Charles H. Spurgeon - Strengthen My Spirit by Sajeeva Vahini Digital Library

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INTRODUCTION

Charles Spurgeonis consideredthemostwidelyreadpreacher in history, excluding those of the Bible. Throughout his lifetime,hepreachedtoovertenmillionpeople.

This godly pastor was well acquainted with hardship. He endured personaland family illness, as wellas the enormous taskofleading a church whose congregation faced numerous difficulties. Spurgeon did not merely instruct his listeners to askGodforthepowertowithstandadversity,however;hewas alivingtestimonyofonewhoreliedonGodtobehisstrength.

Strengthen My Spirit is a compilation of lightly edited selectionsfromSpurgeon’ssermonsandwritings,precededby briefpassages ofscripture.Wepraythathis words encourage you to deepen your relationship with Christ. You may be experiencing hardships: financial distress, a broken relationship,physicalillness….Whateveryou are facing,God longstohearyoucallout,“Lord,strengthenmyspirit.”

NEWHEART

EZEKIEL36:26NIV

“Behold,”saysChrist,“Imakeallthings new.”Whatawonder itisthatamanshouldeverhaveanewheart!

Youknowifalobsterlosesitsclawinafightitcangetanew claw, and that is thought to be very marvelous. It would be very wonderfulif men should be able to grow new arms and new legs, but who ever heard of a creature that grew a new heart?

You may haveseen abough lopped offatree,and you may havethoughtthatperhaps thetreewillsproutagainandthere willbeanewlimb,butwhoeverheardofoldtrees gettingnew sapandanewcore?

ButmyLordandMaster,thecrucifiedandexaltedSavior,has given new hearts and new cores; He has put the vital substance into man afresh and made newcreatures ofthem.I amglad to notice the tearin youreye when you thinkon the past,butwipeitawaynow,andlookuptothecrossandsay

Just as Iam,without one plea, But that Your blood was shed for me, And that You bid’st me come to You,

“Iwillgiveyouanewheartandputanewspiritinyou.”

OLamb,OGod,Icome.

“Make me a newcreature!” Ifyou have said that fromyour heart,you areanewcreature,dearbrother,and wewillrejoice togetherinthisregeneratingSavior.

CHRIST’S PRAYERFORHIS CHILDREN

Ipray notthatthoushouldesttakethemoutoftheworld, butthatthoushouldestkeepthemfromtheevil.

JOHN17:15KJV

This prayer of Christ is an ever-precious portion to all true believers, fromthe fact that each of themhas an inalienable interestinit.

Every one of us, beloved, when we listen to the words of ChristshouldrecollectthatHeisprayingforus;thatwhileitis forthegreatbodyofHiselectHeintercedesinthischapterand theoneprecedingit,yetitisalsoforeachbelieverinparticular thatHeoffersintercession.

Howeverweakweare,howeverpoor,howeverlittleourfaith, orhoweversmallourgracemay be,ournames arestillwritten onHisheart;norshallweloseourshareinJesus’love.

Oh,poorsinner,do not be doubtfulofmy Master’s power. Do but touch the hemofHis garment,and you shallbe made whole.Likethepoorwomaninthecrowd,getatitandtouchit, and He willsurely say unto you,“You are saved.” Ifyou will gotoHimwiththiscry,

I’ma poor sinner and nothing at all, And Jesus Christ is my all in all,

then you will see the blessed reason why Jesus interceded thus: “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world.”

NEVERFORSAKEN

Andtheythat know thy namewill puttheirtrustin thee:forthou,Lord, hastnotforsakenthemthatseekthee.

PSALM9:10KJV

Fellowship with Christ is so honorable a thing that it is worthwhile to suffer, that we may thereby enjoy it. You have sometimes heard me express a desire that I might be in the number of those who shallbe alive and remain, and so shall escapedeath;butadearfriendofminesays hehadratherdie, in orderthat he might thus have fellowship with Christ in His sufferings,andthethoughtfindsanechoinmyownbreast.

To die with Jesus makes death a perfect treasure; to be a follower in the grave with Him makes death a pleasure. Moreoveryou and Imight betaken forcowards,although we may havefellowship with Himin His glory,ifwehad no scars to prove the sufferings we had passed through and the woundswehadreceivedforHisname.

Thus again you seeitis forourgood to behere;weshould not have known fellowship with the Savior if we had not stayed here a little while. I should never have known the Savior’s love halfas much ifIhad not been in the storms of affliction.

Howsweetitis tolearntheSavior’s lovewhennobodyelse loves us!When friends flee,what a blessed thing it is to see thattheSaviordoesnotforsakeusbutstillkeepsusandholds us fast and clings to us and will not let us go! Oh, beloved brotherandsister,believethatyourremaininghereonearthis foryoureternalbenefit.

ACALLTOWINSOULS

Thefruitoftherighteousisatreeoflife, andhewhowinssoulsiswise.

PROVERBS11:30NKJV

Whyisitthatsaintsdonotdieassoonastheyareconverted? Because God meant that they should be the means of the salvation of their brethren. You would not surely wish to go out ofthe world ifthere were a soulto be saved by you.IfI could go to glory beforeIhad converted allthesouls allotted tome,Ishouldnotbehappy.Wedonotwishtoenterheaven until our work is done, for it would make us uneasy if there wereonesinglesoullefttobesavedbyourmeans.

Tarry then,Christian; there is a sinnerto be saved fromhis sins, a rebel to be turned from the error of his ways, and perhaps that sinner is one of your relatives. Perhaps you are spared in this world becausethereis awayward son ofyours notyetsaved,andGodhas designedtomakeyouthefavored instrumentofbringinghimtoglory.Itmaybethatyouarekept herebecauseoneofyouroffspring,byyourinstrumentality,is yet to be saved.Tarry then foryourson’s sake. Iknowhow deeply you lovehim,and forhis sake,surely,you arecontent to be left here a little while, counting it for the best that you maybringinyoursontoglorywithyou.

ENDURINGTRIALSFORGOD’S GLORY

Nowforalittlewhileyoumayhavehadtosuffergriefin allkindsoftrials.Thesehavecomesothatyourfaith ofgreaterworththangold,whichperisheseventhoughrefined byfire maybeprovedgenuineandmayresultinpraise,glory andhonorwhen Jesus Christ isrevealed.

1PETER1:6–7NIV

Atried saint brings more glory to God than an untried one.I thinkin my own soulthat a believerin a prison reflects more glory on his Masterthan abelieverin paradise,thatachild of Godintheburning,fieryfurnace,whosehairisyetunscorched and upon whomthesmellofthefirehas not passed,displays morethegloryoftheGodheadthanevenhewhostandswitha crown upon his head, perpetually singing praises before the Father’sthrone.

Nothingreflectssomuchhonoronaworkmanasatrialofhis workand its endurance ofit.So it is with God.It honors Him when His saints preserve theirintegrity.Peterhonored Christ more when he walked on the waterthan when he stood upon the land.There was no glory given to God by his walking on the solid shore,but there was glory reflected when he walked onthewater.

If we could but add more jewels to the crown of Christ by remaining here, why should we wish to be taken out of the

world?Weshouldsay,“Itisblessedtobeanywherewherewe canglorifyHim.”

BLESSEDBYGOD

Praisebetothe Lord,to God ourSavior,whodaily bears ourburdens.OurGod isa God who saves; fromtheSovereign Lord comes escapefromdeath.

PSALM68:19–20NIV

Are any of you inclined to murmur? Do you thinkGod deals harshly with you? Well, you are what you are by His grace. Though you are not what you wish to be, remember you are not what ifstrict justice were carried out you would be.In the poorhouse you might be-fewadmire that residence.In the prison you might be God preserves you from the sin that would bring you there.At the grave’s mouth you might be on the sickbed, on the verge ofeternity. God’s holiest saints havenotbeensparedfromthegrave.

OGod,whenwethinkofwhatwearenotbecauseYourgrace haskeptusfromit,wecanonlysay,“Youhaveloadeduswith benefits.”

Think of what you are, you Christians. You are God’s children;youarejointheirs withChrist.The“manymansions” are foryou; the palms and harps of the glorified are for you. YouhaveashareinallthatChristhasandisandshallbe.Inall the gifts of His ascension, you have a part; in the gifts that cometous throughHis beingseatedattherighthandofGod, youhaveyourshare;andinthegloriesoftheSecondComing, youshallpartake.

Seehowin thepresentand in thepastand in thefuture,He loadsyouwithbenefits.

PRAISEHIM!

Iwillpraise Your nameforeverandever.

PSALM145:2NKJV

TheoneoccupationofaChristianis topraisehis God.Nowin orderto do this,we must maintain by God’s grace a grateful, happy, praiseful frame of mind; and we must endeavor to express that condition of mind by songs of gratitude. Let us make both ends of the day bright with His praise, and throughouttheday.Wearein awrong stateofmind ifweare notinathankfulstateofmind.Thereis somethingwrongwith youifyoucannotpraiseGod.

“Oh!”aperson says.“Even in trouble?”Yes,in every bitter trouble,too,forJob could say,“The Lord gave,and the Lord hastakenaway,andblessedbethenameoftheLord.”

“But are we never to be sorrowful?” Yes, yet always rejoicing. How can that be? The Lord will teach you! It is a workofgrace.CastdownbutyetrejoicingintheLord!Helifts upthelightofHis countenanceuponus,evenwhenheartand flesh are failing us. There is something amiss when ourheart doesnotpraiseGod.

When yourheart is glad,praise Himwith yourlips.Do you work alone? Sing. Perhaps, if you work with others, you cannot; then sing with your heart. Habitually praise Him.All

ouractions,as wellas ourthoughts and words,should praise Himwhoalways blesses us.YoumaystoppraisingGodwhen Hestopshavingmercyonyou notuntilthen.

URNEVER-CHANGINGGOD

WhataconsolationitisthatourGodneverchanges!WhatHe was yesterday,Heis today.WhatwefindHimtoday,weshall find Him forever. Are you struggling against sin? Don’t struggle in your own strength: It is God who performs all things for you. Victories over sin are only sham victories unless we overcome through the blood of the Lamb and throughthepowerofdivinegrace.

Maywehavewhatwereallythinkwehave nosurfacework but deep, inner, spirituallife fashioned in us fromGod yes, everygoodspiritualthingfromHimwhoperformsallthingsfor us; and I say, whatever struggles may come, whatever temptations may overwhelm, or whatever thunderclouds may burst over your heads, you shallnot be deserted, much less destroyed.

In spiritualthings it is God who performs allthings foryou. Rest in Himthen. You cannot work to save your own soul; Christ is the Savior. If He cannot save you, you certainly cannot save yourself. Why do you rest your hopes where hopes nevershouldberested?Orletmechangethequestion: Why do you fear where you should never have hoped?

“ForIamthe Lord,Idonotchange; thereforeyouarenotconsumed.”

MALACHI3:6NKJV

Instead of fearing that you cannot hold on, fear holding on yourselfandneverlookinthatdirectionagain.Letyourentire reliance be fixed in Him.Cast the burden ofyourcare on Him whoperformsallthingsforyou.

BOASTINGINTHELORD

Mysoulshallmakeitsboastinthe Lord;thehumbleshall hearofitandbeglad.

PSALM34:2NKJV

Boasting is generally annoying. Even those who boast themselves cannot endure the boasting of other people. But thereis onekindofboastingthateventhehumblecanbearto hear in fact,they are glad to hearit.“The humble shallhear thereof and be glad.” That must be boasting in God a holy glorifying and extolling theMost High with words sought out withcarethatmightmagnifyHisblessedname.

You will never exaggerate when you speak good things of God.It is not possibleto do so.Try,dearbrethren,and boast intheLord.Therearemanypoor,trembling,doubting,humble soulswhocanhardlytellwhethertheyaretheLord’speopleor not and are half afraid whether they will be delivered in the hour of trouble, who will become comforted when they hear youboasting.“Thehumbleshallhearthereofandbeglad.”

“Why,”says thehumblesoul,“theGodwhohelpedhimcan helpme.Hewhobroughthimupthroughthedeepwaters and landed him safely can also take me through the river and throughtheseaandgivemefinaldeliverance.”

MysoulshallmakeherboastintheLord.“Thehumbleshall hearthereofandbeglad.”

NEARERTOGOD

ISAIAH40:9KJV

Each believer should be thirsting for God, for the living God, and longing to climb the hillofthe Lord and see Himface-toface.Mysoulthirsts ofthecupthatis reservedforthosewho reach the mountain’s brow and bathe their brows in heaven. Howpurearethedews ofthehills,howfresh is themountain air,howrichthefareofthedwellers aloftwhosewindows look intotheNewJerusalem!

Many saints are content to live like men in coalmines who seenotthesun;theyeatdustliketheserpentwhentheymight tastetheambrosialmeatofangels,theyarecontenttowearthe miner’s garb when they might put on the king’s robes, and tearsmartheirfaceswhentheymightanointthemwithcelestial oil.Manyabelieverpinesinadungeonwhenhemightwalkon thepalaceroofandviewthegoodlylandofLebanon.

Rouse yourself from your low condition! Cast away your sloth,yourlethargy,yourcoldness,orwhateverinterfereswith your chaste and pure love for Christ, your soul’s husband. Make Himthe source,the center,and the circumference ofall yoursoul’srangeofdelight.

Get theeupintothehighmountain.

What charms you into such folly as to remain in a pit when you may sit on a throne? Rest no longer satisfied with your dwarfishattainments,butpressforwardtothingsmoresublime andheavenly.Aspiretoahigher,anobler,afullerlife.Upward toheaven!NearertoGod!

THEREDEMPTIONOFGOD

Iwilldeliver theeoutofthehandofthewicked, and Iwillredeemtheeoutofthehandoftheterrible.

JEREMIAH15:21KJV

Notethegloriouspersonalityofthepromise.“Iwill” theLord Jehovah Himselfinterposes to deliverand redeemHis people. HepledgesHimselfpersonallytorescuethem.Hisownarmwill doitthatHemayhavetheglory.

Thereisnotawordsaidofanyeffortofourownthatmaybe needed to assist the Lord. Neither our strength nor our weakness is takenintotheaccount,buttheloneI,likethesun intheheavens,shinesoutresplendentinall-sufficiency.Peace, you unbelieving thoughts be still and know that the Lord reigns.

Noris thereahintconcerningsecondarymeans andcauses. The Lord says nothing offriends and helpers:He undertakes the workalone and feels no need of human arms to aid Him. Vain are allourlookings around to companions and relatives; they are broken reeds if we lean upon them often unwilling whenableandunablewhentheyarewilling.Sincethepromise comes alonefromGod,itwouldbewelltowaitonlyuponHim, andwhenwedoso,ourexpectationneverfails us.Inalltimes offierytrial,inpatienceletuspossessoursouls.

CONTENTMENTINGOD

Ofear the Lord,ye his saints:forthereisnowant tothemthatfearhim.Theyounglionsdolack, andsufferhunger:buttheythatseekthe Lord shallnotwantanygoodthing.

PSALM34:9–10KJV

Theyareverystrong,thoseyounglions.Theyarefierce.They are voracious. They are cunning.And yet they do lack and sufferhunger.

And there are many men in this world who are very clever, stronginbody,andactiveinmind.Theysaythattheycantake careofthemselves,andperhapstheydoappeartoprosper;but we know that often those who are the most prosperous apparently are the most miserable of men. They are young lions,buttheydolackandsufferhunger.

But when a man’s soul lives upon God, he may have very little of this world, but he will be perfectly content. He has learned the secret of true happiness. He does not want any goodthings,forthethings thathedoes nothave,hedoes not wish to have. He brings his mind down to his estate if he cannotbringhisestatetohismind.

He is thankful to have a little spending money, but his treasureis above.Helikes tohavethebestthings last,andso

he is wellcontent,ifhe has food and raiment,to press on his waytotherestthatremainsforthepeopleofGod.“Theyoung lions do lack, and sufferhunger; but they that seekthe Lord shallnotwantanygoodthing.”

BENEVOLENTFORESIGHT

Thou,OGod,hastpreparedof thy goodnessforthepoor.

PSALM68:10KJV

Godanticipates ourneeds,andoutofthefullness thatHehas treasured up in ChristJesus,Heprovides ofHis goodness for the poor. You may trust Himfor all the necessities that can occur,forHehas infallibly foreknown every oneofthem.God has markedwithprescienteyealltherequirements ofHis poor wanderingchildren,andwhenthoseneeds occur,supplies are ready. It is goodness that He has prepared for the poor in heart, goodness and goodness only. “My grace is sufficient forthee.”“Asyourdays,soshallyourstrengthbe.”

Is yourheartheavy?Godknewitwouldbe;thecomfortthat your heart wants is treasured in the sweet assurance of the text.You arepoorand needy,but Hehas thought ofyou and has theexact blessing that you requirein storeforyou.Plead thepromise,believeit,andobtainitsfulfillment.

Do you feelthat you neverwereso consciously vileas you arenow?Behold,thecrimson fountain is open stillwith allits formerefficacy,to wash yoursin away.Nevershallyou come intosuchapositionthatChristcannotaidyou.

No pinch shall ever arrive in your spiritual affairs in which

Jesus Christ shall not be equal to the emergency, for your historyhasallbeenforeknownandprovidedforinJesus.

WAITFORTHELORD

Thereforewillthe Lord wait, that he maybegraciousuntoyou.

ISAIAH30:18KJV

God often delays in answering prayer. If you have been knocking at the gate of mercy and have received no answer, shallItellyouwhythemightyMakerhas notopenedthedoor andletyouin?OurFatherhasreasonsknownonlytoHimself.

Sometimes itis toshowHis powerandHis sovereignty,that menmayknowthatJehovahhas arighttogiveortowithhold. More frequently the delay is for our profit. Perhaps you are kept waiting in order that your desires may be more fervent.

Godknowsthatdelaywillquickenandincreasedesire,andthat if He keeps you waiting, you will see your necessity more clearlyandwillseekmoreearnestly;andthatyouwillprizethe mercyallthemoreforitslongtarrying.

There may also be something in you that needs to be removedbeforethejoyoftheLordis given.Perhaps youmay be placing some little reliance on yourself instead of trusting entirelytotheLordJesus.

Your prayers are allfiled in heaven; and if not immediately answered,they arecertainly not forgotten,but in a little while

shall be fulfilled to your delight and satisfaction. Let not despair make you silent, but continue constantly in earnest supplication.

ASSURANCEOFGOD’S FAITHFULNESS

The one who calls youisfaithfuland he willdoit.

1THESSALONIANS5:24NIV

Heaven is a place where we shallnever sin; there willbe no tempter to ensnare our feet. There the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest. Heaven is the “undefiled inheritance”;itis thelandofperfectholiness,andthereforeof completesecurity.

Butdonotthesaints evenonearthsometimes tastethejoys

ofblissfulsecurity?ThedoctrineofGod’sWordisthatallwho areinunionwiththeLambaresafe,thatalltherighteous shall hold on theirway,that those who have committed theirsouls tothekeepingofChristshallfindHimafaithfulandimmutable preserver.

Sustainedbysuchadoctrinewecanenjoysecurityevenon earth; not that high and glorious security that renders us free fromeveryslip,butthatholysecuritythatarises fromthesure promiseofJesusthatnonewhobelieveinHimshalleverperish butshallbewithHimwhereHeis.Letus oftenreflectwithjoy onthedoctrineoftheperseveranceofthesaintsandhonorthe faithfulnessofourGodbyaholyconfidenceinHim.

LookuponHimasfaithfulandtrue,andthereforeboundand engagedtopresentyou,theweakestofthefamily,withallthe

chosen race before the throne of God. You will have the enjoyments thatravishthesouls oftheperfectsaints above,if youcanbelievewithunstaggeringfaiththat“theonewhocalls youisfaithfulandHewilldoit.”

Andthe Lord shallguidetheecontinually.

ISAIAH58:11KJV

“The Lord shallguide thee.” Not an angel,but Jehovah shall guide you.God has not left you in yourearthly pilgrimage to an angel’s guidance:He Himself leads the van. You may not seethecloudy,fierypillar,butJehovahwillneverforsakeyou.

Notice the word “shall” “The Lord shallguide thee.” How certain this makes it!Howsure it is that God willnot forsake us! His precious “shalls” and “wills” are better than men’s oaths.“Iwillneverleavetheenorforsakethee.”

Thenobservetheadverb“continually.”Wearenotmerelyto beguided sometimes,but weareto have a perpetualmonitor; notoccasionallytobelefttoourownunderstanding,andsoto wander,butwearecontinuallytoheartheguidingvoiceofthe Great Shepherd; and if we follow close at His heels, we shall noterr,butbeledbyarightwaytoacitytodwellin.

If you have to change your position in life, if you have to emigratetodistantshores,ifitshouldhappenthatyouarecast into poverty or uplifted suddenly into a more responsible position than the one you now occupy, if you are thrown amongstrangersorcastamongfoes,tremblenot,for“theLord shallguideyoucontinually.”

There are no dilemmas out of which you shall not be

OURHOLYGUIDE

deliveredifyouliveneartoGod.Hegoes notamiss whogoes in the company of God. You have infallible wisdomto direct you, immutable love to comfort you, and eternal power to defendyou.

GOD’S THOUGHTSFORHIS CHILDREN

JEREMIAH2:2NKJV

Let us notethat Christ delights to thinkupon His Church and to lookupon herbeauty.As the bird returns often to its nest and as the wayfarer hastens to his home, so does the mind continuallypursuetheobjectofitschoice.Wecannotlooktoo oftenuponthatfacethatwelove;wedesirealwaystohaveour preciousthingsinoursight.

It is even so with our Lord Jesus. From all eternity “His delights were with the sons of men.” His thoughts rolled onward to the time when His elect should be born into the world;HeviewedtheminthemirrorofHis foreknowledge.“In yourbook,” He says,“allmy members were written,which in continuance were fashioned when as yet there was none of them.”When theworld was setupon its pillars,Hewas there, and Hesetthebounds ofthepeopleaccording to thenumber ofthechildrenofIsrael.

As the breastplate containing the names of the tribes of Israelwas themostbrilliantornamentworn by thehigh priest, so the names of Christ’s elect were His most precious jewels and glittered on His heart. We may often forget to meditate upon the perfections of our Lord, but He never ceases to rememberus.

“Iremember you.”

Let us chide ourselves for past forgetfulness and pray for grace ever to bear Him in fondest remembrance. Lord, paint upontheeyeballsofmysoultheimageofYourSon.

OURULTIMATEINHERITANCE

He willchooseourinheritanceforus.

PSALM47:4NKJV

Believer, if your inheritance is a lowly one, you should be satisfied with your earthly portion, for you may rest assured thatitis thefittestforyou.Unerringwisdomordainedyourlot andselectedforyouthesafestandbestcondition.

Alargeshipis tobebroughtuptheriver;nowinonepartof the streamthere is a sandbank. Should someone ask, “Why does the captain steer through the deep part of the channel and deviate so much froma straight line?” his answer would be,“BecauseIcouldnotgetmyvesselintoharboratallifIdid not keep to the deep channel.” So,it may be, you would run aground and suffer shipwreck if your divine Captain did not steeryou into the depths ofaffliction where waves oftrouble followeachotherinquicksuccession.

Some plants die ifthey have too much sunshine.It may be thatyouareplantedwhereyougetbutlittle;youareputthere by the loving Husbandman because only in that situation will you bring forth fruit unto perfection.Had any othercondition beenbetterforyouthantheoneinwhichyouare,divinelove would haveputyou there.You areplaced by God in themost suitablecircumstances.

Takeupyourowndailycross;itistheburdenbestsuitedfor

your shoulder and will prove most effective to make you perfectineverygoodwordandworktothegloryofGod.

THECOMPASSIONOFCHRIST

But He beingfullofcompassion, forgave theiriniquity.

PSALM78:38NKJV

Though yoursin may have ruined you,Christ can enrich you withbetterriches.Hehascompassion.“Theywillpassbyme,” yousay,“andiftheyseemeinthestreet,theywillnotspeakto me evenChristians willnot.”Perhaps thatmaybe,butbetter thanotherChristians,tendererbyfar,isJesus.

Istheresomeonewithwhomonewouldassociatewouldbea scandal from which the pure and pious would shrink? The holy, harmless, undefiled one will not disdain even him for this man receives sinners He is a friend of sinners. He is never happier than when He is relieving and retrieving the forlorn,theabject,andtheoutcast.Hedoes notcondemnany whoconfesstheirsinsandseekHismercy.

Nopridenestles inHis dearheart,nosarcasticwordrolls off Hisgracioustongue,nobitterexpressionfallsfromHisblessed lips.Hestillreceives theguilty.PraytoHimnow;letthesilent prayergo up:“My Savior,havepity upon me; bemoved with compassion toward me, for if misery be any qualification for mercy,Iamafitobjectforyourcompassion.”

THEPRESENCEOFGOD

Lo,Iamwithyoualways.

MATTHEW28:20KJV

The Lord Jesus is in the midst ofHis Church.Not physically, butstillinrealtruth,Jesus is withus.Andablessedtruthitis, forwhereJesus is,lovebecomes inflamed.Ofallthethings in the world that can set the heart burning,there is nothing like thepresenceofJesus!AglimpseofHimsoovercomes us that we are ready to say,“Turn away Youreyes fromme forthey haveovercomeme.”

If we know that Jesus is with us, every power will be developed and every grace willbe strengthened,and we shall castourselves into theLord’s servicewith heartand souland strength; therefore is the presence of Christ to be desired aboveallthings.

Hispresencewillbemostrealizedbythosewhoaremostlike Him.Ifyou desire to see Christ,you must growin conformity to Him. Bring yourself, by the powerofthe Spirit, into union withChrist’s desires andmotives andplans ofaction,andyou arelikelytobefavoredwithHiscompany.

RememberHispresencemaybehad.Hispromiseisastrueas ever. He delights to be with us. If He does not come, it is because we hinder Him by our indifference. He will reveal

Himselftoourearnestprayers andgraciouslysufferHimselfto bedetainedbyourentreatiesandbyourtears,forthesearethe goldenchainsthatbindJesustoHispeople.

PERSEVERE!

Because Ilive,yeshalllivealso.

JOHN14:19KJV

When we once get spiritual life into us, what a thousand enemies there are who try to put it out! Temptation after temptation have I endured until it appeared I must yield my hold on Christ and give up my hope.There has been conflict upon conflict and struggle upon struggle until at last the enemyhas gottenhis footuponmyneck,andmywholebeing has trembled; and had it not been for Christ’s promise “Because Ilive,you shalllive also,” it might have been more difficult for me, and I might have despaired and given up all hopeandlaydowntodie.

The assurance, then, that the spiritual life of the Christian mustbemaintainedbecauseChristlives,wastheonlypowerto get me the victory.Let it teach us,then,this practicallesson: Wheneverourspirituallifeisveryweakandwewantittogrow stronger, let us get to the living Christ for the supply of His strength.Whenyoufeelyouarereadytodiespiritually,goto theSaviorforrevivedlife.

Thetextis likeahandthatpoints us to thestorehouse.You who are in the desert,there is a secret spring underyourfeet andyouknownotwhereitis;thisisthemysteriousfingerthat points you to the spot. Contemplate Christ, believe in Christ,

drawyourselves by faith nearerand nearerto the Lord Jesus

Christ,andsoshallyourlifereceiveadivineimpetus,whichit hasnotknownformanyaday.

ASINNER’S REPENTANCE

Deliver mefrombloodguiltiness,OGod, thou God ofmysalvation:andmytongue shallsingaloudofthy righteousness.

PSALM51:14KJV

I like that confession and that prayer of David. He does not mincewordsforhehadguiltilycausedthebloodofUriahtobe shed, and here he admits it with great shame, but with equal honestyandtruthfulness.AslongasyouandIcalloursinsby pretty names, they will not be forgiven. The Lord knows exactly what your sin is; therefore, do not try to use polite termsforit.TellHimwhatitis,sothatHeknowsthatyouknow what it is.“Deliverme frombloodguiltiness,OGod,thou God ofmysalvation.”

“Butcertainly,”onemay say,“thereis no onein thechurch who needs to pray that prayer.” Well,there is one who often feels that he has the need to pray it; forwhat willhappen ifI preachnottheGospel,orifIdonotpreachitwithallmyheart?

Itmaybethatthebloodofsoulsshallberequiredatmyhands.

And, my brothers and sisters, if anything in your example should lead others into sin, or if the neglect of any opportunities that are presented to you should lead others to continue in their sin until they perish, could the sin of bloodguiltinessnotbepossibleforyou?

“‘Deliver me frombloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation.’And then,OLord,when Iamforgiven ofthat,‘my tongueshallsingaloudofyourrighteousness.’”

APROMISEOFHOPE

Butifwe hope forwhatwedonotyethave, we wait foritpatiently.

ROMANS8:25NIV

We are expecting that, one of these days, if the chariot and horsesoffiredonotstopatourdoor,ourdearLordandSavior willfulfillHis promise to us:“If I go and prepare a place for you,IwillcomeagainandreceiveyouuntoMyself;thatwhere Iam,thereyoumaybealso.”

