The First Day of June.
GOD'S PROMISE KEEPS.
"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days." - KJV
"Cast your bread upon the waters,
for you will find it after many days." - ESV - Ecclesiastes 11:1
We must not expect to see an immediate reward for all the good we do; nor must we always confine our efforts to places and persons which
seem likely to yield us a recompense for our labors. The Egyptian casts his seed upon the waters of the Nile, where it might seem a sheer
waste of corn. But in due time the flood subsides, the rice or other grain sinks into the fertile mud, and rapidly a harvest is produced.
Let us today do good to the unthankful and the evil. Let us teach the careless and the obstinate. Unlikely waters may cover hopeful soil.
Nowhere shall our labor be in vain in the Lord.
It is ours to cast our bread upon the waters; it remains with God to fulfill the promise, "Thou shalt find it." He will not let His
promise fail. His good word which we have spoken shall live, shall be found, shall be found by us. Perhaps not just yet, but some day we
shall reap what we have sown. We must exercise our patience; for perhaps the Lord may exercise it. "After many days," says the Scripture,
and in many instances those days run into months and years, and yet the Word stands true. God's promise will keep; let us mind that we
keep the precept, and keep it this day.
The Second Day of June.
IMMEDIATE FREEDOM.
"For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst
thy bonds in sunder." - KJV
"And now I will break his yoke from off you
and will burst your bonds apart." - ESV - Nahum 1:13
The Assyrian was allowed for a season to oppress the Lord's people, but there came a time for his power to be broken. So, many a
heart is held in bondage by Satan, and frets sorely under the yoke. Oh, that to such prisoners of hope the word of the Lord may come at
once, according to the text, "Now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder"!
See! the Lord promises a present deliverance: "Now will I break his yoke from off thee." Believe for immediate freedom, and
according to thy faith so shall it be unto thee at this very hour. When God saith "now," let no man say "tomorrow."
See how complete the rescue is to be; for the yoke is not to be removed, but broken; and the bonds are not to be untied, but burst
asunder. Here is a display of divine force which guarantees that the oppressor shall not return. His yoke is broken, we cannot again be
bowed down by its weight. His bonds are burst asunder, they can no longer hold us. Oh, to believe in Jesus for complete and everlasting
emancipation! "If the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." Come, Lord, and set free thy captives, according to thy word.
The Third Day of June.
SURE-FOOTEDNESS.
"The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hind's feet, and
he will make me to walk upon mine high places." - KJV
"God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer's;
he makes me tread on my high places." - ESV - Habakkuk 3:19
This confidence of the man of God is tantamount to a promise; for that which faith is persuaded of is the purpose of God. The
prophet had to traverse the deep places of poverty and famine, but he went down hill without slipping, for the Lord gave him standing.
By-and-by he was called to the high places of the hills of conflict; and he was no more afraid to go up than to go down.
See! the Lord lent him strength. Nay, Jehovah Himself was his strength. Think of that: the Almighty God Himself becomes our strength!
Note, that the Lord also gave him sure-footedness. The hinds leap over rock and crag, never missing their foothold. Our Lord will give us
grace to follow the most difficult paths of duty without a stumble. He can fit our foot for the crags, so that we shall be at home where
apart from God we should perish.
One of these days we shall be called to higher places still Up yonder we shall climb, even to the mount of God, the high places where
the shining ones are gathered. Oh, what feet are the feet of faith, by which, following the Hind of the Morning, we shall ascend into the
hill of the Lord!
The Fourth Day of June.
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EXCEEDINGLY PRECIOUS.
"They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when
I make up my jewels." - KJV
"“They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession,
and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him." - ESV - Malachi 3:17
A day is coming in which the crown jewels of our great King shall be counted, that it may be seen whether they answer to the
inventory which His Father gave Him. My soul, wilt thou be among the precious things of Jesus? Thou art precious to Him if He is precious
to thee, and thou shalt be His "in that day," if He is thine in this day.
In the days of Malachi, the chosen of the Lord were accustomed so to converse with each other that their God Himself listened to
their talk. He liked it so well that He took notes of it; yes, and made a book of it, which he lodged in His Record Office. Pleased with
their conversation, He was also pleased with them. Pause, my soul, and ask thyself: If Jesus were to listen to thy talk would He be pleased
with it? Is it to His glory and to the edification of the brotherhood? Say, my soul, and be sure thou sayest the truth.
