February 20

Morning

God, that comforteth those that are cast down. — 2 Cor 7:6

And who comforts like Him? Go to some poor, melancholy, distressed child of God; tell him sweet promises, and whisper in his ear choice words of comfort; he is like the deaf adder, he listens not to the voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely. He is drinking gall and wormwood, and comfort him as you may, it will be only a note or two of mournful resignation that you will get from him; you will bring forth no psalms of praise, no hallelujahs, no joyful sonnets.

But let God come to His child, let Him lift up his countenance and the mourner’s eyes glisten with hope. Do you not hear him sing, “‘Tis paradise, if You are here; if You depart, ‘tis hell”? You could not have cheered him but the Lord has done it; “He is the God of all comfort.” There is no balm in Gilead but there is balm in God. There is no physician among the creatures but the Creator is Jehovah-rophi. It is marvelous how one sweet Word of God, will make whole songs for Christians. One Word of God is like a piece of gold, and the Christian is the gold-beater, and can hammer that promise out for whole weeks.

So, then, poor Christian, you need not sit down in despair. Go to the Comforter, and ask Him to give you consolation. You are a poor dry well. You have heard it said, that when a pump is dry, you must pour water down it first of all, and then you will get water. Just so, Christian, when you are dry, go to God, ask Him to shed abroad His joy in your heart, and then your joy shall be full. Do not go to earthly acquaintances, for you will find them Job’s miserable comforters after all; but go first and foremost to your “God, who comforts those who are cast down,” and you will soon say, “In the multitude of my thoughts within me, Your comforts delight my soul.”

Evening

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. — Matt 4:1

A holy character does not avert temptation—Jesus was tempted. When Satan tempts us, his sparks fall upon tinder; but in Christ’s case, it was like striking sparks on water; yet the enemy continued his evil work. Now, if the devil goes on striking when there is no result, how much more will he do it when he knows what inflammable stuff our hearts are made of! Though you become greatly sanctified by the Holy Spirit, expect that the great dog of hell will bark at you still.

In the haunts of men we expect to be tempted but even seclusion will not guard us from the same trial. Jesus Christ was led away from human society into the wilderness, and was tempted of the devil. Solitude has its charms and its benefits, and may be useful in checking the lust of the eye and the pride of life; but the devil will follow us into the most lovely retreats.

Do not suppose that it is only the worldly-minded who have dreadful thoughts and blasphemous temptations, for even spiritual-minded people endure the same; and in the holiest position—we may suffer the darkest temptation. The utmost consecration of spirit will not insure you against Satanic temptation. Christ was consecrated through and through. It was His food and drink to do the will of Him who sent Him and yet He was tempted! Your hearts may glow with a seraphic flame of love to Jesus, and yet the devil will try to bring you down to Laodicean lukewarmness. If you will tell me when God permits a Christian to lay aside his armor, I will tell you when Satan has left off temptation. Like the old knights in war time, we must sleep with helmet and breastplate buckled on, for the arch-deceiver will seize our first unguarded hour to make us his prey. May the Lord keep us watchful in all seasons, and give us a final escape from the jaw of the lion, and the paw of the bear.