ToatruebelieverinJesus,thethoughtofdepartingfromthis world and going to be “foreverwith the Lord” has no gloom associatedwithit.Heavenis ourhome.Wearelongingforthe greatreunionwithourbelovedLord,fromwhomweshallthen neveragainbeseparated.Icannotattempttodepictthescene when He willintroduce us to the principalities and powers in heavenly places and inviteus to sit with Him.Surely then the holy angels, who have never sinned, willunite in exclaiming, “BeholdhowHelovedthem!”

Itis amostblessed thought,to my mind,thatwemay beup there before the hands ofthat clockcomplete anotherround; andifnotthatsoon,itwillnotbelongbeforeallofuswholove theLordwillbewithHimwhereHeis,andthenthelastamong usshallknowmoreofHislovethanthegreatestofuscanever knowwhileherebelow.

PERSISTENTPRAYER

Andhesaid,Ibeseech thee, shew me thy glory.

EXODUS33:18KJV

Refer to the thirteenth verse of this chapter, where Moses speaks to God: “Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in yoursight,shewme nowyourway.” Moses asked a lesserfavorbefore he requested the greater. He asked to see God’swaybeforeheprayedtoseeHisglory.

This is the true manner of prayer. Do not be content with pastanswers,butdoubleyourrequestandaskagain.Nothing pleases Godas muchas whenasinnercomes againwithtwice as large a petition:“Lord, You heard me last time, and now I come again.” Faith is a mighty grace and always grows upon thatwhichitfeeds.WhenGodhas heardprayerforonething, faith comes and asks fortwo things,and when God has given thosetwothings,faithasksforsix.

Faithcanscalethewalls ofheaven.Sheis agiantgrace.She takes mountains by their roots and puts them on other mountainsandsoclimbstothethroneinconfidencewithlarge petitions,knowingthatsheshallnotberefused.Mostofusare tooslowtogotoGod.Ifwehavebeenheardonce,wegoaway insteadofcomingagainandagain,andeachtimewithalarger prayer.

Make your petitions longer and longer.Ask for ten, and if God gives them,then forathousand,and keep going on until at last you willhave enough faith to ask as great a favor as Mosesdid,“Ibeseechyou,showmeyourglory.”

GOD’S GRACE

Wheresinabounded, gracedidmuchmoreabound.

ROMANS5:20KJV

Theonlycounterforceagainstsinis grace.Andwhatis grace? Grace is the free favorofGod,the undeserved bounty ofthe ever-gracious Creator against whom we have sinned, the generous pardon,theinfinite,spontaneous loving-kindness of the God who has been provoked and angered by oursin; but who, delighting in mercy and grieving to smite the creatures whomHehas made,is always readytopass bytransgression, iniquity, and sin, and to save His people from all the evil consequencesoftheirguilt.

Here is a force that is fully equalto the requirements ofthe duel with sin; for this grace is divine grace, and thus it is omnipotent,immortal,and immutable.This favorofGod never changes, and when once it purposes to bless anyone, bless himitwill,andnonecanrevoketheblessing.

Thegracious purposeofGod’s freefavortoanundeserving man is more than a match for that man’s sin, for it brings to bearupon his sin the blood ofthe incarnate Son ofGod,and themajesticandmysterious fireoftheeternalSpiritwhoburns up eviland utterly consumes it.With God theFather,God the Son,andGodtheHolySpiritunitedagainstsin,theeverlasting

purposesofgraceareboundtobeaccomplished,andsinmust beovercome.

SINNERS MADECLEAN

“Iwillcleanse themfromalltheiriniquitybywhichthey have sinnedagainst Me,and Iwillpardon all theiriniquitiesbywhichtheyhavesinnedandbywhich theyhavetransgressedagainst Me. ”

JEREMIAH33:8NKJV

Itis verywonderful,butitis certainlytrue,thattherearemany persons in heaven in whom sin once abounded. In the judgmentoftheirfellowmen,someofthemwereworsesinners than others. There was Saul of Tarsus, there was the dying thief, there was the woman in the city who was a sinner a sinnerinaveryopenandterriblesense.

These, and many more of whomwe read in the scriptures, were all great sinners, and it was a great wonder of grace in everyinstancethattheyshouldbeforgiven;butdidtheymake poorChristianswhentheywereconverted?

Quite the reverse:They loved much because they had been forgiven much.Among the best servants ofGod are many of those who were once the best servants of the devil. Sin abounded in them, but grace much more abounded when it tookpossession oftheirhearts and lives.They were long led captive by the devil at his will, but they were never such servants to Satan as they afterward became to the living and

trueGod.Theythrewallthefervoroftheirintensenaturesinto theserviceoftheirSaviorandsorosesuperiortosomeoftheir fellowdisciples,whodidnotfullyrealizehowmuchtheyowed totheirLord.

SINANDGRACE

Andwhen he saw theirfaith,he saiduntohim, Man,thysinsareforgiventhee.

LUKE5:20KJV

Sin has brought us very low, but Christ has lifted us higher than we stood before sin cast us down. Sin took away from man his love to God, but Christ has given us a more intense loveforGodthanAdameverhad;forweloveGodbecauseHe hasfirstlovedusandgivenHisSontodieforus,andwehave, inHisgreatergrace,agoodreasonforyieldingtoHimagreater love.

Sintookawayobediencefromman,butnowsaintsobeytoa yet higher degree than they could have done before, for I suppose it would not have been possible forunfallen man to suffer, but now we are capable of suffering for Christ; and many martyrs have gone singing to death for the truth because, while sin made them capable of suffering, Christ’s grace has made them capable of obedience to Him in the suffering,and in so doing more prove theirallegiance to God thanwouldhavebeenpossibleiftheyhadneverfallen.

Sin has shut us out ofEden; yet let us not weep,forChrist has prepared a better paradise for us in heaven. God has provided for us “a pure river of water of life” and a lovelier garden than Eden ever was; and there we shallforever dwell

through the abounding grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,whichhasaboundedevenoverouraboundingsin.

LISTENINGTOTHEVOICEOFGOD

“Hewhoisof

JOHN8:47NKJV

WhyisitthatyouareabletoconfideinGod’sWord?Surelyit is becauseyouknowthatforGodtospeakis forHimtodoas Hehassaid.ByHisWord,Hemadetheheavensandtheearth, anditis byHis Wordthattheheavens andtheearthcontinue astheyaretothisday.

God’s speakingis verydifferentfromman’s.Veryoften,man talksaboutsomethingthathesayshewilldo,butwhenhehas talked about it, there is an end of the matter as far as he is concerned. Man has spoken, yes, but you can neverbe sure thatwiththetalkingtonguewillgotheworkinghand.Hewho isquicktopromiseisnotalwayssoprompttoperform.

Wehavemany proverbs that remind us that men make light of one another’s promises, and well they may; but we must nevermakelightofthepromises ofGod.“Hespake,anditwas done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” So if there is a promiseofGod to help you in atimeoftroubleorto preserve youinthehouroftemptationortodeliveryououtoftrialorto giveyougraceaccordingtoyourday,thatpromiseis as good as if it had been already performed, since God’s Word shall certainlybefollowedbythefulfillmentofitindueseason.

God hears God’swords.”

CLOSENESSWITHCHRIST

There Iwillmeet withthee,and Iwillcommune withtheefromabovethemercyseat.

EXODUS25:22KJV

Itshouldbeourearnestaimtokeepunbrokenourcommunion withheaven,foritisthemostrefreshingthingbeneaththesun. This worldis likeanariddesertwherethereis nowaterexcept aswemaintainourcommunionwithChrist.

As long as I can say that the Lord is mine, allthings here below are of small account; but if I once doubt that and if I ceasetowalkwithGod,thenwhatis thereherebelowthatcan contentmy immortalspirit?WithoutChrist,this world is to us as thorns without the roses and as bitters without the sweets of life. But You, O Lord, make earth to be a heaven to Your saints even when they lie in dungeons, when Your presence cheersthem.

It is most important that you maintain yourcommunion with Christ, for that is the only way to keep yourself clear from corruption.Andyouwhohavemuchtodointhechurchmust keep up yourcommunion with Christ,forthat is theonly way of keeping your service from becoming mechanical and of preventing you from doing good works as a mere matter of routine. You, too, who have much to suffer or even much to enjoymustkeepupthisholycommunion,orelseyoursoulwill

soonbelikeathirstylandwherethereisnowater.

HEWILLDIRECT;WEMUSTWALK

Thestepsofagoodmanareorderedbythe Lord, and He delights inhisway.

PSALM37:23NKJV

He who walks does not need to think of directing his own steps,forthereis Onewhowilldirectthemforhim.Whatifsin persuades us to take the wrong path and if poor judgment makes us err through oversight? There is no need for us to chooseourownfate,butwemaybowbeforetheLordandsay, “You shall choose our inheritance for us.” The choice is difficult foryou; do not chooseyourown way,but leaveit to Himwho sees the end fromthe beginning and who is sure to makethewisechoice.

donottrytocarryit,but“cast yourburdenupontheLord,andHeshallsustainyou.Commit yourwayuntotheLord;trustalsoinHim,andHeshallbringit topass.”Donotletitbeyourchoice;letitbeGod’schoice.

Theburdenoflifeis heavy

If only we could but once abandon our own choosing and saytotheLord,“NotasIwill,butasYouwill,”howmuchmore happywecouldbe!Weshouldnotbetroubledbythethought thatweshouldnotdirectourownsteps,butweshouldbeglad becauseourveryweaknessentitlesustocrytotheLord,“Now that Iwillnot direct my own way,what Ido not know,teach me.”

KEEPALOOSEGRASP

“Layupforyourselvestreasuresinheaven…. Forwhereyourtreasureis,thereyourheartwillbealso.”

MATTHEW6:20–21NKJV

Avoidallsecurityas tothepresent.Ifyouhaveanythingthat you prize very highly,hold it very loosely foryou may easily lose it. Hold everything earthly with a loose hand, but grasp eternalthingswithadeathlikegrip.

Grasp Christ in the power of the spirit; grasp God, who is youreverlasting portion and yourunfailing joy.Ofeverything onearth,itiswiseforustosay,“Thisisnotminetokeep.”Itis essentialtosaythis andtorealizethatitis true,foreverything hereistemporary.

Mind what you aredoing,you prosperous people,you who have nice homes, you who are investing your money in the funds.Thereis nothing permanentforyou here.Yourhomeis inheaven,yourhomeis nothere,andifyoufindyourtreasure here,yourheart willbe here also; but it must not be so.You must keep allearthly treasures out ofyourheart; let Christ be yourtreasure,andletHimhaveyourheart.

PERFECTPEACE

Jesus saidtothewoman, “Yourfaithhassavedyou; go inpeace.”

LUKE7:50NIV

When themany tears fromhereyes fellupon His feet,Hedid not withdraw them. When those feet were wiped with the tresses ofherhair, stillHe did not withdrawthem; and when sheventured upon ayetcloserfamiliarity and notonly kissed His feet but also did not cease to kiss them, He stilldid not withdrawthembutquietlyacceptedallthatshedid.

And when the precious ointment was poured in lavish abundance upon those precious feet of His, He did not chastise her; He did not refuse her gifts but tacitly accepted them,althoughwithoutawordofacknowledgmentjustthen.It is a very blessed thing for any one of you to be accepted before God, even though no word has come from His lips assuringyouthatyouare.

When your tears and cries and secret love and earnest seeking when your confession of sin, your struggle after faith,andthebeginningofyourfaith arejustacceptedbythe Lord, although He has not yet said to you, “Your sins are forgiven,” it is a very blessed stage foryou to have reached; for the Lord does not begin to accept anyone, even by a silence that means consent,and then drawback.He accepted

thiswoman’sloveandgifts,though,foratime,Hegaveherno assurance ofthat acceptance,and that fact must have greatly encouragedher.

GIVINGCHEERFULLY

Eachmanshouldgivewhathehasdecidedin hishearttogive,notreluctantlyorunder compulsion,forGod loves acheerfulgiver.

2CORINTHIANS9:7NIV

ThatisthemostacceptablegifttoGodthatisgivenrejoicingly. It is wellto feelthat whatever good your gift may do to the churchorthepoororthesickitistwiceasmuchbenefittoyou togiveit.

Itis welltogivebecauseyoulovetogive:as theflowerthat pours forth its perfume because it never dreamed of doing otherwise;orlikethebirdthatquiverswithsongbecauseitisa bird and finds a pleasure in its notes; or like the sun that shines, not by constraint, but because, being a sun, it must shine;orlikethewaves oftheseathatflashbackthebrilliance ofthesunbecauseitis theirnaturetoreflectandnottohoard thelight.

Oh, to have such grace in our hearts that we shalljoyfully makesacrificesuntoourGod.TheLordgrantthatwemayhave a desire for this; for the bringing of the tithes into the storehouse is the way to the blessing; as the scripture says:

“Bring ye allthe tithes into the storehouse,that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORDofhosts,ifIwillnotopen you thewindows ofheaven,

and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enoughtoreceiveit”(Malachi3:10KJV).

STILLNESS ofHEART

“Donotletyourheartbetroubled, norletitbefearful.”

JOHN14:27NASB

IfChristhas savedyou,youhavethebestreasonintheworld forbeingthehappiestpeoplewhoeverlived.Onemansaidto anotherman,whohadsharedabouthissalvation,“Youshould bethehappiestmanalive.”

Heanswered,“Yes,Iam.”Itwaswellknownthathewasvery poor.Itwas saidthathedidnotknowwherehewouldgethis next meal, but he had eaten the previous meal so he was content to wait for God to provide his next nourishment. He had such simplefaith in God that,although hewas very poor, hestillsaidhewasthehappiestmanintheworld.

Christhas carriedyourheaviestburdens.Hehas avertedthe mostterribledisasterthatcould everhappen to you;themost terrifyingcalamityyouoncedreadedcanneverharmyou.You are an heirofGod and a joint heirwith Jesus Christ.You will have allyou really need in this life,and you willhave heaven whenthislifeisover.

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have allunited to blessyou;andthecovenantofpeaceissignedandsealedand approved,and you willconquerin the end.So,“Let not your heartbetroubled;neitherletitbeafraid.”

GODWILLGRANTRELIEF

God isourrefugeandstrength, averypresenthelpintrouble.

PSALM46:1KJV

We do not knowwhat we might have been ifGod’s gracious protection had not been likeawalloffirearound us,as it still is,fortheLordcontinuestodeliverallthosewhoputtheirtrust in Him. Believe with unquestioning confidence that God is deliveringyouevennow.YouknowthatHehasdeliveredyou; bejustassurethatHeisdeliveringyouatthismoment.

“Iamlockedinaprisonofdespair.”Yes,butyourLordhasa keythatcanopenthedoorandletyouout.“ButIamingreat want,”anothersays.ButHeknowsallaboutit,andHeisgoing tosupplyallyourneeds.Yetanothersays,“Iamsinkinginthe flood.” But he is throwing the life preserver over you. “I am fainting!”saysanother.ButHeisputtingsmellingsaltstoyour nose to refresh your spirit. God is near, ready to revive and encourageyourfaintingsoul.

Perhaps a person says, “I find faith for the past and the ultimatefuturequiteeasy,butIdon’thaveenoughfaithforthe present.”WesometimesforgetthatGodis“averypresenthelp in trouble,” but it is true. He has delivered us, and He will continuetodeliverus.

HEHAS DELIVERED;HEWILLDELIVER

He hasdeliveredusfromsuchadeadlyperil, and he willdeliverus.On himwehavesetour hopethat he willcontinuetodeliverus.

There may be many trials before you, but there is an abundance ofmercy ready to meet those trials.Troubles that youdonotknowyet,as wellas repetitions ofthoseyouhave experienced,youwillcertainlyencounter,buttheLordwillgive youstrengthandwillcontinuetodeliveryou.

As the eyes gradually failand the limbs growweakand the infirmities ofagecreep overus,wearelikely to bedistressed, but our Lord will not forsake us. When severe sickness invades our earthly bodies and our pains multiply and intensify,wewonderhowwewillendure.

As weconsiderourdeath,wewonderhowwewillbeableto bearourlasthours.Beencouraged:Hewhohas deliveredand does deliver willcontinue to deliver. Even as the trialcomes, theLordwillshowyouawayofescape.

He has delivered you; give Him your gratitude. He is deliveringyou;giveHimyourconfidence.Hewilldeliveryou; give Himyour joy, and begin now to praise Himfor mercies

2CORINTHIANS1:10NIV

that He has yet to showyou and forgrace that you have not yetexperiencedbutthatHewillgrantyouinthefuture.

GOD’S UNCHANGINGPURPOSE

Forthe Lord Almighty haspurposed,andwhocan thwart him?

His handisstretchedout,andwhocanturnitback?

ISAIAH14:27NIV

Heisalwaysthesame,andeverythingisalwayspresentinHis unchanging mind.What was the nature ofGod when He first determined to deliver me? Was it love? Then it is still love. What was the motive that prompted the Son ofGod when He came fromabove and snatched me fromthe deep waters? It was love, surprising love, and it is surprising love that still movesHimtodeliverme.

Did I sing about His faithfulness just the other day? That faithfulnessisjustthesametoday.HaveIadoredHiswisdom? Thatwisdomisnotdepleted.

There is not only the same nature in God as there always was,butthereisalsothesameunchangingpurpose.YouandI shift and change, and we do so because we make rash promises and flawed plans; but God, who is infinitely wise, always holds to His purpose. Now if it was His original purposetosaveus anditmusthavebeen,orHewouldnever have delivered us as He has done that purpose stillstands and shall stand forever. Though earth fades, though heaven andearthshallpassaway,asthemorningfrostdissolvesinthe

beams ofthe rising sun,the decree ofthe immutable Jehovah willneverbechanged.

Meditate withinyourheart onyourbed,andbestill.

PSALM4:4NKJV

Thereshould bespecialtimes formeditation.Ithinkeveryone should set apart a portion oftime every day forthis exercise.

Youmaytellmethatyouhavesomuchtodoyoucannotmake thetimeforit.Igenerallytakelightlytheexcuses ofthosewho cannotaffordtimeforobviousresponsibilities.

Ifyou do not have the time,you should make it.What time do you get up in the morning? Could you manage to get up fifteenminutes earlier?Howlongdoyoutakeforyourdinner? Thirty minutes? Then you read something afterward possibly. Could you spend that time in tranquil communion with your own soul? The Christian willalways be lacking ifhe does not have time for spiritual unity with his God. Those men who knowGodthebestarethosewhomeditatemostuponHim.

Do you desireto bestrong?Do you wish to bemighty?Do youhopetobevaliantfortheLordandusefulinHiscause?Be careful that you follow the occupation of the psalmist David andmeditate.Thisisahappyoccupation.

GOTOGOD!

GODWILLSUSTAIN

The Lord upholdeth allthatfall.

PSALM145:14KJV

“The Lord upholds allwho fall.” What a singularexpression! HowcanHeholdupthosewhofall?Yetthosewhofall,inthis sense, are the only persons who stand. It is a remarkable paradox, but it is true. The man who stands on his feet and says,“Iammighty;Iamstrongenoughtostandalone,”down he willgo; but he who falls into Christ’s arms,that man shall notfall.

WemaywelltalkthenofChrist’s upholdingpower.Tellitto Christians; tell how He kept you when your feet were going swiftly to hell; how, when fierce temptations did beset you, yourMasterdrove themallaway; how,when the enemy was watching,He compassed you with His mighty strength; how, when the arrows fellthickly around you,His mighty armheld theshieldbeforeyouandsopreservedyoufromthemall.Tell how He saved you fromdeath and delivered your feet from falling by making you, first of all, fall down prostrate before Him.

How sweet it is sometimes to talk of God’s exalting power afterwehavebeenheweddown!Howsweetitis tofeelGod’s grace when you have been bowed down!Cannot some ofus tellthat, when we have been bowed down beneath a load of

afflictionsothatwecouldnotevenmove,theeverlastingarms have been around us and have lifted us up? When Satan has puthis footonourbackandwehavesaid,“Weshallneverbe raisedupanymore,”theLordhascometoourrescue.

PROCLAIMWHATHEHAS DONEFORYOU

Theeyesofalllook toyou,and you give themtheirfoodatthepropertime.

PSALM145:15NIV

WeshouldoftenspeakofhowGodprovides forHis creatures in providence.Why should wenot tellhowGod has taken us outofpovertyandmadeus rich,orifHehas notdonethatfor us, howHe has supplied our wants day by day in an almost miraculousmanner!

Have you not sometimes been brought so low, through painfulaffliction,that you could not rest?And could you not afterwardsay,“Iwas broughtlow,andHehelpedme.”Yes,“I was brought low,and He helped me out ofmy distress.” We havebeenbroughtintogreatstraits,buttheLordhasdelivered usoutofthemall.

Do not be ashamed to tellthe story.Let the world hearthat God provides forHis people.Go,speakofyourFather.Do as thechilddoes who,whenhehas alittlecakegiventohim,will take it out,and say,“My fathergave me this.” Do so with all your mercies:Go and tellallthe world that you have a good Father,agracious Father,aheavenlyProvider;andthoughHe gives you a small portion, and you only live from hand to mouth,stilltellhowgraciouslyHegives itandthatyouwould not changeyourblessed estateforalltheworld calls good or

great.

TALKABOUTJESUS

“Thosewhohaveinsightwillshinebrightly likethebrightnessoftheexpanseofheaven, andthosewholeadthemanytorighteousness, likethestarsforeverandever.”

DANIEL12:3NASB

Oh,thinkofthecrowns thatareinheaven!So many souls,so manygems!Haveyoueverthoughtwhatitwouldbetowearin heaven a starless crown?Allthe saints willhave crowns,but those who win souls willhave a starin theircrown forevery soul.Someofyou,myfriends,willwearacrownwithoutastar; would you like that? You willbe happy, you willbe blessed, you willbe satisfied,Iknow,when you willbe there; but can youbearthethoughtofneverhavingbroughtanytoChrist?

Ifyou want to win souls,talkabout Jesus.Thereis nothing like talking of Him to lead others to Him. Souls are often converted through godly conversation. Let the praises of Christ always be on your tongue; let Him live on your lips. SpeakofHimalways;whenyouwalkbytheway,whenyousit inyourhouse,whenyouriseup,andevenwhenyouliedown. It may be that you have someone to whomit is possible that youmayyetwhispertheGospelofthegraceofGod.

SingofChristalone!Christalone!Christalone!Jesus,Jesus only!MakeHimthethemeofyourconversation,for“theyshall

speakofthe glory ofYourkingdom,and talkofYourpower.” Godgiveyougracesotodo,forChrist’ssake!

THEGLORYOFTHELORD

ISAIAH40:5NIV

We anticipate the happy day when the whole world shallbe converted to Christ, when kings shall bow down before the Prince of Peace and all nations shall call their Redeemer blessed.Weknowthattheworldandallthatis initis oneday tobeburntup,andafterwardwelookfornewheavens andfor anewearth.

Wearenot discouraged by thelength ofHis delays; weare not disheartened by the long period that He allots to the Church in which to struggle with little success and much defeat.WebelievethatGodwillneversufferthis world,which has once seen Christ’s blood shed upon it, to be always the devil’s stronghold. Christ came to deliver this world fromthe detestedswayofthepowersofdarkness.

Whatashoutshallthatbewhenmenandangelsunitetocry, “Hallelujah,hallelujah,fortheLordGodOmnipotentreigneth!”

Whatasatisfactionwillitbeinthatdaytohavehadasharein thefight,tohavehelpedtobreakthearrowsofthebow,andto haveaidedinwinningthevictoryforourLord!Happyarethey whotrustthemselves withthis conqueringLordandwhofight sidebysidewithHim,doingtheirlittleinHis nameandbyHis

“Andthegloryofthe Lord willberevealed, andallmankindtogetherwillseeit.”

strength!

GOD’S CONTINUEDWORK

Byonesacrifice he hasmadeperfect foreverthosewhoarebeingmadeholy.

HEBREWS10:14NIV

IfGod has made a newcreature ofman,which is the greatest workofgrace,willHenotdothelesserworkofgrace namely, makethenewcreaturegrowupuntoperfection?IftheLordhas turnedyoutoHimself,neverbeafraidthatHewillleaveyouto perish. If He had meant to destroy you, He would not have done this for you. God does not make creatures for annihilation.

Chemists tellus that though many things are resolved into theirprimarygasesbyfire,yetthereisnotaparticlelessmatter on the earth today than there was when it was created. No spirituallifethatcomesfromGodiseverannihilated.

Ifyou have obtained it,it nevershallbe taken fromyou it shallbe in you a wellof water springing up unto everlasting life. If, when you were an enemy, God looked upon you in graceand changed you and madeyou what you noware,will He not nowthat you are reconciled continue to preserve and nurture you until He presents you faultless before His presencewithexceedinggreatjoy?

MORETHANCONQUERORS

Inallthesethingswearemorethan conquerorsthrough himthat loved us.

ROMANS8:37KJV

Ajoyous man,such as Ihavenowin my mind’s eye,is forall intents and purposes a strong man. He is strong in a calm, restful manner. Whatever happens, he is not ruffled or disturbed. He is not afraid of evil tidings; his heart is fixed, trustingintheLord.

The ruffled man is ever weak. He is in a hurry and does things poorly.Themanfullofjoywithinis quiet;hebides his timeand crouches in thefullness ofhis strength.Such aman, though he is humble, is firmand steadfast. He is not carried away with every wind or bowed by every breeze; he knows what he knows and holds what he holds, and the golden anchor of his hope enters within the veiland holds himfast. Hisstrengthisnotpretentiousbutreal.

The happiness arising fromcommunion with God breeds in himno boastfulness:He does not talkofwhat he can do,but hedoesit;hedoesnotsaywhathecouldbear,buthebearsall that comes. He does not himself always knowwhat he could do; his weakness is the more apparent to himself because of thestrength that theHoly Spirit puts upon him,but when the time comes, his weakness only illustrates the divine might,

whilethemangoescalmlyonconqueringandtoconquer.

THEJOYOFTHELORD

Thejoyofthe Lord isyourstrength.

NEHEMIAH8:10KJV

The man who possesses “the joy of the Lord” finds it his strength, in that it fortifies him against temptation. What is there that he can be tempted with? He has more already than theworldcanofferhimas arewardfortreachery.Heis already rich; who shallsnarehimwith thewages ofunrighteousness? He is already satisfied; who is he who can seduce himwith pleasingbaits?

“Shall such a man as I flee?” The rejoicing Christian is equally proofagainst persecution.They may wellafford to be laughedatwhowinatsucharateashedoes.“Youmayscoff,” hesays,“but Iknowwhat truereligion is within my soul,and your scoffing will not make me relinquish the pearl of great price.”

Suchamanis,furthermore,madestrongtobearaffliction;for all the sufferings put upon him are but a few drops of bitterness cast into his cup ofbliss,to give a deepertone to thesweetnessthatabsorbsthem.

Suchamanbecomesstrongforservice,too.Whatcanhenot dowhoishappyinhisGod?ByhisGodheleapsoverawallor breaks throughatroop.Heis strong,too,forany kind ofself-

sacrifice.To the God who gives himalland remains to himas his perpetualportion,such aman gives up allthathehas and does not thinkit surrender. It is laying up his treasure in his ownpeculiartreasure-house,evenintheGodofhissalvation.

Whentheyhadlifteduptheireyes,they saw noonebut Jesus only.

MATTHEW17:8NKJV

I do desire for my fellow Christians and for myself that more and more the great object ofourthoughts, motives, and acts may be “Jesus only.” I believe that whenever our religion is mostvitalitis mostfullofChrist.Furthermore,whenitis most practical,downright,andcommonsense,italwaysgetsnearest to Jesus. I can bear witness that whenever I amin deeps of sorrow,nothingwilldoformebut“Jesusonly.”

I can rest in some degree in the externals of religion, its outwardescarpments andbulwarks,whenIaminhealth;butI retreattotheinnermostcitadelofourholyfaith,namely,tothe veryheartofChrist,whenmyspiritisassailedbytemptationor besieged with sorrowand anguish.What is more,my witness isthatwheneverIhavehighspiritualenjoyments enjoyments right, rare, celestial they are always connected with Jesus only.

Other religious things may give some kind of joy, and joy thatis healthy,too,butthemostsublime,themostinebriating, themostdivineofalljoysmustbefoundinJesusonly.

JESUS ONLY

ACCEPTEDINJESUS

Christ accepted you.

ROMANS15:7NIV

Iwillconfess toyouthatoverandoverIammyselfpersonally driven to do what Itrust you may be led to do today. Ilook backonmylife;andwhileIhavemuchtothankGodfor,much in which to see His Spirit’s hand, yet when I feel my responsibilities and my shortcomings, my heart sinks within me. When Ithinkofmy transgressions,betterknown to myself than to anyone else, and remember, too, that they are not known even to me as they are to God, I feel all hope swept away and my soulleft in utterdespair untilIcome anewto thecross andthinkofwhoitwas whodiedthere,andwhyHe died,and what designs ofinfinite mercy are answered by His death.

