MAY 1

Bestill, andknowthat I amGod;

I will beexaltedamongthenations,
I will beexaltedintheearth!
PSALM46:10
ThisversegivesglorytoGodbothasKingof nationsandas
Kingof saints. SinceGodisKingof saints, wemust admit that
Hisworksaregreat andmarvelous(Revelation15:3). Hedoes
andwill dogreat things. Let Hisenemiesbestill andthreaten
nomore, but knowthat HeisGod, oneinfinitelyabovethem.
Let themragenomore, for it isall invain. Hewhositsin
heavenlaughsat them, andinspiteof all their impotent mal-
ice, Hewill beexaltedontheearth, not merelyinthechurch.
Menwill set upthemselves, but let themknowthat Godwill
beexaltedandwill glorifyHisownname. Whentheydeal
proudly, Hewill beabovethemandmakethemknowthat He
isincontrol.
Let Hispeoplebestill andtremblenomore, but knowto
their comfort that theLordisGod. Whenwepray, "Father,
glorifyYour name," weought toexercisefaithontheanswer
giventothat prayer whenChrist Himself prayedit: "I have
bothglorifiedit, andI will glorifyit yet again." Let all believ-
erstriumphinthis. Theyhavethepresenceof aGodof
power: TheLordof hostsiswithus. ThissovereignLordsides
withus, actswithus, andhaspromisedHewill never leaveus.
Hostsmaybeagainst us, but weneednot fear themif the
Lordof hostsiswithus. Weareunder theprotectionof God,
whoisnot onlyabletohelpusbut haspromisedinhonor and
faithfulnesstohelpus.
MAY 2
* 'Jdatfj(
/
?o~~^>6Cj ratiotu
"Behold, I standat thedoor andknock.
If anyonehearsMyvoiceandopensthedoor,
I will comeintohimanddinewithhim,
andhewithMe."
REVELATION3:20
Thisversegivesusgreat andgraciousencouragement toaccept
theadmonitionthat Christ hasgivenus. "Youmaythink I have
givenyouhardwordsandseverereproofs; it isall out of loveto
your souls." Sinnersought totaketherebukesof God'sWord
astokensof Hisgoodwill totheir souls. Better arethefrowns
andwoundsof afriendthantheflatteringsmilesof anenemy.
If theywouldcomplywithHisadmonitions, Hewasreadyto
makethemgoodtotheir souls. Christ isgraciouslypleasedby
HisWordandSpirit tocometothedoor of theheart of sinners.
Hefindsthisdoor shut against Him; theheart of manisbyna-
tureshut upagainst Christ. WhenHefindstheheart shut, He
doesnot immediatelywithdraw, but Hewaitstobegracious.
ThosewhoopentoHimwill enjoyHispresence. Hewill dine
withthem. Hewill accept what isgoodinthem. Hewill bring
thebest part of theentertainment withHim.
It ispossiblethat bythereproofsandcounselsof Christ,
believersmight beinspiredwithfreshzeal andvigor. If they
didso, theywouldhaveagreat reward. Christ Himself had
met withHistemptationsandconflicts. Heovercamethem
all andwasmorethanaconqueror. Thosewhoareconformed
toChrist inHistrialsandvictorieswill beconformedtoHim
inHisglory.
MAY 3
"Thereforeyounowhavesorrow;
but I will seeyouagainandyour heart will rejoice,
andyour joynoonewill takefromyou."
JOHN16:22
HereJesustellsthedisciplesof thesorrowtheyweresoonto
experience. "Younowhavesorrow, becauseI amleavingyou."
Christ'swithdrawingsareajust causeof grief toHisdisciples.
Whenthesunsets, thesunflower will hangitshead.
He, morelargelythanbefore, assuresthemof areturnof
joy. Threethingsrecommendthejoy. Thecauseof it is"I will
seeyouagain." Christ will graciouslyreturntothosewhowait
for Him. Men, whentheyareexalted, will scarcelylook at
their inferiors, but theexaltedJesuswill visit Hisdisciples.
