, though flowing from the heart, belongs equally to every member—so the influences of grace—are the inheritance of every saint united to the Lamb. Herein there is a sweet communion between Christ and His Church, inasmuch as they both receive the same grace. Christ is the head upon which the oil is first poured; but the same oil runs to the very skirts of the garments, so that the lowest saint has the same unction of as that which fell upon the head.

This is true communion, when the sap of grace flows from the stem to the branch, and when it is perceived that the stem itself is sustained by the very nourishment which feeds the branch. As we day by day receive grace from Jesus, and more constantly recognize it as coming from Him, we shall behold Him in communion with us, and enjoy the felicity of communion with Him. Let us make daily use of our riches, and ever repair to Him as to our own Lord in covenant, taking from Him the supply of all we need—with as much boldness as men take money from their own purse!

 

March 15 — Evening

"He did it with all his heart and prospered." — 2 Chronicles 31:21

This is no unusual occurrence; it is the general rule of the moral universe—that those men prosper—who do their work with all their hearts; while those are almost certain to fail—who go to their labor leaving half their hearts behind them. God does not give harvests to idle men—except harvests of thistles; nor is He pleased to send wealth to those who will not dig in the field to find its hid treasure. It is universally confessed that if a man would prosper—he must be diligent in business.

It is the same in religion as it is in other things. If you would prosper in your work for Jesus—let it be heart work, and let it be done with all your heart. Put as much force, energy, heartiness, and earnestness into religion—as ever you do into business, for it deserves far more. The Holy Spirit helps our infirmities—but He does not encourage our idleness; He loves active believers. Who are the most useful men in the Christian church? The men who do what they undertake for God with all their hearts. Who are the most successful Sunday-school teachers? The most talented? No; the most zealous; the men whose hearts are on fire, those are the men who see their Lord riding forth prosperously in the majesty of His salvation.

Whole-heartedness shows itself in perseverance. There may be failure at first—but the earnest worker will say, "It is the Lord's work, and it must be done; my Lord has bidden me do it, and in His strength I will accomplish it." Christian, are you thus "with all your heart" serving your Master? Remember the earnestness of Jesus! Think what heart-work was His! He could say, "Zeal for Your house has consumed Me!" When He sweat great drops of blood, it was no light burden He had to carry upon those blessed shoulders; and when He poured out His heart, it was no weak effort He was making for the salvation of His people. Was Jesus in earnest—and are we lukewarm?

 

March 16 — Morning

"I am a stranger with you." — Psalm 39:12

Yes, O Lord, with You—but not to You. All my natural alienation from You—Your grace has effectually removed; and now, in fellowship with Yourself, I walk through this sinful world as a pilgrim in a foreign country. You are a stranger in Your own world. Man forgets You, dishonors You, sets up new laws and alien customs, and knows You not. When Your dear Son came unto His own, His own received Him not. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. Never was a foreigner so speckled a bird among the inhabitants of any land—as Your beloved Son among His mother's brethren. It is no marvel, then, if I who live the life of Jesus, should be unknown and a stranger here below. Lord, I would not be a citizen where Jesus was an alien. His pierced hand has loosened the cords which once bound my soul to earth—and now I find myself a stranger in the land. My speech seems to these Babylonians among whom I dwell—an outlandish tongue; my manners are singular; and my actions are strange. I could never be at home in the haunts of sinners.

But here is the sweetness of my lot—"I am a stranger with You." You are my fellow-sufferer, my fellow-pilgrim. Oh, what joy to wander in such blessed society! My heart burns within me by the way, when you speak to me, and though I am a sojourner, I am far more blessed than those who sit on thrones, and far more at home than those who dwell in their ivory palaces.

 

March 16 — Evening

"Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins." — Psalm 19:13

Such was the prayer of the "man after God's own heart." Did holy David need to pray thus? How needful, then, must such a prayer be for us babes in grace! It is as if he said, "Keep me back, or I shall rush headlong over the precipice of sin." Our evil nature, like an ill-tempered horse, is apt to run away. May the grace of God put the bridle upon it, and hold it in, that it rush not into mischief. What grievous sin might the best of us do—if it were not for the checks which the Lord sets upon us both in providence and in grace!

The psalmist's prayer is directed against the worst form of sin — that which is done with deliberation and wilfulness. Even the holiest people need to be "kept back" from the vilest transgressions. It is a solemn thing to find the apostle Paul warning saints against the most loathsome sins. "So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires, and greed, which is idolatry." Colossians 3:5. What! do saints need warning against such sins as these? Yes, they do! The whitest robes, unless their purity be preserved by divine grace, will be defiled by the blackest spots.

Experienced Christian, boast not in your experience; you will yet trip—if you look away from Him who is able to keep you from falling. You whose love is fervent, whose faith is constant, whose hopes are bright, say not, "We shall never fall!" but rather cry, "Lead us not into temptation." There is enough tinder in the heart of the best of men—to light a fire that shall burn to the lowest hell—unless God shall quench the sparks as they fall. Who would have dreamed that righteous Lot could be found drunken, and committing immorality? Hazael said, "Is your servant a dog—that he should do this thing?" and we are very apt to use the same self-righteous question. May infinite wisdom cure us of the madness of self-confidence!

 

March 17 — Morning

"Remember the poor." — Galatians 2:10

Why does God allow so many of His children to be poor? He could make them all rich if He pleased; He could lay bags of gold at their doors; He could send them a large annual income; or He could scatter round their houses abundance of provisions, as once he made the quail lie in heaps round the camp of Israel, and rained bread out of heaven to feed them. There is no necessity that they should be poor—except that He sees it to be best. "The cattle upon a thousand hills are His" — He could supply them; He could make the richest, the greatest, and the mightiest bring all their power and riches to the feet of His children, for the hearts of all men are in His control. But He does not choose to do so; He allows them to suffer need, He allows them to pine in poverty and obscurity.

Why is this? There are many reasons. One is, to give us, who are favored with enough, an opportunity of showing our love to Jesus. We show our love to Christ when we sing of Him and when we pray to Him; but if there were no poor ones in the world—we would lose the sweet privilege of evidencing our love, by ministering in alms-giving to His poorer brethren. He has ordained that thus we should prove that our love stands not in word only—but in deed and in truth. If we truly love Christ—we shall care for those who are loved by Him. Those who are dear to Him—will be dear to us. Let us then look upon it—not as a duty but as a privilege—to relieve the poor of the Lord's flock. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, "Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me." Surely this assurance is sweet enough, and this motive strong enough to lead us to help others with a willing hand and a loving heart — recollecting that all we do for His people is graciously accepted by Christ as done to Himself!