Itis sosweettolookuptotheCrucifiedOneagainandsay, “Ihave nothing but You,my Lord,no confidence but You.If Youarenotacceptedas mysubstitute,Imustperish;ifGod’s appointed Savioris not enough, Ihave no other. But Iknow You are the Father’s well-beloved and I amaccepted in You. YouareallIwantandallIhave.”

Thetrialofyourfaith…

1PETER1:7KJV

Faith untried may be true faith,but it is sure to be little faith, anditis likelytoremaindwarfishsolongas itis withouttrials.

Faithneverprosperssowellaswhenallthingsareagainsther: Tempests are hertrainers, and lightnings are herilluminators. Whenacalmreignsonthesea,spreadthesailsasyouwill,the ship moves not to its harbor; for on a slumbering ocean, the keelsleeps,too.

Let the winds rush howling forth, and let the waters lift up themselves; though thevesselmay rockand herdeckmay be washedwithwavesandhermastmaycreakunderthepressure ofthefullandswellingsail,itis then thatshemakes headway towardherdesiredhaven.Nostars gleamsobrightlyas those that glisten in the polarsky,no watertastes so sweet as that whichspringsamidthedesertsand,andnofaithissoprecious asthatwhichlivesandtriumphsinadversity.

Tried faith brings experience. You could not have believed your own weakness had you not been compelled to pass through the rivers; and you would never have known God’s strength had you not been supported amid the water-floods.

Faithincreasesinsolidity,assurance,andintensity,themoreit is exercised with tribulation. Faith is precious, and its trial is

TRIALS

precious,too.

GOD,OURREFUGE

“TheeternalGod isyourrefuge.”

DEUTERONOMY33:27NKJV

The word “refuge” may be translated “mansion” or “abiding place,” which gives the thought that God is our abode, our home. There is a fullness and sweetness in the metaphor, for dear to our hearts is our home, although it be the humblest cottage or the scantiest garret; and dearer far is our blessed God, in whomwe live and move and have our being. It is at home that we feel safe: We shut the world out and dwell in quietsecurity.Heisourshelterandretreat,ourabidingrefuge.

Athomewetakeourrest;itis therewefindreposeafterthe fatigueand toiloftheday.And so ourhearts find restin God when,weariedwithlife’s conflict,weturntoHim,andoursoul dwells at ease.At home,also,we let ourhearts loose; we are not afraid of being misunderstood nor of our words being misconstrued. So when we are with God, we can commune freely with Him, laying open allour hidden desires; for if the “secret oftheLord is with themwho fearHim,”thesecrets of themwhofearHimoughttobeandmustbewiththeirLord.

Home, too, is the place ofourtruest and purest happiness: anditisinGodthatourheartsfindtheirdeepestdelight.

WALKCLOSETOCHRIST

So walk in Him.

COLOSSIANS2:6NKJV

If we have received Christ Himself in our inmost hearts, our newlife willmanifest its intimate acquaintance with Himby a walkoffaithinHim.Walkingimplies action.Ourreligionis not to be confined to ourcloset; we must carry out into practical effect that which we believe.Ifa man walks in Christ,then he so acts as Christ would act; forChrist being in himhis hope, hislove,hisjoy,hislife,heisthereflexoftheimageofJesus and men say ofthat man,“He is like his Master; he lives like JesusChrist.”

Walkingsignifies progress.Proceedfromgracetograce,run forwarduntilyoureachtheuttermostdegreeofknowledgethat a man can attain concerning our Beloved. Walking implies continuance.TheremustbeaperpetualabidinginChrist.How many Christians think that in the morning and evening they ought to come into the company ofJesus and may then give theirhearts totheworldalltheday.Butthis is poorliving;we shouldalwaysbewithHim,treadinginHisstepsanddoingHis will.

Walking also implies habit.When wespeakofa man’s walk andconversation,wemeanhishabits,theconstanttenorofhis life. Now if we sometimes enjoy Christ and then forget Him, sometimes callHimours and again loseourhold,that is not a

habit; we do not walkin Him.We must keep to Him,cling to Him,neverletHimgobutliveandhaveourbeinginHim.

NOTETERNALLYSEPARATEDBYSIN

Forashighastheheavensareabovetheearth,sogreatis his love

forthosewhofearhim;asfarastheeastisfromthewest, sofarhas he removedourtransgressionsfromus.

Asafatherhascompassiononhischildren,sothe Lord hascompassiononthosewhofearhim.

PSALM103:11–13NIV

Doesitnotmakeamangladtoknowthatthoughoncehissins hadprovokedtheLordtheyareallblottedout,notoneofthem remains;thoughoncehewasestrangedfromGodandfaraway fromHimbywickedworks,yetheisbroughtnearbytheblood of Christ. The Lord is no longer an angry judge pursuing us withadrawnsword,butalovingFatherintowhosebosomwe pouroursorrowsandfindeaseforeverypangoftheheart.

ForGodtopityme,Icanunderstand;forGodtocondescend tohavemercyuponme,Icancomprehend;butforHimtolove me,forthepuretoloveasinner,fortheinfinitelygreattolove areprobate,is matchless,amiracleofmiracles!Such thoughts

Oh, to know that God actually loves us! I cannot preach upon that theme forit is a subject to muse upon in silence,a matter to sit by the hour together and meditate upon. The Infinite to love an insignificant creature, an ephemera of an hour,ashadowthatdeclines!Isthisnotamarvel?

mustcomfortthesoul.

ABBA,FATHER

Youdidnotreceiveaspiritthatmakesyouaslaveagainto fear, butyou received the Spirit ofsonship.Andby himwe cry, “Abba,Father.”The Spirit himselftestifies withourspirit thatweare God’schildren.

ROMANS8:15–16NIV

He cannot be an unhappy man who can cry,“Abba,Father.” The spirit of adoption is always attended by love, joy, and peace,which are fruits ofthe Spirit; forwe have not received the spirit ofbondage again to fear, but we have received the spirit ofliberty and joy in Christ Jesus.“My God,my Father.” Oh,howsweetthesound.

But allmen ofGod do not enjoy this,you say.Sadly that is true, but that is their own fault. It is the right and portion of every believerto livein theassurancethat heis reconciled to God,that God loves him,and that he is God’s child,and ifhe does not live in that manner,he has himselfonly to blame.If there be any starving at God’s table, it is because the guest stintshimself,forthefeastissuperabundant.

If,however,aman comes to livehabitually underasenseof pardon through thesprinkling ofthePrecious Blood,and in a delightfulsenseofperfectreconciliationwiththegreatGod,he isthepossessorofajoyunspeakableandfullofglory.

OURFUTUREIS KNOWNBYGOD

Therefore,sincewehavebeenjustifiedthroughfaith,we have peacewith God throughourLord Jesus Christ,throughwhom wehavegainedaccessbyfaithintothisgraceinwhichwenow stand.Andwe rejoice inthehopeofthegloryofGod.

ThejoyoftheLordintheSpiritspringsfromanassurancethat all the future, whatever it may be, is guaranteed by divine goodness; that being children ofGod,theloveofGod toward us is not of a mutable character but abides and remains unchangeable. The believer feels an entire satisfaction in leavinghimselfinthehandsofeternalandimmutablelove.

Howeverhappy Imay betoday,ifIamin doubt concerning tomorrow,thereisawormattherootofmypeace;althoughthe past may now be sweet in retrospect and the present fair in enjoyment, yet if the future be grimwith fear, my joy is but shallow.Ifmysalvationisstillamatterofhazardandjeopardy, unmingled joy is not mine and deep peace is still out of my reach.

But when Iknowthat He whomIhave rested in has power andgraceenoughtocompletethatwhichHehas beguninme and for me, when I see the work of Christ to be no halfway redemption but a complete and eternal salvation, when I

ROMANS5:1–2NIV

perceive that the promises are established upon an unchangeable basis and are in Christ Jesus, ratified by oath andsealedbyblood,thenmysoulhasperfectcontentment.

THECROWNOFVICTORY

My sheep hear my voice,and Iknow them, andthey follow me:And Igive untothemeternallife; andtheyshallneverperish,neithershallanyman pluckthemoutofmy hand.My Father,whichgavethemme, isgreaterthanall;andnomanisable topluckthemoutofmy Father’s hand.

JOHN10:27–29KJV

Itis truethatlookingforwardtheremaybeseenlongavenues oftribulation,but the glory is at the end ofthem; battles may be foreseen, and woe to the man who does not expect them, buttheeyeoffaithperceivesthecrownofvictory.

Deepwaters aremappeduponourjourney;butfaithcansee Jehovah fording these rivers with us,and she anticipates the day when we shall ascend the banks of the shore and enter into Jehovah’s rest. When we have received these priceless truths intooursouls,wearesatisfiedwithfavorandfullofthe goodnessoftheLord.

IvaluetheGospelnotonlyforwhatithasdoneformeinthe past, but for the guarantees that it affords me of eternal salvation. “Igive unto themeternallife; and they shallnever perish,neithershallanymanpluckthemoutofMyhand.”

GLORYINTRIBULATIONS

We glory intribulationsalso.

ROMANS5:3KJV

Itis joy,whenbetweenthemillstones crushedlikeanolive,to yield nothing but the oil of thankfulness; when bruised beneath the flail of tribulation, still to lose nothing but the chaff, and to yield to God the precious grain of entire submissiveness.

Why, this is a little heaven upon earth. To glory in tribulations also, this is a high degree of moving toward the likeness of our Lord. Perhaps the usualcommunions that we havewithourBeloved,thoughexceedinglyprecious,willnever equal those that we enjoy when we have to break through thorns andbriars tobewithHim;whenwefollowHimintothe wilderness, then we feel the love of our union to be doubly sweet.

It is a joyous thing when in the midst of mournful circumstances we yet feelthat we cannot mourn because the Bridegroomis with us. Blessed is that man who in the most terriblestormisdriven notfromhisGod,butevenridesupon the crest of the lofty billows nearer toward heaven. Such happiness is the Christian’s lot. I do not say that every Christianpossessesit,butIamsurethateveryChristianought todoso.

Thereisahighwaytoheaven,andallinitaresafe;butinthe middleofthatroadthereisaspecialway,aninnerpath,andall whowalktherearehappyaswellassafe.

ACTS6:4NKJV

GreatGod,helpus stilltopray,andneverfromthemercy seat mayourfootstepsbedrivenbydespair.OurblessedRedeemer persevered in prayereven when the crueliron tore His tender nerves, and blow after blow of the hammer jarred His whole framewithanguish.

This perseverancemay beaccounted forby thefactthatHe was so in the habit ofprayerthat He could not cease fromit. Those long nights upon the cold mountainside, those many days thathadbeenspentinsolitude,thesehadformedinHim a habit so powerfulthat the severest torments could not stay itsforce.

Yetitwasmorethanhabit.OurLordwasbaptizedinthespirit ofprayer:He lived in it,it lived in Him; it had come to be an element ofHis nature. He was like that precious spice, which being bruised does not cease to give forth its perfume but ratheryieldsitallthemoreabundantlybecauseoftheblowsof the pestle, its fragrance being no outward and superficial quality but an inward virtue essentialto its nature,which the poundinginthemortardidnotfetchfromit,causingittoreveal itssecretsoulofsweetness.

DONOTDESPAIR

—PRAY!

“Butwewillgiveourselvescontinuallytoprayer.”

So Jesus prays, even as a bundle of myrrh gives forth its smell or as birds sing because they cannot do otherwise.

Prayer enwrapped His very soul as with a garment, and His heartwentforthinsucharray.Letthis beourexample never, under any circumstances, however severe the trial or depressingthedifficulty,letusceasefromprayer.

RESURRECTIONPOWER

Thepowerofhis resurrection…

PHILIPPIANS3:10KJV

The doctrine of a risen Savior is exceedingly precious. The resurrection is the cornerstone of the entire building of Christianity.Itisthekeystoneofthearchofoursalvation.The doctrine is the basis of the experience, but as the flower is lovelier than the root, so is the experience of fellowship with therisenSaviorlovelierthanthedoctrineitself.

IwouldhaveyoubelievethatChristrosefromthedeadsoas to sing ofit and derive allthe consolation that is possible for you to extract from this well-ascertained and well-witnessed fact;butIbeseechyou,restnotcontentedeventhere.Though you cannot, like the disciples, see Himvisibly, yet I bid you aspiretoseeChristJesus bytheeyeoffaith;andthough,like Mary Magdalene,you may not “touch” Him,yet may you be privileged to converse with Himand to knowthat He is risen, youyourselvesbeingriseninHimtonewnessoflife.

ToknowacrucifiedSaviorashavingcrucifiedallmysinsisa high degree of knowledge; but to know a risen Savior as having justified me and to realize that He has bestowed upon menewlife,havinggivenmetobeanewcreaturethroughHis ownnewnessoflife,thisisanoblestyleofexperience:Shortof it,noneoughttorestsatisfied.Mayyouboth“knowHimand

thepowerofHisresurrection.”

Why should souls who are quickened with Jesus wear the graveclothes ofworldliness andunbelief?Rise,fortheLordis risen.

GAZINGUPONJESUS

Behold theman!

JOHN19:5KJV

IftherebeoneplacewhereourLordJesus mostfullybecomes the joy and comfort of His people, it is where He plunged deepest into the depths ofwoe.Come,behold the man in the gardenofGethsemane;beholdHisheartsobrimmingwithlove thatHecannotholditin.Beholdthebloodysweatas itdistills fromeveryporeofHisbodyandfallsupontheground.Behold the man as they drive the nails into His hands and feet.Look up and see the sorrowfulimage ofyoursuffering Lord. Mark Himas the ruby drops stand on the thorn crown.Behold the man when allHis bones areoutofjoint,and Heis poured out likewaterandbroughtintothedustofdeath.

God has forsaken Him, and hell encompasses Him. Behold andsee,wasthereeversorrowlikethesorrowdoneuntoHim?

Gaze upon Him, for if there is no consolation in a crucified Christ,thereis nojoyinearthorheaven.Ifintheransomprice of His blood there is not hope, the right hand of God shall knowno pleasures forevermore.Wehaveonly to sitlongerat the cross to be less troubled with our doubts and woes. We have but to see His sorrows, and our sorrows we shall be ashamedtomention.WehavebuttogazeintoHiswoundsand healourown.

Ifwewouldlivecorrectly,itmustbebythecontemplationof Hisdeath;ifwewouldrisetodignity,itmustbebyconsidering HishumiliationandHissorrow.

Thereforesubmitto God.

JAMES4:7NKJV

Athroneshouldbeapproachedwithcompletesubmission.We donotpraytoGodtoinstructHimas towhatHeoughttodo, neitherforamomentmustwepresumetodictatethelineofthe divine procedure. We are permitted to say unto God, “Thus andthuswouldwehaveit,”butwemustfurthermoreadd,“But seeingthatweareignorantandmaybemistaken seeingthat wearestillinthefleshandthereforemaybeactuatedbycarnal motives notaswewill,butasYouwill.”

Whoshalldictatetothethrone?NoloyalchildofGodwillfor a moment imagine that he is to occupy the place ofthe King, buthebows beforeHimwhohas arighttobeLordofall;and though he utters his desire earnestly, vehemently, importunately,and pleads and pleads again,yet it is evermore withthis needfulreservation:“Yourwillbedone,myLord,and ifIaskanything that is not in accordance with it, my inmost willis thatYouwouldbegoodenoughtodenyYourservant.I willtakeitas atrueanswerifYourefuseme,ifIaskthatwhich seemsnotgoodinYoursight.”

Ifweconstantlyrememberedthis,weshouldbeless inclined topushcertainsuitsbeforethethrone,forweshouldfeel“Iam here in seeking my own ease, my own comfort, my own advantage,and perhaps Imay beasking forthat which would

WILL

’S

dishonor God; therefore will I speak with the deepest submissiontothedivinedecrees.”

THETHRONEOFGRACE

“Hear fromheaventheirprayerandtheirplea, and uphold theircause.”

1KINGS8:45NIV

Ifin prayerIcomebeforeathroneofgrace,then thefaults of my prayerwillbeoverlooked.Thegroanings ofyourspiritare such that you thinkthere is nothing in them.What a blotted, blurred,smeared prayeritis.Nevermind;you arenotcometo thethroneofjustice,otherwisewhenGodperceivedthefaultin the prayer, He would spurn it your gaspings and stammeringsarebeforeathroneofgrace.

When any one of us has presented his best prayer before God, ifhe sawit as God sees it, he would lament overit; for thereis enough sin in thebestprayerthatwas everprayed to secure its being cast away fromGod. But our King does not maintain a stately etiquette in His court like that which has been observed by princes, where a little mistake or a flaw wouldsecurethepetitioner’sbeingdismissedwithdisgrace.

No,thefaultycriesofHischildrenarenotcriticized.OurLord Jesus Christtakes caretoalterandamendeveryprayerbefore Hepresents it,and Hemakes theprayerperfect and prevalent with His own merits.God looks upon theprayer,as presented through Christ, and forgives all its own inherent faultiness. Howthis ought to encourageany ofus who feelourselves to

befeeble,wandering,andunskillfulinprayer.

Ifyou feelas ifsomehoworotheryou have grown rusty in the act of supplication, never give up, but come still, come moreoften,foritisathroneofgracetowhichyoucome.

UNWORTHYMANMADEWORTHY

To himwhoisableto…present youbefore his gloriouspresencewithoutfault.

JUDE1:24NIV

Inasmuch as itis athroneofgrace,thefaults ofthepetitioner himselfshallnot prevent the success ofhis prayer. Oh, what faults there are in us!To come before a throne,howunfit we are we who are alldefiled with sin within and without!Dare any ofyou thinkofpraying wereit not that God’s throneis a throneofgrace?

An absolute God, infinitely holy and just, could not in consistency with His divine nature answer any prayer from such asinneras Iam,wereit not that Hehas arranged aplan bywhichmyprayercomesupnolongertoathroneofabsolute justice but to a throne that is also the mercy seat, the propitiation,theplacewhereGodmeets sinners throughJesus Christ.

Icouldnotsaytoyou,“Pray,”noteventoyousaints,unless itwereathroneofgrace.Athroneofgraceis aplacefittedfor you:Go to yourknees; by simple faith go to yourSavior,for He,Heitis whois thethroneofgrace.Itis inHimthatGodis ableto dispensegraceto themost guilty ofmankind.Blessed beGod;thefaultsoftheprayershallnotshutoutourpetitions fromtheGodwhodelightsinbrokenandcontritehearts.

INTERPRETEDPLEADINGS

The Spirit himselfintercedes forus withgroansthatwordscannotexpress.

ROMANS8:26NIV

Ifitis athroneofgrace,thenthedesires ofthepleaderwillbe interpreted.IfIcannotfindwords inwhichtouttermydesires, God in His grace willread my desires without the words. He takesthemeaningofHissaints,themeaningoftheirgroans.A throne that was not gracious would not trouble itselfto make outourpetitions;butGod,theinfinitelygraciousOne,willdive into the soul of our desires, and He will read there what we cannotspeakwiththetongue.

Have you neverseen the parent,when his child is trying to say something to himand he knows very well what it is the little one has to say, help himwith the words and utter the syllables for him? And so the ever-blessed Spirit, from the throneofgrace,willteachus words andwriteinourhearts the desiresthemselves.

He willput the desires and the expression of those desires intoyourspiritbyHis grace,Hewilldirectyourdesires to the things that you ought to seekfor,He willsuggest to you His promises that you may be able to plead them; He will,in fact, be Alpha and Omega to your prayer, just as He is to your salvation,foras salvation is fromfirst to last ofgrace,so the

sinner’sapproachtothethroneofgraceisofgracefromfirstto last. What comfort this is. Will we not with the greater boldnessdrawneartothisthrone?

GODKNOWS YOURPAIN

You,OLord,area God fullofcompassion, andgracious,longsufferingandabundant inmercyandtruth.

PSALM86:15NKJV

Allthepetitioner’s miseries shallbecompassionated.Suppose Icometothethroneofgracewiththeburdenofmysins;there is One on the throne who felt the burden ofsin in ages long gone by and has not forgotten its weight. Suppose I come loaded with sorrow; there is One there who knows all the sorrows to which humanity can besubjected.AmIdepressed and distressed? Do I fear that God Himself has forsaken me? There is One upon the throne who said, “My God, My God, whyhaveYouforsakenMe?”

It is a throne from which grace delights to look upon the miseries ofmankind with tendereye,to considerthemand to relieve them. Come then you who are not only poor but wretched, whose miseries make you long for death and yet dread it. You captive ones, come in your chains; you slaves, comewiththeirons uponyoursouls;youwhositindarkness, comeforthallblindfoldedasyouare.

Thethroneofgracewilllookonyou,ifyoucannotlookonit, and will give to you, though you have nothing to give in return,andwilldeliveryou,thoughyoucannotraiseafingerto deliveryourself.

In himandthroughfaithin himwemay approach God withfreedomandconfidence.

EPHESIANS3:12NIV

To me it is a most delightful reflection that if I come to the throneofGodinprayer,Imayfeelathousanddefects,butyet there is hope.Iusually feelmore dissatisfied with my prayers than with anything else I do. We sometimes hear of persons commended forpreaching well,but ifany shallbe enabled to praywell,therewillbeanequalgiftandahighergraceinit.

But suppose in our prayers there should be defects of knowledge:It is a throne ofgrace,and ourFatherknows that wehaveneedofthesethings.Supposethereshouldbedefects offaith:Hesees ourlittlefaithandstilldoes notrejectit,small as itis.Hedoes notineverycasemeasureoutHis gifts bythe degreeofourfaith,butbythesincerityandtruenessoffaith.

And ifthere should be grave defects in ourspirit even,and failures in the fervency or in the humility of the prayer, still, thoughtheseshouldnotbethereandaremuchtobedeplored, grace overlooks allthis, forgives allthis, and stillits merciful handisstretchedouttoenrichusaccordingtoourneeds.

Surely this ought to induce many to pray who have not

BEBOLD!

prayed and should make us who have been long accustomed to use the consecrated art ofprayerto drawnearwith greater boldnessthanevertothethroneofgrace.

THECOVENANT

Ask,anditshallbegivenyou; seek,andyeshallfind; knock,anditshallbeopeneduntoyou.

MATTHEW7:7KJV

On the throne of grace, God is again bound to us by His promises.Thecovenantcontainsinitmanygraciouspromises, exceedinggreatandprecious.“Ask,anditshallbegivenyou; seek, and you shallfind; knock, and it shallbe opened unto you.”

UntilGodhadsaidthatwordorawordtothateffect,itwasat His own option to hearprayerornot,butitis notso now;for nowifitbetrueprayerofferedthroughJesus Christ,His truth binds Him to hear it. A man may be perfectly free, but the momenthemakes apromise,heis notfreeto breakit;and the everlastingGodwants nottobreakHis promise.Hedelights to fulfillit.

Hehas declared that allHis promises are“yeaand amen”in Christ Jesus; but for our consolation when we survey God underthehighandterribleaspectofasovereign,wehavethis toreflecton:thatHeisundercovenantbondsofpromisetobe faithfultothesoulswhoseekHim.Histhronemustbeathrone ofgracetoHispeople.

THEBLOODOFCHRIST

In Himwehaveredemptionthrough His blood, theforgivenessofsins,accordingto therichesofHis grace.

EPHESIANS1:7NKJV

Every covenant promise has been endorsed and sealed with blood, and far be it from the everlasting God to pour scorn upon the blood of His dear Son. The signature is the handwriting of God Himself, and the sealis the blood of the Only Begotten.The covenant is ratified with blood,the blood ofHisowndearSon.

ItisnotpossiblethatwecanpleadinvainwithGodwhenwe plead the blood-sealed covenant, ordered in all things and sure.Heaven and earth shallpass away,but the powerofthe blood ofJesus with God can neverfail.Itspeaks when weare silent,anditprevails whenwearedefeated.Betterthings than thatofAbeldoesitaskfor,anditscryisheard.

Let us come boldly, for we hear the promise in our hearts. When we feelalarmed because ofthe sovereignty ofGod,let uscheerfullysing

“The gospel bears my spirit up, A faithful and unchanging God Lays the foundation for my hope

In oaths,and promises,and blood.”

IMITATECHRIST

BeimitatorsofGod.

EPHESIANS5:1NIV

The Lord Jesus “is altogether lovely.” Then if I want to be lovely,ImustbelikeHim,andthemodelformeasaChristianis Christ.CopyJesus:“Heisaltogetherlovely.”Wewanttohave Christ’s zeal, but we must balance it with His prudence and discretion.WemustseektohaveChrist’sloveforGod,andwe must feel His love for men, His forgiveness of injury, His gentleness of speech, His incorruptible truthfulness, His meekness and lowliness, His utter unselfishness, His entire consecrationtoHisFather’sbusiness.

Oh, that we had allthis! For depend on it whatever other pattern we select, we have made a mistake; we are not following the true classic model of the Christian artist. Our mastermodelis the“altogetherlovely”one.Howsweetitis to thinkofourLord in thedoubleaspectas ourexampleand our Savior!

Thelaverthatstoodinthetemplewas madeofbrass:Inthis thepriests washed theirfeet wheneverthey offered sacrifices, so does Christpurify us fromsin;butthetradition is thatthis laverwas made ofvery bright brass and acted as a mirror,so thatasoftenasthepriests cametoit,theycouldseetheirown spotsinit.Oh,whenIcometomyLordJesus,notonlydoIget

ridofmysins,butalsoIseemyspotsinthelightofHisperfect character; and I am humbled and taught to follow after holiness.

INDISPENSABLELOVE

Everyonethat loveth isborn ofGod,and knoweth God.

1JOHN4:7KJV

There are some graces that in their vigor are not absolutely essential to the bare existence of spiritual life, though very important forits healthy growth; but love forGod must be in the heart,orelse there is no grace there whatever.Ifany man does notloveGod,Heis notarenewedman.LoveforGodis a markthatisalwayssetuponChrist’ssheepandneversetupon any others. “Every one that loveth is born of God, and knowethGod.”

Ihave no right,therefore,to believe that Iama regenerated personunlessmyhearttrulyandsincerelylovesGod.IfIhave beenregenerated,Imaynotbeperfect,butthisonethingIcan say, “Lord, You knowallthings. You knowthat Ilove You.” Whenbybelievingwereceivetheprivilegetobecomethesons ofGod,wereceivealso thenatureofsons,and with filiallove wecry,“Abba,Father.”

There is no exception to this rule: If a man loves not God, neither is he born of God. Show me a fire without heat, then showme regeneration that does not produce love to God; for as the sun must give forth its light, so must a soul that has beencreatedanewbydivinegracedisplayitsnaturebysincere affection toward God.You arenotborn again unless you love

God.HowindispensablethenislovetoGod.

LOVEANDOBEY

Thisislove:thatwe walk in obedienceto his commands.

2JOHN1:6NIV

Loveis thespringoftrueobedience.“This is theloveofGod, that we keep His commandments.” Now a man who is not obedient to God’s commandments is evidently not a true believer; foralthough good works do not save us,yet,being saved,believersaresuretoproducegoodworks.

Thoughthefruitis nottherootofthetree,yetawell-rooted tree will, in its season, bring forth its fruits. So, though the keeping of the commandments does not make me a child of God, yet, being a child of God, I shall be obedient to my heavenlyFather.ButthisIcannotbeunlessIloveGod.

Amereexternalobedience,adecentformalrecognitionofthe laws of God, is not obedience in God’s sight. He abhors the sacrifice where the heart is not found.Imust obey because I love,orelseIhavenotin spiritand in truth obeyed atall.See then,that to produce the indispensable fruits ofsaving faith, theremustbeloveforGod;forwithoutit,theywouldbeunreal andindeedimpossible.

GODLOVES YOU

“ForGod solovedtheworldthat he gave his oneandonly Son,thatwhoeverbelieves in himshallnotperishbuthaveeternallife.”

JOHN3:16NIV

It is certain, beloved brethren, that faith in the heart always precedes love.We first believe the love ofGod forus before weloveGodinreturn.And,oh,whatanencouragingtruththis is.I,asinner,donotbelievethatGodloves mebecauseIfeelI love Him; but Ifirst believe that He loves me,sinneras Iam, andthenhavingbelievedthatgracious fact,Icometolovemy Benefactorinreturn.

Perhaps someofyouseekers aresayingtoyourselves,“Oh, that we could love God, for then we could hope for mercy.”

Thatis notthefirststep.Yourfirststep is to believethatGod lovesyou,andwhenthattruthisfullyfixedinyoursoulbythe Spirit, a fervent love for God will spontaneously issue from yoursoul,even as flowers willingly pourforth theirfragrance undertheinfluenceofthedewandthesun.

Everymanwhoeverwas savedhadtocometoGodnotas a loverofGod but as a sinner,and to believe in God’s love for himasasinner.

