February 15

Morning

To him be glory both now and forever. — 2 Pet 3:18

Heaven will be full of the ceaseless praises of Jesus. Eternity! your unnumbered years shall speed their everlasting course but forever and forever, “to Him be glory!”

Is He not a “Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek”? “To Him be glory!” Is He not King forever?—King of kings and Lord of lords, the everlasting Father? “To Him be glory forever!” Never shall His praises cease. That which was bought with blood, deserves to last while immortality endures. The glory of the cross must never be eclipsed; the luster of the grave and of the resurrection must never be dimmed. O Jesus! you shall be praised forever. Long as immortal spirits live—long as the Father’s throne endures—forever, forever, unto You shall be glory!

Believer, you are anticipating the time when you shall join the saints above in ascribing all glory to Jesus; but are you glorifying Him now? The apostle’s words are, “To Him be glory both now and forever!” Will you not this day make it your prayer? “Lord, help me to glorify You! I am poor, help me to glorify You by contentment. I am sick, help me to give You honor by patience. I have talents, help me to extol You by spending them for You. I have time, Lord, help me to redeem it, that I may serve you. I have a heart to feel, Lord, let that heart feel no love but Yours, and glow with no flame but affection for You. I have a head to think, Lord, help me to think of You and for You. You have put me in this world for something, Lord—show me what that is, and help me to work out my life-purpose. I cannot do much but as the widow put in her two mites, which were all her living, so, Lord—I cast my time and eternity too into Your treasury. I am all Yours—take me, and enable me to glorify You now, in all that I say, in all that I do, and with all that I have.”

Evening

Whereby they have made thee glad. — Ps 45:8

And who are thus privileged to make the Savior glad? His church—His people. But is it possible? He makes us glad but how can we make Him glad? By our love. Ah! we think it so cold, so faint; and so, indeed, we must sorrowfully confess it to be but it is very sweet to Christ. Hear His own eulogy of that love in the golden Canticle: “How sweet is your love, my treasure, my bride! How much better it is than wine! Your perfume is more fragrant than the richest of spices!” See, loving heart, how He delights in you. When you lean your head on His bosom, you not only receive joy but you give Him joy. When you gaze with love upon His all-glorious face, you not only obtain comfort but impart delight.

Our praise, too gives Him joy—not the song of the lips alone but the melody of the heart’s deep gratitude. Our gifts, too, are very pleasant to Him; He loves to see us lay our time, our talents, our substance upon the altar, not for the value of what we give but for the sake of the motive from which the gift springs. To Him the lowly offerings of His saints, are more acceptable than the thousands of gold and silver. Holiness is like frankincense and myrrh to Him. Forgive your enemy and you make Christ glad. Distribute of your substance to the poor and He rejoices. Be the means of saving souls and you give Him to see of the travail of His soul. Proclaim His gospel and you are a sweet savor unto Him. Go among the ignorant and lift up the cross and you have given Him honor.

It is in your power even now, to break the alabaster box, and pour the precious oil of joy upon His head—as did the woman of old, whose memorial is to this day set forth wherever the gospel is preached. Will you be backward then? Will you not perfume your beloved Lord—with the myrrh and aloes, and cassia, of your heart’s praise?