Christ'sreturnsarereturnsof joytoall Hisdisciples. Thecor-
dialityof Hisreturnisthat "Your heart will rejoice." Joyinthe
heart issolidandnot flashy. It issecret, it issweet, it issure
andnot easilybrokeninupon. Thecontinuanceof their joy:
"Your joynoonewill takefromyou." Theywouldif they
could, but theyshall not prevail. SomeunderstandHimtobe
speakingof theeternal joyof theglorified. Wemayberobbed
of our joysonearthbyathousandaccidents, but heavenly
joysareeverlasting. I rather understandHimtobespeaking
of thespiritual joysof thosewhoaresanctified. Theycould
not robthemof their joybecausetheycouldnot separate
themfromtheloveof Christ, couldnot robthemof their
Godor of their treasureinheaven.
MAY 4
"CometoMe,
all youwholabor andareheavyladen,
andI will giveyourest. "
MATTHEW11:28
Wemust cometoJesusChrist asour Rest andreposeourselves
inHim. "CometoMe, all youwholabor andareheavyladen."
Thetypeof personinvitedisall wholabor andareheavyladen.
Thisisawordinseasontoanyonewhoisweary. But thisis
rather tobeunderstoodastheburdenof sin, boththeguilt and
thepower of it, not necessarilyphysical labor. All thoseand
thoseonlyareinvitedtorest inChrist whoaresensibleof sin
asaburdenandgroanunder it: onlythosewhoareconvinced
of theevil of sin, of their ownsin, but arecontriteinsoul and
arereallysick of their sins. Thisisanecessarypreparationfor
pardonandpeace. TheComforter must first convince. Thein-
vitationitself is"CometoMe." Heholdsout thegoldenscepter
sowemaytouchthetopof it andlive. It isthedutyandinter-
est of wearyandheavyladensinnerstocometoJesusChrist.
Wemust accept Himasour PhysicianandAdvocate, being
freelywillingtobesavedbyHiminHisownwayandonHis
ownterms. Theblessingpromisedisgood, especiallytothose
whodocome: "I will giveyourest." Rest isgood, especiallyto
thosewholabor andareheavyladen. JesusChrist will giveas-
suredrest tothosewearysoulswhobyalivelyfaithcometo
Himfor it, arest inGod, inHislove.
MAY 5
Wait ontheLORD; beof goodcourage,
andHeshall strengthenyour heart;
wait, I say, ontheLORD!
PSALM27:14
DavidexpresseshisdependenceonGod. "WhenI amhelpless
aseverypoor orphanwhowasleft fatherlessandmotherless,
thenI knowtheLordwill takemeup" (v. 10). Hebelievedhe
wouldseethegoodnessof theLordinthelandof theliving;
and, if hehadnot doneso, hewouldhavefaintedunder hisaf-
flictions. Thosewhowalk byfaithinthegoodnessof theLord
shall induerimewalk inthesight of that goodness. It ishis
comfort, not somuchthat hewill seethelandof thelivingas
that hewill seethegoodnessof Godinit, for that isthecom-
fort of all creaturecomfortstoagracioussoul. Heavenisthat
landthat maytrulybecalledthelandof theliving. Thisearth
isthelandof thedying. Thereisnothinglikethebelieving
hopeof eternal lifetokeepusfromfaintingunder all the
calamitiesof thispresent time. InthemeantimeDavidsaysto
himself or tohisfriends, "Heshall strengthenyour heart,"
shall sustainthespirit. Inthat strength, wait ontheLordby
faith, andprayer, andahumbleresignationtoHiswill. "Wait,
I say, ontheLord!" Whatever youdo, donot becomeremiss
inyour attendanceuponGod. Thosewhowait ontheLord
havereasontobeof goodcourage.
MAY 6
CyfyrUtidtt C/onttntiwnt
Let your conduct bewithout covetousness;
becontent withsuchthingsasyouhave.
For HeHimself hassaid
"I will never leaveyounor forsakeyou."
HEBREWS13:5
TheapostlecallsthebelievingHebrewstotheperformanceof
manyduties, oneof whichisChristiancontentment. Cov-
etousnessiscontrarytohisgraceandduty. Wemust takecare
not onlytokeepthissindown, but toroot it out of our souls.