THEGREATNESSOFGOD’S LOVE

But God,beingrichinmercy,becauseof His greatlovewithwhichHe loved us… made usalivetogetherwith Christ.

EPHESIANS2:4–5NASB

Brethren, rest assured that in proportion as we are fully persuadedofGod’s loveforus,weshallbeaffectedwithlove forHim.DonotletthedeviltemptyoutobelievethatGoddoes not love you because yourlove is feeble; forifhe can in any way weaken yourbeliefin God’s love foryou, he cuts offor diminishestheflowofthestreamsthatfeedthesacredgraceof loveforGod.

IfIlament that Ido not love God as Iought,that is a holy regret;butifIthereforeconcludethatGod’sloveformeisless becauseofthis,Ideny thelight becausemy eyeis dim,and I deprivemyselfalsoofthepowertoincreaseinlove.

Letmeratherthinkmoreandmoreofthegreatness ofGod’s loveforme,as Iseemoreandmoremyunworthiness ofit;the moreasinnerIam,letmethemorefullyseehowgreatmustbe that love that embraces such a sinner as I am; and then as I receiveadeepersenseofthedivinemercy,Ishallfeelthemore boundtogratitudeandconstrainedtoaffection.Oh,foragreat waveoflovetocarryusrightoutintotheoceanoflove.

COMETOJESUS

Behold,we come unto thee; forthou artthe Lord ourGod.

JEREMIAH3:22KJV

Does He not declare that He is God and changes not, and therefore you are not consumed? Rekindled are the flames of loveinthebackslider’sbosomwhenhefeelsallthistobetrue; hecries,“Behold,wecomeuntoYouforYou aretheLord our God.” Come just as you are, bad as you are, hardened, cold, dead as you feelyourselves to be; comeeven so,and believe intheboundlessloveofGodinChristJesus.

Then shall come the deep repentance; then shall come the brokenness of heart; then shall come the holy jealousy, the sacred hatred ofsin, and the refining of the soulfromallher dross;then,indeed,allgoodthings shallcometorestoreyour soulandleadyouinthepathsofrighteousness.

Do not look for these first; that would be looking for the effects before the cause. The great cause of love in the restored backslidermust be the love ofGod forhim,to whom heclingswithafaiththatdaresnotletgoitshold.

ALIKE,YETDIFFERENT

Thebirds make theirnests:asforthestork, thefirtreesareherhouse.Thehighhillsarearefuge forthewildgoats;andtherocksfortheconies.

PSALM104:17–18KJV

God has not made two creatures precisely alike. You shall gatherleaves fromatree,andyoushallnotfindtwoveinedin precisely the same way.In Christian experience it is the same. Wherever there is living Christian experience, it is different fromeverybody else’s experiencein somerespect.In afamily, each child may be like his father, and yet each child shallbe differentfromeachotherchild;andamongthechildrenofGod, though they allhave the likeness of Christ in a measure, yet theyarenotallexactlyliketheother.

Areyou emptied ofself,and do you lookto Christalone?If noothersoulhastrodthesamepathasyouhave,youareona rightpath;andthoughyourexperiencemayhaveeccentricities in it that differfromallothers,it is right it should be so.God hasnotmadethewildgoatliketheconey,norhasHemadethe storklikeanyotherbird,butHehas madeeachtofittheplace itistooccupy;andHemakesyourexperiencetobesuitableto bringoutsomepointofHis glory,whichcouldnotbebrought outotherwise.

Some are fullofrejoicing,others are often depressed,a few

keepthehappymedium,manysoaraloftandthendiveintothe deeps again; let these varied experiences, as they are all equally clear phases of the same divine loving-kindness, be accepted,andletthemberejoicedin.

AREFUGEFROMFEAR

ForGod hasnotgivenusaspiritoffear, butofpowerandofloveandofasoundmind.

2TIMOTHY1:7NKJV

Beloved,thereis ashelterformanfromthesenseofpastguilt. Itis becauseweareguiltythatwearefearful:Wehavebroken our Maker’s law, and therefore we are afraid. But our Maker camefromheaventoearth;Jesus,theChristofGod,camehere andwas mademanandboreoursins thatwemightneverbear His Father’s righteous wrath, and whoever believes in Jesus shallfindperfectrestinthosedearwoundsofHis.

SinceChristsufferedforme,myguiltisgone,mypunishment was endured by my Substitute; thereforeIhearthe voice that says,“Comfortye,comfortyoumypeople!Sayuntothemthat their warfare is accomplished, for they have received at the Lord’shanddoubleforalltheirsins.”

And as for future fears, He who believes in Jesus finds a refuge from them in the Fatherhood of God. He who trusts Christ says:“NowIhaveno fearabout thepresent norabout the future. Let catastrophe follow catastrophe, let the world crashandalltheuniversegotoruin;beneaththewings ofthe EternalGod,Imust besafe.Allthings must worktogetherfor mygood,forIloveGodandhavebeencalledaccordingtoHis purpose.”Whatablessedshelterthisis!

GENUINEWORSHIP

Ascribe tothe Lord theglorydue his name. Bring anofferingand come before him; worship the Lord inthesplendorofhis holiness.

1CHRONICLES16:29NIV

The happiest moments Ihave everspent have been occupied withtheworshipofGod.Ihaveneverbeensonearheavenas whenadoringbeforetheeternalthrone.IthinkeveryChristian willbearlikewitness.

Among allthejoys ofearth,and Ishallnotdepreciatethem, thereisnojoycomparabletothatofpraise.Theinnocentmirth of the fireside, the chaste delights of household love, even these are not to be mentioned side by side with the joy of worship, the rapture of drawing near to the Most High. The purest and most exhilarating joy is the delight of glorifying God, and so anticipating the time when we shall enjoy Him forever.IfGod’s praisehas been no wilderness to you,return to it with zest and ardor,and say:“Iwillyet praise You more andmore.”

Ifany suppose that you growweary with the service ofthe Lord,tellthemthatHispraiseissuchfreedom,suchrecreation, suchfelicitythatyoudesirenevertoceasefromit.Asforme,if mencallGod’sserviceslavery,Idesiretobesuchabondslave forever and gladly be branded with my Master’s name indelibly.

INCREASEYOURPRAISE

Greatisthe Lord, andgreatlytobepraised.

1CHRONICLES16:25KJV

EveryChristianas hegrows ingraceshouldhavealoftieridea ofGod.Ourhighest conception ofGod falls infinitely short of His glory,but an advanced Christian enjoys a farclearerview ofwhatGodisthanhehadatthefirst.

Nowthegreatness ofGodis everaclaimforpraise.“Greatis the Lord, and” what follows? “greatly to be praised.” If thenGodisgreatertomethanHewas,letmypraisebegreater.

IfIthinkofHimnowmoretenderlyas myFather ifIhavea clearer view of Him in the terror of His justice if I have a clearer view of the splendors of His wisdom by which He devised the atonement if I have larger thoughts of His eternal, immutable love let every advance in knowledge constrainmetosay:“‘IwillyetpraiseYoumoreandmore.’

“Iheard ofYou by the hearing ofthe ear,but nowmy eyes seeYou:ThereforewhileIabhormyselfindustandashes,my praise shall rise yet more loftily; up to Your throne shall my songascend.”

PRAISINGMOREORPRAISINGLESS?

Leteverythingthathas breath praise the Lord.

PSALM150:6NIV

Are you praising God more and more? If you are not, I am afraid ofone thing,and that is that you are probably praising Him less and less. It is a certain truth that if we do not go forwardintheChristianlife,wegobackward.Youcannotstand still;thereisadriftonewayortheother.

Now he who praises God less than he did, and goes on to praise Himless tomorrowand less the next day,and so on what willhe get to?And what is he? Evidently he is one of thosewhodrawbackuntoperdition,andtherearenopersons uponwhomamoredreadfulsentenceispronounced.

May you grow in grace, for life is proven by growth. May youmarchlikepilgrimstowardheaven,singingalltheway.The larkmayserveus as afinalpictureandanexampleofwhatwe allshould be.We should be mounting:Ourprayershould be “Nearer,myGod,toThee.”Weshouldbemounting:Ourmotto might well be “Higher! Higher! Higher!” As we mount, we should sing, and our song should grow louder, clearer, more fullof heaven. Upward, brother, I sing as you soar. Upward, singuntilyouaredissolvedinglory.

THEPRAYEROFJABEZ

Ohthat thou wouldestblessmeindeed!

1CHRONICLES4:10KJV

More honorable than his brothers was the child whom his motherborewith sorrow.As forthis Jabez,whoseaimwas so well pointed, his fame so far sounded, his name so lastingly embalmed he was a man of prayer. The honor he enjoyed would not have been worth having if it had not been vigorouslycontestedandequitablywon.Hisdevotionwasthe key to his promotion. Those are the best honors that come from God, the award of grace with the acknowledgment of service.

Thebesthonoristhatwhichamangainsincommunionwith theMostHigh.Jabez,wearetold,wasmorehonorablethanhis brothers,andhisprayerisrecordedasiftointimatethathewas also more prayerful than his brothers. We are told of what petitions his prayer consisted. All through it was very significantandinstructive.

“Oh, that You would bless me indeed!” I commend it as a prayerforyourselves,dearbrothers and sisters,one that will beavailableatallseasons,aprayertobeginChristianlifewith, a prayer to end it with, a prayer that would never be unseasonableinyourjoysorinyoursorrows.

BLESSINGAFTERTEARS

Thosewho sow intearsshallreap injoy.Hewho continuallygoesforthweeping…shalldoubtlesscomeagain withrejoicing.

PSALM126:5–6NKJV

To agreat extent wefind that wemust sowin tears beforewe can reap in joy. Many of our works for Christ have cost us tears. Difficulties and disappointments have wrung our soul with anguish.Yet those projects that have cost us more than ordinary sorrow have often turned out to be the most honorable ofourundertakings. You may expect a blessing in serving God if you are enabled to persevere under many discouragements.

There are many bounties given to us mercifully by God for which we are bound to be very grateful; but we must not set too much store by them.We may accept themwith gratitude, butwemustnotmakethemouridols.Whenwehavethem,we havegreat need to cry,“Oh,that You would bless meindeed, and make these inferior blessings real blessings”; and if we have themnot, we should with greater vehemence cry, “Oh, that we may be rich in faith, and if not blessed with these external favors, may we be blessed spiritually, and then we shallbeblessedindeed.”

THEGIFTOFREST

“Come to Me,allwhoarewearyandheavy-laden,and Iwill

MATTHEW11:28NASB

“Iwillgiveyourest.”“Iwillgive.”Itisarestthatisagift,nota restfoundinourexperiencebydegrees,butgivenatonce.We cometoJesus;weputouttheemptyhandoffaith,andrestis given us at once most freely.We possess it at once,and it is oursforever.Itisapresentrest,restnow notrestafterdeath, notrestafteratimeofprobationandgrowthandadvancement butitis restgiven when wecometo Jesus,given thereand then.

And it is perfect rest,too,forit is not said noris it implied that the rest is incomplete. We do not read, “I will give you partialrest,”but“rest,”asiftherewerenootherformofit.Itis perfect and complete in itself.In the blood and righteousness ofJesus,ourpeaceisperfect.

Haveyou cometo Jesus,and has Hegiven you perfect and present rest? Ifso,Iknowyoureye willcatch joyously those two little words, “And I”; and I would implore you lovingly rememberthePromiserwho speaks.Jesus promises and Jesus performs.

giveyourest.”

APETITIONTOGODFORHIS CLOSENESS

Forsake menot,OLord.

PSALM38:21KJV

FrequentlywepraythatGodwouldnotforsakeus inthehour oftrialand temptation,but weoften forget that wehaveneed to use this prayerat alltimes.There is no moment ofourlife, however holy, in which we can do without His constant upholding.Whetherinlightorindarkness,incommunionorin temptation,wealikeneedtheprayer“Forsakemenot,OLord.”

Wecannot do without continued aid fromabove; let it then be your prayer today, “Forsake me not. Father, forsake not Your child, lest he fall by the hand of the enemy. Shepherd, forsake not Your lamb, lest he wander fromthe safety of the fold.Great Husbandman,forsake not Yourplant,lest it wither anddie.‘Forsakemenot,OLord,’now andforsakemenotat anymomentofmylife.

Forsake me not in my joys, lest they absorb my heart. Forsake me not in my sorrows, lest I murmur against You.

Forsake me not in the day of my repentance, lest I lose the hopeofpardonandfallintodespair;andforsakemenotinthe day of my strongest faith, lest faith degenerate into presumption.Forsake me not,forwithout You Iamweak,but withYouIamstrong.Forsakemenot,formypathisdangerous andfullofsnares,andIcannotdowithoutYourguidance.‘Be notfarfromme,OLord,fortroubleis near,forthereis noneto

help. Leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation!’”

JOYINPERSECUTION

Ifanymanwillcomeafterme,lethimdeny himself,and take uphiscrossdaily,and follow me.

LUKE9:23KJV

YoumustbewillingtobearChrist’sburden.Nowtheburdenof Christis His cross,whicheveryChristianmusttakeup.Expect to be reproached, expect to meet with some degree of the scandal of the cross, for the offense of it never ceases. Persecution and reproach are a blessed burden; when your soul loves Jesus, it is a joyful thing to suffer for Him, and therefore never, by any cowardly retirement or refusal to professyourfaith,evadeyourshareofthishonorableload.

Woeuntothosewhosay,“Iwillneverbeamartyr.”Norest is sweeter than the martyr’s rest. Woe unto those who say, “We will go to heaven by night along a secret road and so avoid the shame of the cross.” The rest of the Christian is found notin cowardicebutin courage;itlies notin providing foreasebutinthebraveenduranceofsufferingforthetruth.

Therestfulspirit counts thereproach ofChrist to begreater riches than all treasures; he falls in love with the cross and countstheburdenlight,andsofindsrestinserviceandrestin suffering.

RESTFORGOD’S PEOPLE

ThereremaineththereforearesttothepeopleofGod.For hethatisenteredintohisrest,healsohathceasedfromhis ownworks,as God didfromhis.Letus labour thereforeto enterintothatrest.

HEBREWS4:9–11KJV

Itis very evidentthattherestthatweareto find is arestthat grows entirely out ofourspirits being conformed to the spirit ofChrist. “Learn ofMe, and you shallfind rest.” It is then a spiritualrestaltogetherindependentofcircumstances.

Itis avainideaofours tosupposethatifourcircumstances were altered we should be more at rest. My brother, if you cannot rest in poverty, neither would you in riches; if you cannot rest in the midst ofpersecution, neitherwould you in themidstofhonor.Itisthespiritwithinthatgivestherest;that resthaslittletodowithanythingwithout.

The spirit is the spring of rest; as for the outward surroundings,they areofsmallaccount.Letyourmind belike the mind ofChrist,and you shallfind rest unto yoursouls:a deep rest,a growing rest,a rest found out more and more,an abiding rest,not only that you havefound,but that you shall goontofind.

PRAY,REJOICE,GIVETHANKS

Rejoice evermore.Pray withoutceasing.Ineverything give thanks.

1THESSALONIANS5:16–18KJV

“Pray without ceasing.” Observe what it follows. It comes immediately after the precept “Rejoice evermore,” as if that command had somewhat staggered the reader and made him ask, “How can I always rejoice?” and therefore the apostle appended as answer, “Always pray.” The more praying, the morerejoicing.

Prayer gives a channelto the pent-up sorrows of the soul; they flow away, and in their stead streams of sacred delight pour into the heart.At the same time the more rejoicing, the morepraying;whentheheartis inaquietconditionandfullof joyintheLord,thenalsowillitbesuretodrawneartotheLord inworship.Holyjoyandprayeractandreactuponeachother.

Observe, however, what immediately follows the text: “In every thing give thanks.” When joy and prayer are married, theirfirstborn child is gratitude.When wejoy in God forwhat we have and believingly pray to Himformore,then oursouls thankHimboth in the enjoyment ofwhat we have and in the prospectofwhatisyettocome.

Thosethreetexts arethreecompanionpictures,representing

the life of a true Christian. These three precepts are an ornament ofgrace to every believer’s neck; wearthem,every oneofyou,forgloryandforbeauty:“Rejoiceevermore”;“Pray withoutceasing”;“Ineverythinggivethanks.”

PRAYATANYTIME

Evening,andmorning,andatnoon,willIpray,andcry aloud:and he shallhearmyvoice.

PSALM55:17KJV

“Pray without ceasing.” OurLord Jesus Christ in these words assures you that you may pray without ceasing. There is no time when we may not pray. You have permission given to cometo themercy seatwhen you will,fortheveilofthemost holyplaceistornfromthetoptothebottom,andouraccessto themercyseatisundisputedandindisputable.

Kingsholdtheirreceptionsuponcertainappointeddays,and thentheircourtiers areadmitted;buttheKingofkings holds a constant reception.The dead ofnight is not too late forGod; thebreakingofthemorning,whenthefirstgraylightisseen,is nottooearlyfortheMostHigh;atmiddayHeisnottoobusy; and when the evening gathers, He is not weary with His children’s prayers.“Praywithoutceasing”is amostsweetand precious permittothebelievertopourouthis heartatalltimes beforetheLord.

The doors of the temple of divine love shall not be shut. Nothing can set abarrierbetween apraying souland its God. Theroadofangelsandofprayersiseveropen.Letusbutsend out the dove of prayer, and we may be certain that she will return to us with an olive branch ofpeace in hermouth. The

Lord continually regards the pleadings of His servants and waitstobegracioustothem.

PERSECUTIONWILLLEADTOGLORY

Everyonewhowantstoliveagodlylifein Christ Jesus will bepersecuted.

2TIMOTHY3:12NIV

It is by no means pleasant to be opposed in doing right by thosewhooughttohelpus init.Itis verypainfultofleshand blood to go contrary to those we love. What is more, those who hate Christians have a way of reviling so that they are sureto makeus wince.They watch ourweakpoints,and with very wonderfulskill,they turn theirdiscoveries to account.If onethingis moreprovokingthananother,theywillbesureto sayit,andsayitwhenweareleastabletobearit.

Itmaybetheyareverypolitepeople,and ifso,yourrefined persecutors haveaverydaintywayofcuttingtotheboneand yet smiling all the while. They can say a malicious thing so delicatelythatyoucanneitherresentitnorendureit.Theyare perfectmasters ofitandknowhowtomaketheironenterinto thesoul.

Do not be astonished, therefore, if you are sorely vexed, neitherbe amazed as though some strange thing happened to you.Themartyrsdidnotsuffershampains;theracksonwhich they were stretched were not beds of ease, nor were their prisons rooms of comfort. Their pains were agonies; their martyrdomsweretorments.

Ifyouhadshamgriefs,youmightexpectcounterfeitjoys;let the reality ofyourtribulation assure you ofthe reality ofthe comingglory.

CHEERFULTHROUGHPERSECUTION

Weare…persecuted,butnotforsaken.

2CORINTHIANS4:8–9KJV

Persecution willtry yourloveto Jesus.Ifyou really loveHim, you will cheerfully stand in the humiliation of reproach with Him, and when enemies have rubbish to hurl, you will say, “Throw it upon me rather than upon Him; if there is a harsh thingtobesaid,sayitaboutmeratherthanagainstmyLord.”

Itwilltryyourlove,Isay,andsoitwillallyourgracesintheir turn; and this is good foryou.Thesevirtues willnot increase instrengthunless theyarebroughtintoaction,andiftheyare nottested,whois toknowofwhatsorttheyare?Yourvaliant soldier in quiet barracks at home could fight, no doubt, but how do you know until he has passed through a battle? He whohaschargeduptothecannon’smouth,hewhoisadorned with a saber cut across his brow and bears many wounds beside which he gained in the service ofhis king,he is brave beyondquestion.

Good gold must expect to be tried in the fire, and these oppositions are sent on purpose that our faith and our love and allourgraces should be proved genuine by enduring the test.

THEOILOFGLADNESS

You love righteousnessand hate wickedness;Therefore God,Your God,hasanointed You withtheoilofgladnessmore than Your companions.

PSALM45:7NKJV

You cannot conceivethegladness ofChrist.Ifyou have ever broughtonesoultoChrist,youhavehadadropofit;butHis gladness lies not only in receiving them, but also in actually beingtheauthorofsalvationtoeveryoneofthem.

The Savior looks upon the redeemed with an unspeakable delight, thinks of what they used to be, thinks of what they wouldhavebeenbutforHis interposition,thinks ofwhatthey noware,thinks ofwhat He means to make themin that great daywhentheyshallrisefromthedead;andas His heartis full of love for them, He joys in their joy and exults in their exultation.

I speakwith humblest fear lest in any word I should speak amiss, for He is God as well as man; but this is certain, that there is a joy ofourLord into which He willgive His faithful ones to enter,a joy that He has won by passing through the shameandgriefbywhichHehasredeemedmankind.Theoilof gladness is abundantly poured on that head that once was crownedwiththorns.

GOD’S WILLUPHOLDS USTHROUGHTRIALS

Iamcrucifiedwith Christ:neverthelessIlive;yetnotI,but Christ liveth inme.

GALATIANS2:20KJV

We should receive chastisement with meek submission, presentingourselves toGodthatHemaydowithus stillas He has dealtwithus notwishingtomovetotherighthandorto theleft:asking Himifitmay beHis willto removetheload,to healthepain,todeliverus fromthebereavement,andthelike, but still always leaving ample margin for full resignation of spirit.

Thegoldis nottorebelagainstthegoldsmith,butshouldat onceyield to beplaced in thecrucibleand thrustinto thefire. The wheat as it lies upon the threshing flooris not to have a willofits own, but to be willing to endure the strokes ofthe flailthatthechaffmaybeseparatedfromthepreciouscorn.We arenotfaroffbeingpurgedfromdrossandcleansedfromchaff when weareperfectly willing to undergo any process thatthe divinewisdommayappointus.

Selfandsinaremarriedandwillneverbedivorced,anduntil ourselfhoodiscrushed,theseedofsinwillstillhaveabundant vitality in it; but when it is “not I” but “Christ who liveth in me,” then have we come near to that markto which God has calledusandtowhich,byHisSpirit,Heisleadingus.

THEWILLOFGOD

“ThentheywillseekMy face;intheirafflictiontheywill earnestlyseekMe. ”

HOSEA5:15NKJV

Weshould acceptchastisementcheerfully.Itis ahard lesson, butalessonthattheComforteris abletoteachus tobeglad that God should have His way. Do you know what it is sometimestobeverypleasedtodowhatyoudonotliketodo?

Imean you would not have liked to do it,but you find that it pleases someone you love,and straightaway the irksome task becomesapleasure.

Have you not felt sometimes, when one whom you very muchesteemis sickandill,thatyouwould beglad enough to bearthepain,atleastforadayortwo,thatyoumightgivethe suffering one a little rest? Would you not find a pleasure in being an invalid for a while to let your beloved one enjoy a seasonofhealth?

Letthesamemotive,inahigherdegree,swayyourspirit!Try tofeel,“Ifitpleases God,itpleases me.If,Lord,itis Yourwill, itshallbemywill.Letthelashesofthescourgebemultiplied,if then You willbethemorehonored and Ishallbepermitted to bring You some degree of glory.” The cross becomes sweet whenourhealthissosweetenedbytheSpiritthatourwillruns parallelwiththewillofGod.

We should learn to say, in the language of Elihu, “I have borne,Idobear,Iacceptitall.”

FORGIVENESSOFSINS

“Everyonewho believes in himreceives forgivenessofsins through his name.”

ACTS10:43NIV

Allourtransgressions are swept away at once, carried offas by a flood,and so completely removed fromus that no guilty traceofthemremains.Theyareallgone!Oh,believers,thinkof this, for it is no little thing. Sins against a holy God, sins against His loving Son, sins against the Gospel as well as against the law,sins against man as wellas against God,sins ofthe body as wellas sins ofthe mind,sins as numerous as thesandsontheseashoreandasgreatastheseaitself:All,all areremovedfromusasfarastheeastisfromthewest.

All this evil was rolled into one great mass and laid upon Jesus,andhavingborneitall,Hehasmadeanendofitforever. When theLord forgaveus,Heforgaveus thewholedebt.He did not take the billand say,“Istrike out this itemand that,” but thepen went through it all:Paid.It was areceipt in fullof alldemands; Jesus took the handwriting that was against us and nailed it to His cross,to showbefore the entire universe thatitspowertocondemnushadceasedforever.

WehaveinHimafullforgiveness.

Theirsinsandiniquitieswill Iremembernomore.

HEBREWS10:17KJV

There is such a truth, reality, and emphasis in the pardon of God as you can neverfind in thepardon ofman;forthough a manshouldforgiveallyouhavedoneagainsthim,ifyouhave treated himvery badly, yet it is more than you could expect thatheshouldalsoforgetit,buttheLordsays,“Theirsinsand iniquitieswillIremembernomoreforever.”

Ifamanhassinnedagainstyou,althoughyouhaveforgiven him,youarenotlikelytotrusthimagain.ButseehowtheLord deals with His people.The Lord lets bygones be bygones so completely thatHetrusts pardoned souls with His secrets,for “the secret of the Lord is with themwho fear Him”; and He entrustssomeofuswithHischoicesttreasures.

Let us rejoicein that grand promisethat comes to us by the mouthofJeremiahofold,“Inthosedays,andinthattime,saith the Lord, the iniquity of Israelshallbe sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found:forIwillpardonthemwhomIreserve.”

Here is annihilation the only annihilation I know of the absolute annihilation ofsin through the pardon that the Lord gives to His people.Let us sing it as though it were a choice

OUR

SINS AREFORGOTTEN

hymn: “The iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shallbenone.”

FORGIVINGOTHERS

Bekind…forgivingoneanother, evenas God in Christ forgave you.

EPHESIANS4:32NKJV

Observe how the apostle puts it. Does he say, “forgiving another”? No, that is not the text, if you look at it. It is “forgiving one another.” One another! Ah, then that means thatifyou haveto forgivetoday,itis very likely thatyou will yourselfneedtobeforgiventomorrow,foritis “forgivingone another.” It is a mutualoperation, a cooperative service. You forgive me,and Iforgive you,and we forgive them,and they forgive us, and so a circle of unlimited forbearance and love goesaroundtheworld.

There is something wrong about me that needs to be forgiven by my brother, but there is also something wrong about my brotherthat needs to beforgiven by me,and this is what the apostle means that we are all mutually to be exercisingthesacredartandmysteryofforgivingoneanother. Ifwealways didthis,weshouldnotendurethosewhohavea specialfacultyforspyingoutfaults.

You may knowvery wellwhat a man is by what he says of others.Itis agaugeofcharacterthatveryseldomwilldeceive you,tojudgeothermenbytheirownjudgmentoftheirfellows. Their speech betrays their heart. Show me your tongue. He

who speaks with an ill tongue about his neighbor has an ill heart;restassuredofthat.

We shall have a great deal to forgive in other people, but therewillbeagreatdealmoretobeforgiveninourselves.

VENGEANCEIS RESERVEDFORGOD

Vengeanceis mine; Iwillrepay,saiththe Lord.

ROMANS12:19KJV

Neverinanyway,directlyorindirectly,avengeyourselves.For any fault that is ever done to you, the Master says to you, “Resistnotevil.”Inallthingsbend,bow,yield,submit.

Brother,the most splendid vengeance you can everhave is to do good to those who do evilto you and to speakwellof those who speak illof you. They willbe ashamed to look at you;theywillneverhurtyouagainiftheyseethatyoucannot be provoked except it be to greater love and larger kindness. ThisoughttobethemarkofChristians;not“Iwillhavethelaw reprimand you” or“Iwillavenge myself,” but “Iwillbearand forbeareventotheend.”

“VengeanceisMine.Iwillrepay,saiththeLord.”Donottake that into yourhand that God says belongs to Him,but as He for Christ’s sake has forgiven you, so also forgive all those whodoyouwrong.

“How long amI to do that?” one asks. “I would not mind doingitthreeorfourtimes.”Therewas oneofold who would go the length of six or seven, but Jesus Christ said “unto seventytimesseven.”Thatisaveryconsiderablenumber.You

may count whetheryou have yet reached that amount,and if you have,you willnowbeglad to begin again,stillforgiving, evenasGodforChrist’ssakehasforgivenyou.

MEDITATIONONSCRIPTURE

“Haveyounotread?Ifyouhad knownwhatthismeans…”

MATTHEW12:3,7NKJV

If you are to understand what you read, you will need to meditateuponit.Somepassagesofscripturelieclearbeforeus blessed shallows in which the lambs may wade but there are deeps in which our mind might rather drown itself than swimwithpleasure,ifitcametherewithoutcaution.

Therearetextsofscripturethataremadeandconstructedon purposetomakeus think.Manyoftheveils thatarecastover scripture are not meant to hide the meaning fromthe diligent but to compelthemind to beactive,foroften thediligenceof the heart in seeking to know the divine mind does the heart moregoodthantheknowledgeitself.

