December 27

Morning

Can the rush grow up without mire? — Job 8:11

The reed is spongy and hollow, and even so is a hypocrite; there is no substance or stability in him. It is shaken to and fro in every wind—just as formalists yield to every influence. For this reason the reed is not broken by the tempest, neither are hypocrites troubled with persecution.

I would not willingly be a deceiver or be deceived; perhaps the text for this day may help me to try myself whether I be a hypocrite or not.

The reed by nature lives in water, and owes its very existence to the mire and moisture wherein it has taken root; let the mire become dry, and the reed withers very quickly. Its greenness is absolutely dependent upon circumstances, a present abundance of water makes it flourish, and a drought destroys it at once.

Is this my case? Do I only serve God when I am in good company, or when religion is profitable and respectable? Do I love the Lord only when temporal comforts are received from His hands? If so I am a base hypocrite, and like the withering reed—I shall perish when death deprives me of outward joys.

But can I honestly assert that when bodily comforts have been few, and my surroundings have been rather adverse to grace, than at all helpful to it—I have still held fast my integrity? Then have I hope that there is genuine vital godliness in me. The reed cannot grow without mire but plants of the Lord’s right hand planting can and do flourish even in the year of drought. A godly man often grows best—when his worldly circumstances decay. He who follows Christ for his bag—is a Judas! Those who follow Christ for loaves and fishes—are children of the devil. But those who follow Him out of love to Himself—are His own beloved ones. Lord, let me find my life in You, and not in the mire of this world’s favor or gain!

Evening

And the Lord shall guide thee continually. — Isa 58:11

“Jehovah shall guide you.” Not an angel but JEHOVAH Himself shall guide you. Moses said, “If Your presence does not go with me—carry us not up hence.” Christian, God has not left you in your earthly pilgrimage to an angel’s guidance—He Himself leads the van. You may not see the cloudy, fiery pillar but Jehovah will never forsake you.

Notice the word shall, “Jehovah shall guide you.” How certain this makes it! How sure it is that God will not forsake us! His precious “shalls” and “wills” are better than men’s oaths. “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

Then observe the adverb “continually”. We are not merely to be guided sometimes but we are to have a perpetual monitor. We are not occasionally to be left to our own understanding, and so to wander but we are continually to hear the guiding voice of the Great Shepherd; and if we follow close at His heels, we shall not err but be led by a right way to a city to dwell in.

If you have to change your position in life; if you have to emigrate to distant shores; if it should happen that you are cast into poverty, or uplifted suddenly into a more responsible position than the one you now occupy; if you are thrown among strangers, or cast among foes—yet tremble not, for “the Lord shall guide you continually.” There are no dilemmas out of which you shall not be delivered, if you live near to God, and your heart is kept warm with holy love. He does not go amiss—who goes in the company of God. Like Enoch, walk with God, and you cannot mistake your road. You have infallible wisdom to direct you, immutable love to comfort you, and eternal power to defend you. “Jehovah” mark the word, “Jehovah shall guide you continually.”