Beingsatisfiedandpleasedwithsuchthingsaswehaveisthe
oppositeof covetousness. What Godgivesusfromdaytoday,
wemust becontent with. Wemust bringour mindstoour
present condition. Thosewhocannot doit wouldnot becon-
tentedevenif Godraisedtheir conditiontotheir minds, for
themindwouldrisewiththecondition. Paul, thoughabased
andempty, hadlearnedineverystate, inanystate, tobecon-
tent. ThereasonChristianshavetobecontentedwiththeir
lot isthat thispromisecontainsthesumandsubstanceof all
thepromises. Fromthiscomprehensivepromisetheymayas-
surethemselvesof helpfromGod(v. 6). Mencandonothing
against God, andGodcanmakeall that mendoagainst His
peopletoturnout totheir good.
MAY 7
OLORD, YOU aremy God.
I will exalt You, I will praiseYour name,
for Youhavedonewonderful things;
Your counselsofoldarefaithfulnessandtruth.
ISAIAH25:1
Theprophet determinestopraiseGod. WhenGodispunish-
ingthekingsof theearth, apoor prophet cangotoHimand,
withhumbleboldness, say, "I will praiseYour name." Godhas
relievedHisneedypeople, beingastrengthtothepoor, a
strengthtotheneedy. Hestrengthenstheweak whoarehumble
andsupport themselvesuponHim. Henot onlymakesthem
strongbut HeisHimself their strength. Heisarefugefromthe
stormof rainor hail andashadowfromthescorchingheat of
thesuninsummer. Theblast of theterribleonesisasastorm
against thewall, whichmakesagreat noisebut cannot over-
throwthewall. Theenemiesof God'spoor areterrible. Their
rageislikeablast of wind: loud, blustering, andfurious; but like
thewind, theyareunder adivinecheck, for Godholdsthe
windsinHisfist.
Heshall bringdownthenoiseof strangers, abateandstill it,
astheheat inadryplaceisabatedandmoderatedbytheshadow
of acloudpassingoverhead. Theoppressorsof God'speopleare
calledstrangers, for they forgetthat thosetheyoppressareof the
samebloodasthem. Theyarecalledterribleones; theywould
rather befearedthanloved. Thebranches, eventhetopbranches,
of theterribleoneswill bebrokenoff. If thelaborersinGod's
vineyardarecalledtobear theburdenandheat of theday, He
will refreshthem, aswiththeshadowof acloud.
MAY 8
Our C/mn<mt
"For themountains shall depart andthehillsberemoved,
but Mykindnessshall not depart fromyou,
nor shall Mycovenant of peaceberemoved,"
saystheLORD, whohasmercyonyou.
ISAIAH54:10
Lookingforwardtofuturedangers, andindefianceof them,
God'sfavorsappear constant andHiskindnesseverlasting, for
it isformedintoacovenant of peace.
Thisisasfirmasthewatersof Noah, that is, asfirmas
that promiseGodmadeconcerningthedeluge, that there
shouldnever bethelikeagain(seeGenesis8:21-22; 9:11).
Godhaskept Hisword, thoughtheworldhasbeenverypro-
voking. Andthusinviolableisthecovenant of grace: "I have
swornthat I wouldnot beangrywithyou, asI havebeen, nor
rebukeyou, asI havedone" (v. 9).
It ismorefirmthanthestrongest partsof thevisiblecrea-
tion. "Themountainsshall depart andthehillsberemoved."
Mountainshavesometimesbeenshakenbyearthquakesand
removed, but thepromisesof Godwerenever brokenbythe
shock of anyevent. Whenour friendsfail us, our Goddoes
not, nor doesHiskindnessdepart. Dothekingsof theearth
andtherulersset themselvesagainst theLord? Theyshall de-
part andberemoved. God'skindnessshall never depart from
Hispeople, for whomever Heloves, Helovestotheend.
Therefore, thecovenant isimmovableandinviolable, because
it isbuilt not onour merit but onGod'smercy, whichisfrom
everlastingtoeverlasting.