Meditation and careful thought exercise us and strengthen us for the reception of the yet more lofty truths. We must meditate.TheWordofGodisalwaysmostprecioustotheman whomostlivesuponit.

WithGod’sWorditiswellforustobelikesquirrels,livingin it and living on it. Let us exercise our minds by leaping from bough to bough ofit,find ourrest and food in it,and makeit

ourallinall.Weshallbethepeoplewhogettheprofitoutofit if we make it to be our food, our medicine, our treasury, our armory,ourrest,ourdelight.MaytheHolySpiritleadus todo thisandmaketheWordsoprecioustooursouls.

PRAYERTOUNDERSTANDTHEBIBLE

Themeditationofmyheart shallbeofunderstanding.

PSALM49:3KJV

Itis agrandthingtobedriventothink;itis agranderthingto bedriventopraythroughhavingbeenmadetothink.AmInot addressingsomeofyouwhodonotreadtheWordofGod,and amInotspeakingtomanymorewhodoreaditbutdonotread itwiththestrongresolvethattheywillunderstandit?Iknowit mustbeso.Doyouwishtobegintobetruereaders?Willyou fromthistimeforthlabortounderstand?

Then you must get to yourknees.You must cry to God for direction.Whounderstands abookbest?Theauthorofit.So, beloved,theHolySpiritis withus,andwhenwetakeHis book and begin to read and want to knowwhat it means, we must askthe Holy Spirit to revealthe meaning. He willnot worka miracle,but He willelevate ourminds; and He willsuggest to us thoughts that willlead us on by their naturalrelation, the onetotheother,untilatlastwecometothecoreofHis divine instruction.

Seekthen very earnestly theguidanceoftheHoly Spirit,for if the very soul of reading be the understanding of what we read,thenwemustinprayercallupontheHolySpirittounlock thesecretmysteriesoftheinspiredWord.

ACRYFORMERCY

God bemercifultomeasinner.

LUKE18:13KJV

Let us praise His name because you and I are stillspared to prayandpermittedtopray.Whatifwearegreatlyafflicted,yet it is ofthe Lord’s mercy that we are not consumed.Ifwe had receivedourdeserts,weshouldnotnowhavebeenonpraying ground and pleading terms with Him. But let it be for our comfortandtoGod’spraisethatstillwemaystandwithbowed headandcryeachone,“God,bemercifultome,asinner.”

Still may we cry like sinking Peter, “Lord, save me, or I perish.”LikeDavid,wemay beunableto go up to thetemple, but wecan stillgo to ourGod in prayer.Thereforelet us give thanks toGodthatHehas nowheresaidto us,“SeekMy face invain.”

Ifwe find a desire to pray trembling within our soul, and if thoughalmostextinctwefeelsomehopeinthepromiseofour gracious God,ifourheart stillgroans afterholiness and after God, though she has lost her power to pray with joyful confidenceas onceshedid,yetletus bethankfulthatwecan prayevenifitbebutalittle.

In the will and power to pray, there lies the capacity for infinite blessedness:He who has the key of prayer can open

heaven;yes,hehasaccesstotheheartofGod.Thereforebless Godforprayer.

THANKSGIVINGANDREQUESTS

Letyourrequestsbemadeknownto God.

PHILIPPIANS4:6NKJV

Beloved,beyondthefactofprayerandourpowertoexerciseit, thereis afurthergroundofthanksgivingthatwehavealready received great mercy at God’s hands. We are not coming to God to ask favors and receive themfor the first time in our lives. Why, blessed be His name if He never granted me anotherfavor;IhaveenoughforwhichtothankHimaslongas Ihaveanybeing.

And this, furthermore, is to be recollected: That whatever great things we are about to ask, we cannot possibly be seeking forblessings one-halfso great as those that we have already received if we are indeed His children. If you are a Christian,youhavelifeinChrist.Areyouabouttoaskforfood and clothing? Life is more than these. You have already obtainedChristJesustobeyours,andHewhosparedHimnot willnotdenyyouanything.

Let us perpetually thank our Benefactor for what we have while we make requests for something more. Shall not the abundantutterances ofthememoryofHis greatgoodness run over into our requests, until our petitions are baptized in gratitude. While we come before God in one aspect emptyhanded to receive of His goodness, on the other hand we

should neverappearbefore Himempty,but come with the fat ofoursacrifices,offeringpraiseandglorifyingGod.

ATHANKFULSPIRIT

Through Himthen,let uscontinually offer upasacrificeofpraiseto God,thatis, thefruitoflipsthatgivethanksto His name.

HEBREWS13:15NASB

Ibelievethatwhenamanbeginstopraywiththanksgiving,he is upon the eve ofreceiving the blessing.God’s time to bless youhas comewhenyoubegintopraiseHimas wellas prayto Him.Godhas His settimetofavorus,andHewillnotgrantus our desire untilthe due season has arrived. But the time has comewhenyoubegintoblesstheLord.

Ourthanksgivingwillshowthatthereasonforourwaitingis nowexhausted;thatthewaitinghasanswereditspurpose,and wemaynowcometoajoyfulend.Sometimeswearenotinafit statetoreceiveablessing,butwhenwereachtheconditionof thankfulness,thenisthetimewhenitissafeforGodtoindulge us. If you will but desire God to be glorified and aim at glorifying Him yourself, then the joys of true godliness will cometoyouinanswertoprayer.

ThetimefortheblessingiswhenyoubegintopraiseGodfor it. For, brethren, you may be sure that when you offer thanksgiving on the ground that God has answered your prayer,youreallyhaveprevailedwithGod.

WORKASFORTHELORD

Therefore,whetheryou eat ordrink, orwhateveryoudo,doalltothegloryofGod.

1CORINTHIANS10:31NKJV

Do we perhaps limit ourestimate ofserving God? You say,“I cannot serve God,” when you cannot teach in the school or preachinthepulpit,whenyouareunabletositonacommittee or speak on a platform, as if these were the only forms of service to be taken into account. Do you not think that a mothernursingherbabyisservingGod?Doyounotthinkthat men and women going about their daily labor with patient diligence,fulfillingtheduties ofdomesticlifeareservingGod? Ifyouthinkcorrectly,youwillunderstandthattheyare.

The servant sweeping the room, the mistress preparing the meal,the workman driving a nail,the merchant completing his ledgeroughtto do allin theserviceofGod.Though itis very desirable that we should each have some definitely religious workbeforeus,yetitis muchbetterthatweshouldhallowour common skill and make our ordinary work chime with the melodiesofasoulattunedforheaven.

Let true religion be our life, and then our life will be true religion.Let the streamofyourcommon life as it flows on be holy and courageous; you will find that you shall not be neglectedoroverlookedwhosimplysitatJesus’feetandlisten

to His words when you can do no more.This is service done forHimthatHecanappreciate;complainwhomay.

FAITH

Take uptheshieldoffaith,withwhichyoucan extinguish alltheflamingarrowsoftheevilone.

EPHESIANS6:16NIV

Faith is that blessed grace that is most pleasing to God, and thus it is the most displeasing to the devil. By faith God is greatly glorified, and consequently by faith Satan is greatly annoyed.Heragesatfaithbecauseheseeshisowndefeatand thevictoryofgrace.

It is by our faith that we are saved, justified, and brought neartoGod,andthereforeitisnomarvelthatitisattacked.Itis by believing in Christ that we are delivered fromthe reigning power of sin and receive power to become the sons of God. Faithisasvitaltosalvationastheheartisvitaltothebody;for this reason the javelins ofthe enemy are mainly aimed at this essentialgrace.

Faithisthestandard-bearer,andtheobjectoftheenemyisto strikehimdown that thebattlemay begained.Allthepowers ofdarknessthatareopposedtorightandtrutharesuretofight against ourfaith,and manifold temptations willmarch in their legionsagainstourconfidenceinGod.

It is by our faith that we live; we began to live by it and

continuetolivebyit.Faithis yourjewel,yourjoy,yourglory; and the thieves who haunt the pilgrim’s way are allscheming totearitfromyou.Holdfast;thisyourchoicetreasure.

GROWINALLGRACE

Grow ingrace,andintheknowledge ofourLord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

2PETER3:18KJV

“Growin grace” not in onegraceonly but in allgrace.Grow in thestarting placeofgrace:faith.Believe the promises more firmly than you have before. Let faith increase in fullness, constancy, simplicity. Grow also in love.Ask that your love maybecomeextended,moreintense,morepractical,influencing everythought,word,anddeed.Growlikewiseinhumility.Seek tolieverylowandknowmoreofyourownnothingness.

As you grow downward in humility, seek also to grow upward havingnearerapproaches toGodinprayerandmore intimate fellowship with Jesus. To know Himis “life eternal,” and to advance in the knowledge of Him is to increase in happiness.Whoeverhas sipped this wine willthirst formore, foralthough Christ satisfies,yet it is such a satisfaction,that theappetiteisnotsatisfiedbutwhetted.

Ifyou knowtheloveofJesus,so willyou pant afterdeeper draughts ofHis love.Ifyoudonotdesireto knowHimbetter, thenyouloveHimnot,forlovealways cries,“Nearer,nearer.”

Seekto knowmore ofHimin His divine nature,in His human relationship, in His finished work, in His death, in His resurrection, in His present glorious intercession, and in His

future royal advent. Remain by the cross and search the mysteryofHiswounds.

An increase of love for Jesus, and a more perfect apprehension of His love for us, is one of the best tests of growthingrace.

CASTINGOURCARESONJESUS

Casting allyourcareupon him; forhe careth foryou.

1PETER5:7KJV

It is a happy way ofsoothing sorrowwhen we feel“He cares for me.” Come, cast your burden upon your Lord. You are staggering beneath a weight that your Father would not feel. Whatseems toyouacrushingburdenwouldbetoHimbutas dust.

Oh, child of suffering, be patient; God has not passed you overin His providence.He who is the feederofsparrows will also furnish you with what you need. Do not sit down in despair; hopeon,hopeever.Thereis Onewho cares foryou. His eyeis fixedonyou,His heartbeats withpityforyourwoe, andHishandomnipotentwillbringyoutheneededhelp.He,if you are one ofHis family,willbind up yourwounds and heal your broken heart. Do not doubt His grace because of your tribulation,but believe that He loves you as much in seasons oftroubleasintimesofhappiness.

What a serene and quiet life might you lead if you would leaveprovidingtotheGodofprovidence!IfGodcaresforyou, whyshouldyoucare,too?CanyoutrustHimforyoursouland notforyourbody?Hehasneverrefusedtobearyourburdens; He has never fainted under their weight. Come then, soul!

Cease fretting, and leave all your concerns in the hand of a graciousGod.

CRIESFORHELP

Beginningto sink hecriedout, saying,“Lord,save me!”

MATTHEW14:30NKJV

Sinkingtimes areprayingtimes withtheLord’s servants.Peter neglected prayer at the start of his venturous journey; but whenhebegantosink,his dangermadehimabeggar,andhis cry,though late,was not too late.In ourhours ofbodily pain and mental anguish, we find ourselves naturally driven to prayer.Thetriedbelieverhastens tothemercyseatforsafety; heaven’sgreatharborofrefugeisprayer.

Shortprayers arelongenough.Therewereonlythreewords in the petition that Petergrasped,but they were sufficient for his purpose.Not length but strength is desirable.Asense of need is a mighty teacher of brevity.Allthat is realprayer in many a long address might have been uttered in a petition as shortasthatofPeter.

Our boundaries are the Lord’s opportunities. Immediately a keen sense ofdangerforces an anxious cry.The earofJesus hears, and with Himear and heart go together and the hand does not long linger. At the last moment, we appeal to our Master,butHis swifthandmakes upforourdelays byinstant andeffectualaction.

Are we nearly engulfed by the boisterous waters of affliction?LetusthenliftupoursoulsuntoourSavior,andwe mayrestassuredthatHewillnotsufferus toperish.Whenwe can do nothing, Jesus can do all things; let us enlist His powerfulaiduponourside,andallwillbewell.

GOD’S PROMISES

“Doas

You havesaid.”

2SAMUEL7:25NKJV

God’s promises werenevermeanttobethrownasideas waste paper;Heintendedthattheyshouldbeused.Nothingpleases ourLordbetterthantoseeHis promises putincirculation;He loves toseeHis childrenbringthemuptoHimandsay,“Lord, do as You have said.” We glorify God when we plead His promises.

Faith lays hold upon thepromiseofpardon,and it does not delay, saying, “This is a precious promise; I wonder if it be true?” but it goes straight to the throne with it and pleads, “Lord,hereisthepromise doasYouhavesaid.”

OurLord replies,“Let it bedoneeven as you will.”When a Christian grasps a promise, if he does not take it to God, he dishonorsHim;butwhenhehastenstothethroneofgraceand cries, “Lord, I have nothing to recommend me but this: You have said it,” then his desire will be granted. Our heavenly Bankerdelights to cash His own notes.Neverlet the promise rust.Drawthewordofpromiseoutofits cover,anduseitwith holyviolence.

DonotthinkthatGodwillbetroubledbyyourimportunately reminding Him of His promises. He loves to hear the loud outcries ofneedy souls.It is His delight to bestowfavors.He

is morereadytohearthanyouaretoask.Itis God’s natureto keepHispromises;thereforegoatoncetothethronewith“Do asYouhavesaid.”

OURCHOSENCHRIST

Ihaveexaltedonechosenoutofthepeople.

PSALM89:19KJV

WhywasChristchosenoutofthepeople?Speak,myheart,for heartthoughtsarebest.WasitnotthatHemightbeabletobe our brother in the blessed tie of kindred blood? Oh, what relationship there is between Christ and the believer! The believercan say,“Ihave a Brotherin heaven; Imay be poor, butIhaveaBrotherwhoisrichandisaKing.Helovesme;He ismyBrother.”

Believer, wear this blessed thought like a necklace of diamonds around theneckofyourmemory;putitas agolden ringonthefingerofrecollection,anduseitas theKing’s own seal, stamping the petitions of your faith with confidence of success.Heisabrotherbornforadversity;treatHimassuch.

ChristwasalsochosenoutofthepeoplethatHemightknow our wants and sympathize with us. “He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin.” In allour sorrows we have His sympathy. Temptation, pain, disappointment, weakness,weariness,poverty Heknows themall,forHehas feltall.Rememberthis,Christian,andletitcomfortyou.

Howeverdifficult and painfulyourroad,it is marked by the footsteps of your Savior; and even when you reach the dark

valley of the shadow of death, you will find His footprints there. Wherever we go, He has been our forerunner; each burden we have to carry has once been laid on the shoulders ofImmanuel.

DELIVERANCEFROMDANGER

Surely He shalldeliver you fromthesnareofthefowler.

PSALM91:3NKJV

God delivers His people fromthe snare of the fowler in two senses. First, He delivers themfromthe snare does not let thementerit and second,ifthey should be caught in it,He deliversthemoutofit.

“Heshalldeliveryoufromthesnare.”How?Troubleis often the means whereby God delivers us. God knows that our backsliding willsoon end in ourdestruction,and He in mercy sends therod.Wesay,“Lord,why is this?”notknowing that ourtroublehasbeenthemeansofdeliveringusfromfargreater evil. Many have been saved fromruin by their sorrows and theircrosses.

At othertimes,God keeps His people fromthe snare ofthe fowler by giving themgreat spiritual strength, so that when theyaretemptedtodoevil,theysay,“HowcanIdothis great wickednessandsinagainstGod?”

But what ablessed thing it is that ifthebelievershall,in an evil hour, fall into the net; God will bring him out of it!

Backslider, be cast down, but do not despair.Although you havebeenwandering,hearwhatyourRedeemersays:“Return,

backsliding children; I willhave mercy upon you.” You shall yet be brought out ofallevilinto which you have fallen,and though you shallnevercease to repent ofyourways,yet He wholoves youwillnotcastyouaway;Hewillreceiveyouand giveyoujoyandgladness.

STRENGTHEN,OGOD

Strengthen,OGod,thatwhich thou hastwroughtforus.

PSALM68:28KJV

It is our wisdom as well as our necessity to beseech God continuallytostrengthen“thatwhichHehaswroughtinus.”It is because of their neglect in this that many Christians may blamethemselves forthosetrials andafflictions thatarisefrom unbelief.

We often forget that the Author of our faith must be the Preserverofit,also.Thelampburninginthetemplewas never allowedtogoout,butithadtobedailyreplenishedwithfresh oil; in like manner,ourfaith can only live by being sustained with the oil of grace, and we can only obtain this fromGod Himself.

He who built the world upholds it, or it would fall in one tremendous crash; He who made us Christians must maintain us by His Spirit, or our ruin will be speedy and final. Let us then go to our Lord for the grace and strength we need. Do youthinkHewillfailtoprotectandsustain?Onlyletyourfaith take hold ofHis strength,and allthe powers ofdarkness,led on by themasterfiend ofhell,cannot cast acloud orshadow overyourjoyandpeace.

Whyfaintwhenyoumaybestrong?Whysufferdefeatwhen you may conquer? Take your wavering faith and drooping graces to Him who can revive and replenish them, and earnestly pray, “Strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wroughtforus.”

THEUNSEENPRIZE

Thethingswhicharenotseen…

2CORINTHIANS4:18KJV

In ourChristian pilgrimage, it is well, for the most part, to be looking forward. Forward lies the crown, and onward is the goal.Whetheritbeforhope,forjoy,forconsolation,orforthe inspiring of our love, the future must, after all, be the grand object ofthe eye offaith.Looking into the future,we see sin cast out,the body ofsin and death destroyed,the soulmade perfectandfittobeapartakeroftheinheritanceofthesaintsin light.

Looking further yet, the believer’s enlightened eye can see death’sriverpassed,thegloomystreamforded,andthehillsof light attained on which stands the celestial city; he sees himself enter within the pearly gates, hailed as more than conqueror, crowned by the hand of Christ, embraced in the armsofJesus,glorifiedwithHim,andmadetosittogetherwith HimonHisthrone,evenasHehasovercomeandhassatdown withtheFatheronHisthrone.

The thought ofthis future may wellrelieve the darkness of thepastandthegloomofthepresent.Thejoys ofheavenwill surely compensate for the sorrows of earth. Hush, my fears! This world is but a narrow span, and you shall soon have passed it. Hush, hush, my doubts! Death is but a narrow

stream,and you shallsoon have forded it.Time,howshort eternity, how long! Death, how brief immortality, how endless!Theroadisso,soshort!Ishallsoonbethere.

PERFECTINJESUS

“The Lord OurRighteousness…“

JEREMIAH23:6NIV

ItwillalwaysgiveaChristianthegreatestcalm,quiet,ease,and peace to think of the perfect righteousness of Christ. How often are the saints ofGod downcast and sad!Ido not think they would be if they could always see their perfection in Christ.Therearesomewhoarealwaystalkingaboutcorruption and the depravity ofthe heart and the innate evilofthe soul. This is quitetrue,butwhynotgoalittlefurtherandremember thatweare“perfectinChristJesus.”

It is no wonderthat those who are dwelling upon theirown corruption should wearsuch downcastlooks;butsurely ifwe callto mind that “Christ is made unto us righteousness,” we shallbe of good cheer. Though distresses afflict me, though Satan assault me, though there may be many things to be experiencedbeforeIgettoheaven,thosearedoneformeinthe covenantofdivinegrace;thereisnothingwantinginmyLord.

Christ has doneit all.On thecross Hesaid,“It is finished!” and ifit is finished,then Iamcompletein Himand can rejoice withjoyunspeakableandfullofglory.Youwillnotfindonthis sideofheavenaholierpeoplethanthosewhoreceiveintotheir heartsthedoctrineofChrist’srighteousness.

AMIRRORIMAGEOFJESUS

They marveled.Andthey realized thattheyhadbeenwith Jesus.

ACTS4:13NKJV

AChristianshouldbeastrikinglikeness ofJesus Christ.Ifwe werewhatweprofess tobeandwhatweshouldbe,weshould bepicturesofChrist yes,suchstrikinglikenessesofHimthat the world would not have to hold us up and say, “He seems somewhat of a likeness”; but they would, when they once beheld us, exclaim, “He has been with Jesus, he has been taughtofHim,heislikeHim,hehascaughttheveryideaofthe holy Man of Nazareth, and he demonstrates it in his life and everydayactions.”

A Christian should be like Christ in his boldness. Be like Jesus, valiant foryourGod. Imitate Himin yourloving spirit; thinkkindly,speakkindly,anddokindly,thatmenmaysayof you,“He has been with Jesus.” Imitate Jesus in His holiness. Was He zealous for His Master? So should you be; ever go aboutdoing good.Was Heself-denying,neverlooking to His owninterest?Bethesame.WasHedevout?Beferventinyour prayers. Had He deference to His Father’s will? So submit yourselvestoHim.WasHepatient?Solearntoendure.

And best of all, as the highest portraiture of Jesus, try to forgive your enemies as He did. Forgive as you hope to be forgiven. Heap coals offire on the head of your foe by your

kindnesstohim.

Inallways andbyallmeans,solivethatallmaysayofyou, “HehasbeenwithJesus.”

GROWINGINGRACE

“Show mewhy You contend withme.”

JOB10:2NKJV

Therearesomeofyourgraces thatwouldneverbediscovered ifit were not foryourtrials.Do you not knowthat yourfaith neverlooks so grand in summeras it does in winter? Love is too often like a glowworm, showing little light except in the midst of darkness. Hope is like a star not to be seen in the sunshineofprosperity and only to bediscovered in thenight ofadversity.Afflictions areoften theblackfoils in which God sets the jewels of His children’s graces to make them shine better.

Alittle while ago,you were on yourknees saying,“Lord,I fearIhave no faith:Let me knowthat Ihave faith.” Was not this really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials? Forhowcan you knowthat you have faith untilyourfaith is exercised?Godoftensends us trials sothatourgraces maybe discoveredandthatwemaybeassuredoftheirexistence.

Besides, it is not merely discovery; growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God often takes away our comforts and ourprivileges in orderto make us betterChristians.May thisnotaccountforthetroublesthatyouarepassingthrough? Is not the Lord bringing out your graces and making them grow?

THEGODOFALLCOMFORT

God,thatcomforteththosethatarecastdown…

2CORINTHIANS7:6KJV

Who comforts like Him? Go to some poor, melancholy, distressedchildofGod;tellhimsweetpromisesandwhisperin his ear words of comfort. Comfort himas you may, it willbe only a note or two of mournful resignation that you will get from him; you will bring forth no psalms of praise, no hallelujahs,nojoyfulsonnets.ButletGodcometoHischild,let Himlift up his countenance, and the mourner’s eyes glisten withhope.

You could not have cheered him, but the Lord has done it: “Heis theGod ofallcomfort.”It is marvelous howonesweet wordofGodwillmakewholesongsforChristians.Onewordof Godis likeapieceofgold,andtheChristianis thegoldbeater and can hammer that promise out for whole weeks. So, Christian, you need not sit down in despair. Go to the Comforter,andaskHimtogiveyouconsolation.

You areapoor,dry well.You haveheard itsaid thatwhen a pump is dry,you must pourwaterdown it first,and then you willgetwater;andso,Christian,whenyouaredry,gotoGod, askHimto shed abroad His joy in yourheart, and then your joy shallbe full.Do not go to earthly acquaintances,foryou will find them Job’s comforters after all; but go first and

foremost to your “God who comforteth those who are cast down,” and you will soon say, “In the multitude of my thoughtswithinme,Yourcomfortsdelightmysoul.”

DWELLINSAFETY

IfyoumaketheMostHighyourdwelling… thennoharmwillbefallyou.

PSALM91:9–10NIV

The Israelites in the wilderness were continually exposed to change.Wheneverthe pillarhalted its motion,the tents were pitched; but tomorrow,before the morning sun had risen,the trumpet sounded,thearkwas in motion,and thefiery,cloudy pillar was leading the way through the narrow defiles of the mountain, up the hillside, or along the arid waste of the wilderness. Yet they had an abiding home in their God, His cloudypillar,anditsflamebynight.

They must go onward from place to place, continually changing,neverhavingtimetosettleandtosay,“Nowweare secure; in this place we shall dwell.” “Yet,” says Moses, “though we are always changing, Lord, You have been our dwellingplacethroughoutallgenerations.”

TheChristian knows no changewith regard to God.Hemay berich today and poortomorrow,hemay besickly today and well tomorrow, he may be in happiness today, tomorrow he may be distressed but there is no change with regard to his relationship to God. If He loved me yesterday, He loves me today.MyunmovingmansionofrestismyblessedLord.

Let prospects be ruined, let hopes be blasted, let joy be withered, let mildews destroy everything; Ihave lost nothing ofwhatIhaveinGod.Heis“mystronghabitationwhereuntoI cancontinuallyresort.”Iamapilgrimintheworldbutathome in my God.In theearth Iwander,but in God Idwellin aquiet habitation.

PRECIOUS JESUS

He isprecious.

1PETER2:7KJV

Petertells us that Jesus is precious; but hedid 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 preciousnessoftheLordJesustoHispeoplenorfullytellhow essentialHeistotheirsatisfactionandhappiness.

Believer, have you not found in the midst of plenty a sore famineifyourLordhasbeenabsent?Thesunwasshining,but Christ had hidden Himself; and alltheworld was blackto you or it was night, and since the bright and morning star was gone,no otherstarcould yield you so much as aray oflight. What a howling wilderness is this world without ourLord!If once He hid Himself fromus, withered are the flowers of our garden, our pleasant fruits decay, the birds suspend their songs,andatempestoverturns ourhopes.Allearth’s candles cannot make daylight ifthe Sun ofRighteousness is eclipsed. Heis thesoulofoursoul,thelightofourlight,thelifeofour life.

Dear reader, what would you do in the world without Him, whenyouwakeupandlookforwardtotheday’s battle?What wouldyoudoatnight,whenyoucomehomejadedandweary, if there were no door of fellowship between you and Christ?

BlessedbeHisname,Hewillnotsufferustotryourlotwithout HimforJesus neverforsakes His own.Yet let the thought of whatlifewouldbewithoutHimenhanceHispreciousness.

COMFORTINAFFLICTION

Ihavechosen thee inthefurnaceofaffliction.

ISAIAH48:10KJV

Let affliction come God has chosen me. Poverty, you may enter my door, but God is in the house already; and He has chosen me. Sickness, you may intrude, but I have a balsam ready Godhaschosenme.Whateverbefallsmeinthisvaleof tears,IknowthatHehas“chosen”me.

If, believer, you require still greater comfort, remember that youhavetheSonofManwithyouinthefurnace.Inthatsilent chamberofyours,theresits byyoursideOnewhomyouhave notseenbutwhomyoulove;andoftenwhenyouknowitnot, He makes all your bed in your affliction and smoothes your pillowforyou.You arein poverty,butin thatlonely houseof yours,theLordoflifeandgloryis afrequentvisitor.Heloves tocomeintothesedesolateplaces thatHemayvisityou.Your friendsticks closelytoyou.YoucannotseeHim,butyoumay feelthepressureofHishands.

DoyounothearHisvoice?Eveninthevalleyoftheshadow ofdeath,He says,“Fearnot,Iamwith you; be not dismayed forIamyourGod.”Fearnot,Christian;Jesusiswithyou.Inall yourfierytrials,His presenceis bothyourcomfortandsafety. He will never leave one whom He has chosen for His own. “FearnotforIamwithyou”isHissureWordofpromisetoHis

chosenonesinthe“furnaceofaffliction.”

GRACEWITHOUTLIMIT

“Mygraceissufficientforyou.”

2CORINTHIANS12:9NKJV

If none of God’s saints were poor and tried, we should not knowhalfso wellthe consolations ofdivine grace.When we find the wandererwho does not have a place to lay his head, whoyetcansay,“StillwillItrustintheLord”;whenweseethe pauperstarvingonbreadandwater,whostillglories inJesus; when we see the bereaved widow overwhelmed in affliction, andyethavingfaithinChrist,oh,whathonoritreflects onthe Gospel.God’s graceis illustratedandmagnifiedinthepoverty andtrialsofbelievers.

Saintsbearupundereverydiscouragement,believingthatall things worktogether for their good and that out of apparent evils arealblessingshallultimatelyspring thattheirGodwill eitherworka deliverance forthemspeedily ormost assuredly support themin the trouble,as long as He is pleased to keep them in it. This patience of the saints proves the power of divinegrace.

He who would glorify his God must set his account upon meeting with many trials.No man can beillustrious beforethe Lord unless his conflicts are many. If then yours is a muchtried path,rejoice in it because you willbettershowforth the all-sufficientgraceofGod.As forHis failingyou,neverdream

ofit hatethethought.TheGodwhohas beensufficientuntil nowshouldbetrustedtotheend.

MYSALVATION

Sayuntomysoul,Iamthysalvation.

