November 19

Morning

Avoid foolish questions. — Titus 3:9

Our days are few, and are far better spent in devoting ourselves to good works, than in disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor importance. Incessant discussion of subjects of no practical value, do a world of mischief. Our churches suffer much from petty wars over abstruse points and unimportant questions. After everything has been said that can be said, neither party is any the wiser! Therefore, the discussion no more promotes knowledge, than love! It is foolish to sow in so barren a field.

Questions upon . . . points wherein Scripture is silent; mysteries which belong to God alone; prophecies of doubtful interpretation; modes of observing mere human ceremonies, are all foolish! Wise men will avoid them! Our business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions but to avoid them altogether! If we observe the apostle’s precept to be careful to devote ourselves to good works, we shall find ourselves far too much occupied with profitable business to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings!

There are, however, some questions which are the reverse of foolish, which we must not avoid, but fairly and honestly answer, such as these:

Am I growing in grace and Christ-likeness?
Does my life adorn the doctrine of my Savior?
What more can I do for Jesus?
Such inquiries as these, urgently demand our attention!

If we have been at all given to arguing and disputing, let us now turn to a service so much more profitable. Let us endeavor to lead others, both by our precept and example, to “avoid foolish questions.”

Evening

O that I knew where I might find him! — Job 23:3

In Job’s uttermost extremity—he cried after the Lord. The longing desire of an afflicted child of God—is once more to see his Father’s face. His first prayer is not “O that I might be healed of the disease which now festers in every part of my body!” Nor even “O that I might see my children restored from the jaws of the grave, and my property once more brought from the hand of the spoiler!” But the first and uppermost cry is, “O that I knew where I might find HIM, who is my God! that I might come even to His seat!”

God’s children run home when the storm comes on! It is the heaven-born instinct of a gracious soul to seek shelter from all troubles beneath the wings of Jehovah. “He who has made God his refuge,” might serve as the title of a true believer. A hypocrite, when afflicted by God, resents the infliction, and, like a slave, would run from the Master who has scourged him! But not so the true heir of heaven—he kisses the hand which smote him, and seeks shelter from the rod in the bosom of the God who frowned upon him!

Job’s desire to commune with God was intensified by the failure of all other sources of consolation. The patriarch turned away from his sorry friends, and looked up to the celestial throne, just as a traveler turns from his empty water bottle, and betakes himself with all speed to the well. He bids farewell to earth-born hopes, and cries, “O that I knew where I might find my God!”

Nothing teaches us so much the preciousness of the Creator, as when we learn the emptiness of all other things. Turning away with bitter scorn from earth’s hives, where we find no honey but many sharp stings; we rejoice in Him whose faithful Word is sweeter than honey or the honeycomb. In every trouble we should first seek to realize God’s presence with us. Only let us enjoy His smile and we can bear our daily cross with a willing heart for His dear sake!