 

March 17 — Evening

"Blessed are the peacemakers—for they shall be called the children of God." — Matthew 5:9

This is the seventh of the beatitudes: and seven was the number of perfection among the Hebrews. It may be, that the Savior placed the peacemaker the seventh upon the list because the peacemaker most nearly approaches the perfect man in Christ Jesus. He who would have perfect blessedness, so far as it can be enjoyed on earth, must attain to this seventh benediction, and become a peacemaker.

There is a significance also in the position of the text. The verse which precedes it, speaks of the blessedness of "the pure in heart—for they shall see God." It is well to understand that we are to be "first pure—then peaceable." Our peaceableness is never to be a compact with sin, or toleration of evil. We must set our faces like flints against everything which is contrary to God and His holiness. Purity being in our souls a settled matter, we can go on to peaceableness.

Not less does the verse that follows, seem to have been put there on purpose. However peaceable we may be in this world—yet we shall be misrepresented and misunderstood. And no marvel, for even the Prince of Peace, by His very peacefulness, brought fire upon the earth. He Himself, though He loved mankind, and did no evil, was "despised and rejected by men—a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." Lest, therefore, the peaceable in heart should be surprised when they meet with enemies, it is added in the following verse, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake—for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Thus, the peacemakers are not only pronounced to be blessed—but they are compassed about with blessings. Lord, give us grace to climb to this seventh beatitude! Purify our minds that we may be "first pure, then peaceable," and fortify our souls, that our peaceableness may not lead us into cowardice and despair, when for Your sake we are persecuted.

 

March 18 — Morning

"You are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." — Galatians 3:26

The fatherhood of God is common to all his children. Ah! Little-faith, you have often said, "Oh that I had the courage of Great-heart, that I could wield his sword and be as valiant as he! But, alas, I stumble at every straw, and a shadow makes me afraid." Don't you know, Little-faith. Great-heart is God's child, and you are God's child too; and Great-heart is not one whit more God's child than you are. Peter and Paul, the highly-favored apostles, were of the family of the Most High; and so are you also. The weak Christian is as much a child of God—as the strong one.

All the names are in the same family register. One may have more grace than another—but God our heavenly Father has the same tender heart towards all. One may do more mighty works, and may bring more glory to his Father—but he whose name is the least in the kingdom of heaven—is as much the child of God as he who stands among the King's mighty men. Let this cheer and comfort us, when we draw near to God and say, "Our Father."

Yet, while we are comforted by knowing this, let us not rest contented with weak faith—but ask, like the Apostles, to have it increased. However feeble our faith may be, if it is real faith in Christ—we shall reach heaven at last—but we shall not honor our Master much on our pilgrimage, neither shall we abound in joy and peace. If then you would live to Christ's glory, and be happy in His service—seek to be filled with the spirit of adoption more and more completely, until perfect love shall cast out fear.

 

March 18 — Evening

"As the Father has loved Me—so have I loved you." — John 15:9

As the Father loves the Son, in the same manner Jesus loves His people. What is that divine method?

He loved Him without beginning, and thus Jesus loves His members. "I have loved you with an everlasting love." You can trace the beginning of human affection; you can easily find the beginning of your love to Christ—but His love to us is a stream whose source is hidden in eternity. God the Father loves Jesus without any change. Christian, take this for your comfort, that there is no change in Jesus Christ's love—to those who rest in Him. Yesterday you were on Tabor's top, and you said, "He loves me!" Today you are in the valley of humiliation—but He loves you still the same. On the hill Mizar, and among the Hermons, you heard His voice, which spoke so sweetly with the notes of love; and now on the sea, or even in the sea, when all His waves and billows go over you, His heart is faithful to His ancient choice.

The Father loves the Son without any end, and thus does the Son love His people. Saint, you need not fear the loosing of the silver cord, for His love for you will never cease. Rest confident that even down to the grave—Christ will go with you; and that up again from it—He will be your guide to the celestial hills.

Moreover, the Father loves the Son without any measure, and the same immeasurable love the Son bestows upon His chosen ones. The whole heart of Christ is dedicated to His people. He "loved us—and gave Himself for us." His is a love which passes knowledge. Ah! we have indeed an immutable Savior, a precious Savior, one who loves without measure, without change, without beginning, and without end—even as the Father loves Him! There is much food here for those who know how to digest it. May the Holy Spirit lead us into its marrow and fatness!

 

March 19 — Morning

"Strong in faith." — Romans 4:20

Christian, take good care of your faith—for faith is the only way whereby you can obtain blessings. If we want blessings from God, nothing can fetch them down but faith. Prayer cannot draw down answers, from God's throne except it be the earnest prayer of the man who believes. Faith is the angelic messenger between the soul—and the Lord Jesus in glory. Let that angel be withdrawn, and we can neither send up prayer, nor receive the answers. Faith is the telegraph wire which links earth and heaven — on which God's messages of love fly so fast, that before we call—He answers, and while we are yet speaking—He hears us. But if that telegraph wire of faith is snapped—how can we receive the promise?

Am I in trouble? — I can obtain help for trouble by faith. Am I beaten about by the enemy? — my soul on her dear Refuge leans by faith. But take faith away — in vain I call to God. There is no road between my soul and heaven—but faith. In the deepest wintertime, faith is the road on which the horses of prayer may travel — ay, and all the better for the biting frost; but blockade the road, and how can we communicate with the Great King? Faith links me with divinity. Faith clothes me with the power of God. Faith engages the omnipotence of Jehovah on my side. Faith insures every attribute of God in my defense. It helps me to defy the hosts of hell. It makes me march triumphant over the necks of my enemies. But without faith—how can I receive anything of the Lord? Let not him who wavers — who is like a wave of the sea — expect that he will receive anything from God! O, then, Christian, watch well your faith; for with it you can win all things, however poor you are—but without it you can obtain nothing. "If you can believe—all things are possible to him who believes."