PSALM35:3KJV

David had his doubts; forwhy should hepray,“Say unto my soul,Iamyoursalvation,”ifhedidnotsometimeshavedoubts and fears? “I amnot the only saint who has to complain of weakness offaith.”IfDaviddoubted,Ineednotconcludethat Iamno Christian becauseIhavedoubts.Thetext reminds me thatDavidwasnotcontentwhilehehaddoubtsandfears;but hewentatoncetothemercyseattoprayforassurance,forhe valued it as much as fine gold. I, too, must labor after an abidingsenseofmyacceptanceintheBeloved.

David knewwhere to obtain fullassurance.He went to God in prayer. I must be alone with God if I would have a clear senseofJesus’love.Letmyprayerscease,andmyeyeoffaith willgrowdim.Muchinprayer,muchinheaven;slowinprayer, slowinprogress.

David would not be satisfied unless his assurance had a divinesource.Nothing short ofadivinetestimony in thesoul willevercontentthetrueChristian.Moreover,Davidcouldnot restunlesshisassurancehadavividpersonalityaboutit.

“Lord,ifYoushouldsaythistoallthesaints,itwerenothing unless You should say it to me.Ihave sinned, Ideserve not

Your smile, I scarcely dare to ask it; but oh, say to my soul, even to my soul,’Iamyoursalvation.’Letmehaveapresent, personal,infallible,indisputablesensethatIamYoursandthat Youaremine.”

Thoushaltbecalled,Soughtout.

ISAIAH62:12KJV

The surpassing grace of God is seen very clearly in that we were not only sought, but also sought out. Men seek for a thing that 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 soughtout.

Glory be to unconquerable grace, we were sought out! No gloomcould hide us,no filthiness could concealus; we were found and brought home. Glory be to infinite love, God the Holy Spirit restored us!The lives ofsome ofGod’s people,if they could be written, would fill us with holy astonishment.

StrangeandmarvelousarethewaysthatGodusedintheircase to find His own. Blessed be His name, He never relinquishes thesearchuntilthechosenaresoughtouteffectually.

Theyarenotapeoplesoughttodayandcastawaytomorrow. Almightinessandwisdomcombinedwillmakenofailures;they shallbecalled“Soughtout”!Thatanyshouldbesoughtoutis 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

SOUGHTOUT

out.”

NEIGHBORLYLOVE

“Youshallloveyourneighbor.“

MATTHEW5:43NASB

“Love yourneighbor.” Perhaps he rolls in riches and you are poor.Godhas givenhimthesegifts;covetnothis wealth,and thinkno evilthoughts concerning him. Be content with your own lot ifyou cannot improve it, but do not lookupon your neighborandwishthathewereasyourself.Lovehim,andthen youwillnotenvyhim.

Perhaps you are rich and near you reside the poor. Do not resistcalling themneighbor.You arebound to lovethem.The worldcalls themyourinferiors.Inwhataretheyinferior?They are far more your equals than your inferiors. You are by no means betterthan they.They aremen,and whatareyou more thanthat?Takeheedthatyouloveyourneighboreventhough heisinragsorsunkeninthedepthsofpoverty.

Butperhaps you say,“Icannotlovemy neighbors,because forallIdo,theyreturningratitudeandcontempt.”Somuchthe moreroomfortheheroismoflove.Hewhodaresthemostshall winthemost;andifroughbeyourpathoflove,treaditboldly, stillloving yourneighbors through thickand thin.Heap coals

offireontheirheads,andiftheybehardtoplease,seeknotto please thembut to please yourMaster; and rememberifthey spurn your love, your Master has not spurned it; and your

deed is as acceptable to Himas if it had been acceptable to them.

Love your neighbor, for in so doing, you are following the footstepsofChrist.

BEDILIGENTANDPROSPER

Hediditwithallhisheart,and prospered.

2CHRONICLES31:21KJV

It is the general rule of the moral universe that those men prosperwhodotheirworkwithalltheirhearts,whilethoseare almost certain to fail who go to their labor leaving half their heartsbehindthem.Godisnotpleasedtosendwealthtothose who will not dig in the field to find its hidden treasure. It is universallyconfessedthatifamanwouldprosper,Hemustbe diligentinbusiness.

Itis thesameinreligionas itis inotherthings.Ifyouwould prosperinyourworkforJesus,letitbeheartworkandletitbe donewithallyourheart.Putasmuchforce,energy,heartiness, and earnestness into religion as you do into business, for it deserves farmore.TheHolySpirithelps ourinfirmities,butHe doesnotencourageouridleness;Helovesactivebelievers.

Wholeheartedness shows itself in perseverance; there may be failure at first, but the earnest worker will say, “It is the Lord’swork,anditmustbedone;myLordhasbiddenmedoit, andinHisstrengthIwillaccomplishit.”

Christian,areyou“withallyourheart”servingyourMaster? Remember the earnestness of Jesus! Think what heart work was His!WhenHesweatgreatdrops ofblood,itwas no light

burden He had to carry upon those blessed shoulders; and when He poured out His heart,it was no weakeffort He was making forthe salvation ofHis people.Was Jesus in earnest, andarewelukewarm?

GOTOTHECROSS

Letus search and try ourways, and turn againtothe Lord.

LAMENTATIONS3:40KJV

The spouse who fondly loves her absent husband longs for his return; an extended separation is a semideath to herspirit. And so with souls who lovetheSaviorgreatly,they mustsee His face; they cannot bear that He should be away and no moreholdcommunionwiththem.

Areproaching glance,an uplifted fingerwillbe grievous to loving children who fearto offend theirtenderfatherand are onlyhappyinHissmile.Itwassooncewithyou.Ascripture,a threatening, a touch ofthe rod ofaffliction, and you went to your Father’s feet, crying, “Show me wherefore You contendestwithme?”

Is it so now? Are you content to follow Jesus from a distance? Can you contemplate suspended communion with Christ?CanyoubeartohaveyourBelovedwalkingcontraryto you because you walk contrary to Him? Have your sins separated you and yourGod?Let meaffectionately warn you, foritis agrievous thingwhenwecanlivecontentedlywithout thepresentenjoymentoftheSavior’sface.

Nomatterhowhard,howinsensible,howdeadwemayhave

become, let us go again in all the rags and poverty and defilementofournaturalcondition.Letus claspthatcross,let us lookinto those languid eyes,let us bathe in that fountain filled with blood this willbring backto us ourfirstlove;this willrestorethesimplicityofourfaithandthetendernessofour heart.

HIS WOUNDS REMOVEDOURSIN

By his woundsweare healed.

ISAIAH53:5NIV

Pilate delivered our Lord to the lictors to be scourged. The Roman scourge was a most dreadful instrument of torture. It was made of the sinews of oxen, and sharp bones were intertwinedamongthesinews;sothateverytimethelashcame down,thesepieces ofboneinflictedfearfullacerationandtore offtheflesh fromthebone.TheSaviorwas,no doubt,bound tothecolumnandthusbeaten.Hehadbeenbeatenbefore;but this oftheRoman lictors was probably themostsevereofHis scourgings. My soul,stand hereand weep overHis poorstricken body. Believer, can you gaze upon Himwithout tears as He stands before you,the mirrorofagonizing love? He is at once fairas the lily forinnocence and red as the rose with the crimson of His own blood.As we feelthe sure and blessed healing that Hisstripeshavewroughtinus,doesnotourheartmeltatonce with love and grief? If ever we have loved our Lord Jesus, surely we must feel that affection glowing now within our bosoms.

Wewouldbecompelledtogotoourchambersandweep,but sinceourbusinesscallsusaway,wewillfirstprayourBeloved to print theimageofHis bleeding selfupon thetablets ofour

hearts allthe day; and at nightfallwe willreturn to commune with Him and sorrow that our sin should have cost Him so dearly.

HUMILITY

Beforehonorcomeshumility.

PROVERBS15:33NASB

Humiliationofsoulalways brings apositiveblessingwithit.If we empty our hearts of self, God willfillthemwith His love. Stoopifyouwouldclimbtoheaven.Youmustgrowdownward that you may grow upward; for the sweetest fellowship with heavenis tobehad byhumblesouls,and by themalone.God willdenynoblessingtoathoroughlyhumbledspirit.“Blessed arethepoorinspirit,fortheirs is thekingdomofheaven”with allitsrichesandtreasures.

God blesses us all up to the full measure and extremity of whatitis safeforHimtodo.Ifyoudonotgetablessing,itis because it is not safe for you to have one. If our heavenly Fatherwere to let yourunhumbled spirit win a victory in His holywar,youwouldpilferthecrownforyourself;andmeeting with a fresh enemy, you would fall a victim, so that you are keptlowforyourownsafety.

Whenamanissincerelyhumbleandneverventurestotouch so much as a grain ofthe praise,there is scarcely any limit to what God will do for him. Humility makes us ready to be blessed by the God ofallgrace and fits us to dealefficiently withourfellowmen.Truehumilityisaflowerthatwilladornany garden. Whether it is prayer or praise, whether it is work or

suffering, the genuine salt of humility cannot be used in excess.

APRAYEROFREPENTANCE

Deliver mefrombloodguiltiness,OGod,thou God ofmysalvation:andmytongue shallsingaloudofthy righteousness.

PSALM51:14KJV

In this solemn confession, observe that David plainly names his sin.He does not callit manslaughternorspeakofit as an imprudence by which an unfortunate accident occurred to a worthy man, but he calls it by its true name:bloodguiltiness. He did not actually killthe husband ofBathsheba; but stillit wasplannedinDavid’sheartthatUriahshouldbeslain,andhe wasbeforetheLordhismurderer.

Learn in confession to behonest with God.Do not givefair names to foulsins; callthemwhat you will,they willsmellno sweeter.What God sees themto be,that do you laborto feel themto be; and with allopenness ofheart,acknowledgetheir real character. Observe that David was evidently oppressed withtheheinousnessofhissin.

Itiseasytousewords,butitisdifficulttofeeltheirmeaning. The fifty-first Psalmis the photograph ofa contrite spirit.Let us seek after like brokenness of heart; for however excellent our words may be, if our heart is not conscious of the helldeservingnessofsin,wecannotexpecttofindforgiveness.

The psalmist ends with a commendable vow: If God will deliver him, he will“sing aloud.” Who can sing in any other styleofsuchamercyas this!Butnotethesubjectofthesong “thyrighteousness.”Wemustsingofthefinishedworkofa precious Savior,andhewhoknows mostofforgivinglovewill singtheloudest.

FORGIVEMYSINS

Lookonmyafflictionandmypain, andforgiveallmysins.

PSALM25:18NKJV

It is good for us when prayers about our sorrows are linked with pleas concerning our sins when, being under God’s hand,we are not wholly taken up with ourpain but remember ouroffenses againstGod.Itis good,also,totakebothsorrow andsintothesameplace.Itwas toGodthatDavidcarriedhis sorrow;itwas toGodthatDavidconfessedhis sin.Evenyour littlesorrowsyoumayturnovertoGod,forHecountsthehairs ofyourhead;andyourgreatsorrows youmaycommittoHim, forHe holds the ocean in the hollowofHis hand.Go to Him, whateveryourpresenttrouble,and you willfind Himableand willingtorelieveyou.

ButwemusttakeoursinstoGod,too.Wemustcarrythemto the cross, that the blood may fallupon them, to purge away theirguilt.

We are to go to the Lord with sorrows and with sins in the rightspirit.Davidcries,“Lord,asformyafflictionandmypain, I willnot dictate to Your wisdom. I willleave themto You; I wouldbegladifmypainwereremoved,butdoas Youwill.As formy sins,Lord,Iknowwhat Iwant with them; Imust have themforgiven I cannot endure to lie under their curse for a

moment.”AChristian counts sorrowlighter in the scale than sin; he can bear that his troubles should continue, but he cannotsupporttheburdenofhistransgressions.

THEBLOODOFCHRIST

ThepreciousbloodofChrist…

Standing at the foot ofthe cross,we see hands and feet and side,allpouring forth crimson streams ofPrecious Blood.It is “precious”becauseofitsredeemingandatoningefficacy.Byit the sins ofChrist’s people are atoned for; they are redeemed fromunderthelaw theyarereconciledtoGod,madeonewith Him.

Christ’s blood is also “precious” in its cleansing power; it “cleans fromall sin.” “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shallbeaswhiteassnow.”ThroughJesus’bloodthereisnota spot left upon any believer; no wrinkle nor any such thing remains.Oh,Precious Bloodthatmakes us clean,removingthe stains of abundant iniquity and permitting us to stand accepted in the Beloved, notwithstanding the many ways in whichwehaverebelledagainstourGod.

The blood of Christ is likewise “precious” in its preserving power. We are safe from the destroying angel under the sprinkledblood.Rememberitis God’s seeingthebloodthatis the true reason for our being spared. Here is comfort for us whentheeyeoffaithisdim,forGod’seyeisstillthesame.

1PETER1:19NIV

The blood of Christ is “precious” also in its sanctifying influence. The same blood that justifies by taking away sin quickensthenewnatureandleadsitonwardtosubduesinand to follow out the commands of God. There is no motive for holiness so great as that which streams from the veins of Jesus.

DEATHDEFEATED

Thatthroughdeath He mightdestroy himwhohadthepowerofdeath…

HEBREWS2:14NKJV

Oh,child ofGod,death has lost its sting because the devil’s poweroveritisdestroyed.Thenceasetofeardying.Askgrace fromGod theHoly Spirit,thatby an intimateknowledgeand a firmbeliefofyourRedeemer’sdeath,youmaybestrengthened forthat hour.Living nearthecross ofCalvary,you may think of death with pleasure and welcome it when it comes with intense delight.It is sweet to die in the Lord:It is a covenant blessingtosleepinJesus.

Death is no longer banishment; it is a return from exile, a going home to the many mansions where the loved ones alreadydwell.Thedistancebetweenglorifiedspirits inheaven andmilitantsaintsonearthseemsgreat,butitisnotso.Weare notfarfromhome amomentwillbringusthere.“Absentfrom thebody,presentwiththeLord.”Thinknotthatalongperiod intervenes between the instant of death and the eternity of glory.Whentheeyescloseonearth,theyopeninheaven.

Then, child of God, what is there for you to fear in death, seeingthatthroughthedeathofyourLordits curseandsting aredestroyed?

CALMINTHEMIDSTOFTERROR

Youshallnotbeafraid oftheterrorbynight.

PSALM91:5NKJV

What is this terror? It may be the cry of fire or the noise of thieves orthe shriekofsudden sickness ordeath.We live in theworldofdeathandsorrow.Thisshouldnotalarmus,forbe theterrorwhatitmay,thepromiseis thatthebelievershallnot be afraid.Why should he? God ourFatheris here and willbe hereallthroughthelonelyhours;HeisanalmightyWatcher,a sleepless Guardian, a faithful Friend. Nothing can happen without His direction,foreven hellitselfis underHis control. Darkness is not darkto Him.He has promised to be a wallof fire around His people and who can break through such a barrier?

Worldlings might be afraid, for they have an angry God above them, a guilty conscience within them, and a yawning hellbeneaththem;butwewhorestinJesus aresavedfromall thesethroughrichmercy.

If we give way to foolish fear, we lead others to doubt the realityofgodliness.Weoughttobeafraidofbeingafraid,lest we should displease the Holy Spirit by foolish distrust. God has not forgotten to be gracious nor shut up His tender mercies;itmaybenightinthesoul,butthereneedbenoterror,

fortheGod oflovechanges not.Children oflightmay walkin darkness, but they are not therefore cast away; no, they are now enabled to prove their adoption by trusting in their heavenlyFatherashypocritescannotdo.

MORETHANCONQUERORS

Inallthesethingswearemorethanconquerors throughhimwholovedus.

ROMANS8:37NIV

WegotoChristforforgiveness andthentoooftenlooktothe law for power to fight our sins. Take your sins to Christ’s cross, for the old man can only be crucified there: We are crucified with Him. The only weapon to fight sin with is the spearthatpiercedthesideofJesus.

To give an illustration: You want to overcome an angry temper;howdoyoubegin?Itis verypossibleyouhavenever tried the right way of going to Jesus with it. How did I get salvation? Icame to Jesus just as Iwas,and Itrusted Himto saveme.Imustkillmyangrytemperinthesameway.Itis the onlywayinwhichIcaneverkillit.Imustgotothecross with itandsaytoJesus,“Lord,ItrustYoutodelivermefromit.”

Areyoucovetous?Doyoufeeltheworldentangleyou?You may struggle against this evilas long as you wish,but ifit is yourbesetting sin, you willneverbe delivered fromit in any waybutbythebloodofJesus.

Take it to Christ. Tell Him: “Lord, I have trusted You, and Yournameis Jesus,forYou saveYourpeoplefromtheirsins. Lord, this is one of my sins; save me fromit!” You must be

conquerors through Himwho has loved you,ifconquerors at all.

CALLONGOD

God,evenourown God…

PSALM67:6KJV

It is strange howlittle use we make ofthe spiritualblessings thatGodgives us,butitis strangerstillhowlittleusewemake of God Himself. Though He is “our own God,” we apply ourselves but little to Him and ask but little of Him. How seldomdoweaskcounselatthehandsoftheLord!Howoften dowegoaboutourbusinesswithoutseekingHisguidance!In ourtroubles howconstantly do westriveto bearourburdens ourselves,instead ofcasting themupon theLord thatHemay sustainus!

Thisisnotbecausewemaynot,fortheLordseemstosay,“I amyours,soul,comeandmakeuseofMeasyouwill;youmay freelycometoMystore,andtheoftenerthemorewelcome.”It is ourownfaultifwemakenotfreewiththeriches ofourGod. Then since you have such a friend and He invites you,draw fromHimdaily. Never want while you have a God to go to, neverfearorfaintwhileyouhaveGodtohelpyou,gotoyour treasure and take whatever you need there is all that you couldwant.

Make use ofHimin prayer. Go to Himoften because He is yourGod.Use Himconstantly by faith at alltimes.Whatever youareandwhereveryouare,rememberGodis justwhatyou

want and just where you want, and that He can do all you want.

PROMISESOFSCRIPTURE

Remember thewordunto thy servant, uponwhich thou hastcausedmetohope.

PSALM119:49KJV

Whateveryourspecialneedmaybe,youmayreadilyfindsome promise in the Bible suited to it. Are you faint and feeble because your way is rough and you are weary? Here is the promise:“Hegives powertothefaint.”Whenyoureadsucha promise,takeitbacktothegreatPromiserandaskHimtofulfill HisownWord.

Are you seeking after Christ and thirsting for closer communion with Him? This promise shines like a star upon you: “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Take that promise to the throne continually; do not plead anything else,but go to Godoverandoveragainwiththis:“Lord,Youhavesaidit,do asYouhavesaid.”

Are you distressed because of sin and burdened with the heavyloadofyouriniquities?Listentothesewords:“I,evenI, am He who blots out your transgressions and will no more rememberyoursins.”You haveno meritofyourown to plead whyHeshouldpardonyou,butpleadHiswrittenengagements andHewillperformthem.

IfyouhavelostthesweetsenseoftheSavior’spresenceand

areseekingHimwithasorrowfulheart,rememberthepromises:

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you”; “For a small moment have I forsaken you, but with great mercies will I gatheryou.”

MYREFUGE

You aremyrefugeinthedayofdisaster.

JEREMIAH17:17NIV

The path ofthe Christian is not always bright with sunshine; he has his seasons of darkness and of storm. At certain periods clouds cover the believer’s sun, and he walks in darknessandseesnolight.

TherearemanywhohaverejoicedinthepresenceofGodfor a season, they have basked in the sunshine in the earlier stages of their Christian career, they have walked along the “greenpastures”bythesideofthe“stillwaters,”butsuddenly they find the glorious sky is clouded; instead of the land of Goshen, they have to tread the sandy desert; in the place of sweet waters,they find troubled streams,bitterto theirtaste; and they say,“Surely ifIwere a child ofGod,this would not happen.”

Oh,do not say that,you who are walking in darkness.The best ofGod’s saints must drinkthe bitterness; the dearest of His children must bear the cross. No Christian has enjoyed perpetualprosperity;nobelievercanalwayskeephisharpfrom thewillows.PerhapstheLordallottedyouatfirstasmoothand unclouded path because you were weak and timid. He tempered the wind to the shorn lamb, but now that you are strongerinthespirituallife,youmustenterupontheriperand rougherexperienceofGod’sfull-grownchildren.

Weneedwinds andtempests toexerciseourfaith,totearoff the rotten bough of self-dependence, and to root us more firmly in Christ.The day ofevilreveals to us the value ofour glorioushope.

GOD’S PLEASUREINHIS CHILDREN

The Lord takespleasurein His people.

PSALM149:4NKJV

Howcomprehensive is the love ofJesus!There is no part of His people’s interests that He does not consider,and there is nothing that concerns their welfare that is not important to Him.Notmerelydoes Hethinkofyou,believer,as animmortal being but as a mortalbeing, too. Do not deny it or doubt it: “Theveryhairs ofyourheadareallnumbered.”“Thesteps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in His way.”Believer,restassuredthattheheartofJesuscaresabout yourcommonaffairs.

ThebreadthofHistenderloveissuchthatyoumayresortto Himinallmatters;forinallyourafflictions,Heis afflicted,and like as a father pities his children, so does He pity you. Oh, what a heart is His that does not merely comprehend the persons ofHis people,but comprehends also the diverse and innumerableconcernsofallthosepersons!

DoyouthinkthatyoucanmeasuretheloveofChrist?Think of what His love has brought you justification, adoption, sanctification, eternal life! The riches of His goodness are unsearchable;you shallneverbeableto tellthemoutoreven conceive them. Oh, the breadth of the love of Christ! Go to your rest rejoicing, for thou art no desolate wanderer but a

belovedchild,watchedover,caredfor,supplied,anddefended byyourLord.

WISDOMANDTRUST

Hethat handleth amatterwiselyshallfindgood: andwhoso trusteth inthe Lord,happyishe.

PROVERBS16:20KJV

Wisdomisman’struestrength,andunderitsguidance,hebest accomplishestheendsofhisbeing.Wiselyhandlingthematter of life gives to man the richest enjoyment and presents the noblest occupation forhis powers; hence by it he finds good inthefullestsense.

Wisdomis thecompass by which man is to steeracross the trackless waste of life; without it he is a derelict vessel, the sport ofwinds and waves.Aman must be prudent in such a world as this, or he will find no good but be betrayed into unnumbered ills. If, trained by the Great Teacher, we follow where He leads, we shall find good, even while in this dark abode.

But whereshallthis wisdombefound?Many havedreamed ofitbuthavenotpossessedit.Whereshallwelearnit?Letus listen to thevoiceoftheLord,forHehas declared thesecret; Hehasrevealedtothesonsofmenwheretruewisdomlies,and we have it in the text,“Whoso trusteth in the Lord,happy is he.” The true way to handle a matterwisely is to trust in the Lord.

This is the sure clue to the most intricate labyrinths oflife; followitandfindeternalbliss.Hewhotrusts intheLordhas a diploma forwisdomgranted by inspiration:Happy is he now, and happiershallhe be above.Lord,teach me the wisdomof faith.

WAITINGWITHPATIENCE

Allthedaysofmy appointedtimewillIwait.

JOB14:14KJV

Alittlestayonearthwillmakeheavenmoreheavenly.Nothing makes rest so sweet as toil; nothing renders security so pleasantas exposuretoalarms.Ourbatteredarmorandscarred countenances will render more illustrious our victory above, when we are welcomed to the seats of those who have overcometheworld.

Weshould nothavefullfellowship with Christifwedid not forawhilesojourn below,forHewas baptized with abaptism of suffering among men, and we must be baptized with the sameifwewouldshareHis kingdom.FellowshipwithChristis sohonorablethatthesorestsorrowisalightpricebywhichto procureit.

Another reason for our lingering here is for the good of others. We would not wish to enterheaven untilourworkis done, and it may be that we are yet ordained to minister to souls lost in thewilderness ofsin.Ourprolonged stay hereis doubtlessforGod’sglory.

A tried saint, like a well-cut diamond, glitters much in the

King’s crown.WeareGod’s workmanship,inwhomHewillbe glorified by our afflictions. Our time is fixed and settled by eternal decree. Let us not be anxious about it, but wait with patienceuntilthegatesofpearlshallopen.

THERISENCHRIST

ButnowChrist hasbeen raisedfromthedead.

1CORINTHIANS15:20NASB

The whole system of Christianity rests upon the fact that “Christis risenfromthedead”;for“IfChristbenotrisen,then isourpreachingvainandyourfaithisalsovain:Youareyetin yoursins.” The divinity ofChrist finds its surest proofin His resurrection.It would not beunreasonableto doubt His Deity ifHehadnotrisen.

Moreover, Christ’s sovereignty depends upon His resurrection,“FortothisendChristdiedandroseandrevived, thatHemightbeLordbothofthedeadandtheliving.”Again ourjustification,thatchoiceblessingofthecovenant,islinked with Christ’s triumphant victory over death and the grave. Further, our very regeneration is connected with His resurrection,forweare“begotten again unto alively hopeby theresurrectionofJesusChristfromthedead.”

And most certainly our ultimate resurrection rests here, for “IftheSpiritofHimwhoraisedupJesusfromthedeaddwellin you,HewhoraisedupChristfromthedeadshallalsoquicken yourmortalbodiesbyHisSpiritwhichdwellsinyou.”IfChrist is notrisen,thenweshallnotrise;butifHeis risen,thenthey who are asleep in Christ have not perished, but in theirflesh shallsurelybeholdtheirGod.

Thus the silver thread of resurrection runs through all the believer’s blessings, from his regeneration onward to his eternalglory,andbindsthemtogether.Howimportantthenwill this glorious fact be in his estimation,and howwillhe rejoice thatbeyondadoubtitis established,that“nowis Christrisen fromthedead.”

JOYFOLLOWS PAIN

Weepingmayendureforanight, butjoy cometh inthemorning.

PSALM30:5KJV

Ifyouareinanightoftrial,thinkoftomorrow;cheeryourheart withthethoughtofthecomingoftheLord.Bepatient,for“He comes withclouds descending.”Bepatient!TheHusbandman waits untilHereaps His harvest.Bepatient,foryouknowwho hassaid,“Behold,Icomequickly,andmyrewardiswithme,to givetoeverymanaccordingashisworkshallbe.”

Yourhead may becrowned with thorny troubles now,but it shallwearastarrycrownbeforelong;yourhandmaybefilled with cares it shall sweep the strings of the harp of heaven soon.Yourgarments may be soiled with dust now; they shall bewhiteinashorttime.

Wait a little longer. How despicable our troubles and trials will seem when we look back upon them! Looking at them presently,theyseemimmense;butwhenwegettoheaven,we shall then “with transporting joys recount the labors of our feet.”Ourtrials willthenseemlightandmomentaryafflictions. Letusgoonboldly;afterthedarkofnightthemorningcomes, which is more than they can say who are shut up in the darknessofhell.

Do you know what it is to live in the future to live on expectation to antedate heaven? It may be dark now, but it willsoonbelight;itmaybealltrialnow,butitwillsoonbeall happiness.What does it matterif“weeping may endure fora night,”when“joycomesinthemorning”?

AFTERWARD

Afterwardit yieldeth thepeaceablefruit.

HEBREWS12:11KJV

How happy are tried Christians afterward. There is no calm more deep than that which succeeds a storm. Who has not rejoiced in clearskies afterrain?Oursorrows,likethepassing keels of the vessels upon the sea, leave a silver line of holy light behind them“afterward.” It is peace sweet,deep peace which follows the horrible turmoilthat once reigned in our tormented,guiltysouls.

TheChristianhashisbestthingslast,andhethereforeinthis worldreceiveshisworstthings first.Butevenhis worstthings are “afterward” good things. Even now he grows rich by his losses,herisesbyhisfalls,helivesbydyingandbecomesfull by being emptied; ifthen his grievous afflictions yield himso much peaceable fruit in this life,what shallbe the fullvintage ofjoy“afterward”inheaven?

Ifhisdarknightsareasbrightastheworld’sdays,whatshall hisdaysbe?Ifevenhisstarlightismoresplendidthanthesun, what must his sunlight be? Ifhe can sing in a dungeon,how sweetlywillhesinginheaven?IfhecanpraisetheLordinthe fires,howwillheextolHimbeforetheeternalthrone?Ifevilbe good to himnow,what willthe overflowing goodness ofGod betohimthen?

Who would not choose to be a Christian? Who would not bear the present cross for the crown that comes afterward? Wait,dearsoul,andletpatiencehaveherperfectwork.

APURPOSEFULFILLED

The Lord willfulfillhispurposeforme.

PSALM138:8NIV

The confidence that the psalmist expressed was a divine confidence. His dependence was on the Lord alone. The psalmistwas wise;heresteduponnothingshortoftheLord’s work.Itis theLordwhohas begunthegoodworkwithinus;it isHewhohascarriediton,andifHedoesnotfinishit,itnever willbecomplete.Iftherebeonestitch in thecelestialgarment ofourrighteousness that we are to insert ourselves,then we are lost; but this is ourconfidence:The Lord who began will perfect.Hehasdoneitall,mustdoitall,andwilldoitall.