MAY 9
"Donot fiar, littleflock,
fi>r it isyour Father'sgoodpleasure
togiveyouthekingdom. "
LUKE12:32
Whenwefrightenourselveswithanapprehensionof evil to
come, weconcernourselveswithhowtoavoidit, when, after
all, perhapsit isonlythecreationof our ownimagination.
Therefore, "Donot fear, littleflock, for it isyour Father'sgood
pleasuretogiveyouthekingdom." ThiscomfortableWordwe
didnot haveinMatthew. Christ'sflock inthisworldisalitde
flock. Thechurchisavineyard, agarden, asmall spot, com-
paredtothewildernessof thisworld. Thoughit isalitdeflock,
quiteoutnumberedbyitsenemies, yet it isthewill of Christ
that theyshouldnot beafraid. "Fear not, littleflock, but see
yourselvessafeunder theprotectionandconduct of thegreat
andgoodShepherd." Godhasakingdominstorefor all who
belongtoChrist'slitdeflock, acrownof glory(1 Peter 5:4).
Thekingdomisgivenaccordingtothegoodpleasureof theFa-
ther: "It isyour Father'sgoodpleasure"; it isgivennot aspay-
ment for adebt, but bygrace. Thebelievinghopes and
prospectsof thekingdomshouldsilenceandsuppressthefears
of Christ'slitdeflock inthisworld. "Fear notrouble; for,
thoughit shouldcome, it shall not comebetweenyouandthe
kingdom." That isnot anevil worthtremblingat, thethought
of whichcannot separateusfromtheloveof God.
MAY 10
"For I, theLORD your God,
will holdyour right hand
sayingtoyou, Tear not, I will helpyou.
ISAIAH41:13
Thescopeof thisverseistosilencethefearsandencourage
thefaithof theservantsof Godintheir distresses. Perhapsit
wasintended, inthefirst place, for thesupport of God'sIsrael
incaptivity, but all whofaithfullyserveGodthroughpatience
andcomfort of thisScripturemayhavehope. A wordof cau-
tion, counsel, andcomfort isoftenrepeated: Fear not. It is
contrarytothewill of Godthat Hispeopleshouldbeatim-
orouspeople.
TheymaydependonHispresencewiththemastheir
God. "I will holdyour right hand," gohandinhandwithyou
asyour guide. Whenweareweak, Hewill holdusup, will en-
courageus, andsoholdusbytheright hand(Psalm73:23).
Hewill silencefears, "sayingtoyou, Tear not.' " Hehassaid
it againandagaininHisWord, but Hewill gofurther: He
will, byHisSpirit, sayit totheir hearts.
Thoughtheir enemiesareveryformidable, yet thedayis
comingwhenGodwill reckonwiththem. Therearethosewho
areincensedagainst God'speople, that strivewiththem(v. 11),
that war against them(v. 12), that hatethem. But let God'speo-
pleawait God'stime. Theyshall beconvincedof thefollyof
strivingwithGod'speople. Theyshall beashamedandcon-
founded, whichmight bringthemtorepentance, but will rather
fill themwithrage. Theyshall beruinedandundone(v. 11).
Theyshall beasnothingbeforethejusticeandpower of God.
MAY 11
Whenyouliedown,
youwill not beafraid;
yes, youwill liedown
andyour sleepwill besweet.
PROVERBS3:24
Theexhortationistohavereligionsrulesalwaysinviewand
alwaysat heart (v. 21). "Myson, let themnot depart from
your eyes; let not your eyesever depart fromthemtowander
after vanity. Havethemalwaysinmind, andaslongasyou
live, keepupandcultivateyour acquaintancewiththem."
Havethemalwaysat heart, for it isinthat treasury, thehid-
denmanof theheart, that wemust keepsoundwisdomand
discretion.