 

March 19 — Evening

"She ate and was satisfied and had some left over." — Ruth 2:14

Whenever we are privileged to eat of the bread which Jesus gives, we are, like Ruth, satisfied with the full and sweet meal. When Jesus is the host—no guest goes empty from the table. Our head is satisfied with the precious truth which Christ reveals; our heart is content with Jesus, as the altogether lovely object of affection; our hope is satisfied, for whom have we in heaven but Jesus? and our desire is satiated, for what can we wish for more than "to know Christ and to be found in Him"? Jesus fills our conscience until it is at perfect peace; our judgment with persuasion of the certainty of His teachings; our memory with recollections of what He has done, and our imagination with the prospects of what He is yet to do.

As Ruth was "was satisfied and had some left over" so is it with us. We have had deep draughts; we have thought that we could take in all of Christ; but when we have done our best—we have had to leave a vast remainder. We have sat at the table of the Lord's love, and said, "Nothing but the infinite can ever satisfy me! I am such a great sinner—that I must have infinite merit to wash my sin away!" but we have had our sin removed, and found that there was merit to spare; we have had our hunger relieved at the feast of sacred love, and found that there was a redundance of spiritual food remaining.

There are certain sweet things in the Word of God which we have not enjoyed yet, and which we are obliged to leave for awhile; for we are like the disciples to whom Jesus said, "I have yet many things to say unto you—but you cannot bear them now." Yes, there are graces to which we have not attained; places of fellowship nearer to Christ which we have not reached; and heights of communion which our feet have not climbed. At every banquet of love there are many baskets of fragments left. Let us magnify the liberality of our glorious Boaz!

 

March 20 — Morning

"My beloved." — Song of Solomon 2:8

This was a golden name which the ancient Church in her most joyous moments was accustomed to give to the Anointed of the Lord. When the time of the singing of birds was come, and the voice of the turtle-dove was heard in her land, her love-note was sweeter than either, as she sang, "My beloved is mine—and I am His!" Ever in her song of songs, does she call Him by that delightful name, "My beloved!" Even in the long winter, when idolatry had withered the garden of the Lord, her prophets found space to lay aside their burden for a little season, and to say, as Elijah did, "Now will I sing to my well-beloved, a song of my beloved." Though the saints had never seen His face, though as yet He was not made flesh, nor had dwelt among us, nor had man beheld His glory—yet He was the consolation of Israel, the hope and joy of all the chosen, the "beloved" of all those who were upright before the Most High God.

We, in the summer days of the Church, are also accustomed to speak of Christ as the best beloved of our soul, and to feel that He is very precious, the "chief among ten thousand, and the altogether lovely one." So true is it, that the Church loves Jesus, and claims Him as her beloved, that the apostle dares to defy the whole universe to separate her from the love of Christ, and declares that neither persecutions, distress, affliction, peril, or the sword have been able to do it! Nay, he joyously boasts, "In all these things—we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us!"

O that we knew more of You, O ever precious one! My sole possession is Your love! In earth beneath, or heaven above—I have no other treasure! I ask for nothing more.

 

March 20 — Evening

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church." — Ephesians 5:25

What a golden example Christ gives to His disciples! Few masters could venture to say, "If you would practice my teaching, imitate my life." But as the life of Jesus is the exact transcript of perfect virtue, He can point to Himself as the paragon of holiness, as well as the teacher of it. The Christian should take nothing short of Christ for his model. Under no circumstances ought we to be content unless we reflect the grace which was in Him.

As a husband, the Christian is to look upon the portrait of Jesus—and he is to paint according to that copy. The true Christian is to be such a husband—as Christ was to His church.

The love of a husband is a special love. The Lord Jesus cherishes for the church a peculiar affection, which is set upon her above the rest of mankind: "I pray for them—I do not pray not for the world." The elect church is the favorite of heaven, the treasure of Christ, the crown of His head, the bracelet of His arm, the breastplate of His heart, the very center and core of His love!

A husband should love his wife with a constant love, for thus Jesus loves His church. He does not vary in His affection. He may change in His display of affection—but the affection itself is still the same.

A husband should love his wife with an enduring love, for nothing "shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

A true husband loves his wife with a hearty love, fervent and intense. It is not mere lip-service. Ah! beloved, what more could Christ have done in proof of His love—than what He has done? Jesus has a delighted love towards His spouse—He prizes her affection, and delights in her with sweet satisfaction. Believer, you wonder at Jesus' love; you admire it — are you imitating it? In your domestic relationships, is the rule and measure of your love — "even as Christ loved the church"?

 

March 21 — Morning

"You will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone." — John 16:32

Few had fellowship with the sorrows of Gethsemane. The majority of the disciples were not sufficiently advanced in grace to be admitted to behold the mysteries of "the agony." Occupied with the Passover feast at their own houses, they represent the many who live upon the letter—but are mere babes as to the spirit of the gospel. To twelve, nay, to eleven only, was the privilege given to enter Gethsemane and see "this great sight." Out of the eleven, eight were left at a distance; they had fellowship—but not of that intimate sort, to which men greatly beloved are admitted. Only three highly favored ones could approach the veil of our Lord's mysterious sorrow—within that veil even these must not intrude; a stone's-cast distance must be left between. He must tread the wine-press alone, and of the people there must be none with Him.

Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, represent the few eminent, experienced saints, who may be written down as "Fathers." These having done business on great waters, can in some degree measure the huge Atlantic waves of their Redeemer's passion. To some selected spirits it is given, for the good of others, and to strengthen them for future, special, and tremendous conflict—to enter the inner circle and hear the pleadings of the suffering High Priest; they have fellowship with Him in his sufferings, and are made conformable unto His death. Yet even these cannot penetrate the secret places of the Savior's woe. "Your unknown sufferings" is the remarkable expression of the liturgy. There was an inner chamber in our Master's grief, shut out from human knowledge and fellowship. There Jesus is "left all alone." Here Jesus was more than ever an "Unspeakable gift!" Is not Watts right when he sings —

"And all the unknown joys he gives,
 Were bought with agonies unknown."

 

March 21 — Evening

"Can you bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?" — Job 38:31

If inclined to boast of our abilities, the grandeur of nature may soon show us how puny we are. We cannot move the least of all the twinkling stars, or quench so much as one of the beams of the morning. We speak of power—but the heavens laugh us to scorn. When the Pleiades shine forth in spring with joy—we cannot restrain their influences; and when Orion reigns aloft, and the year is bound in winter's fetters, we cannot relax the icy bands. The seasons revolve according to the divine appointment, neither can the whole race of men effect a change therein. Lord, what is man!

