November 20

Morning

O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul. — Lam 3:58

Observe how positively the prophet speaks. He does not say, “I hope, I trust, I sometimes think, that God has pleaded the case of my soul”; but he speaks of it as a matter of fact not to be disputed.

“You have pleaded the case of my soul.” Let us, by the aid of the gracious Comforter, shake off those doubts and fears which so much mar our peace and comfort. Let this be our prayer, that we may be done with the harsh croaking voice of doubt and suspicion, and may be able to speak with the clear, melodious voice of full assurance.

Notice how gratefully the prophet speaks, ascribing all the glory to God alone! You perceive there is not a word concerning himself or his own pleadings. He does not ascribe his deliverance in any measure to any man, much less to his own merit; but it is “you” “O Lord, You have pleaded the case of my soul. You have redeemed my life.” A grateful spirit should ever be cultivated by the Christian; and especially after deliverances, we should prepare a song for our God. Earth should be a temple filled with the songs of grateful saints, and every day should be a censor smoking with the sweet incense of thanksgiving.

How joyful Jeremiah seems to be, while he records the Lord’s mercy. How triumphantly he lifts up the strain! He has been in the low dungeon, and is even now no other than the weeping prophet; and yet in the very book which is called “Lamentations,” we hear the voice of Jeremiah going up to heaven, “You have pleaded the case of my soul; you have redeemed my life!” O children of God, seek after a vital experience of the Lord’s loving-kindness, and when you have it, speak positively of it; sing gratefully; shout triumphantly!

Evening

The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks. — Prov 30:26

Conscious of their own natural defenselessness, the coneys resort to clefts in the rocky cliffs, and are secure from their enemies.

My heart, be willing to gather a lesson from these feeble folk. You are as weak and as exposed to peril as the timid coney—strive to be as wise as they are, to seek a shelter. My best security is within the munitions of an immutable Jehovah, where His unalterable promises stand like giant cliffs of rock. It will be well with you, my heart, if you can always hide yourself in the bulwarks of His glorious attributes, all of which are guarantees of safety for those who put their trust in Him.

Blessed be the name of the Lord, I have so done, and have found myself like David in Adullam—safe from the cruelty of my enemy. I experience the blessedness of the man who puts his trust in the Lord—for long ago, when Satan and my sins pursued me, I fled to the cleft of the rock—Christ Jesus! And in His riven side—I found a delightful resting-place!

My heart, run to Him anew today, whatever your present grief may be! Jesus cares for you! Jesus will console and help you!

No monarch in his impregnable fortress, is more secure than the coney in his rocky burrow. The master of ten thousand chariots is not one whit better protected—than the little dweller in the rocky cleft. In Jesus—the weak are strong, and the defenseless are safe! They could not be more strong—if they were giants. They could not be more safe—if they were in heaven! Faith gives to men on earth—the protection of the God of heaven. More they cannot need, and need not wish.

The coneys cannot build a castle but they avail themselves of what is there already. Just so, I cannot make a refuge for myself but Jesus has provided it, His Father has given it, His Spirit has revealed it and lo, again I enter it, and am safe from every foe!