February 12

Morning

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. — 2 Cor 1:5

Here is a blessed proportion. The Ruler of Providence bears a pair of scales—in this side He puts His people’s trials, and in that He puts their consolations. When the scale of trial is nearly empty—you will always find the scale of consolation in nearly the same condition. And when the scale of trials is full—you will find the scale of consolation just as heavy. When the black clouds gather most—the light is the more brightly revealed to us. When the night lowers and the tempest is coming on—the Heavenly Captain is always closest to His crew.

It is a blessed thing, that when we are most cast down—then it is that we are most lifted up by the consolations of the Spirit. One reason is, because trials make more room for consolation. Great hearts can only be made by great troubles. The spade of trouble digs the reservoir of comfort deeper, and makes more room for consolation. God comes into our heart—He finds it full—He begins to break our comforts and to make it empty; then there is more room for grace. The humbler a man lies—the more comfort he will always have, because he will be more fitted to receive it.

Another reason why we are often most happy in our troubles, is this—then we have the closest dealings with God. When the barn is full—man can live without God: when the purse is bursting with gold—we try to do without so much prayer. But once take our gourds away and we want our God; once cleanse the idols out of the house—then we are compelled to honor Jehovah. “Out of the depths have I cried unto you, O Lord.” There is no prayer half so hearty—as that which comes up from the depths of the soul, through deep trials and afflictions. Hence they bring us to God, and we are happier—for nearness to God is happiness. Come, troubled believer—do not fret over your heavy troubles, for they are the heralds of weighty mercies!

Evening

He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever. — John 14:16

The Great Father revealed Himself to believers of old before the coming of His Son, and was known to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty. Then Jesus came, and the ever-blessed Son in His own proper person, was the delight of His people’s eyes. At the time of the Redeemer’s ascension, the Holy Spirit became the head of the present dispensation, and His power was gloriously manifested in and after Pentecost. He remains at this hour, the present Immanuel—God with us, dwelling in and with His people, quickening, guiding, and ruling in their midst.

Is His presence recognized as it ought to be? We cannot control His working; He is most sovereign in all His operations but are we sufficiently anxious to obtain His help, or sufficiently watchful lest we provoke Him to withdraw His aid? Without Him we can do nothing but by His almighty energy, the most extraordinary results can be produced: everything depends upon his manifesting or concealing His power. Do we always look up to Him both for our inner life and our outward service with the respectful dependence which is fitting? Do we not too often run before His call, and act independently of His aid?

Let us humble ourselves this evening for past neglects, and now entreat the heavenly dew to rest upon us, the sacred oil to anoint us, the celestial flame to burn within us. The Holy Spirit is no temporary gift, He abides with the saints. We have but to seek Him aright, and He will be found by us. He is jealous but He is pitiful; if He leaves in anger but He returns in mercy. Condescending and tender, He does not weary of us but awaits to be gracious still.