In the spiritual, as in the natural world, man's power is limited on all hands. When the Holy Spirit sheds abroad His delights in the soul—none can disturb; all the cunning and malice of men are ineffectual to stay the genial quickening power of the Comforter. When He deigns to visit a church and revive it—the most inveterate enemies cannot resist the good work; they may ridicule it—but they can no more restrain it than they can push back the spring when the Pleiades rule the hour. God wills it—and so it must be.

On the other hand, if the Lord in sovereignty, or in justice—binds up a man so that he is in soul bondage, who can give him liberty? God alone can remove the winter of spiritual death from an individual, or a people. He looses the bands of Orion—and none but He. What a blessing it is that He can do it. O that He would perform the wonder tonight.

Lord, end my winter, and let my spring begin. I cannot with all my longings raise my soul out of her death and dullness—but all things are possible with You. I need celestial influences, the clear shinings of Your love, the beams of Your grace, the light of Your countenance, these are the Pleiades to me. I suffer much from sin and temptation, these are my wintry signs, my terrible Orion. Lord, work wonders in me, and for me! Amen.

 

March 22 — Morning

"And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed." — Matthew 26:39

There are several instructive features in our Savior's prayer in His hour of trial.

It was lonely prayer. He withdrew even from His three favored disciples. Believer, be much in solitary prayer, especially in times of trial. Family prayer, social prayer, prayer in the Church, will not suffice. These are very precious—but the best beaten spice will smoke in your censer in your private devotions, where no ear hears—but God's.

It was humble prayer. Luke says He knelt—but another evangelist says He "fell on His face." Where, then, must be YOUR place, O humble servant of the great Master? What dust and ashes should cover your head! Humility gives us good foot-hold in prayer. There is no hope of prevalence with God—unless we abase ourselves that He may exalt us in due time.

It was filial prayer. "Abba, Father." You will find it a stronghold in the day of trial to plead your adoption. You have no rights as a subject, you have forfeited them by your treason; but nothing can forfeit a child's right to a father's protection. Be not afraid to say, "My Father—hear my cry!"

Observe that it was persevering prayer. He prayed three times. Cease not—until you prevail. Be as the importunate widow, whose continual coming earned what her first supplication could not win. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.

Lastly, it was the prayer of resignation. "Nevertheless, not as I will—but as you will." Yield, and God yields. Let it be as God wills—and God will determine for the best. Be content to leave your prayer in his hands, who knows when to give, and how to give, and what to give, and what to withhold. So pleading, earnestly, importunately—yet with humility and resignation, you shall surely prevail.

 

March 22 — Evening

"Father, I will that they also, whom You have given Me—be with Me where I am." — John 17:24

O death! why do you touch the tree beneath whose spreading branches, weariness has rest? Why do you snatch away the excellent of the earth, in whom is all our delight? If you must use your axe, use it upon the trees which yield no fruit—you might be thanked then. But why will you strike down the goodly cedars of Lebanon? O stay your axe—and spare the righteous.

But no, it must not be! Death smites the goodliest of our friends; the most generous, the most prayerful, the most holy, the most devoted—must die. And why? It is through Jesus' prevailing prayer — "Father, I will that they also, whom You have given Me—be with Me where I am." It is that which bears them on eagle's wings to heaven. Every time a believer mounts from this earth to paradise—it is an answer to Christ's prayer. A good old divine remarks, "Many times Jesus and His people pull against one another in prayer. You bend your knee in prayer and say 'Father, I will that Your saints be with me where I am'; Christ says, 'Father, I will that they also, whom You have given Me—be with Me where I am.'" Thus the disciple is at cross-purposes with his Lord. The soul cannot be in both places: the beloved one cannot be with Christ and with you too. Now, which pleader shall win the day? If you had your choice; if the King should step from His throne, and say, "Here are two supplicants praying in opposition to one another, which shall be answered?" Oh! I am sure, though it were agony, you would start from your feet, and say, "Jesus, not my will—but Yours be done." You would give up your prayer for your loved one's life, if you could realize the thoughts that Christ is praying in the opposite direction — "Father, I will that they also, whom You have given Me—be with Me where I am." Lord, You shall have them. By faith we let them go.

 

March 23 — Morning

"His sweat was as it were—great drops of blood falling down to the ground." — Luke 22:44

The mental pressure arising from our Lord's struggle with temptation, so forced his frame to an unnatural excitement, that his pores sent forth great drops of blood which fell down to the ground. This proves how tremendous must have been the weight of sin when it was able to crush the Savior, so that he distilled great drops of blood!

This demonstrates the mighty power of his love. It is a very pretty observation of old Isaac Ambrose that the gum which exudes from the tree without cutting is always the best. This precious camphire-tree yielded most sweet spices when it was wounded under the knotty whips, and when it was pierced by the nails on the cross; but see, it gives forth its best spice when there is no whip, no nail, no wound.

This sets forth the voluntariness of Christ's sufferings, since without a lance, the blood flowed freely. No need to put on the leech, or apply the knife; it flows spontaneously. No need for the rulers to cry, "Spring up, O well;" of itself it flows in crimson torrents. If men suffer great pain of mind, apparently the blood rushes to the heart. The cheeks are pale; a fainting fit comes on; the blood has gone inward as if to nourish the inner man while passing through its trial. But see our Savior in His agony; He is so utterly oblivious of self, that instead of his agony driving His blood to the heart to nourish himself, it drives it outward to bedew the earth.

The agony of Christ, inasmuch as it pours him out upon the ground, pictures the fullness of the offering which he made for men. Do we not perceive how intense must have been the wrestling through which he passed, and will we not hear its voice to us? "You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin." Behold the great Apostle and High Priest of our profession, who sweat even to blood rather than yield to the great tempter of your souls!

 

March 23 — Evening

"I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out!" — Luke 19:40

But could the stones cry out? Assuredly they could—if He who opens the mouth of the dumb, should bid them lift up their voice. Certainly if they were to speak, they would have much to testify in praise of Him who created them by the Word of His power; they would extol the wisdom and power of their Maker who called them into being. Shall not we speak well of Him who made us anew, and out of stones raised up children unto Abraham?