But what will the honor be for us poor creatures to be reckoned by the Lord to be His crown jewels! This honor have all the saints.
Jesus not only says, "They are mine," but, "They shall be mine." He bought us, sought us, brought us in, and has so far wrought us to His
image, that we shall be fought for by Him with all His might.
The Fifth Day of June.
IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?
"But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his
tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the Lord
doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel." - KJV
"But not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast,
that you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israe" - ESV - Exodus 11:7
What! has God power over the tongues of dogs? Can he keep curs from barking? Yes, it is even so. He can even prevent an Egyptian dog
from worrying one of the lambs of Israel's flock. Doth God silence dogs, and doggish ones among men, and the great dog at hell's gate? Then
let us move on our way without fear.
If He lets dogs move their tongues, yet He can stop their teeth. They may make a dreadful noise, and still do us no real harm. Yet,
how sweet is quiet! How delightful to move about among enemies, and perceive that the den of lions, we are unhurt amid destroyers.
Oh, that today, this word of the Lord to Israel might be true to me! Does the dog worry me? I will tell my Lord about him. Lord,
he does not care for my pleadings; do thou speak the word of power, and he must lie down. Give me peace, O my God, and let me see thy hand
so distinctly in it that I may most clearly perceive the difference which thy grace has made between me and the ungodly!
The Sixth Day of June.
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HE ALWAYS LISTENS.
"The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.." - KJV
"The Lord has heard my plea;
the Lord accepts my prayer." - ESV - Psalm 6:9
The experience here recorded is mine. I can set to my seal that God is true. In very wonderful ways He has answered the prayers of His
servant many and many a time. Yes, and He is hearing my present supplication, and He is not turning away His ear from me. Blessed be His
holy name!
What then? Why, for certain the promise which lies sleeping in the Psalmist's believing confidence is also mine. Let me grasp it by
the hand of faith: "The Lord will receive my prayer." He will accept it, think of it, and grant it in the way and time which His loving
wisdom judges to be best. I bring my poor prayer in my hand to the great King, and He gives me audience, and graciously receives my
petition. My enemies will not listen to me, but my Lord will. They ridicule my tearful prayers, but my Lord does
not; He receives my prayer into His ear and His heart.
What a reception this is for a poor sinner! We receive Jesus, and then the Lord receives us and our prayers for His Son's sake.
Blessed be that dear name which franks our prayers so that they freely pass even within the golden gates. Lord, teach me to pray, since
thou hearest my prayers.
The Seventh Day of June.
THE SAFEST PLACE.
"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall
any man pluck them out of my hand.." - KJV
" I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." - ESV - John 10:28
We believe in the eternal security of the saints. First, because they are Christ's, and He will never lose the sheep which He has
bought with His blood, and received of His Father.
Next, because He gives them eternal life, and if it be eternal, well then, it is eternal, and there can be no end to it, unless there
can be an end to hell, and Heaven, and God. If spiritual life can die out, it is manifestly not eternal life, but temporary life. But the
Lord speaks of eternal life, and that effectually shuts out the possibility of an end.
Observe, further, that the Lord expressly says, "They shall never perish." As long as words have a meaning, this secures believers
from perishing. The most obstinate unbelief cannot force this meaning out of this sentence. Then, to make the matter complete, He declares
that His people are in His hand, and He defies all their enemies to pluck them out of it. Surely it is a thing impossible even for the fiend
of hell. We must be safe in the grasp of an Almighty Saviour.
Be it ours to dismiss carnal fear as well as carnal confidence, and rest peacefully in the hollow of the Redeemer's hand.
The Eighth Day of June.
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WISDOM FOR THE ASKING.
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.." - KJV
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." - ESV - James 1:5
"If any of you lack wisdom." There is no "if" in the matter, for I am sure I lack it. What do I know? How can I guide my own way? How
can I direct others? Lord, I am a mass of folly, and wisdom I have none.
Thou sayest, "Let him ask of God." Lord, I now ask. Here at thy footstool I ask to be furnished with heavenly wisdom for this day's
perplexities, ay, and for this day's simplicities; for I know I may do very stupid things, even in plain matters, unless thou dost keep me
out of mischief.
