October 21

Morning

The love of Christ constraineth us. — 2 Cor 5:14

How much you owe unto your Lord! Has He ever done anything for you? Has He forgiven your sins? Has He covered you with a robe of righteousness? Has He set your feet upon a rock? Has He established your goings? Has He prepared heaven for you? Has He prepared you for heaven? Has He written your name in His book of life? Has He given you countless blessings? Has He laid up for you a store of mercies, which eye has not seen nor ear heard?

Then do something for Jesus, which is worthy of His love. Give not a mere wordy offering to a dying Redeemer. How will you feel when your Master comes, if you have to confess that you did nothing for Him but kept your love shut up, like a stagnant pool, not flowing forth to His work. Out on such love as that!

What do men think of a love which never shows itself in action? Why, they say, “Open rebuke is better than secret love.” Who will accept a love so weak—that it does not actuate you to a single deed of self-denial, of generosity, of heroism, or zeal! Think how He has loved you, and given Himself for you! Do you know the power of that love? Then let it be like a rushing mighty wind to your soul to sweep out the clouds of your worldliness, and clear away the mists of sin.

“For Christ’s sake” be this the tongue of fire that shall sit upon you; “for Christ’s sake” be this the divine rapture, the heavenly affection to bear you aloft from earth; the divine spirit that shall make you bold as lions and swift as eagles in your Lord’s service. Love should give wings to the feet of service, and strength to the arms of labor.

Fixed on God with a constancy that is not to be shaken, resolute to honor Him with a determination that is not to be turned aside, and pressing on with an ardor never to be wearied—let us manifest the constraints of love to Jesus. May the divine loadstone draw us heavenward towards itself!

Evening

Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? — Luke 24:38

“Why do you say—My way is hidden from the Lord, and my claim is ignored by my God?” The Lord cares for all things, and the lowliest creatures share in His universal providence. But His particular providence is over His saints. “The angel of the Lord encamps round about those who fear Him.” “Precious shall their blood be in His sight.” “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Let the fact that, while He is the Savior of all men, He is specially the Savior of those who believe, cheer and comfort you. You are His peculiar care; His regal treasure which He guards as the apple of His eye; His vineyard over which He watches day and night.

“The very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Let the thought of His special love to you be a spiritual pain-killer, a dear quietus to your woe! “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” God says that as much to you as to any saint of old. “Fear not, I am your shield, and your exceeding great reward.” We lose much consolation by the habit of reading His promises for the whole church, instead of taking them directly home to ourselves. Believer, grasp the divine Word with a personal, appropriating faith. Think that you hear Jesus say, “I have prayed for you—that your faith fail not.” See Him walking on the waters of your trouble, for He is there, and He is saying, “Fear not, it is I; do not be afraid.” Oh, those sweet words of Christ! May the Holy Spirit make you feel them as spoken to you. Forget others for awhile—accept the voice of Jesus as addressed to you, and say, “Jesus whispers consolation; I cannot refuse it; I will sit under His shadow with great delight!”