The old rocks could tell of chaos and order, and the handiwork of God in successive stages of creation's drama; and cannot we talk of God's decrees, of God's great work in ancient times, in all that He did for His church in the days of old? If the stones were to speak, they could tell of their breaker, how he took them from the quarry, and made them fit for the temple; and cannot we tell of our glorious Breaker, who broke our hearts with the hammer of His Word, that He might build us into His temple? If the stones should cry out they would magnify their builder, who polished them and fashioned them after the similitude of a palace; and shall not we talk of our Architect and Builder, who has put us in our place in the temple of the living God? If the stones could cry out, they might have a long, long story to tell by way of memorial, for many a time has a great stone been rolled as a memorial before the Lord; and we too can testify of Ebenezers, stones of help, pillars of remembrance.

The broken stones of the law cry out against us—but Christ Himself, who has rolled away the stone from the door of the sepulcher, speaks for us. Stones might well cry out—but we will not let them! We will hush their noise with ours; we will break forth into sacred song, and bless the majesty of the Most High God, all our days glorifying Him who is called by Jacob the Shepherd and Stone of Israel.

 

March 24 — Morning

"He was heard in that he feared." — Hebrews 5:7

Did this fear arise from the infernal suggestion that He was utterly forsaken. There may be sterner trials than this—but surely it is one of the worst to be utterly forsaken? "See," said Satan, "you have a friend nowhere! Your Father has shut up the affections of His compassion against you. Not an angel in His courts will stretch out his hand to help you. All heaven is alienated from You; You are left alone. See the companions with whom You have taken sweet counsel, what are they worth? Son of Mary, see there Your brother James, see there Your beloved disciple John, and Your bold apostle Peter—how the cowards sleep—when You are in Your sufferings! Lo! You have no friend left in heaven or earth. All hell is against You. I have stirred up my infernal den. I have sent my missives throughout all regions summoning every prince of darkness to set upon You this night, and we will spare no arrows, we will use all our infernal might to overwhelm You! And what will You do, You solitary one?"

It may be, this was the temptation; we think it was, because the appearance of an angel unto Him strengthening Him removed that fear. He was heard in that He feared; He was no more alone—but heaven was with Him. It may be that this is the reason of His coming three times to His disciples — as Joseph Hart puts it — "Backwards and forwards thrice He ran—as if He sought some help from man." He would see for Himself whether it were really true that all men had forsaken Him; He found them all asleep; but perhaps He gained some faint comfort from the thought that they were sleeping, not from treachery—but from sorrow, the spirit indeed was willing—but the flesh was weak. At any rate, He was heard in that He feared. Jesus was heard in His deepest woe; my soul—you shall be heard also.

 

March 24 — Evening

"In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit." — Luke 10:21

The Savior was "a man of sorrows," but every thoughtful mind has discovered the fact that down deep in His innermost soul—He carried an inexhaustible treasury of pure and heavenly joy. Of all the human race, there was never a man who had a deeper, purer, or more abiding peace—than our Lord Jesus Christ. "He was anointed with the oil of gladness above His fellows." His vast benevolence must, from the very nature of things, have afforded Him the deepest possible delight—for benevolence is joy.

There were a few remarkable seasons when this joy manifested itself. "At that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth." Christ had His songs, though it was night with Him; though His face was marred, and His countenance had lost the luster of earthly happiness—yet sometimes it was lit up with a matchless splendor of unparalleled satisfaction, as He thought upon the recompense of the reward, and in the midst of the congregation sang His praise unto God. In this, the Lord Jesus is a blessed picture of His church on earth. At this hour the church expects to walk in sympathy with her Lord along a thorny road; through much tribulation she is forcing her way to the crown. To bear the cross is her office, and to be scorned and counted an alien by her mother's children—is her lot; and yet the church has a deep well of joy, of which none can drink—but her own children. There are stores of wine, and oil, and corn, hidden in the midst of our Jerusalem, upon which the saints of God are evermore sustained and nurtured; and sometimes, as in our Savior's case, we have our seasons of intense delight, for "There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of our God." Exiles though we are, we rejoice in our King! Yes, in Him we exceedingly rejoice, while in His name we set up our banners.

 

March 25 — Morning

"Betray you the Son of Man with a kiss?" — Luke 22:48

"The kisses of an enemy are deceitful." Proverbs 27:5. Let me be on my guard when the world puts on a loving face, for it will, if possible, betray me as it did my Master, with a kiss! Whenever a man is about to stab true religion, he usually professes very great reverence for it. Let me beware of the sleek-faced hypocrisy which is armor-bearer to heresy and infidelity. Knowing the deceivableness of unrighteousness, let me be wise as a serpent to detect and avoid the designs of the enemy.

The young man in the book of Proverbs, void of understanding, was led astray by the kiss of the immoral woman. May my soul be so graciously instructed all this day, that "the much fair speech" of the world may have no effect upon me. Holy Spirit, let me not, a poor frail son of man, be betrayed with a kiss!

But what if I should be guilty of the same accursed sin as Judas, that son of perdition? I have been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus; I am a member of His visible Church; I sit at the communion table—all these are so many kisses of my lips. Am I sincere in them? If not, I am a base traitor. Do I live in the world as carelessly as others do, and yet make a profession of being a follower of Jesus? Then I must expose religion to ridicule, and lead men to speak evil of the holy name by which I am called. Surely if I act thus inconsistently, I am a Judas, and it were better for me that I had never been born! Dare I hope that I am clear in this matter? Then, O Lord, keep me so. O Lord, make me sincere and true. Preserve me from every false way. Never let me betray my Savior. I do love You, Jesus, and though I often grieve You—yet I would desire to abide faithful even unto death. O God, forbid that I should be a high-soaring professor, and then fall at last into the lake of fire, because I betrayed my Master with a kiss.

 

March 25 — Evening

"The Son of man." — John 3:13

How constantly our Master used the title, the "Son of man!" If He had chosen, He might always have spoken of Himself as the Son of God, the Everlasting Father, the Wonderful, the Counselor, the Prince of Peace; but behold the lowliness of Jesus! He prefers to call Himself the Son of man. Let us learn a lesson of humility from our Savior; let us never court great titles nor proud degrees.

There is here, however, a far sweeter thought. Jesus loved manhood so much, that He delighted to honor it; and since it is a high honor, and indeed, the greatest dignity of manhood, that Jesus is the Son of man, He is accustomed to display this name, that He may as it were hang royal stars upon the breast of manhood, and show forth the love of God to Abraham's seed. Son of man — whenever He said that word, He shed a halo round the head of Adam's children.