I thank thee that all I have to do is to ask. What grace is this on thy part, that I have only to pray in faith, and thou wilt give me
wisdom! Thou dost here promise me a liberal education, and that, too, without an angry tutor, or a scolding usher. This, too, thou wilt
bestow without a fee - bestow it on a fool who lacks wisdom. O Lord, I thank thee for that positive and expressive word, "It shall be given
him." I believe it. Thou wilt this day make thy babe to know the hidden wisdom which the carnally prudent never learn. Thou wilt guide me
with thy counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory.
The Nineth Day of June.
A TRUSTWORTHY NAME.
"I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they
shall trust in the name of the Lord." - KJV
"But I will leave in your midst
a people humble and lowly.
They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord," - ESV - Zephaniah 3:12
When true religion is ready to die out among the wealthy it finds a home among the poor of this world, rich in faith. The Lord has
even now his faithful remnant. Am I one of them?
Perhaps it is because men are afflicted and poor that they learn to trust in the name of
the Lord. He that hath no money must try what he can do on trust. He whose own name is good for nothing in his own esteem, acts wisely to
rest in another name, even that best of names, the name of Jehovah. God will always have a trusting people, and these will be an afflicted
and poor people. Little as the world thinks of them, their being left in the midst of a nation is the channel of untold blessings to it.
Here we have the conserving salt which keeps in check the corruption which is in the world through lust.
Again the question comes home to each one of us, Am I one of them? Am I afflicted by the sin within me and around me? Am I poor in
spirit, poor spiritually in my own judgment? Do I trust in the Lord? That is the main business. Jesus reveals the name, the character, the
person of God; am I trusting in Him? If so, I am left in this world for a purpose. Lord, help me to fulfill it.
The Tenth Day of June.
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A SHEPHERD SECURES THEM.
"They shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid." - KJV
"For they shall graze and lie down,
and none shall make them afraid." - ESV - Zephaniah 3:13
Yesterday we thought of the afflicted and poor people whom the Lord left to be a living seed in a dead world. The prophet says of such
that they shall not work iniquity nor speak lies. So that while they had neither rank nor riches to guard them, they were also quite unable
to use those weapons in which the wicked place so much reliance: they could neither defend themselves by sin nor by subtlety.
What then? Would they be destroyed? By no means! They should both feed and rest, and be not merely free from danger, but even quiet
from fear of evil. Sheep are very feeble creatures, and wolves are terrible enemies; yet at this hour sheep are more numerous than wolves,
and the cause of the sheep is always winning, while the cause of the wolves is always declining. One day flocks of sheep will cover the
plains, and not a wolf will be left. The fact is that sheep have a shepherd, and this gives them provender, protection, and peace. "None"
- which means not one, whether in human or diabolical form - "shall make them afraid." Who shall terrify the Lord's flock when He is near?
We lie down in green pastures, for Jesus Himself is food and rest to our souls.
The Eleventh Day of June.
NO CAUSE TO BLUSH.
"Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed." - KJV
"Fear not, for you will not be ashamed;" - ESV - Isaiah 54:4
We shall not be ashamed of our faith. Carping critics may assail the Scriptures upon which we ground our belief, but every year the
Lord will make it more and more clear that in His Book there is no error, no excess, and no omission. It is no discredit to be a
simple believer; the faith which looks alone to Jesus is a crown of honor on any man's head, and better than a star on his breast.
We shall not be ashamed of our hope. It shall be even as the Lord has said We shall be fed, led, blest and rested. Our Lord will come,
and then the days of our mourning shall be ended. How we shall glory in the Lord who first gave us lively hope, and then gave us that
qhich we hoped for! We shall not be ashamed of our love. Jesus is to us the altogether lovely, and never, never, shall we have to blush
because we have yielded our hearts to Him. The sight of our glorious Well-beloved will justify the most enthusiastic attachment to Him.
None will blame the martyrs for dying for Him. When the enemies of Christ are clothed with everlasting contempt, the lovers of Jesus shall
find themselves honored by all holy beings, because they chose the reproach of Christ rather than the treasures of Egypt.
The Twelfth Day of June.
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DWELLING SAFELY APART.
"Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall
be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down
dew." - KJV
"o Israel lived in safety,
Jacob lived alone,
in a land of grain and wine,
whose heavens drop down dew." - ESV - Deuteronomy 33:28
The more we dwell alone, the more safe shall we be. God would have His people separate from sinners. His call to them is, "Come ye out
from among them." A Christian world is such a monstrosity as the Scriptures never contemplate. A worldly Christian is spiritually diseased.