Thewayof dutyisthewayof safety. "Weareindanger
of falling, but wisdomwill keepyou, that your foot shall not
stumbleat thosethingswhichoverthrowmany, but which
youshall knowhowtoget over." Bynight welieexposedand
aremost subject tofrights. "But keepupcommunionwith
God, andkeepagoodconscience, andthenwhenyoulie
down, youshall not beafraidof fire, or thieves, or specters, or
anyof theterrorsof darkness, knowingthat whenweandall
our friendsareasleep, yet HewhokeepsIsrael neither slum-
bersnor sleeps." Thewaytohaveagoodnight istokeepa
goodconscience; andthesleep, asof thelaboringman, soof
thewiseandgodlyman, issweet. Integrityanduprightness
will preserveus, sothat weneednot beafraidof suddenfear
(v. 25). But let not thewiseandgoodmanfear thedesolation
of thewickedwhenit comes, that is, thedesolationwhichthe
wickedonesmakeof religionandthereligious.
MAY 12
For youdidnot receivethespirit of bondageagaintofear,
but youreceivedtheSpirit of adoption
bywhomwecryout, "Abba, Father."
ROMANS8:15
Thosewhoarethesonsof GodhavetheSpirit towork inthem
thedispositionof children. "For youdidnot receivethespirit
of bondageagaintofear." Understandit first asthat spirit of
bondagewhichtheOldTestament churchwasunder, byreason
of thedarknessof that dispensation. Youarenot under that dis-
pensation; youhavenot receivedthat spirit. Secondly, thereis
that spirit of bondagewhichmanyof thesaintsthemselveswere
under at their conversion. ThentheSpirit Himself wastothe
saintsaspirit of bondage: "But," saystheaposde, "withyouthis
isover." For youhavereceivedtheSpirit of adoption. It isGod's
prerogative, whenHeadopts, togiveaspirit of adopdonthe
natureof children. A sanctifiedsoul bearstheimageof God, as
thechildbearstheimageof thefather, "bywhomwecryout,
Abba, Father.' " Prayingiscalledcryinghere. Childrenwho
cannot speak vent their desiresbycrying. NowtheSpirit
teachesusinprayer tocometoGodasaFather. Andwhyboth
words, "Abba" and"Father"? BecauseChrist saidsoinprayer
(Mark 14:36). It denotesanaffectionate, endearingimportu-
nity. Litdechildren, beggingof their parents, cansaylitdebut
"Father, Father," andthat isenough. It alsodenotesthat the
adoptioniscommonbothtoJewsandGentiles.
MAY 13
"I, evenI, amHewhocomfortsyou.
Whoareyouthat youshouldbeafraidof
amanwhowill die,
andof thesonof amanwhowill bemadelikegrass?"
ISAIAH51:12
Isaiahcomfortsthetimorousbychidingthem: Whyareyou
cast downandwhydisquieted? It isabsurdtohavesuchfear.
It isadisparagement toustogivewaytothem. "Whoareyou
that youshouldbeafraid?" It isabsurdtobeinsuchdreadof
adyingman. What! Afraidof amanwhoshall die, whoshall
bemadeasgrass, shall wither andbetroddendownor eaten
up? Weought tolook oneverymanasamanwhowill die.
Thosewefear wemust look uponasfrail andmortal andcon-
sider what afoolishthingit isfor theservantsof theliving
Godtobeafraidof dyingmenwhoareheretodayandgone
tomorrow. It isabsurdtofear continuallyeveryday. Nowand
thenadanger maybeimminent andthreatening, andit may
beprudent tofear it, but totrembleat theshakingof every
leaf istomakeourselvessubject tobondage(Hebrews2:15).
What hasbecomeof all thefuriousoppressorsof God'sIsrael,
that wereaterror tothem? Theypassedawayandwerenot,
andsoshall these.
Thosefearsareimpious. Areyouafraidof amanwhoshall
die, forgettingtheLordyour Maker, whoisalsotheMaker of
all theworld? Our inordinatefear of manisforgetfulnessof
God. Whenweupset ourselveswiththefear of man, weforget
that thereisaGodabovehim. Weforget theexperienceswe
havehadof HiscareandHisinterpositionfor our relief many
atimewhenwethought theoppressor readytodestroy.
MAY 14
"Peace1leavewithyou,
MypeaceI givetoyou;
not astheworldgivesdoI givetoyou.
Let not your heart betroubled, neither let it beafraid."
JOHN14:27
WhenChrist wasabout toleavetheworld, HemadeHiswill.