Yet there is perhaps a more precious thought still. Jesus Christ called Himself the Son of man to express His oneness and sympathy with His people. He thus reminds us that He is the one whom we may approach without fear. As a man, we may take to Him all our griefs and troubles, for He knows them by experience; in that He Himself has suffered as the "Son of man," He is able to succor and comfort us.

All hail, O blessed Jesus! inasmuch as You are evermore using the sweet name which acknowledges that You are a brother and a near kinsman, it is to us a dear token of Your grace, Your humility, Your love!

 

March 26 — Morning

"Jesus said unto them—If you seek Me, let these go their way." — John 18:8

Mark, my soul, the care which Jesus manifested even in His hour of trial, towards the sheep of His hand! His love for His people is as strong in death. He resigns Himself to the enemy—but He interposes a word of power to set His disciples free. As to Himself, like a sheep before her shearers He is silent, and opened not His mouth. But for His disciples' sake—He speaks with Almighty energy. Herein is love—constant, self-forgetting, faithful love!

But is there not far more here than is to be found upon the surface? Have we not the very soul and spirit of the atonement in these words? The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep—and pleads that they must therefore go free. The Surety is bound, and justice demands that those for whom He stands a substitute, should go their way. In the midst of Egypt's bondage, that voice rings as a word of power, "Let these go their way!" Out of slavery of sin and Satan—the redeemed must come. In every cell of the dungeons of Despair, the sound is echoed, "Let these go their way!" and forth come Despondency and Much-afraid. Satan hears the well-known voice, and lifts his foot from the neck of the fallen; and Death hears it, and the grave opens her gates to let the dead arise.

Their way is one of progress, holiness, triumph, glory, and none shall dare to keep them in it. No lion shall be on their way, neither shall any ravenous beast go up thereon. "The deer of the morning" has drawn the cruel hunters upon Himself—and now the most timid roes and hinds of the field may graze at perfect peace among the lilies of his love. The thunder-cloud has burst over the Cross of Calvary—and the pilgrims of Zion shall never be smitten by the bolts of vengeance! Come, my heart, rejoice in the immunity which your Redeemer has secured you—and bless His name all the day, and every day!

 

March 26 — Evening

"When He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." — Mark 8:38

If we have been partakers with Jesus in His shame—we shall be sharers with Him in the luster which shall surround Him when He appears again in glory! Are you, beloved, one with Christ Jesus? Does a vital union knit you to Him? Then you are today with Him in His shame; you have taken up His cross, and gone with Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach; you shall doubtless be with Him when the cross is exchanged for the crown.

But judge yourself this evening; for if you are not with Him in regeneration, neither shall you be with Him when He shall come in His glory. If you start back from the black side of communion, you shall not understand its bright, its happy period, when the King shall come, and all His holy angels with Him. Come, my soul, if you are indeed His own beloved—you cannot be far from Him. If His friends and His neighbors are called together to see His glory, what of you are married to Him? Shall you be distant? Though it be a day of judgment—yet you cannot be far from that heart which, having admitted angels into intimacy, has admitted you into marriage union. Has He not said to you, O my soul, "I will betroth you unto Me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving-kindness"? Have not His own lips said it, "I am married unto you, and My delight is in you"? If the angels, who are but friends and neighbors, shall be with Him, it is abundantly certain that His own beloved Hephzibah, in whom is all His delight, shall be near to Him, and sit at His right hand. Here is a morning star of hope for you, of such exceeding brilliance, that it may well light up the darkest and most desolate experience!

 

March 27 — Morning

"Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled!" — Matthew 26:56

He never deserted them—but they in cowardly fear of their lives, fled from Him in the very beginning of His sufferings. This is but one instructive instance of the frailty of all believers—if left to themselves. They are but sheep at the best—and they flee when the wolf comes. They had all been warned of the danger, and had promised to die rather than leave their Master; and yet they were seized with sudden panic, and took to their heels.

It may be, that I, at the opening of this day, have braced up my mind to bear a trial for the Lord's sake, and I imagine myself to be certain to exhibit perfect fidelity; but let me be very jealous of myself, lest having the same evil heart of unbelief—I should depart from my Lord as the apostles did. It is one thing to promise, and quite another to perform. It would have been to their eternal honor to have stood at Jesus' side right manfully; they fled from honor; may I be kept from imitating them!

Where else could they have been so safe as near their Master, who could presently call for twelve legions of angels? They fled from their true safety. O God, let me not play the fool also. Divine grace can make the coward brave. The smoking flax can flame forth like fire on the altar when the Lord wills it. These very apostles who were timid as hares, grew to be bold as lions after the Spirit had descended upon them; and even so—the Holy Spirit can make my cringing spirit brave to confess my Lord, and witness for His truth.

What anguish must have filled the Savior as He saw His friends so faithless! This was one bitter ingredient in His cup; but that cup is drained dry; let me not put another drop in it. If I forsake my Lord, I shall crucify Him afresh, and put Him to an open shame. Keep me, O blessed Spirit, from an end so shameful.

 

March 27 — Evening

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

This woman gained comfort in her misery—by thinking great thoughts of Christ. The Master had talked about the children's bread. "Now," argued she, "since You are the Master of the table of grace, I know that You are a generous housekeeper, and there is sure to be abundance of bread on Your table; there will be such an abundance for the children—that there will be crumbs to throw on the floor for the dogs, and the children will fare none the worse because the dogs are fed." She thought Him one who kept so good a table—that all that she needed would only be a crumb in comparison. Yet remember, what she wanted was to have the devil cast out of her daughter. It was a very great thing to her—but she had such a high esteem of Christ, that she said, "It is nothing to Him—it is but a crumb for Christ to give!"

This is the royal road to comfort. Great thoughts of your sin alone—will drive you to despair; but great thoughts of Christ—will pilot you into the haven of peace. "My sins are many—but oh! it is nothing to Jesus to take them all away. The weight of my guilt presses me down as a giant's foot would crush a worm—but it is no more than a grain of dust to Him, because He has already borne its curse on the cruel tree. It will be but a small thing for Him to give me full remission, although it will be an infinite blessing for me to receive it."

The woman opens her soul's mouth very wide, expecting great things of Jesus—and He fills it with His love.