Those who compromise with Christ's enemies may be reckoned with them.
Our safety lies, not in making terms with the enemy but in dwelling alone with our best Friend. If we do this, we shall dwell in
safety, despite the sarcasms, the slanders, and the sneers of the world. We shall be safe from the baleful influence of its unbelief, its
pride, its vanity, its filthiness. God also will make us dwell in safety alone in that day when sin shall be visited on the nations by wars
and famines.
The Lord brought Abram from Ur of the Chaldees, but he stopped half-way. He had no blessing till, having set out to go to the land of
Canaan, to the land of Canaan he came. He was safe alone even in the midst of foes. Lot was not safe in Sodom though in a circle of friends.
Our safety is in dwelling apart with God.
The Thirteenth Day of June.
DIVINE CULTIVATION.
"I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it,
I will keep it night and day." - KJV
" I, the Lord, am its keeper;
every moment I water it
Lest anyone punish it,
I keep it night and day;" - ESV - Isaiah 27:3
When the Lord Himself speaks in His own proper person rather than through a prophet, the word has a peculiar weight to believing minds.
It is Jehovah Himself who is the keeper of His own vineyard; He does not trust it to any other, but He makes it His own personal care. Are
they not well kept whom God Himself keeps?
We are to receive gracious watering, not only, every day and every hour, "but every moment. How we ought to grow! How fresh and
fruitful every plant should be! What rich clusters the vines should bear! But disturbers come; little foxes and the boar. Therefore, the
Lord Himself is our Guardian, and that at all hours, both "night and day." What, then, can harm us? Why are we afraid? He tends, He waters,
He guards; what more do we need?
Twice in this verse the Lord says, "I will." What truth, what power, what love, what immutability we find in the great "I will" of
Jehovah! Who can resist His will? If He says "I will," what room is there for doubt? With an "I will" of God we can face all the hosts of
sin, death, and hell. O Lord, since thou sayest, "I will keep thee," I reply, "I will praise thee!"
The Fourteenth Day of June.
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HE CONSTANTLY ABIDES.
"For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake; because it
hath pleased the Lord to make you his people." - KJV
"For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake,
because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself." - ESV - 1 Samuel 12:22
God's choice of His people is the reason for His abiding by them, and not forsaking them. He chose them for His love, and He loves
them for His choice. His own good pleasure is the source of their election, and His election is the reason for the continuance of His
pleasure in them. It would dishonor His great name for Him to forsake them, since it would either show that He made an error in His choice,
or that He was fickle in His love. God's love has this glory, that it never changes, and this glory He will never tarnish.
By all the memories of the Lord's former lovingkindnesses let us rest assured that He will not forsake us. He who has gone so far as
to make us His people, will not undo the creation of His grace. He has not wrought such wonders for us that He might leave us after all.
His Son Jesus has died for us, and we may be sure that He has not died in vain. Can He forsake those for whom He shed His blood? Because He
has hitherto taken pleasure in choosing and in saving us, it will be His pleasure still to bless us. Our Lord Jesus is no changeable Lover.
Having loved His own, He loves them to the end.
The Fifteenth Day of June.
HOME BLESSINGS EXTENDED.
"The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of
Jerusalem all the days of thy life." - KJV
"The Lord bless you from Zion!
May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life!" - ESV - Psalm 128:5
This is a promise to the God-fearing man who walks in the ways of holiness with earnest heed. He shall have domestic blessedness; his
wife and children shall be a source of great home happiness. But then as a member of the church he desires to see the cause prosper, for he
is as much concerned for the Lord's house as for his own. When the Lord builds our house, it is but fitting that we should desire to see
the Lord's house builded. Our goods are not truly good unless we promote by them the good of the Lord's chosen church.
Yes, you shall get a blessing when you go up to the assemblies of Zion; you shall be instructed, enlivened, and comforted, where prayer
and praise ascend, and testimony is borne to the Great Sacrifice. "The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion."
Nor shall you alone be profited; the church itself shall prosper; believers shall be multiplied, and their holy work shall be crowned
with success. Certain gracious men have this promise fulfilled to them as long as they live. Alas! when they die the cause often flags. Let
us be among those who bring good things to Jerusalem all their days. Lord, of thy mercy make us such! Amen.
The Sixteenth Day of June.
