September 5

Morning

Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar. — Ps 120:5

As a Christian, you have to live in the midst of an ungodly world, and it is of little use for you to cry, “Woe is me!”

Jesus did not pray, “O that you should be taken out of the world!” And what He did not pray for—you need not desire. Better far in the Lord’s strength to meet the difficulty, and glorify Him in it.

The enemy is ever on the watch to detect inconsistency in your conduct; be therefore very holy. Remember that the eyes of all people are upon you and that more is expected from you, than from others! Strive to give no occasion for blame. Let your goodness and piety be the only faults which they can discover in you. Like Daniel, compel them to say of you, “We will never find any charge against this man—unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God!”

Seek to be useful—as well as consistent. Perhaps you think, “If I were in a more favorable position, I might be able to serve the Lord’s cause. But I cannot do any good where I am!” But the worse the people are among whom you live—the more need they have of your exertions! If they are crooked—the more necessity that you should set them straight! If they are perverse—the more need have you to turn their proud hearts to the truth. Where should the physician be but where there are many sick? Where is honor to be won by the soldier but in the hottest fire of the battle?

When weary of the strife and sin which meets you on every hand, consider that all the saints have endured the same trial! They were not carried on beds of down to heaven and you must not expect to travel more easily than they! They had to hazard their lives unto the death, in the midst of the battlefield and you will not be crowned—until you also have endured hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Therefore, “Be courageous! Be strong!” 1 Corinthians 16:13

Evening

Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? — Job 38:16

Some things in nature must remain a mystery to the most intelligent and enterprising investigators. Human knowledge has bounds beyond which it cannot pass. Universal knowledge is for God alone. If this is so in the things which are seen and temporal, I may rest assured that it is even more so in matters spiritual and eternal.

Why, then, have I been torturing my brain with speculations as to how to reconcile divine predestination with human responsibility? These deep and dark truths I am no more able to comprehend, than to explore the springs from which the seas come, from which old ocean draws her watery stores. Why am I so curious to know the reason of my Lord’s providences, the motive of His actions, the design of His visitations? Shall I ever be able to clasp the sun in my fist, and hold the universe in my palm? Yet these are as a drop of a bucket—when compared with the Lord my God. Let me not strive to understand the infinite but spend my strength in loving our transcendent God! What I cannot gain by intellect—I can possess by affection and let that suffice me.

I cannot penetrate the heart of the sea but I can enjoy the healthful breezes which sweep over its bosom, and I can sail over its blue waves with favorable winds. Even if I could explore the springs from which the seas come—the feat would serve no useful purpose either to myself or to others. It would not save the sinking boat, or give the drowned mariner back to his weeping wife and children!

Neither would my solving deep theological mysteries, avail me a single whit—for the least love to God, and the simplest act of obedience to Him, are better than the profoundest theoretical knowledge!

My awesome God, I leave the infinite to You, and beg You to put far away from me such a love for the tree of knowledge, as might keep me from the tree of life!