November 9

Morning

So walk ye in him. — Col 2:6

If we have received Christ Himself in our inmost hearts, our new life will manifest its intimate acquaintance with Him by a walk of faith in Him.

Walking implies action. Our religion is not to be confined to our closet; we must carry out into practical effect that which we believe. If a man walks in Christ, then he so acts as Christ would act; for Christ being in him, his hope, his love, his joy, his life, he is the reflection of the image of Jesus; and men say of that man, “He is like his Master—he lives like Jesus Christ!”

Walking signifies progress. “So walk in Him.” Proceed from grace to grace, run forward until you reach the uttermost degree of knowledge that a man can attain concerning our Beloved.

Walking implies continuance. There must be a perpetual abiding in Christ. How many Christians think that in the morning and evening they ought to come into the company of Jesus but may give their hearts to the world all the day. This is poor living; we should always be with Him, treading in His steps and doing His will.

Walking also implies habit. When we speak of a man’s walk and life—we mean his habits, the constant tenor of his life. Now, if we sometimes enjoy Christ, and then forget Him; sometimes call Him ours, and anon lose our hold, that is not a habit; we do not walk in Him. We must keep to Him, cling to Him, never let Him go but live and have our being in Him. “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord—so walk in Him”; persevere in the same way in which you have begun, and, as at the first Christ Jesus was the trust of your faith, the source of your life, the principle of your action, and the joy of your spirit—so let Him be the same until life’s end; the same when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and enter into the joy and the rest which remain for the people of God. O Holy Spirit, enable us to obey this heavenly precept!

Evening

His place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. — Isa 33:16

Do you doubt, O Christian—do you doubt as to whether God will fulfill His promise? Shall the rocky fortresses be taken by storm? Or shall the storehouses of heaven fail? Do you think that your heavenly Father, though He knows that you have need of food and clothing, will yet forget you? When not a sparrow falls to the ground without your Father, and the very hairs of your head are all numbered—will you mistrust and doubt Him?

Perhaps your affliction will continue upon you—until you dare to trust your God, and then it shall end. There have been many who have been tried and sorely vexed—until at last they have been driven in sheer desperation to exercise faith in God, and the moment of their faith has been the instant of their deliverance; they have seen whether God would keep His promise or not. Oh, I beg you—doubt Him no longer! Do not please Satan, and do not vex yourself by indulging in hard thoughts of God.

Do not think that it is a light matter to doubt Jehovah. Remember, it is a sin; and not a little sin either but in the highest degree criminal. The angels never doubted Him, nor the devils either—we alone, out of all the beings that God has fashioned, dishonor Him by unbelief, and tarnish His honor by mistrust. Shame upon us for this! Our God does not deserve to be so basely suspected! In our past life—we have proved Him to be true and faithful to His Word; and with so many instances of His love and of His kindness as we have received, and are daily receiving, at His hands—it is base and inexcusable that we allow a doubt to sojourn within our heart. May we henceforth wage constant war against doubts of our God. They are enemies to our peace and to His honor. With an unstaggering faith, believe that what He has promised—He will also perform. “Lord, I believe—help my unbelief!”