Return to the Top.
POSSESS NOT ONLY PROFESS.
"For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more
abundance." - KJV
" For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance." - ESV - Matthew 13:12
When the Lord has given to a man much grace He will give him more. A little faith is a nest egg; more faith will come to it. But then
it must not be seeming faith, but real and true. What a necessity is laid upon us to make sure work in religion, and not to profess much,
and possess nothing! for one of these days the very profession will be taken from us, if that be all we have. The threatening is as true as,
the promise.
Blessed be the Lord, it is His way when He has once made a beginning to go on bestowing the graces of His Spirit, till He who had but
little, and yet truly had that little, is made to have abundance. Oh, for that abundance! Abundance of grace is a thing to be coveted. It
would be well to know much, but better to love much. It would be delightful to have abundance of skill to serve God, but better still to
have abundance of faith to trust in the Lord for skill and everything.
Lord, since thou hast given me a sense of sin, deepen my hatred of evil. Since thou hast caused me to trust Jesus, raise my faith to
full assurance. Since thou hast made me to love Thee, cause me to be carried away with vehement affection for Thee!
The Seventeenth Day of June.
OUR FIELD OF BATTLE.
"For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your
enemies, to save you." - KJV
" For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies,
to give you the victory." - ESV - Deuteronomy 20:4
We have no enemies but the enemies of God. Our fights are not against men, but against spiritual wickednesses. We war with the devil,
and the blasphemy, and error, and despair, which he brings into the field of battle. We fight with all the armies of sin-impurity,
drunkenness, oppression, infidelity, and ungodliness. With these we contend earnestly, but not with sword or spear; the weapons of our
warfare are not carnal.
Jehovah, our God, abhors everything which is evil, and, therefore, He goeth with us to fight for us in this crusade. He will save us,
and He will give us grace to war a good warfare, and win the victory. We may depend upon it that if we are on God's side God is on our
side. With such an august ally the conflict is never in the least degree doubtful. It is not that truth is mighty and must prevail, but
that might lies with the Father who is Almighty, with Jesus who has all power in Heaven and in earth, and with the Holy Spirit who worketh
His will among men.
Soldiers of Christ, gird on your armor. Strike home in the name of the God of holiness, and by faith grasp His salvation. Let not this
day pass without striking a blow for Jesus and holiness.
The Eighteenth Day of June.
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GOD HIMSELF SHALL WORK.
"Now will I rise, saith the Lord; now will I be exalted;
now will I lift up myself." - KJV
"Now I will arise," says the Lord,
"now I will lift myself up;
now I will be exalted." - ESV - Isaiah 33:10
When the spoilers had made the land as waste as if devoured by locusts, and the warriors who had defended the country sat down and wept
like women, then the Lord came to the rescue. When travelers ceased from the roads to Zion, and Bashan and Carmel were as vineyards from
which the fruit has failed, then the Lord arose. God is exalted in the midst of an afflicted people, for they seek His face and trust Him.
He is still more exalted when in answer to their cries He lifts up Himself to deliver them and overthrow their enemies.
Is it a day of sorrow with us? Let us expect to see the Lord glorified in our deliverance. Are we drawn out in fervent prayer? Do we
cry day and night unto Him? Then the set time for His grace is near. God will lift up Himself at the right season. He will arise when it
will be most for the display of His glory. We wish for His glory more than we long for our own deliverance. Let the Lord be exalted, and
our chief desire is obtained.
Lord, help us in such a way that we may see that thou thyself art working. May we magnify thee in our inmost souls. Make all around
us to see how good and great a God thou art.
The Nineteenth Day of June.
A SOUND HEART.
"Let my heart be sound in thy statutes: that I be not ashamed." - KJV
"May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
that I may not be put to shame!" - ESV - Psalm 119:80
We may regard this inspired prayer as containing within itself the assurance that those who keep close to the Word of God shall never
have cause to be ashamed of doing so.
See, the prayer is for soundness of heart. A sound creed is good, a sound judgment concerning it is better, but a sound heart toward
the truth is best of all. We must love the truth, feel the truth, and obey the truth, otherwise we are not truly sound in God's statutes.