Our confidence must not be in what we have done nor in whatwehaveresolvedtodo,butentirelyinwhattheLordwill do.Unbeliefinsinuates:“Youwillneverbeabletostand.Look attheevilofyourheart;youcanneverconquersin.Remember the sinful pleasures and temptations of the world that beset you;youwillbecertainlyalluredbythemandledastray.”

Yes,weshouldindeedperishiflefttoourownstrength.But thanks be to God,He willperfect that which concerns us and bring us to thedesired haven.Wecan neverbetoo confident when weconfidein Himaloneand nevertoo much concerned tohavesuchatrust.

SHARECHRISTWITHZEAL Bezealous.

REVELATION3:19KJV

Ifyou would see souls converted,ifyou would place crowns upontheheadoftheSavior,andHisthroneliftedhigh,thenbe filledwithzeal.Everygracewillhaveaccomplishments,butthis willbe first; prudence, knowledge, patience, and courage will followin theirplaces,but zealmust lead the van.This zealis the fruit of the Holy Spirit: It draws its vital force from the continuedoperationsoftheHolySpiritinthesoul.

If our inner life dwindles, if our heart beats slowly before God,weshallnot knowzeal; but ifallbestrong and vigorous within, then we cannot but feel a loving anxiety to see the kingdomofChristcomeandHiswilldoneonearth,evenasitis in heaven. A deep sense of gratitude will nourish Christian zeal. We find abundant reason why we should spend and be spentforGod.

And zeal is also stimulated by the thought of the eternal future.Itlookswithtearfuleyesdowntotheflamesofhell,and it cannot slumber:It looks up with anxious gazeto theglories of heaven, and it cannot but bestir itself. It feels that time is short compared with the work to be done, and therefore it devotesallthatithastothecauseofitsLord.

And it is everstrengthened by the remembrance ofChrist’s example.Letus provethatweareHis disciples bymanifesting thesamespiritofzeal.

GREATTHINGS

The Lord hathdonegreatthingsforus; whereofweareglad.

PSALM126:3KJV

Some Christians are prone to look on the dark side of everything and to dwell more upon what they have gone through than upon whatGod has doneforthem.Askfortheir impression of the Christian life, and they will describe their continualconflicts,theirdeep afflictions,theirsad adversities, and the sinfulness of their hearts, yet with scarcely any allusiontothemercyandhelpthatGodhasgrantedthem.

But a Christian whose soul is in a healthy state will come forwardjoyouslyandsay,“Iwillspeaknotaboutmyselfbutto the honorofmy God.He has brought me up out ofa horrible pit and out ofthe miry clay and set my feet upon a rockand established my goings; and He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God. The Lord has done great thingsforme,whereofIamglad.”

Itistruethatweenduretrials,butitisjustastruethatweare delivered out ofthem.It is true that we have ourcorruptions, and mournfully we know this; but it is quite as true that we haveanall-sufficientSaviorwhoovercomes thesecorruptions anddeliversusfromtheirdominion.

The deeperourtroubles,the louderourthanks to God who

hasledusthroughandpreservedus.Ourgriefscannotmarthe

melodyofourpraise;wereckonthemtobethebasspartofour life’s song:“He has done great things forus,whereofwe are glad.”

Search thescriptures.

JOHN5:39KJV

TheGreekwordhererendered“search”signifiesastrict,close, diligent, curious search, such as men make when they are seeking gold,orhunters when they are in earnest aftergame. We must not rest content with having given a superficial readingtoachapterortwo,butwiththecandleoftheSpirit,we must deliberately seek out the hidden meaning of the Word. Holy scripture requires searching much of it can only be learnedbycarefulstudy.Thereis milkforbabes butalsomeat forstrongmen.

Nomanwhomerelyskims thebookofGodcanprofitfromit; wemustdigandmineuntilweobtainthehiddentreasure.The door of the Word only opens to the key of diligence. The scriptures claimsearching.Theyarethewritings ofGod who shall dare to treat them with levity? He who despises them despises the God who wrote them.God forbid that any ofus should leave ourBibles to become swift witnesses against us in the great day of account. The Word of God will repay searching. Scripture grows upon the student. It is full of surprises.

The scriptures revealJesus:“They are they which testify of Me.” No more powerful motive can be urged upon Bible

EXPLOREGOD’S WORD

readers than this: He who finds Jesus finds life, heaven, all things. Happy is he who, searching his Bible, discovers his Savior.

AHOLYCALLING

Whohassavedusandcalled uswithaholycalling…

Believers in ChristJesus aresaved.They arenotlooked upon as persons who are in a hopefulstate and may ultimately be saved,but they are already saved.Salvation is not a blessing tobeenjoyeduponthedeathbedandtobesungofinafuture state above, but a matter to be obtained, received, promised, and enjoyed now. The Christian is saved in God’s purpose; God has ordained him unto salvation, and that purpose is complete.

This complete salvation is accompanied by a holy calling. ThosewhomtheSaviorsavedareinduetimeeffectuallycalled bythepowerofGoduntoholiness:Theyleavetheirsins;they endeavor to be like Christ; they choose holiness, not out of any compulsion butofanewnaturethatleads themto rejoice in holiness just as naturally as before they delighted in sin. God neither chose them nor called them because they were holy,butHecalledthemthattheymightbeholy.

The excellencies that we see in a believer are as much the workofGodas theatonementitself.Thus is broughtoutvery sweetly thefullness ofthegraceofGod.Salvation must beof gracebecausetheLordistheauthorofit,andwhatmotivebut

2TIMOTHY1:9,NKJV

gracecouldmoveHimtosavetheguilty?Salvationmustbeof grace because the Lord works in such a manner that our righteousness is forever excluded. Such is the believer’s privilege apresent salvation; such is theevidencethat heis calledtoit aholylife.

PERMANENCEINCHRIST

Thethingswhichcannot beshakenmayremain.

HEBREWS12:27NKJV

Whateveryourlosseshavebeenormaybe,youenjoypresent salvation. You are standing at the foot of His cross, trusting aloneinthemeritofJesus’preciousblood,andnoriseorfallof the markets can interfere with your salvation in Him; no breakingofbanks,nofailuresandbankruptciescantouchthat. ThenyouareachildofGod.Godis yourFather.Nochangeof circumstancescaneverrobyouofthat.

Although by losses brought to poverty and stripped bare, you can say,“He is my Fatherstill.In my Father’s house are many mansions; therefore will I not be troubled.” You have anotherpermanent blessing,namely,the love ofJesus Christ. Hewho is God and man loves you with allthestrength ofHis affectionate nature nothing can affect that.The fig tree may notblossom,andtheflocksmayceasefromthefield;itmatters not to the man who can sing,“My Beloved is mine,and Iam His.”Ourbestportionandrichestheritagewecannotlose.

Whatevertroubles come,letus actas men;letus showthat wearenotsuchlittlechildrenas tobecastdownbywhatmay happen in this poor fleeting state of time. Our country is Immanuel’s land,ourhopeis abovetheskyandthereforecalm

as the summer’s ocean; we will see the wreck of everything earthbornandyetrejoiceintheGodofoursalvation.

PROPERSERVICE

Leteverymanabideinthesame callingwhereinhewascalled.

1CORINTHIANS7:20KJV

Beloved,itisnotoffice,itisearnestness;itisnotposition,itis grace that will enable us to glorify God. God is most surely glorified in that cobbler’s stall,where the godly worker,as he plies theawl,sings oftheSavior’s love.ThenameofJesus is glorified by the poor, unlearned carter as he drives his horse and blesses his God or speaks to his fellow laborer by the roadside, as much as by the popular divine who throughout thecountryisthunderingouttheGospel.

God is glorified by ourserving Himin ourpropervocations. Takecarethatyoudonotforsakethepath ofduty by leaving your occupation, and take care you do not dishonor your profession while in it. Think little of yourselves, but do not think too little of your callings. Every lawful trade may be sanctifiedbytheGospeltonoblestends.TurntotheBible,and you willfind the most menialforms oflaborconnected either with most daring deeds of faith or with persons whose lives havebeenillustriousforholiness.

Therefore be not discontented with your calling. Whatever Godhas madeyourpositionoryourwork,abideinthatunless youarequitesurethatHecallsyoutosomethingelse.Letyour

firstcarebeto glorify God to theutmostofyourpowerwhere youare.FillyourpresentspheretoHis praise,andifHeneeds you in another, He will show it to you. Lay aside vexatious ambition,andembracepeacefulcontent.

KEEPYOUREYESONJESUS

Letusfixoureyeson Jesus.

HEBREWS12:2NIV

ItistheHolySpirit’sconstantworktoturnoureyesawayfrom selfto Jesus;butSatan’s workis justtheoppositeofthis,for heis constantly trying to makeus regard ourselves instead of Christ.Heinsinuates:“Yoursins aretoogreatforpardon,you have no faith, you do not repent enough, you will never be abletoendure,youhavenotthejoyofHis children,youhave a wavering hold ofJesus.”Allthese are thoughts about self, andweshallneverfindcomfortorassurancebylookingwithin.

ButtheHolySpiritturnsoureyesentirelyawayfromself:He tells us that we are nothing,but that “Christ is allin all.” It is not yourhold ofChrist that saves you it is Christ; it is not yourjoy in Christ that saves you it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument it is Christ’s blood and merits; therefore, look not to your hope, but to Jesus,the source ofyourhope; looknot to yourfaith,but to Jesus,theauthorandfinisherofyourfaith.

It is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. Keep your eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession be fresh upon yourmind; when you wakein themorning,lookto Him; whenyouliedownatnight,looktoHim.Donotletyourhopes

orfears comebetweenyouandJesus;followHim,andHewill neverfailyou.

HEARTSOFGLADNESS

In himourhearts rejoice, forwe trust in his holyname.

PSALM33:21NIV

Christians can rejoice even in the deepest distress.Although trouble may surround them, they still sing; and, like many birds, they sing best in theircages. The waves may rollover them,buttheirsouls soonrisetothesurfaceandseethelight of God’s countenance. Trouble does not necessarily bring consolationwithittothebeliever,butthepresenceoftheSon ofGodinthefieryfurnacewithhimfillshisheartwithjoy.

He is sickand suffering,but Jesus visits himand makes his bed forhim.He is dying,but Jesus puts His arms around him andcries,“Fearnot,beloved,todieistobeblessed;thewaters of death have their fountainhead in heaven. They are not bitter;theyaresweetasnectar,fortheyflowfromthethroneof God.”Asthedepartingsaintwadesthroughthestreamandthe billows gatheraround him,thesamevoicesounds in his ears, “Fearnot,Iamwiththee;benotdismayed,IamyourGod.”

As henears theborders oftheinfiniteunknown,Jesus says, “Fear not, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”Thusstrengthenedandconsoled,thebelieverisnot afraid to die; no,heis even willing to depart,forsincehehas seen Jesus as themorning star,helongs to gazeupon Himas the sun in his strength.Truly the presence ofJesus is allthe

heavenwedesire.

AWAITINGINSTRUCTION

Lead mein thy truth,and teach me:forthou art the God ofmysalvation;on thee doIwait alltheday.

PSALM25:5KJV

Whenthebelieverhasbegunwithtremblingfeettowalkinthe wayoftheLord,heasks tobestillledonwardlikealittlechild upheld by its parent’s helping hand, and he craves to be further instructed in the alphabet of truth. Jehovah is the Authorand Perfecterofsalvation to His people.Reader,is He theGodofyoursalvation?DoyoufindintheFather’selection, in the Son’s atonement, and in the Spirit’s quickening allthe groundsofyoureternalhopes?

Ifso,you may usethis as an argument forobtaining further blessings;iftheLordhas ordainedtosaveyou,surelyHewill notrefusetoinstructyouinHisways.Itisahappythingwhen we can address the Lord with the confidence that David here manifests;itgivesusgreatpowerinprayerandcomfortintrial. “OnyoudoIwaitalltheday.”

Patience is the fair handmaid and daughter of faith; we cheerfully wait when we are certain that we shall not wait in vain.It is ourduty and ourprivilege to wait upon the Lord in service,in worship,in expectancy,in trust allthe days ofour life.Ourfaithwillbetriedfaith,andifitisofthetruekind,itwill bearcontinuedtrialwithoutyielding.Weshallnotgrowweary of waiting upon God if we remember how long and how

graciouslyHeoncewaitedforus.

GODISFORUS

WhenIcry unto thee,thenshallmineenemies turn back:thisIknow;forGod isforme.

PSALM56:9KJV

It is impossible for any human speech to express the full meaningofthis delightfulphrase:“Godis forme.”Hewas “for us”beforetheworldsweremade;Hewas“forus,”orHewould not have given His well-beloved Son; He was “for us” when He smote the Only Begotten and laid the full weight of His wrathuponHim Hewas“forus”thoughHewasagainstHim; Hewas “forus”whenwewereruinedinthefall Helovedus notwithstanding all; He was “for us” when we were rebels against Himand with ahigh hand werebidding Himdefiance; Hewas “forus,”orHewould not havebrought us humbly to seekHisface.

He has been “for us” in many struggles; we have been summoned to encounter hosts of dangers, we have been assailed by temptations fromwithout and within howcould we have remained unharmed to this hour if He had not been “forus”?Heis “forus”with alltheinfinity ofHis being,with allthe omnipotence ofHis love,with allthe infallibility ofHis wisdom; arrayed in allHis divine attributes, He is “for us” eternally and immutably “for us,” “for us” when yonder blue skies shall be rolled up like a worn-out vesture, “for us”

throughouteternity.

And because He is “forus,” the voice ofprayerwillalways ensureHishelp.

THEGLORYOFGOD

The Lord ourGod hasshownus his glory.

DEUTERONOMY5:24NIV

God’s greatdesign in allHis works is themanifestation ofHis own glory. Any aim less than this would be unworthy of Himself.ButhowshallthegloryofGodbemanifestedtosuch fallencreaturesasweare?

Self must stand out of the way that there may be roomfor God to beexalted; and this is thereason why Heoften brings Hispeopleintodifficulties:Thatbeingmadeconsciousoftheir own folly and weakness, they may be fitted to behold the majestyofGodwhenHecomesforthtoworktheirdeliverance.

Hewhoselifeis oneevenandsmoothpathwillseebutlittle of the glory of the Lord, for he has few occasions of selfemptyingandlittlefitnessforbeingfilledwiththerevelationof God.Theywhonavigatelittlestreamsandshallowcreeksknow butlittleoftheGodoftempests;buttheywho“dobusinessin greatwaters,”theseseeHis“wondersinthedeep.”Amongthe huge waves of bereavement, poverty, temptation, and reproach,we learn the powerofJehovah because we feelthe littlenessofman.

ThankGod then ifyou have been led by a rough road.It is

thisthathasgivenyouyourexperienceofGod’sgreatnessand loving-kindness. Your troubles have enriched you with a wealth of knowledge to be gained by no other means: Your trials havebeenthecleftoftherockin which Jehovah has set youthatyoumightbeholdHisgloryasitpassedby.

OURINHERITANCEINCHRIST

Theearnestofourinheritance…

EPHESIANS1:14KJV

Whatenlightenment,whatjoys,whatconsolation,whatdelight ofheartis experiencedbythatmanwhohas learnedtofeedon Jesus,and on Jesus alone.Yet the realization that we have of Christ’s preciousness is,in this life,imperfect at the best.We have tasted “that the Lord is gracious,” but we do not yet knowhowgoodandgraciousHeis,althoughwhatweknowof Hissweetnessmakesuslongformore.

We are but beginners now in spiritual education: For although we have learned the first letters ofthe alphabet, we cannot read words yet, much less can we put sentences together; but as one says, “He who has been in heaven but fiveminutes knows morethanthegeneralassemblyofdivines on earth.” We have many ungratified desires at present, but sooneverywishwillbesatisfied;andallourpowers shallfind thesweetestemploymentinthateternalworldofjoy.

Oh, Christian, within a very little time you will be rid of all your trials and your troubles. Your eyes now suffused with tears will weep no longer. You will gaze in ineffable rapture upon the splendor of Him who sits upon the throne. Even more, upon His throne you willsit. The triumph of His glory you willshare; His crown,His joy,His paradise,these willbe

yours, and you willbe coheir with Himwho is the heir of all things.

AWITNESSOFJOY

They…rejoiced:forGod had madethemrejoicewithgreatjoy.

NEHEMIAH12:43KJV

They“rejoiced:forGodhadmadethemrejoicewithgreatjoy.” It was not all singing and giving. When the wheels of the machine are well oiled, the whole machine goes easily; and whenthemanhastheoilofjoy,theninhisbusinessandinhis family, the wheels of his nature glide along sweetly and harmoniouslybecauseheisagladandahappyman.

Oh,happy households wherethejoy is not confined to one butwhereallpartakeofit!Toomanyneedallthereligionthey can get to cheertheirown hearts,and theirpoorfamilies and neighbors sit shivering in the cold of ungodliness. Be like those well-constructed stoves of our own houses that send outalltheheatintotheroom.

Send out the heat of piety into your house, and let all the neighbors participate in the blessing, for so the text finishes: “ThejoyofJerusalemwas heardevenafaroff.”Thejoyofthe Lord should be observed throughout our neighborhood, and many who might otherwisehavebeen careless oftruereligion willthen inquire,“What makes these people glad and creates such happy households?” Your joy shall thus be God’s missionary.

REMEMBERGOD’S PROMISES

Exceedinglygreatandpreciouspromises…

2PETER1:4NKJV

If you would know experimentally the preciousness of the promises and enjoy them in your own heart, meditate upon them. Thinking over the hallowed words will often be the preludetotheirfulfillment.Whileyouareconsideringthem,the blessing that you are seeking will insensibly come to you. Many a Christian who has thirsted forthe promise has found the favor that it ensured gently distilling into his soul even while he has been considering the divine record; and he has rejoicedthathewasledtolaythepromisenearhisheart.

But besides meditating upon the promises, seek to receive themas beingtheverywords ofGod.Mysoul,itis God,even yourGod,Godwhocannotlie,whospeaks toyou.This Word of His that you are now considering is as true as His own existence.HeisaGodunchangeable.Hehasnotalteredaword that has gone out of His mouth, nor called back one single consolatory sentence. Nor does He lack any power; it is the Godwhomadetheheavensandtheearthwhohasspoken.Nor can He failin wisdomas to the time when He willbestowthe favors,forHeknowswhenitisbesttogiveandwhenbetterto withhold.

Therefore, seeing that it is the Word of a God so true, so

immutable, so powerful, so wise, I will and must believe the promise.Ifwe thus meditate upon the promises and consider the Promiser, we shall experience their sweetness and obtain theirfulfillment.

CONTINUALLYWITHYOU

NeverthelessIamcontinuallywith You.

PSALM73:23NKJV

“Nevertheless” as if,notwithstandingallthefoolishness and ignorancethatDavidhadjustbeenconfessingtoGod,notone atomtheless was ittrueandcertainthatDavidwas savedand accepted, and that the blessing of being constantly in God’s presencewasundoubtedlyhis.Fullyconsciousofhisownlost estateand ofthedeceitfulness and vileness ofhis nature,yet by a glorious outburst of faith, he sings, “Nevertheless I am continuallywiththee.”

Believer,endeavorinlikespirittosay,“Nevertheless,sinceI belong to Christ,Iamcontinually with God!”By this is meant continuallyuponHis mind;Heis always thinkingofmeformy good.Continually before His eye the eye ofthe Lord never sleepsbutisperpetuallywatchingovermywelfare.Continually inHis hand sothatnonewillbeabletopluckmeoutfromit. Continually on His heart worn there as a memorial, even as the high priest bore the names of the twelve tribes upon His heartforever.

“You always think of me, O God. You are always making providence work for my good. You have set me as a signet upon Your arm. Your love is strong as death; many waters cannot quench it,neithercan thefloods drown it.You seeme in Christ, and though in myself despised, You behold me as

wearingChrist’sgarmentsandwashedinHisblood;andthusI standacceptedinYourpresence.IamthuscontinuallyinYour favor ‘continuallywithYou.’”

THESTRENGTHOFSPIRITUALKNOWLEDGE

Thepeoplethatdoknow theirGod shallbestrong.

DANIEL11:32KJV

Every believer understands that to know God is the highest and best formofknowledge; and this spiritualknowledge is a source of strength to the Christian. It strengthens his faith. Believers are constantly spoken of in the scriptures as being persons who areenlightened and taught oftheLord; they are said to “have an unction from the Holy One,” and it is the Spirit’speculiarofficetoleadthemintoalltruth,andallthisfor theincreaseandthefosteringoftheirfaith.

Knowledge strengthens love, as well as faith. Knowledge opens thedoor,andthenthroughthatdoorweseeourSavior. Ifwe knowbut little ofthe excellences ofJesus,what He has done for us and what He is doing now, we cannot love Him much;butthemoreweknowHim,themoreweshallloveHim. Knowledge also strengthens hope. How can we hope for a thingifwedonotknowofitsexistence?

Knowledge supplies us reasons for patience. How shallwe have patience unless we knowsomething ofthe sympathy of Christ and understand the good that is to come out of the correctionthatourheavenlyFathersends us?Noris thereone single grace of the Christian that, under God, will not be

fostered and brought to perfection by holy knowledge. How importantthen itis thatweshould grownotonly in gracebut alsointhe“knowledge”ofourLordandSaviorJesusChrist.

ALLTHINGS WORKTOGETHERFORGOOD

We know thatallthingsworktogether forgoodtothemthat love God.

ROMANS8:28KJV

Uponsomepoints abelieveris absolutelysure.Heknows,for instance,thatGodsitsinthesternsheetsofthevesselwhenit rocksmost.Hebelievesthataninvisiblehandisalwaysonthe world’s rudder, and that wherever providence may drift, Jehovahsteers it.Thatreassuringknowledgeprepares Himfor everything.

He knows that God is always wise, and knowing this he is confident that there can be no accidents, no mistakes that nothing can occur that ought not to arise. He can say, “If I shouldloseallIhave,itisbetterthatIshouldlosethanhaveif God so wills:Theworst calamity is thewisest and thekindest thingthatcouldbefallmeifGodordainsit.”

“We know that all things work together for good to them who love God.” The Christian does not merely hold this as a theory, but he knows it as a matter of fact. Everything has workedforgoodasyet.Everyeventasyethasworkedoutthe most divinely blessed results; and so believing that God rules all,thatHegovernswisely,thatHebringsgoodoutofevil,the believer’s heart is assured, and he is enabled calmly to meet eachtrialasitcomes.

Thebelievercan in thespiritoftrueresignation pray,“Send mewhatYouwill,myGod,as longas itcomes fromYou;there has nevercome an illportion fromYourtable to any ofYour children.”

OUREVERLASTINGCONSOLATION

Everlastingconsolation…

2THESSALONIANS2:16KJV

“Everlastingconsolation” hereisthemostexcellentofall,for theeternityofcomfortisthecrownandgloryofit.Whatisthis “everlastingconsolation”?Itincludesasenseofpardonedsin. AChristian has received in his heart the witness ofthe Spirit that his iniquities are put away like a cloud, and his transgressions likeathickcloud.Ifsinis pardoned,is notthat aneverlastingconsolation?

Next, the Lord gives His people an abiding sense of acceptanceinChrist.TheChristianknowsthatGodlooksupon himas standinginunionwithJesus.UniontotherisenLordis aconsolationofthemostabidingorder;itisinfacteverlasting. Let sickness prostrate us; have we not seen hundreds of believers as happy in the weakness ofdisease as they would havebeeninbloominghealth?Letdeath’s arrows pierceus to the heart; our comfort does not die, for have not we often heard the songs of saints as they have rejoiced because the living love of God was shed abroad in their hearts in dying moments? Yes, a sense of acceptance in the Beloved is an everlastingconsolation.

Moreover,theChristianhasaconvictionofhissecurity.God has promised to savethosewho trust in Christ:The Christian

does trust in Christ,and he believes that God willbe as good as His Word and will save him. He feels that he is safe by virtue of his being bound up with the person and work of Jesus.

SHEEPPRAISINGTHEIRSHEPHERD

Heshallstand and feed in thestrengthofthe Lord.

MICAH5:4KJV

Christ’s reigninHis Churchis thatofashepherd-king.Hehas supremacy, but it is the superiority of a wise and tender shepherd overhis needy and loving flock; He commands and receives obedience,but it is thewilling obedience ofthe wellcared-for sheep, rendered joyfully to their beloved Shepherd whose voice they knowso well.He rules by the force oflove andtheenergyofgoodness.

His reign is practicalin its character.The great Head ofthe Church is actively engaged in providing for His people. He does not sit down upon the throne in empty state or hold a scepterwithout wielding it in government.No,He stands and feeds.

Hisreigniscontinualinits duration.His eyes neverslumber, and His hands neverrest; His heart neverceases to beat with love, and His shoulders are never weary of carrying His people’sburdens.

His reign is effectually powerful in its action. Wherever Christ is,there is God; and whateverChrist does is the act of

the Most High. It is a joyful truth to consider that He who stands today representing the interests of His people is very GodofveryGodtowhomeverykneeshallbow.Happyarewe who belong to such a Shepherd, whose humanity communes with us and whose divinity protects us. Let us worship and bowdownbeforeHimasthepeopleofHispasture.

RECEIVINGTHROUGHGIVING

Hewhorefreshesothers willhimselfberefreshed.

PROVERBS11:25NIV

Toget,wemustgive;toaccumulate,wemustscatter;tomake ourselves happy,wemustmakeothers happy;and in orderto becomespirituallyvigorous,wemustseekthespiritualgoodof others.Inwateringothers,weareourselveswatered.

How? Our efforts to be useful bring out our powers for usefulness.We have latent talents and dormant faculties that are brought to light by exercise. Our strength for labor is hiddenevenfromourselves,untilweventureforthtofightthe Lord’sbattlesortoclimbthemountains ofdifficulty.Weoften find in attempting to teach others that we gain instruction for ourselves.Oh,whatgracious lessons someofus havelearned at sickbeds! We went to teach the scriptures; we came away blushingthatweknewsolittleofthem.

In ourconversation with poorsaints,wearetaught theway of God more perfectly for ourselves and get a deeper insight into divine truth so that watering others makes us humble. Wediscoverhowmuchgracethereiswherewehadnotlooked for it and how much the poor saint may surpass us in knowledge.Ourown comfortis also increased by ourworking for others. We endeavor to cheer them, and the consolation

gladdensourownheart.

Likethetwomeninthesnow onechafedtheother’s limbs to keep himfromdying and in so doing kepthis own blood in circulation and saved his own life. Give then, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and running over.

Thevoiceofweepingshall nolongerbeheard. ISAIAH65:19NKJV

Theglorifiedweepnomore,foralloutwardcauses ofgriefare gone. There are no broken friendships in heaven. Poverty, famine,peril,persecution,and slanderare unknown there.No pain distresses;no thoughtofdeath orbereavementsaddens. They weep no moreforthey areperfectly sanctified.They are withoutfaultbeforeHis throneand arefully conformed to His image.Wellmaytheyceasetomournwhohaveceasedtosin. Theyweepnomorebecauseallfearofchangeispast.

Theyknowthattheyareeternallysecure.Sinisshutout,and they are shut in. Countless cycles may revolve, but eternity shall not be exhausted; and while eternity endures, their immortality and blessedness shall coexist with it. They are forever with the Lord. They weep no more because every desire is fulfilled. They cannot wish for anything that they havenotinpossession.

MOREGRIEF

Eye and ear, heart and hand, judgment, imagination, hope, desire, will, all the faculties are completely satisfied; and imperfect as ourpresent ideas are ofthe things that God has prepared forthemwho love Him,yet we knowenough by the revelation of the Spirit that the saints above are supremely

blessed. The joy of Christ, which is an infinite fullness of delight,is inthem.Thatsamejoyfulrestremains forus.Itmay notbefardistant.“Whereforecomfortoneanotherwith these words.”

HOPEFORTHEBARREN

“Sing,Obarren!”

ISAIAH54:1NKJV

There are times when we feel very barren. Prayer is lifeless, loveiscold,faithisweak;eachgraceinthegardenofourheart languishesanddroops.Insuchacondition,whatarewetodo?

I can sing of Jesus Christ. I can talk of visits that the Redeemer has paid to me. I can magnify the great love with which Heloved His peoplewhen Hecamefromtheheights of heavenfortheirredemption.Iwillgotothecross again.Come, my soul, heavy laden you once were and lost your burden there.Go to Calvary again.Perhaps that very cross that gave youlifemaygiveyoufruitfulness.

What is my barrenness? It is the platform for His fruitcreatingpower.Whatis mydesolation?Itis thesettingforthe sapphireofHiseverlastinglove.Iwillgoinpoverty,Iwillgoin helplessness,Iwillgo in allmy shame and backsliding; Iwill tellHimthatIamstillHischild,andinconfidenceinHisfaithful heart,Iwillsingandcryaloud.

