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March 5 |
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Morning Reading |
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Evening
Reading |
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"Let us not sleep, as do others." |
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1 Thessalonians 5:6 |
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There are many ways of promoting Christian
wakefulness. Among the rest, let me strongly advise Christians to converse
together concerning the ways of the Lord. Christian and Hopeful [in
Pilgrim's Progress], as they
journeyed towards the Celestial City, said to themselves, "To prevent
drowsiness in this place, let us fall into good discourse." Christian
enquired, "Brother, where shall we begin?" And Hopeful answered, "Where God
began with us." Then Christian sang this song —
When
saints do sleepy grow, let them come hither,
And hear how
these two pilgrims talk together;
Yea, let them
learn of them, in any wise,
Thus to keep
open their drowsy slumb'ring eyes.
Saints'
fellowship, if it be managed well,
Keeps them
awake, and that in spite of hell.
Christians who isolate themselves and walk
alone, are very liable to grow drowsy. Hold Christian company, and you will
be kept wakeful by it, and refreshed and encouraged to make quicker progress
in the road to heaven. But as you thus take "sweet counsel" with others in
the ways of God, take care that the theme of your converse is the Lord
Jesus. Let the eye of faith be constantly looking unto him; let your heart
be full of him; let your lips speak of his worth. Friend, live near to the
cross, and thou wilt not sleep. Labour to impress thyself with
a
deep sense of the value of the place to which thou art
going. If
thou rememberest that thou art going to heaven, thou wilt not sleep on the
road. If thou thinkest that hell is behind thee, and the devil pursuing
thee, thou wilt not loiter. Would the manslayer sleep with the avenger of
blood behind him, and the city of refuge before him? Christian, wilt thou
sleep whilst the pearly gates are open — the songs of angels waiting for
thee to join them — a crown of gold ready for thy brow? Ah! no; in holy
fellowship continue to watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation. |
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Evening Reading |
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"Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation." |
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Psalm 35:3 |
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What does this sweet prayer teach me? It shall
be my evening's petition; but first let it yield me an instructive
meditation. The text informs me first of all that David had his
doubts; for why should he pray, "Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation,"
if he were not sometimes exercised with doubts and fears? Let me, then, be
of good cheer, for I am not the only saint who has to complain of weakness
of faith. If David doubted, I need not conclude that I am no Christian
because I have doubts. The text reminds me that David was not content
while he had doubts and fears, but he repaired at once to the mercy-seat
to pray for assurance; for he valued it as much fine gold. I too must labour
after an abiding sense of my acceptance in the Beloved, and must have no joy
when his love is not shed abroad in my soul. When my Bridegroom is gone from
me, my soul must and will fast. I learn also that David knew where
to obtain full assurance. He went to his God in prayer, crying, "Say
unto my soul I am thy salvation." I must be much alone with God if I would
have a clear sense of Jesus' love. Let my prayers cease, and my eye of faith
will grow dim. Much in prayer, much in heaven; slow in prayer, slow in
progress. I notice that David would not be satisfied unless his assurance
had a divine source. "Say unto my soul." Lord, do
thou say it! Nothing short of a divine testimony in the soul will
ever content the true Christian. Moreover, David could not rest unless his
assurance had a vivid personality about it. "Say unto my soul,
I am thy
salvation." Lord, if thou shouldst say this to all the saints, it were
nothing, unless thou shouldst say it to me. Lord, I have sinned; I deserve
not thy smile; I scarcely dare to ask it; but oh! say to my soul,
even to my
soul, "I am thy salvation." Let me have a present, personal,
infallible, indisputable sense that I am thine, and that thou art mine. |
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