Are there many in these evil days who are sound? Oh, that the writer and the reader may be two of this sort! Many will be ashamed in the
last great day, when all disputes will be decided. Then they will see the folly of their inventions, and be filled with remorse because of
their proud infidelity and willful defiance of the Lord; but he who believed what the Lord taught, and did what the Lord commanded, will
stand forth justified in what he did. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun. Men much slandered and abused shall find their shame
turned into glory in that day.
Let us pray the prayer of our text, and we may be sure that its promise will be fulfilled to us. If the Lord makes us sound, He will
keep us safe.
The Twentieth Day of June.
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THE LORD OUR COMPANION.
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I
will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they
comfort me." - KJV
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me." - ESV - Psalm 23:4
Sweet are these words in describing a deathbed assurance. How many have repeated them in their last hours with intense delight!
But the verse is equally applicable to agonies of spirit in the midst of life. Some of us, like Paul, die daily through a tendency to
gloom of soul. Bunyan puts the Valley of the Shadow of Death far earlier in the pilgrimage than the river which rolls at the foot of the
celestial hills. We have some of us traversed the dark and dreadful defile of "the shadow of death" several times, and we can bear witness
that the Lord alone enabled us to bear up amid its wild thought, its mysterious horrors, its terrible depressions. The Lord has sustained
us, and kept us above all real fear of evil, even when our spirit has been overwhelmed. We have been pressed and oppressed, but yet we have
lived, for we have felt the presence of the Great Shepherd, and have been confident that His crook would prevent the foe from giving us any
deadly wound.
Should the present time be one darkened by the raven wings of a great sorrow, let us glorify God by a peaceful trust in Him.
The Twenty First Day of June.
A WOMAN'S WAR.
"The Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman." - KJV
"For the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman." - ESV - Judges 4:9
Rather an unusual text, but there may be souls in the world that may have faith enough to grasp it. Barak, the man, though called to
the war, had little stomach for the fight unless Deborah would go with him, and so the Lord determined to make it a woman's war. By this
means He rebuked the slackness of the man, and gained for Himself the more renown, and cast the more shame upon the enemies of His people.
engagements. Why not you? The woman who slew the enemy of Israel was no Amazon, but a wife who tarried in her tent. She was no orator, but
a woman who milked the cows and made butter. May not the Lord use any one of us to accomplish His purpose? Somebody may come to the
house today, even as Sisera came to Jael's tent. Be it ours, not to slay him, but to save him. Let us receive him with great kindness,
and then bring forth the blessed truth of salvation by the Lord Jesus, our great Substitute, and press home the command, "Believe and
live." Who knoweth but some stouthearted sinner may be slain by the gospel today?
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The Twenty Second Day of June.
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HE WITH US; WE WITH HIM.
"The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of
the wicked shall be shortened." - KJV
"The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
but the years of the wicked will be short." - ESV - Proverbs 10:27
There is no doubt about it. The fear of the Lord leads to virtuous habits, and these prevent that waste of life which comes of sin
and vice. The holy rest which springs out of faith in the Lord Jesus also greatly helps a man when he is ill. Every physician rejoices to
have a patient whose mind is fully at ease. Worry kills, but confidence in God is like healing medicine. We have therefore all the
arrangements for long life, and if it be really for our good, we shall see a good old age, and come to our graves as shocks of corn in
their season. Let us not be overcome with sudden expectation of death the moment we have a finger-ache, but let us rather expect that we
may have to work on through a considerable length of days.
And what if we should soon be called to the higher sphere? Certainly there would be nothing to deplore in such a summons, but
everything to rejoice in. Living or dying we are the Lord's. If we live, Jesus will be with us; if we die, we shall be with Jesus.
The truest lengthening of life is to live while we live, wasting no time, but using every hour for the highest ends. So be it this
day.
The Twenty Third Day of June.
THE ENEMY FIRSTHAND.
"Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the king of Assyria, He
shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come
before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it." - KJV
"Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come into this city or shoot an arrow there,
or come before it with a shield or cast up a siege mound against it." - ESV - 2 Kings 19:32
Neither did Sennacherib molest the city. He had boasted loudly, but he could not carry out his threats. The Lord is able to stop the
enemies of His people in the very act. When the lion has the lamb between his jaws, the great Shepherd of the sheep can rob him of his
prey. Our extremity only provides an opportunity for a grander display of divine power and wisdom. In the case before us, the terrible foe
did not put in an appearance before the city which he thirsted to destroy. No annoying arrow could he shoot over the walls, and no
besieging engines could he put to work to batter down the castles, and no banks could he cast up to shut in the inhabitants. Perhaps in our
case also the Lord will prevent our adversaries from doing us the least harm. Certainly He can alter their intentions, or render their
designs so abortive that they will gladly forego them. Let us trust in the Lord and keep His way, and He will take care of us. Yea, He will
fill us with wondering praise as we see the perfection of His deliverance.