What shouldHeleavetoHispoor discipleswhohadleft all
for Him? Silver andgoldHehadnot, but Heleft themwhat
wasinfinitelybetterHispeace. Hedidnot part inanger but
inlove, for thiswasHisfarewell, "PeaceI leavewithyou."
Thelegacythat isherebequeathedwaspeace. Peaceis
put for all good. Peaceisput for reconciliationandlove. The
peacebequeathedispeacewithGod. Peaceinour ownhearts
seemstobespeciallymeant. It isthepeaceonwhichthean-
gelscongratulatedmenat Hisbirth(Luke2:14).
Thislegacyisleft toHisdisciplesandfollowers. This
legacywasleft tothemandtheir successors, tothemandall
trueChristiansinall ages. It isleft not astheworldgives. It is
not amereformality, but areal blessing. Theworld'sgiftscon-
cernonlythebodyandtime; Christ'sgiftsenrichthesoul for
eternity. ThepeaceChrist givesisinfinitelymorevaluable
thanthat whichtheworldgives. Asisthedifferencebetween
akillinglethargyandareviving, refreshingsleep, suchisthe
differencebetweenChrist'speaceandtheworld's.
What useshouldtheymakeof thisgift? "Let not your
heart betroubled, neither let it beafraid."
MAY 15
race
For I ampersuadedthat neither deathnor life, nor angelsnor
principalitiesnor powers, nor thingspresent nor thingstocome,
nor height nor depth, nor anyother createdthing
shall beabletoseparateusfromtheloveof God
whichisinChrist Jesusour Lord.
ROMANS8:38-39
Weareconquerors, not inour ownstrength, but inthegrace
that isinChrist Jesus. Weareconquerorsbyvirtueof Christ's
victory. Wehavenothingtodobut topursuethevictoryand
todividethespoils, andsoaremorethanconquerors.
A direct andpositiveconclusionof thewholematter is,
"For I ampersuaded." Hereheenumeratesall thosethingsthat
might separateChrist andbelieversandconcludesthat it could
not bedone. Neither deathnor life, neither thefear of deathnor
thehopeof life. Weshall not beseparatedfromthat loveeither
indeathor inlife. Nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers.
Thegoodangelswill not, thebadshall not, andneither can.
Thegoodangelsareengagedfriends; thebadarerestraineden-
emies. Nor thingspresent, nor thingstocomeneither the
senseof troublespresent nor thefear of troublestocome. Time
shall not separateus, eternityshall not, fromtheloveof Christ,
whosefavor istwistedinwithbothpresent thingsandthingsto
come. Nor height, nor depthneither theheight of prosperity
nor thedepthof adversity, nothingfromheavenabove, nothing
onearthbelow. Nor anyother creatureanythingthat canbe
namedor thought of. It will not, it cannot, separateusfromthe
loveof GodwhichisinChrist Jesusour Lord. Nothingdoesit,
candoit, except sin. Thisisthegroundof thesteadfastnessof
thelove, becauseJesusChrist, inwhomHelovesus, isthesame
yesterday, today, andforever.
MAY 16
"Thereforedonot worry, saying,
'What shall weeat?' or 'What shall wedrink?'
or 'What shall wewear?'. . .
For your heavenlyFather knowsthat
youneedall thesethings."
MATTHEW6:31-32
Thereisscarcelyanyonesinagainst whichour LordJesus
warnsHisdisciplesmorethanthesinof disquieting, distract-
ing, distrustful caresabout thethingsof life. "Your heavenly
Father knowsthat youneedall thesethings," thesenecessary
things, suchasfoodandclothing. Heknowsour wantsbetter
thanwedoourselves, andHeisyour Father wholovesyou
andpitiesyouandisreadytohelpyou. Weshouldrelieveour-
selvesof theburdenof carebycastingit onGodbecauseHe
caresfor us. If Hecares, whyshouldweworry?
"Seek first thekingdomof GodandHisrighteousness,
andall thesethingsshall beaddedtoyou" (v. 33). Takeno
thought for your life, thelifeof thebody, for youhavegreater
andbetter thingstothink about: thelifeof your soul, your
eternal happiness. That istheoneneedful thingabout which
youshouldemployyour thoughts.
