July 31

Morning

I in them. — John 17:23

If such be the union which exists between our souls and the person of our Lord, how deep and broad is the channel of our communion! This is no narrow pipe through which a thread-like stream may wind its way, it is a channel of amazing depth and breadth, along whose glorious length a ponderous volume of living water may roll its floods.

Behold, He has set before us an open door, let us not be slow to enter. This city of communion has many pearly gates, and every gate is of one pearl, and each gate is thrown open to the uttermost that we may enter, assured of welcome. If there were but one small loophole through which to talk with Jesus, it would be a high privilege to thrust a word of fellowship through the narrow door; how much we are blessed in having so large an entrance!

Had the Lord Jesus been far away from us, with many a stormy sea between, we would have longed to send a messenger to Him to carry Him our loves, and bring us tidings from His Father’s house. But see His kindness, He has built His house next door to ours, nay, more, He takes lodging with us, and tabernacles in poor humble hearts, that so He may have perpetual fellowship with us. O how foolish must we be, if we do not live in habitual communion with Him.

When the road is long, and dangerous, and difficult—we need not wonder that friends seldom meet each other but when they live together, shall Jonathan forget his David? A wife may, when her husband is upon a journey, abide many days without holding converse with him but she could never endure to be separated from him if she knew him to be in one of the chambers of her own house. Why, believer—do you not sit at His banquet of wine? Seek your Lord, for He is near; embrace Him, for He is your Brother. Hold Him fast, for He is your Husband; and press Him to your heart, for He is of your own flesh!

Evening

And these are the singers ... they were employed in that work day and night. — 1 Chr 9:33

Well was it so ordered in the temple that the sacred chant never ceased—for evermore did the singers praise the Lord, whose mercy endures forever. As mercy did not cease to rule either by day or by night—so neither did music hush its holy ministry.

My heart, there is a lesson sweetly taught to you in the ceaseless song of Zion’s temple, you too are a constant debtor—see you to it that your gratitude never fails. God’s praise is constant in heaven, which is to be your final dwelling-place, learn to practice the eternal hallelujah. Around the earth as the sun scatters his light, his beams awaken grateful believers to tune their morning hymn, so that by the priesthood of the saints, perpetual praise is kept up at all hours, they swathe our globe in a mantle of thanksgiving, and belt it with a golden belt of song.

The Lord always deserves to be praised for what He is in Himself, for His works of creation and providence, for His goodness towards His creatures, and especially for the transcendent act of redemption, and all the marvelous blessing flowing therefrom.

It is always beneficial to praise the Lord; it cheers the day and brightens the night; it lightens toil and softens sorrow; and over earthly gladness—it sheds a sanctifying radiance which makes it less liable to blind us with its glare. Have we nothing to sing about at this moment? Can we not weave a song out of our present joys, or our past deliverances, or our future hopes? Earth yields her summer fruits—the hay is housed, the golden grain invites the sickle, and the sun tarrying long to shine upon a fruitful earth, shortens the interval of shade that we may lengthen the hours of devout worship. By the love of Jesus—let us be stirred up to close the day with a psalm of sanctified gladness!