December 11

Morning

Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. — 1 Thess 5:24

Heaven is a place where we shall never sin; where we shall cease our constant watch against an indefatigable enemy, because there will be no tempter to ensnare our feet. There the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest. Heaven is an “undefiled inheritance”; it is the land of perfect holiness, and therefore of complete security. But do not the saints even on earth sometimes taste the joys of blissful security?

The doctrine of God’s Word is—that all who are in union with the Lamb are safe; that all the righteous shall hold on their way; that those who have committed their souls to the keeping of Christ shall find Him a faithful and immutable preserver. Sustained by such a doctrine—we can enjoy security even on earth; not that high and glorious security which renders us free from every slip but that holy security which arises from the sure promise of Jesus—that none who believe in Him shall ever perish but shall be with Him where He is.

Believer, let us often reflect with joy on the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, and honor the faithfulness of our God by a holy confidence in Him. May our God bring home to you a sense of your safety in Christ Jesus! May He assure you that your name is engraved on His hand; and whisper in your ear the promise, “Fear not, I am with you.”

Look upon Him, the great Surety of the covenant, as faithful and true, and, therefore, bound and engaged to present you, the weakest of the family, with all the chosen race, before the throne of God; and in such a sweet contemplation, you will drink the juice of the spiced wine of the Lord’s pomegranate, and taste the dainty fruits of Paradise. You will have a foretaste of the enjoyments which ravish the souls of the perfect saints above, if you can believe with unstaggering faith that “faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it.”

Evening

Ye serve the Lord Christ. — Col 3:24

To what choice order of officials was this word spoken? To kings who proudly boast a divine right? Ah, no! too often do they serve themselves or Satan, and forget the God whose sufferance permits them to wear their mimic majesty for their little hour. Was this spoken to those so-called “right reverend fathers,” or “the venerable bishops”? No, indeed, Paul knew nothing of these mere inventions of man. Not even to pastors and teachers, or to the wealthy and esteemed among believers, was this word spoken but to servants, ay, and to slaves!

Among the toiling multitudes, the workers, the day laborers, the domestic servants, the drudges of the kitchen—the apostle found, as we find still, some of the Lord’s chosen, and to them he says, “Whatever you do—do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that from the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance—for you serve the Lord Christ.”

This saying ennobles the weary routine of earthly employments, and sheds a halo around the most humble occupations. To wash feet may be servile but to wash His feet is royal work. To unloose the shoe-latchet is poor employment but to unloose the great Master’s shoe is a princely privilege. The shop, the barn, the kitchen, and the office become temples—when men and women do all to the glory of God!

“Divine service” is not a thing of a few hours and a few places but all of life becomes holiness unto the Lord; and every place and thing, becomes as consecrated as the tabernacle and its golden candlestick!