Our dutyistoseek. Thoughwehavenot attained, but in
manythingsfail andcomeshort, sincereseekingisaccepted.
Wemust seek thethingsof Christ morethanour ownthings.
"Seek thesethingsfirst; first inyour days: let themorningof
youthbededicatedtoGod. Seek thisfirst everyday; let wak-
ingthoughtsbeof God." Let HimwhoistheFirst havethe
first. All thesethings, thenecessarysupportsof life, shall be
giventoyouinaddition.
MAY 17
NeverthelessI amcontinuallywithYou; Youholdmebymy
right hand. Youwill guidemewithYour counsel,
andafterwardreceivemetoglory.
PSALM73:23-24
Thepsalmist admitshisdependenceonthegraceof God.
"NeverthelessI amcontinuallywithYou," andinYour favor
"Youholdmebymyright hand." Hehadsaid, inthehour of
temptation(v. 14), "All thedaylongI havebeenplagued,"
but herehecorrectshimself for that passionatecomplaint.
"ThoughGodhaschastenedme, Hehasnot cast meoff. Not-
withstandingall thecrossesof mylife, I havebeencontinually
withYou. ThoughGodhassometimeswrittenbitter things
against me, yet Hehasstill heldmebymyright handtopre-
vent mylosingmywayinthewildernessesthroughwhichI
havewalked." If Hethusmaintainsthespiritual life, theprom-
iseof eternal life, weought not tocomplain. "Myfeet wereal-
most gone, andtheywouldhavequitegone, past recovery, but
Youheldmebymyright handandsokept mefromfalling."
Heencouragedhimself tohopethat thesameGodwho
haddeliveredhimfromthisevil work wouldpreservehimto
hisheavenlykingdom, asSt. Paul does(2Timothy4:18): "I am
nowupheldbyYou, thereforeYoushall guidemewithYour
counsel, leadingme, asYouhavedonehitherto, andYoushall
afterwardreceivemetoglory" (v. 24). Thepsalmist wouldhave
paiddearlyfor followinghisowncounsel inthistemptation
andthereforeresolvesfor thefuturetotakeGod'sadvice. If
Goddirectsusinthewayof our duty, Hewill afterwardrec-
oncileustoall thedark providencesthat nowpuzzleandper-
plexusandeaseusof thepainwehavebeenput intobysome
threateningtemptations.
MAY 18
Youaremyhidingplace;
Youshall preservemefromtrouble;
Youshall surroundmewithsongsof deliverance.
PSALM32:7
HereDavidspeakstoGodandprofesseshisconfidencein
Himandexpectationof Him. "Youaremyhidingplace."
WhenbyfaithI haverecoursetoyou, I shall seeall thereason
intheworldtobeeasyandtothink myself out of thereach
of anyreal evil. "Youshall preservemefromtrouble," such
troubleasI wasinwhileI kept silent (v. 3). WhenGodhas
pardonedour sins, if Heleavesustoourselves, weshall soon
runasfar intodebt againasbefore, andtherefore, whenwe
havereceivedthecomfort of our remission, wemust flytothe
graceof Godtobepreservedfromreturningtofollyagain.
Youshall not onlydeliver me, but "surroundmewithsongs
of deliverance." Aseveryonewhoisgodlyshall praywithme,
sotheyshall givethankswithme.
MAY 19
I will instruct youandteachyou
inthewayyoushouldgo;
I will guideyouwithMyeye.
PSALM32:8
Beinghimself converted, thepsalmist doeswhat hecanto
strengthenhisbrethren(Luke22:32). "I will instruct you," who-
ever desiresinstruction, "andteachyouinthewayyoushould
go." WhenDavidbecameapenitent, heimmediatelybecamea
preacher. "I will guideyouwithMyeye." Someapplythisto
Godsconduct anddirection, but it israther tobetakenas
David'spromisetothosewhosat under hisinstruction, hisown
childrenandfamily. "I will counsel thee; myeyeshall beupon
thee. I will giveyouthebest adviceI canandthenobserve
whether youtakeit or not."