Dear reader, do the same. She confessed what Christ laid at her door—but she laid fast hold upon Him, and drew arguments even out of His hard words; she believed great things of Him, and she thus overcame Him. She won the victory by believing in Him! Her case is an instance of prevailing faith; and if we would conquer like her—we must imitate her tactics.

 

March 28 — Morning

"The love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge." — Ephesians 3:19

The love of Christ in its sweetness, its fullness, its greatness, its faithfulness, surpasses all human comprehension. Where shall language be found—which shall describe His matchless, His unparalleled love towards His people? It is so vast and boundless that, as the swallow but skims the water, and dives not into its depths—so all descriptive words but touch the surface, while immeasurable depths lie beneath. Well might the poet say, "O love—you fathomless abyss!" for this love of Christ is indeed measureless and fathomless; none can attain unto it!

Before we can have any right idea of the love of Jesus, we must understand His previous glory in its height of majesty, and His humiliation upon the earth in all its depths of shame. But who can fathom the majesty of Christ? When He was enthroned in the highest heavens—He was very God of very God; by Him were the heavens made, and all the hosts thereof. His own almighty arm upheld the spheres; the praises of cherubim and seraphim perpetually surrounded Him; the full chorus of the hallelujahs of the universe unceasingly flowed to the foot of his throne; He reigned supreme above all His creatures, as God over all, blessed forever. Who can fathom His height of glory then?

And who, on the other hand, can fathom how low He descended? To be a man was something, to be a man of sorrows was far more; to bleed, and die, and suffer, these were much for Him who was the Son of God; but to suffer such unparalleled agony — to endure a death of shame and desertion by His Father—this is a depth of condescending love which the most inspired mind must utterly fail to penetrate! Herein is love! and truly it is love that "surpasses knowledge." O let this love fill our hearts with adoring gratitude, and lead us to practical manifestations of its power.

 

March 28 — Evening

"I will accept you with your sweet savor." — Ezekiel 20:41

The merits of our great Redeemer are as sweet savor to the Most High. Whether we speak of the active or passive righteousness of Christ, there is an equal fragrance. There was a sweet savor in His active life by which He honored the law of God, and made every precept to glitter like a precious jewel in the pure setting of His own person.

Such, too, was His passive obedience, when He endured with unmurmuring submission, hunger and thirst, cold and nakedness, sweat great drops of blood in Gethsemane, gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to those who plucked out the hair, and was fastened to the cruel wood—that He might suffer the wrath of God in our behalf.

These two things are sweet before the Most High; and for the sake of His doing and His dying, His substitutionary sufferings and His vicarious obedience—the Lord our God accepts us. What a preciousness must there be in Him to overcome our want of preciousness! What a sweet savor—to put away our ill savor! What a cleansing power in His blood—to take away sin such as ours! and what glory in His righteousness—to make such unacceptable creatures to be accepted in the Beloved!

Mark, believer, how sure and unchanging must be our acceptance, since it is in Him! Take care that you never doubt your acceptance in Jesus. You cannot be accepted without Christ; but, when you have received His merit, you cannot be unaccepted. Notwithstanding all your doubts, and fears, and sins, Jehovah's gracious eye never looks upon you in anger; though He sees sin in you, in yourself—yet when He looks at you through Christ, He sees no sin. You are always accepted in Christ—and always blessed and dear to the Father's heart. Therefore lift up a song, and as you see the smoking incense of the merit of the Savior coming up, this evening, before the sapphire throne, let the incense of your praise go up also! "He has made us accepted in the beloved!" Ephesians 1:6

 

March 29 — Morning

"Though He was a Son—yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered." — Hebrews 5:8

We are told that the Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering, therefore we who are sinful, and who are far from being perfect—must not wonder if we are called to pass through suffering too. Shall the Head be crowned with thorns—and shall the other members of the body be rocked upon the dainty lap of ease? Must Christ pass through seas of His own blood to win the crown—and are we to walk to heaven dry-shod in silver slippers? No, our Master's experience teaches us that suffering is necessary, and the true-born child of God must not, would not, escape it if he might!

But there is one very comforting thought in the fact of Christ's "being made perfect through suffering" — it is, that He can have complete sympathy with us. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are." In this sympathy of Christ, we find a sustaining power. One of the early martyrs said, "I can bear it all, for Jesus suffered, and He sympathizes with me, and this makes me strong." Believer, lay hold of this thought in all times of agony. Let the thought of Jesus, strengthen you as you follow in His steps. Find a sweet support in His sympathy!

Remember that, to suffer is an honorable thing — to suffer for Christ is glory. The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to do this. Just so far as the Lord shall give us grace to suffer for Christ, to suffer with Christ—just so far does He honor us. The jewels of a Christian are his afflictions! The regalia of the kings whom God has anointed—are their troubles, their sorrows, and their griefs. Let us not, therefore, shun being honored. Let us not turn aside from being exalted. Griefs exalt us, and troubles lift us up. "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him."

 

March 29 — Evening

"I called Him—but He gave me no answer." — Song of Solomon 5:6

Prayer sometimes tarries, like a petitioner at the gate, until the King comes forth to fill her bosom with the blessings which she seeks. The Lord, when He has given great faith, has been known to try it by long delayings. He has allowed His servants' voices to echo in their ears—as from a brazen sky. They have knocked at the golden gate—but it has remained immovable, as though it were rusted upon its hinges. Like Jeremiah, they have cried, "You have covered Yourself with a cloud—that our prayer should not pass through."

Thus have true saints continued long in patient waiting without reply, not because their prayers were not vehement, nor because they were unaccepted—but because it so pleased Him who is a Sovereign, and who gives according to His own pleasure. If it pleases Him to bid our patience exercise itself—shall He not do as He wills with His own! Beggars must not be choosers—either as to time, place, or form.

But we must be careful not to take delays in prayer for denials! God's long-dated bills will be punctually honored. Nor must we allow Satan to shake our confidence in the God of truth—by pointing to our unanswered prayers. Unanswered petitions are not unheard. God keeps a file for our prayers—they are not blown away by the wind—they are treasured in the King's archives. This is a registry in the court of heaven—wherein every prayer is recorded. Tried believer, your Lord has a tear-bottle in which the costly drops of sacred grief are stored away—and a book in which your holy groanings are numbered. By-and-by, your prayer shall be answered. Can you not be content to wait a little? Will not your Lord's time—be better than your time? By-and-by He will comfortably appear, to your soul's joy, and make you put away the sackcloth and ashes of long waiting—and put on the scarlet and fine linen of full fruition!