Sing, believer, for it willcheer your heart and the hearts of other desolate ones. Sing on, for now that you are really ashamed of being barren, you willbe fruitfulsoon; now that

Godmakesyoureluctanttobewithoutfruit,Hewillsooncover youwithclusters.Theexperienceofourbarrenness is painful, but the Lord’s visitations are delightful.A sense of our own poverty drives us to Christ,and that is where we need to be, forinHimisourfruitfound.

SIMPLYWAIT

Wait onthe Lord.

PSALM27:14KJV

There are hours of perplexity when the most willing spirit, anxiously desirous to serve the Lord, does not know which direction to take. Then what should it do? Fly back in cowardice, turn to the right hand in fear, or rush forward in presumption?

No,simplywait.Waitinprayer,however.CalluponGodand tell Him your difficulty and plead His promise of aid. In dilemmasbetweenonedutyandanother,waitwithsimplicityof soulupon theLord.It is sureto bewellwith us when wefeel andknowourownfollyandareheartilywillingtobeguidedby the will of God. But wait in faith. Express your unwavering confidence in Him; forunfaithful,untrusting waiting is but an insult to the Lord.Believe that He willcome at the right time. Waitinquietpatience,notrebellingbecauseyouareunderthe afflictionbutblessingyourGodforit.

Accept the case as it is,and put it as it stands,simply and with yourwhole heart, without any self-will, into the hand of yourcovenantGod,saying,“Now,Lord,notmywillbutYours bedone.Idonotknowwhattodo;Iambroughttoextremities, butIwillwaituntilYoucleavethefloodsordrivebackmyfoes. IwillwaitifYoukeepmemanyaday,formyheartisfixedupon

You alone, O God; and my spirit waits for You in the full conviction that You willyet be my joy and my salvation, my refugeandmystrongtower.”

TRUSTYOURSELFTOGOD

On mine armshalltheytrust. ISAIAH51:5KJV

In seasons ofsevere trial, the Christian has nothing on earth that he can trust in and is therefore compelled to cast himself on his God alone. When no human deliverance can avail, he must simply and entirely trust himself to the providence and careofGod.

There is no confiding in God sometimes because of the multitude of our friends; but when a man is so poor, so friendless,sohelplessthathehasnowhereelsetoturn,heflies into his Father’s arms and is blessedly clasped within them! Whenheis burdenedwithtroubles sopressingthathecannot tellthemtoanybuthisGod,hemaybethankfulforthemforhe willlearnmoreofhisLordthanatanyothertime.

Nowthat You have only God to trust in,see that you place your full confidence in Him. Do not dishonor the Lord by unworthydoubtsandfears,butbestronginfaith,givingglory to God.Nowis the time forfeats offaith and valiant exploits. Be strong and very courageous,and the Lord yourGod shall certainly, as surely as He built the heavens and the earth, glorifyHimselfinyourweakness andmagnifyHis mightinthe midst of your distress. Your faith would lose its glory if it restedonanythingdiscerniblebythecarnaleye.MaytheHoly

SpiritgiveyourestinJesus.

TRIALSOFTHERIGHTEOUS

The Lord trieth therighteous.

PSALM11:5KJV

Allevents are underthe controlofProvidence; consequently all the trials of our outward life are traceable at once to the great First Cause.Allprovidences are doors to trial.Even our mercies,likeroses,havetheirthorns.Men may bedrowned in seas of prosperity as well as in rivers of affliction. Our mountains arenottoohighandourvalleys arenottoolowfor temptations: Trials lurk on all roads. We are beset and surroundedwithdangers.

Yet no shower falls from the threatening cloud without permission; every drop has its order before it hastens to the earth. The trials that come from God are sent to prove and strengthenourgraces,andsoatoncetoillustratethepowerof divinegrace,totestthegenuinenessofourvirtues,andtoadd totheirenergy.Youwouldneverhavepossessedtheprecious faith that now supports you if the trialof your faith had not beenlikeuntofire.

Worldly ease is a great foe to faith; it loosens the joints of holy valorand snaps thesinews ofsacred courage.Whilethe wheat sleeps comfortably in the husk, it is useless to man; it mustbethreshedoutofitsrestingplacebeforeitsvaluecanbe known. Thus it is wellthat Jehovah tries the righteous, forit

causesthemtogrowrichtowardGod.

Christian, you ought not to dread the arrival of evil tidings; becauseifyouaredistressedbythem,howdoyoudifferfrom othermen?Othermen havenot yourGod to fly to; they have neverproved His faithfulness as you have done,and it is no wonder if they are bowed down with alarm and cowed with fear. But you profess to be of another spirit; you have been begotten again unto a lively hope, and your heart lives in heaven and not on earthly things.Nowifyou are seen to be distracted as other men, what is the value of that grace that youprofesstohavereceived?Whereisthedignityofthatnew naturethatyouclaimtopossess?

If you should be filled with alarm, you would doubtless be led into the sins so common to others under trying circumstances.The ungodly,when they are overtaken by evil tidings, rebel against God; they murmur and think that God deals harshly with them.Willyou fallinto that samesin?Will youprovoketheLordastheydo?

Moreover, unconverted men often run to wrong means in ordertoescapefromdifficulties,andyouwillbesuretodothe same ifyourmind yields to the present pressure.Trust in the Lord,andwaitpatientlyforHim.Yourwisestcourseistodoas

BADNEWS?DON’TFEAR

Hewillnotbeafraidofeviltidings. PSALM112:7NKJV

MosesdidattheRedSea:“Standstill,andseethesalvationof God.”

ENCOURAGEFELLOWCHRISTIANS

“

Encourage him.”

DEUTERONOMY1:38NASB

Godemploys His peopletoencourageoneanother.Hedidnot say to an angel,“Gabriel,my servant Joshua is about to lead mypeopleintoCanaan go,encouragehim.”Godneverworks needless miracles; if His purposes can be accomplished by ordinary means, He will not use miraculous agency. Gabriel wouldnothavebeenhalfsowellfittedfortheworkas Moses. A brother’s sympathy is more precious than an angel’s embassy.

The angel, swift of wing, had better known the Master’s bidding than the people’s temper. An angel had never experienced the hardness of the road nor seen the fiery serpents, nor had he led the stiff-necked multitude in the wilderness as Moses had done. We should be glad that God usuallyworksformanbyman.Itformsabondofbrotherhood, and being mutually dependent on one another, we are fused more completely into one family. Labor to help others; especiallystrivetoencouragethem.

Leave the young believer to discover the roughness of the roadbydegrees,buttellhimofthestrengththatdwellsinGod, of the sureness of the promise, and of the charms of communion with Christ.Aimto comfort the sorrowfuland to

animatethedesponding.Speakawordinseasontohimwhois weary,andencouragethosewhoarefearfultogoontheirway withgladness.

GodencouragesyoubyHispromises,Christencouragesyou as Hepoints totheheavenHehas wonforyou,andtheSpirit encourages you as He works in you to willand to do of His ownwillandpleasure.

GOD’S GIFTS

ForthischildIprayed.

1SAMUEL1:27KJV

Devout souls delight to look upon those mercies that they have obtained in answer to supplication, for they can see God’s especialloveinthem.Whenwecannameourblessings Samuel,that is,“asked ofGod,” they willbe as dearto us as herchildwastoHannah.Peninnahhadmanychildren,butthey cameas commonblessings unsoughtinprayer;Hannah’s one heaven-given child was dearerby farbecausehewas thefruit ofearnestpleadings.

Didweprayfortheconversionofourchildren?Howdoubly sweet when they are saved to see in themour own petitions fulfilled!Bettertorejoiceoverthemasthefruitofourpleadings thanasthefruitofourbodies.

HavewesoughtoftheLordsomechoicespiritualgift?When itcomes tous,itwillbewrappedupinthegoldclothofGod’s faithfulnessandtruth,andsobedoublyprecious.

Have we petitioned for success in the Lord’s work? How joyful is the prosperity that comes flying upon the wings of prayer!

Even when prayer speeds not, the blessings grow all the

richerforthe delay.That which we win by prayer,we should dedicate to God, as Hannah dedicated Samuel. The gift came fromheaven; let it go to heaven. Prayer brought it, gratitude sangoverit,letdevotionconsecrateit.

GODREJOICESINUS;WEREJOICEINGOD

Iwillrejoiceoverthemtodothemgood.

JEREMIAH32:41KJV

Howheart-cheering to thebelieveris thedelight that God has inHis saints!Wecannotseeanyreasoninourselves whythe Lord should take pleasure in us; we cannot take delight in ourselves, for we often have to groan being burdened, conscious ofoursinfulness and deploring ourunfaithfulness and we fearthat God’s people cannot take much delight in us, for they must perceive so much of our imperfections and our follies that they may rather lament our infirmities than admireourgraces.

But we love to dwell upon this transcendent truth, this glorious mystery: that as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so does the Lord rejoice over us. In what strong language He expresses His delight in His people!Who could have conceived of the Eternal One as bursting forth into a song? Yet it is written,“He willrejoice overyou with joy,He willrestinHislove,Hewilljoyoveryouwithsinging.”

As He looked upon the world He had made, He said, “It is very good”; but when He beheld those who are the purchase ofJesus’blood,Hisownchosenones,itseemedasifthegreat heart of the Infinite could restrain itself no longer but overflowed in divine exclamations ofjoy.Should we not utter our gratefulresponse to such a marvelous declaration of His

love,andsing,“IwillrejoiceintheLord;IwilljoyintheGodof mysalvation”?

ACCEPTEDINCHRIST

Blessed be the God and Father ofourLord Jesus Christ, whohathblesseduswithallspiritualblessingsinheavenly places in Christ:…Tothepraiseofthe gloryofhis grace,wherein he hathmadeus acceptedinthebeloved.

What a state of privilege! It includes our justification before God,but theterm“acceptance”in the Greekmeans more than that.Itsignifies thatwearetheobjects ofdivinecomplacence even of divine delight. How marvelous that we mortals, sinners,shouldbetheobjects ofdivinelove!Butitis only“in thebeloved.”

Rejoice then, believer, in this:“There is nothing acceptable here!” But look at Christ, and see if there is not everything acceptablethere.Yoursinstroubleyou;butGodhascastyour sins behind His back,and you are accepted in the Righteous One. You have to fight with corruption and to wrestle with temptation, but you are already accepted in Him who has overcomethepowersofevil.Thedeviltemptsyou;beofgood cheer:HecannotdestroyyouforyouareacceptedinHimwho hasbrokenSatan’shead.

Know by full assurance your glorious standing. Even glorified souls are not more accepted than you are. They are

EPHESIANS1:3,6KJV

only accepted in heaven “in the beloved,” and you are even nowacceptedinChristafterthesamemanner.

THEVIEWFROMGOD’S THRONE

The Lord looks fromheaven; He sees allthesonsofmen.

PSALM33:13NKJV

Perhaps nofigureofspeechrepresents Godinamoregracious light than when He is spoken ofas stooping fromHis throne and coming down fromheaven to attend to the wants and to behold thewoes ofmankind.Wecannothelp pouring outour heart in affection for our Lord who inclines His ear fromthe highest glory and puts it to the lip ofthe dying sinnerwhose failing heart longs after reconciliation. How can we but love Him when we know that He numbers the very hairs of our heads,marksourpaths,andordersourways?

Especially is this great truth brought nearto ourheart when we recollect how attentive He is, not merely to the temporal interests of His creatures but to their spiritual concerns. Thoughleagues ofdistanceliebetweenthefinitecreatureand the infinite Creator, yet there are links uniting both. When a tearisweptbyyou,donotthinkthatGoddoesnotbehold;for “Likeasafatherpitieshischildren,sotheLordpitiesthemwho fearHim.”YoursighisabletomovetheheartofJehovah,your whispercaninclineHis earuntoyou,yourprayercanstayHis hand,yourfaithcanmoveHisarm.

DonotthinkthatGodsits onhightakingnoaccountofyou.

Forthe eyes ofthe Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earthtoshowHimselfstrongonbehalfofthosewhoseheartis perfecttowardHim.

PRAISEGODDAILY

Sing thegloryofhis name; make his praiseglorious!

PSALM66:2NIV

Itis notleftto ourown option whetherweshallpraiseGod or not.PraiseisGod’smostrighteousdue,andeveryChristian,as therecipient ofHis grace,is bound to praiseGod fromday to day. It is true we have no commandment prescribing certain hours ofsong and thanksgiving:Butthelawwritten upon the heart teaches us that it is right to praise God. Yes, it is the Christian’s duty to praise God. It is not only a pleasurable exercise,butitistheabsoluteobligationofhislife.

You who are always mourning, do not think that you are guiltlessinthisrespectorimaginethatyoucandischargeyour duty to yourGod without songs ofpraise.You are bound by the bonds ofHis love to bless His name as long as you live, andHispraiseshouldcontinuallybeinyourmouth,foryouare blessed in orderthat you may bless Him.Ifyou do not praise God,youarenotbringingforththefruitthatHe,as thedivine Husbandman,hasarighttoexpectatyourhands.

Arise and chant His praise.With every morning’s dawn,lift up your notes of thanksgiving, and let every setting sun be followed with your song. Girdle the earth with your praises; surrounditwithanatmosphereofmelody,andGodHimselfwill

hearkenfromheavenandacceptyourmusic.

FUTUREFAULTLESSNESS

Faultlessbeforethepresenceofhis glory…

JUDE1:24KJV

Revolveinyourmindthatwondrous word“faultless”!Weare far off from it now; but as our Lord never stops short of perfection in His workoflove,we shallreach it one day.The Savior who will keep His people to the end will also present thematlasttoHimselfas “aglorious Church,nothavingspot orwrinkleoranysuchthing,butholyandwithoutblemish.”

AllthejewelsintheSavior’scrownarewithoutasingleflaw. All the maids of honor who attend the Lamb’s wife are pure virgins without spot or stain. But how will Jesus make us faultless?Hewillwashus fromoursins inHis ownblooduntil we are white and fair as God’s purest angel; and we shallbe clothed in His righteousness, that righteousness that makes thesaint who wears it positively faultless,perfect in thesight ofGod.

The work of the Holy Spirit within us will be altogether complete.Hewillmakeus soperfectlyholythatweshallhave nolingeringtendencytosin.Weshallbeholy even as God is holy,andinHispresenceweshalldwellforever.Saintswillnot beoutofplacein heaven;theirbeauty willbeas greatas that of the place prepared for them. Sin gone, Satan shut out, temptation past forever,and ourselves “faultless”beforeGod, thiswillbeheavenindeed!

THEIMPORTANCEOFPRAYER

We lift upourheartand handstoward God inheaven.

LAMENTATIONS3:41NASB

Theactofprayerteachesusourunworthiness,whichisavery salutary lesson forsuch proud beings as we are.IfGod gave us favors withoutconstrainingus toprayforthem,weshould neverknowhowpoorweare,butatrueprayeris aninventory of wants, a catalogue of necessities, a revelation of hidden poverty. While it is an application to divine wealth, it is a confessionofhumanemptiness.

ThemosthealthystateofaChristianistobealwaysemptyin selfand constantly depending upon the Lord forsupplies,to bealwayspoorinselfandrichinJesus.Prayerisinitself,apart fromtheanswerthat it brings,agreat benefit to theChristian. As therunnergains strength fortheraceby daily exercise,so for the great race of life, we acquire energy by the hallowed labor of prayer.An earnest pleader comes out of his closet, even as the sun rises fromthe chambers ofthe east,rejoicing likeastrongmantorunhisrace.

Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortalsthepeaceofGod.Weknownotwhatprayercannotdo! WethankYou,greatGod,forthemercyseat,achoiceproofof

Yourmarvelous loving-kindness.Help us to useit in theright mannerthroughoutthisday!

SPIRITUALRENEWAL Renew arightspiritwithinme.

PSALM51:10KJV

A backslider, if there be a spark of life left in him, willgroan afterrestoration.In this renewalthe same exercise ofgrace is requiredasatourconversion.Weneededrepentancethen;we certainly need it now.Wewanted faith that wemight cometo Christ at first; only the like grace can bring us to Jesus now. WewantedawordfromtheMostHigh,awordfromthelipsof theloving Oneto end ourfears then; weshallsoon discover, whenunderasenseofpresentsin,thatweneeditnow.

No man can be renewed without as real and true a manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s energy as he felt at first, becausetheworkis as great,andfleshandbloodareas much inthewaynowas evertheywere.Letyourpersonalweakness beanargumenttomakeyouprayearnestlytoGodforhelp.Oh, that you may have grace to plead with God, as though you pleaded for your very life “Lord, renew a right spirit within me.”

He who sincerely prays to God to do this will prove his honesty by using the means through which God works. Be muchinprayer,livemuchupontheWordofGod,becarefulto watch over the future uprisings of sin. Continue in all those blessed ordinances that will foster and nourish your dying graces;andknowingthatallthepowermustproceedfromHim,

ceasenottocry,“Renewarightspiritwithinme.”

ACKNOWLEDGINGOURWEAKNESS

“Formy powerismadeperfectinweakness.”

2CORINTHIANS12:9NIV

A primary qualification for serving God with any amount of success,and fordoing God’s workwelland triumphantly,is a senseofourownweakness.WhenGod’swarriormarchesforth tobattlestronginhisownmight,whenheboasts,“Iknowthat I shallconquer; my own right armand my conquering sword shallgetuntomethevictory,”defeatisnotfardistant.Godwill notgoforthwiththatmanwhomarchesinhisownstrength.

ThosewhoserveGodmustserveHiminHisownwayandin His strength,orHewillneveraccept theirservice.That which mandoes unaidedbydivinestrengthGodcanneverown.The mere fruits ofthe earth He casts away; He willonly reap that corn, the seed of which was sown fromheaven, watered by grace, and ripened by the sun ofdivine love. God willempty outallthatyouhavebeforeHewillputHis ownintoyou.The riverofGod is fullofwater,but not one drop ofit flows from earthly springs.God willhave no strength used in His battles butthestrengththatHeHimselfimparts.

Are you mourning overyourown weakness? Take courage, fortheremustbeaconsciousnessofweaknessbeforetheLord willgiveyouvictory.Youremptiness is butthepreparationfor your being filled, and your casting down is but the making

readyforyourliftingup.

WATERFORTHETHIRSTY

Iwillpourwaterupon himthatisthirsty.

ISAIAH44:3KJV

When a believerhas fallen into a low,sad state offeeling,he often tries to lift himself out of it by chastening himself with darkanddolefulfears.Suchisnotthewaytorisefromthedust buttocontinueinit.Itisnotthelaw,buttheGospelthatsaves the seeking soul at first; and it is not a legal bondage, but Gospelliberty that can restore the fainting believerafterward. Slavishfeardoes notbringthebacksliderbacktoGod,butthe sweetwooingsofloveallurehimtoJesus’bosom.

Are you this morning thirsting for the living God and unhappy because you cannot find Himto the delight ofyour heart?Haveyoulostthejoyofreligion,andisthisyourprayer: “Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation”? Are you conscious also that you are barren, like the dry ground, that youarenotbringingforththefruituntoGodthatHehasaright toexpectofyou?

Then here is exactly the promise that you need:“Iwillpour wateruponhimwhoisthirsty.”Youshallreceivethegraceyou so much require,and you shallhave it to the utmost reach of your needs. Water refreshes the thirsty: You shall be refreshed; your desires shall be gratified. Your life shall be

quickened by fresh grace. Whatever good quality there is in divine grace, you shall enjoy it to the full; all the riches of divinegraceyoushallreceiveinplenty.

GRAVENONHIS PALMS

Behold,Ihavegraventhee uponthepalmsofmy hands.

ISAIAH49:16KJV

Nodoubtapartofthewonderthatisconcentratedintheword “Behold” is excited by the unbelieving lamentation of the precedingsentence.Zionsaid,“TheLordhasforsakenme,and myGodhasforgottenme.”Howamazedthedivinemindseems to be at this wicked unbelief! What can be more astounding thantheunfoundeddoubtsandfearsofGod’sfavoredpeople?

TheLord’s lovingwordofrebukeshouldmakeus blush;He cries,“HowcanIhaveforgottentheewhenIhavegravenyou upon the palms of My hands?” We do not know which to wondermost at:thefaithfulness ofGod ortheunbeliefofHis people. He keeps His promise a thousand times, and yet the nexttrialmakesusdoubtHim.Heneverfails,andyetweareas continuallyvexedwithanxieties,molestedwithsuspicions,and disturbedwithfears.

“Behold” is a word intended to excite admiration. Here, indeed,wehaveathemeformarveling.Heaven and earth may well be astonished that rebels should obtain so great a nearness totheheartofinfiniteloveas tobewrittenuponthe palms of His hands. The name is there, but that is not all:“I have graven your person, your image, your case, your

circumstances,yoursins,yourtemptations,yourweaknesses, yourwants,yourworks:Ihavegraven you,everything about you,allthatconcernsyou;Ihaveputyoualtogetherthere.”

WillyoueversayagainthatGodhas forsakenyouwhenHe hasgravenyouuponHisownpalms?

PONDERGOD’S GOODNESS

ButMary kept allthesethings, and pondered theminherheart.

LUKE2:19KJV

There was an exercise on the part of this blessed woman of three powers of her being: her memory she kept all these things; heraffection she kept themin herheart; herintellect she pondered them. Memory, affection, and understanding were allexercised in relation to the things that she had heard. Beloved, remember what you have heard of your Lord Jesus and what He has done foryou.Let yourmemory treasure up everything about Christ that you have eitherfelt orknown or believed, and then let your fond affections hold Him fast forevermore.LovethepersonofyourLord!

Let your intellect be exercised concerning the Lord Jesus. Meditateon what you read:Stop not at thesurface; diveinto thedepths.Abidewith yourLord:Let Himnot beto you as a wayfaring man who lingers for a night, but constrain Him, saying,“Abidewithus,forthedayisfarspent.”HoldHim,and donotletHimgo.

The word “ponder” means “to weigh.” Make ready the balances of judgment. Oh, but where are the scales that can weigh the Lord Christ? “He takes up the isles as a very little thing”; who shalltake Himup? “He weighs the mountains in

scales”; in what scales shall we weigh Him? If your understanding cannot comprehend, let your affections apprehend;andifyourspiritcannotcompasstheLordJesusin the grasp ofunderstanding,let it embrace Himin the arms of affection.

ABENEDICTIONOFPEACE

Peace Ileave withyou, my peace Igive untoyou.

JOHN14:27KJV

Belovedfriends,asyougotoyourfamilies,asyougothrough life,as yougointoeternity,Ipraythatyou“goinpeace.”Itis heaven here on earth to possess “the peace of God which passeth all understanding.” Peace should be the continual portionofallbelievers.

This is whattheangels sang when ourLord Jesus appeared on earth: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwilltoward men.”And as it was at the beginning ofour Savior’s life, it was also at the end, for this was our Lord’s legacytoallHis disciples:“PeaceIleavewithyou,mypeaceI giveuntoyou.”Hewhoiscalled“theGodofpeace”shouldbe veryprecioustoyoursoul.

Peaceis theresultofwhattheSaviorhas doneforyou.Has He forgiven you? Then you have peace. Has He saved you? Then feelaninward peacethatno onecan takefromyou!Did Hedieforyou?Then you can neverdiein thefullmeaning of the word.Has He risen foryou? Then because He lives,you willlive,also; so do not let yourheart be troubled,but be at peace.WillHecomeagaintoreceiveyoutoHimself?Thenlet yourpeacebelikeariverflowingfromtheverythroneofGod!

SCRIPTUREINDEX OLDTESTAMENT

Exodus 25:2236 33:1831

1:38174 5:24158 33:2756

Deuteronomy

1Samuel 1:27175

2Samuel 7:25112

1Kings 8:4567

4:1085 16:2583 16:2982

1Chronicles

2Chronicles 31:21128

8:1052

12:43160

Nehemiah

Job 10:2119 14:14143

Psalms 4:445 9:1010 11:5172 25:5156 25:18133 27:14170 30:5145 33:13178 33:21155 34:216 34:9–1019 35:3125 37:2337 38:2188 45:795 46:142 47:425 49:3103 51:10182

51:1429,132 55:1792 56:9157 66:2179 67:6138 68:1020 68:19–2013 68:28115 73:23162 78:3826 86:1570 89:19113 91:3114 91:5136 91:9–10121 103:11–1358 104:17–1880

112:7173 119:49139 126:3149 126:5–686

138:8147 145:214 145:1446 145:1547 149:4141 150:684

Proverbs 11:25167 11:3011 15:33131 16:20142

Isaiah 14:2744 30:1821 40:549 40:917 44:3184 48:10123 49:16185 51:5171 53:5130 54:1169 58:1123 62:12126 65:19168

Jeremiah 2:224 3:2279 15:2118 17:17140 23:6117 32:41176 33:833

Lamentations

3:40129

3:41181

Ezekiel 36:268

Daniel

11:32163 12:348

Hosea 5:1597

Micah

5:4166

Malachi 3:615 3:1040

NEWTESTAMENT

Matthew 5:43127 6:20–2138 7:772 11:2887 12:3,7102 14:30111 17:853 28:2027

Luke 2:19186 5:2034 7:5039 9:2389 18:13104

John 3:1677 5:39150 8:4735 10:27–2961 14:1928 14:2741,187 17:159 19:565

Acts 4:13118 6:463 10:4398

Romans 5:1–260 5:362 5:2032 8:15–1659 8:2530 8:2669 8:28164 8:3751,137 12:19101 15:754

1Corinthians 7:20153 10:31107 15:20144

2Corinthians 1:1043 4:8–994 4:18116 7:6120 9:740 12:9124,183

Galatians 2:2096

Ephesians 1:3,6177 1:773 1:14159 2:4–578 3:1271 3:16–177 4:32100 5:174 6:16108

Philippians

3:1064

4:6105

2:657

Colossians

5:16–1891

5:2422

1Thessalonians

2:16165

2Thessalonians

2Timothy 1:781 1:9151 3:1293

Hebrews 2:14135 4:9–1190 10:1450 10:1799 12:2154 12:11146 12:27152 13:15106

James 4:766

1Peter 1:6–712 1:755 1:19134 2:7122 5:7110

3:18109

2Peter 1:4161

1John 4:775

Charles H. Spurgeon - Strengthen My Spirit

INTRODUCTION

TABLEOFCONTENTS

NEWHEART

CHRIST’S PRAYERFORHIS CHILDREN

NEVERFORSAKEN

ACALLTOWINSOULS

ENDURINGTRIALSFORGOD’S GLORY

BLESSEDBYGOD

Seehowin thepresentand in thepastand in thefuture,He loadsyouwithbenefits.

PRAISEHIM!

URNEVER-CHANGINGGOD

BOASTINGINTHELORD

NEARERTOGOD

THEREDEMPTIONOFGOD

CONTENTMENTINGOD

BENEVOLENTFORESIGHT

WAITFORTHELORD

ASSURANCEOFGOD’S FAITHFULNESS

Butdonotthesaints evenonearthsometimes tastethejoys

GOD’S THOUGHTSFORHIS CHILDREN

OURULTIMATEINHERITANCE

THECOMPASSIONOFCHRIST

THEPRESENCEOFGOD

Lo,Iamwithyoualways.

MATTHEW28:20KJV

PERSEVERE!

ASINNER’S REPENTANCE

APROMISEOFHOPE

ROMANS8:25NIV

PERSISTENTPRAYER

Andhesaid,Ibeseech thee, shew me thy glory.

GOD’S GRACE

ROMANS5:20KJV

SINNERS MADECLEAN

SINANDGRACE

LISTENINGTOTHEVOICEOFGOD

CLOSENESSWITHCHRIST

HEWILLDIRECT;WEMUSTWALK

KEEPALOOSEGRASP

PERFECTPEACE

LUKE7:50NIV

GIVINGCHEERFULLY

STILLNESS ofHEART

JOHN14:27NASB

GODWILLGRANTRELIEF

HEHAS DELIVERED;HEWILLDELIVER

GOD’S UNCHANGINGPURPOSE

Meditate withinyourheart onyourbed,andbestill.

GODWILLSUSTAIN

PROCLAIMWHATHEHAS DONEFORYOU

TALKABOUTJESUS

THEGLORYOFTHELORD

ISAIAH40:5NIV

GOD’S CONTINUEDWORK

MORETHANCONQUERORS

THEJOYOFTHELORD

Thejoyofthe Lord isyourstrength.

MATTHEW17:8NKJV

ACCEPTEDINJESUS

Thetrialofyourfaith…

GOD,OURREFUGE

WALKCLOSETOCHRIST

NOTETERNALLYSEPARATEDBYSIN

ABBA,FATHER

OURFUTUREIS KNOWNBYGOD

THECROWNOFVICTORY

GLORYINTRIBULATIONS

RESURRECTIONPOWER

Thepowerofhis resurrection…

thepowerofHisresurrection.”

GAZINGUPONJESUS

Thereforesubmitto God.

THETHRONEOFGRACE

UNWORTHYMANMADEWORTHY

INTERPRETEDPLEADINGS

GODKNOWS YOURPAIN

EPHESIANS3:12NIV

THECOVENANT

THEBLOODOFCHRIST