March 14

Morning

Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. — 1 Cor 10:12

It is a curious fact, that there is such a thing as being proud of grace. A man says, “I have great faith—I shall not fall; poor little faith may fall but I never shall.” “I have fervent love,” says another, “I can stand, there is no danger of my going astray.” He who boasts of grace—has little grace to boast of. Some who do this, imagine that their graces can keep them—not knowing that the stream must flow constantly from the fountain head, or else the brook will soon be dry. If a continuous stream of oil comes not to the lamp, though it burns brightly today—it will smoke tomorrow, and noxious will be its odor.

Take heed that you don’t boast in your graces but let all your glorying and confidence be in Christ and His strength, for only so can you be kept from falling. Be much more in prayer. Spend longer time in holy adoration. Read the Scriptures more earnestly and constantly. Watch your lives more carefully. Live nearer to God. Take the best examples for your pattern. Let your conversation be redolent of heaven. Let your hearts be perfumed with affection for men’s souls. So live that men may take knowledge of you—that you have been with Jesus, and have learned of Him. And when that happy day shall come, when He whom you love shall say, “Come up higher!” may it be your happiness to hear Him say, “You have fought a good fight—you have finished your course and henceforth there is laid up for you an unfading crown of righteousness!”

On, Christian, with care and caution! On, with holy fear and trembling! On, with faith and confidence in Jesus alone, and let your constant petition be, “Uphold me, according to Your Word!” He is able, and He alone, “To keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy!”

Evening

I will take heed to my ways. — Ps 39:1

Fellow-pilgrim, do not say in your heart, “I will go here and there, and I shall not sin;” for you are never so out of danger of sinning, as to boast of security. The road is very miry, it will be hard to pick your path, so as not to soil your garments. This is a world of pitch; you will need to watch often, if in handling it you are to keep your hands clean. There is a robber at every turn of the road to rob you of your jewels! There is a temptation in every mercy! There is a snare in every joy! And if you ever reach heaven at last—it will be a miracle of divine grace, to be ascribed entirely to your Father’s power. Be on your guard!

When a man carries gun-powder in his hand, he should be careful that he does not go near a candle; and you too must take care that you enter not into temptation. Even your common actions are sharp-edged tools—you must mind how you handle them. There is nothing in this world to foster a Christian’s piety but everything to destroy it. How anxious should you be to look up to God—that He may keep you! Your prayer should be, “Hold me up and I shall be safe!” Having prayed, you must also watch; guarding every thought, word, and action, with holy jealousy.

Do not expose yourselves to evil unnecessarily; but if called to exposure, if you are bidden to go where the darts are flying, never venture forth without your shield; for if once the devil finds you without yours—he will rejoice that his hour of triumph is come, and will soon make you fall down wounded by his arrows! Though you cannot be slain—you may be wounded. “Be sober; be vigilant, danger may be in an hour when all seems securest to you.” Therefore, take heed to your ways, and watch unto prayer. No man ever fell into sin through being too watchful. May the Holy Spirit guide us in all our ways—so shall they always please the Lord.