Let us not fear the enemy till he actually come, and then let us trust in the Lord.
The Twenty Four Day of June.
Return to the Top.
THE LORD'S "MUCH MORE".
"And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for
the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And
the man of God answered, The Lord is able to give thee much more
than this." - KJV
"And Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do about the hundred talents that I have given to the army of Israel?"
The man of God answered, "The Lord is able to give you much more than this." - ---------------------------------------------- - ESV - 2 Chronicles 25:9
If you have made a mistake, bear the loss of it; but do not act contrary to the will of the Lord. The Lord can give you much more than
you are likely to lose; and if He does not, will you begin bargaining and chaffering with God? The king of Judah has hired an army from
idolatrous Israel, and he was commanded to send home the fighting men because the Lord was not with them. He was willing to send away the
host, only he grudged paying the hundred talents for nothing. Oh for shame! If the Lord will give the victory without the hirelings, surely
it was a good bargain to pay their wages and to be rid of them.
Be willing to lose money for conscience' sake, for peace's sake, for Christ's sake. Rest assured that losses for the Lord are not
losses. Even in this life they are more than recompensed: in some cases the Lord prevents any loss from happening. As to our immortal life,
what we lose for Jesus is invested in Heaven. Fret not at apparent disaster but listen to the whisper, "The Lord is able to give thee
much more than this."
The Twenty Fifth Day of June.
A STAIRCASE TO HEAVEN.
"And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye
shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and
descending upon the Son of man." - KJV
"And he said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened,
and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." - ESV - John 1:51
Yes, to our faith this sight is plain even at this day. We do see Heaven opened. Jesus Himself has opened that kingdom to all
believers. We gaze into the place of mystery and glory, for He has revealed it to us. We shall enter it soon, for He is the way.
Now we see the explanation of Jacob's ladder. Between earth and Heaven there is a holy commerce; prayer ascends, and answers come down,
by the way of Jesus, the Mediator. We see this ladder when we see our Lord. In Him a stairway of light now furnishes a clear passage to the
throne of the Most High. Let us use it, and send up by it the messengers of our prayers. We shall live the angelic life ourselves if we run
up to Heaven in intercession, and lay hold upon the blessings of the covenant, and then descend again to scatter those gifts among the sons
of men.
This choice sight which Jacob only saw in a dream we will turn into a bright reality. This very day we will be up and down the ladder
each hour; climbing in communion, and coming down in labor to save our fellow-men. This is thy promise, O Lord Jesus, let us joyfully see
it fulfilled.
The Twenty Sixth Day of June.
Return to the Top.
IT WILL NOT BE LONG.
"Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the
Lord draweth nigh." - KJV
"You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." - ESV - James 5:8
The last word in the Canticle of love is, "Make haste, my beloved," and among the last words of the Apocalypse we read, "The Spirit
and the Bride say, Come""Surely I come quickly." Love longs for the glorious appearing of the Lord, and enjoys this sweet
promise - "The coming of the Lord draweth nigh." This stays our minds as to the future. We look out with hope through this window.
This sacred "window of agate" lets in a flood of light upon the present, and puts us into fine condition for immediate work or
suffering. Are we tried? Then the nearness of our joy whispers patience. Are we growing weary because we do not see the harvest of our
seed-sowing? Again this glorious truth cries to us, "Be patient." Do our multiplied temptations cause us in the least to waver? Then the
assurance, that before long the Lord will be here, preaches to us from this text, "Stablish your hearts." Be firm, be stable, be
constant, "steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." Soon will you hear the silver trumpets which announce
the coming of your King. Be not in the least afraid. Hold the fort, for He is coming; yea, He may appear this very day.
The Twenty Seventh Day of June.
THANK HIM; DWELL ACCEPTABLY.
"Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell
in thy presence." - KJV
"Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
the upright shall dwell in your presence." - ESV - Psalm 140:13
Oh that my heart may be upright, that I may always be able to bless the name of the Lord! He is so good to those that be good, that
I would fain be among them, and feel myself full of thankfulness every day. Perhaps, for a moment, the righteous are staggered when
their integrity results in severe trial; but assuredly the day shall come when they shall bless their God that they did not yield to
evil suggestions and adopt a shifty policy. In the long run true men will thank the God of the right for leading them by a right way. Oh
that I may be among them!
What a promise is implied in this second clause, "The upright shall dwell in thy presence"! They shall stand accepted where others
appear only to be condemned. They shall be the courtiers of the Great King, indulged with audience whensoever they desire it. They shall
be favored ones upon whom Jehovah smiles, and with whom He graciously communes. Lord, I covet this high honor, this precious privilege:
it will be Heaven on earth to me to enjoy it. Make me in all things upright, that I may today, and tomorrow, and every day stand in thy
heavenly presence. Then will I give thanks unto thy name evermore. Amen.
The Twenty Eighth Day of June.
Return to the Top.
ONE LOOK FROM THE LORD.
"And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and
thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I
sent thee?." - KJV
"And the Lord turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours and save Israel
from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?" - ESV - Judges 6:14
What a look was that which the Lord gave to Gideon! He looked him out of his discouragements into a holy bravery. If our look to
the Lord saves us, what will not His look at us do? Lord, look on me this day, and nerve me for its duties and conflicts.
What a word was this which Jehovah spoke to Gideon! "Go." He must not hesitate. He might have answered, "What, go in all this
weakness!" But the Lord put that word out of court by saying, "Go in this thy might." The
nothing to do but to use it, and save Israel by smiting the Midianites. It may be that the Lord has more to do by me than I ever dreamed
of. If He has looked upon me He has made me strong. Let me by faith exercise the power with which He has entrusted me. He never bids me
"idle away my time in this my might." Far from it. I must "go," because He strengthens me.
What a question is that which the Lord puts to me even as He put it to Gideon! "Have not I sent thee?" Yes, Lord, thou hast sent
me, and I will go in thy strength. At thy command I go, and, going, I am assured that thou wilt conquer by me.
The Twenty Nineth Day of June.
INVITATION TO PRAY.
"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things,
which thou knowest not." - KJV
"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." - ESV - Jeremiah 33:3
God encourages us to pray. They tell us that prayer is a pious exercise which has no influence except upon the mind engaged in it.
We know better. Our experience gives the lie a thousand times over to this infidel assertion. Here Jehovah, the living God, distinctly
promises to answer the prayer of His servant. Let us call upon Him again, and admit no doubt upon the question of His hearing us and
answering us. He that made the ear, shall He not hear? He that gave parents a love to their children, will He not listen to the cries of
His own sons and daughters?
God will answer His pleading people in their anguish. He has wonders in store for them. What they have never seen, heard of, or
dreamed of, He will do for them. He will invent new blessings if needful. He will ransack sea and land to feed them: He will send every
angel out of Heaven to succor them, if their distress requires it. He will astound us with His grace, and make us feel that it was never
before done in this fashion. All He asks of us is that we will call upon Him. He cannot ask less of us. Let us cheerfully render Him our
prayers at once.
The Thirtieth Day of June.
Return to the Top.
BACK THEN FORWARD.
"Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth,
and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant." - KJV
"Yet I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth,
and I will establish for you an everlasting covenant." - ESV - Ezekiel 16:60
Notwithstanding our sins the Lord is still faithful in His love to us. He looks back. See how He remembers those early days of ours
when He took us into covenant with Himself, and we gave ourselves over to Him. Happy days those! The Lord does not twit us with them, and
charge us with being insincere. No, He looks rather to His covenant with us than to our covenant with Him. There was no hypocrisy in that
sacred compact, on His part, at any rate. How gracious is the Lord thus to look back in love! He looks forward also. He is resolved that
the covenant shall not fail. If we do not stand to it, He does. He solemnly declares, "I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant."
He has no mind to draw back from His promises. Blessed be His name, He sees the sacred seal, "the blood of the everlasting covenant," and
He remembers our Surety, in whom He ratified that covenant, even His own dear Son; and therefore He rests in His covenant engagements. "He
abideth faithful; he cannot deny himself."
O Lord, lay this precious word upon my heart, and help me to feed upon it all this day!
GLORY BE TO HIM WHO
WILL GUIDE ME HERE,
AND RECEIVE ME HEREAFTER.
AMEN.