 

March 30 — Morning

"He was numbered with the transgressors." — Isaiah 53:12

Why did Jesus allow Himself to be enrolled among sinners? This astonishing condescension was justified by many powerful reasons.

In such a character He could the better become their advocate. In some trials there is an identification of the counselor with the client, nor can they be looked upon in the eye of the law as apart from one another. Now, when the sinner is brought to the bar, Jesus appears there Himself. He stands to answer the accusation. He points to His side, His hands, His feet—and challenges Justice to bring anything against the sinners whom He represents. He pleads His blood, and pleads so triumphantly, being numbered with them and having a part with them, that the Judge proclaims, "Let them go their way; deliver them from going down into the pit—for I have found a ransom!"

Our Lord Jesus was numbered with the transgressors, in order that they might feel their hearts drawn towards Him. Who can be afraid of one who is written in the same list with us? Surely we may come boldly to Him, and confess our guilt. He who is numbered with us, cannot condemn us. Was He not put down in the transgressor's list—that we might be written in the red roll of the saints? He was holy, and written among the holy; we were guilty, and numbered among the guilty; He transfers His name from yonder list—to this black indictment, and our names are taken from the indictment and written in the roll of acceptance, for there is a complete transfer made between Jesus and His people. All our estate of misery and sin—Jesus has taken; and all that Jesus has—comes to us. His righteousness, His blood, and everything that He has—He gives us as our dowry. Rejoice, believer, in your union to Him who was numbered among the transgressors; and prove that you are truly saved—by being manifestly numbered with those who are new creatures in Him!

 

March 30 — Evening

"Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord." — Lamentations 3:40

The spouse who fondly loves her absent husband, longs for his return; a long protracted separation from her husband is a semi-death to her spirit. Just so, with souls who love the Savior much—they must see His face, they cannot bear that He should be away upon the mountains of division, and no more hold communion with them.

A reproaching glance, an uplifted finger—will be grievous to loving children, who fear to offend their tender father, and are only happy in his smile.

Beloved, it was so once with you. A text of Scripture, a threatening, a touch of the rod of affliction—and you went to your Father's feet, crying, "Show me why You contend with me!" Is it so now? Are you content to follow Jesus, afar off? Can you contemplate suspended communion with Christ, without alarm? Can you bear to have your Beloved walking contrary to you, because you walk contrary to Him? Have your sins separated between you and your God, and is your heart at rest? O let me affectionately warn you—for it is a grievous thing when we can live contentedly without the present enjoyment of the Savior's face.

Let us labor to feel what an evil thing this is — little love to our own dying Savior, little joy in our precious Jesus, little fellowship with the Beloved! Hold a true Lent in your souls, while you sorrow over your hardness of heart. Do not stop at sorrow! Remember where you first received salvation. Go at once to the cross! There, and there alone, can you get your heart quickened. No matter how hard, how insensible, how dead we may have become—let us go again in all the rags, poverty, and defilement of our present condition. Let us clasp that cross—let us look into those languid eyes, let us bathe in that fountain filled with blood! This alone will bring back to us our first love; this alone will restore the simplicity of our faith, and the tenderness of our heart!

 

March 31 — Morning

"With His stripes we are healed." — Isaiah 53:5

Pilate delivered our Lord to the lictors to be scourged. The Roman scourging was a most dreadful instrument of torture. It was made of the sinews of oxen, and sharp bones were inter-twisted among the sinews; so that every time the lash came down—these pieces of bone inflicted fearful laceration, and tore off the flesh from the victim. The Savior was, no doubt, bound to the pillar, and thus beaten. He had been beaten before; but this scourging of the Roman lictors—was probably the most severe of His flagellations.

My soul, stand here and weep over His poor stricken body. Believer in Jesus, can you gaze upon Him without tears, as He stands before you—the picture of agonizing love? He is at once as white as the lily for innocence, and as red as the rose with the crimson of His own blood. As we feel the sure and blessed healing which His stripes have wrought in us—does not our heart melt at once with love and grief? If ever we have loved our Lord Jesus—surely we must feel that affection glowing now within our bosoms.

"See how the patient Jesus stands,
Insulted in His lowest case!
Sinners have bound the Almighty's hands,
And spit in their Creator's face!

With thorns His temples gored and gashed
Send streams of blood from every part;
His back's with knotted scourges lashed.

But sharper scourges tear His heart!"

We would sincerely go to our chambers and weep; but since our business calls us away, we will first pray our Beloved to print the image of His bleeding self—upon the tablets of our hearts all the day; and at nightfall we will return to commune with Him, and sorrow that our sin should have cost Him so dear!

 

March 31 — Evening

"Then Rizpah, the mother of two of the men, spread sackcloth on a rock and stayed there the entire harvest season. She prevented vultures from tearing at their bodies during the day, and stopped wild animals from eating them at night." — 2 Samuel 21:10

If the love of a woman to her slain sons, could make her prolong her mournful vigil for so long a period—shall we weary of considering the sufferings of our blessed Lord? She drove away the vultures, and shall not we chase away those worldly and sinful thoughts which defile both our minds and the sacred themes upon which we are occupied? Away, you birds of evil wing! Leave the sacrifice alone!

Rizpah bore the heats of summer, the night dews and the rains, unsheltered and alone. Sleep was chased from her weeping eyes—her heart was too full for slumber. Behold how she loved her children! Shall Rizpah thus endure—and shall we give up at the first little inconvenience or trial? Are we such cowards—that we cannot bear to suffer with our Lord?

She chased away even the wild beasts, with courage unusual in her gender—and will not we be ready to encounter every foe for Jesus' sake?

Her children were slain by other hands than hers, and yet she wept and watched. What ought we to do—who have by our sins crucified our Lord! Our obligations are boundless, our love should be fervent and our repentance thorough. To watch with Jesus should be our business, to protect His honor our occupation, to abide by His cross our solace.

Those ghastly corpses might well have affrighted Rizpah! But in our Lord, at whose cross-foot we are sitting, there is nothing revolting—but everything attractive! Never was living beauty so enchanting, as a dying Savior! Jesus, we will stay with You. We ask that You graciously unveil Yourself to us; then shall we not sit beneath sackcloth—but in a royal pavilion!