Spiritual guidesmust beoverseers. Hereisawordof cau-
tiontosinnersnot tobeunrulyandungovernable: "Donot be
likethehorseor likethemule, whichhavenounderstanding"
(v. 9). It isour honor andhappinessthat wehaveunderstand-
ing, that wearecapableof beinggovernedbyreasonandof rea-
soningwithourselves. Wherethereisrenewinggrace, thereis
noneedof thebit andbridleof restraininggrace. Thereason
for thiscautionisbecausethewayof sinwill certainlyendin
sorrow(v. 10). Hereisawordof comfort tothesaints. Theyare
assuredthat if theywill but trust intheLordandkeepcloseto
Him, mercyshall compassthemabout oneveryside.
MAY 20
For Youaremyhope, OLordGOD;
Youaremytrust frommyyouth.
PSALM71:5
DavidprofesseshisconfidenceinGodandrepeatshisprofes-
sionof that confidence, still presentingtheprofessiontoGod
andpleadingit withHim. WepraiseGodbytellingHimwhat
confidencewehaveinHim(v. 1). InYou, OLord, andinYou
only, doI put mytrust. Whatever othersdo, I choosetheGod
of Jacobfor myhelp. "Youaremyrock andmyfortress" (v. 3).
"Youaremyrefuge, mystrongrefuge" (v. 7). That is, I flytoYou
andamsuretobesafeinYou, andunder Your protection. If You
secureme, nonecanhurt me. Youaremyhopeandmytrust.
HisconfidenceinGodissupportedandencouragedbyhis
experiences. "Youaremytrust frommyyouth." Ever sinceI was
capableof discerningbetweenmyright handandmyleft, I
stayedmyself onyou, for byyouhaveI beenheldupfromthe
womb. Hewhowasour helpfromour birthought tobeour
hopefromour youth. If wereceivedsomuchmercyfromGod
beforewewerecapableof doingHimanyservice, weshould
losenotimewhenwearecapable. YouareHewhotook me
intothearmsof Your grace, under theshadowof Your wings,
intothebondof Your covenant. I havereasontohopethat You
will protect me; Youwhohavehelpedmeupbeforewill not let
mefall now. YouwhohelpedmewhenI couldnot helpmyself
will not abandonmenowthat I amashelplessasI wasthen.
Mypraiseshall thereforebecontinuallyof You.
MAY 21
Blessedarethepeoplewhoknowthejoyful sound!
Theywalk, OLORD, inthelight of Your countenance.
InYour nametheyrejoiceall daylong,
andinYour righteousnesstheyareexalted.
PSALM89:15-16
Gloriousdiscoveriesaremadetobelieversandgladtidingsof
goodbrought tothem. They"knowthejoyful sound." This
mayalludetotheshout of avictoriousarmy. Israel hadtheto-
kensof God'spresencewiththemintheir wars. Or it may
meanthesoundthat wasmadeover thesacrificesandonthe
solemnfeast days. Thiswasthehappinessof Israel, that they
hadamongthemfreeandopenprofessionof God'sholyreli-
gion. Or it mayalludetothesoundof thejubileetrumpet, a
joyful soundtoservantsanddebtors, towhomit proclaimed
release. Thegospel isindeedajoyful sound, asoundof vic-
tory, of liberty, of communionwithGod. Blessedarethepeo-
plewhohear it andknowit andbidit welcome.
Special tokensof God'sfavor aregrantedthem: "They
walk, OLord, inthelight of Your countenance." Theyshall
governthemselvesbyYour directions, shall beguidedbyYour
eye; andtheyshall delight themselvesinYour consolations.
Theynever lack reasonsfor joy. Thosewhorejoicein
Christ Jesushaveenoughtocounterbalancetheir grievances
andsilencetheir griefs, andthereforetheir joyisfull.
Their relationtoGodistheir honor anddignity. "In
Your righteousnesstheyareexalted," not inanyrighteousness
of their own. InYour favor, whichthroughChrist wehope
for, our hornshall beexalted. Thehorndenotes beauty,
plenty, andpower.
MAY 22
/ will bothliedowninpeace, andsleep;
for Youalone, OLORD, makemedwell insafety.
PSALM4:8
Davidandthepiousfewwhoadheredtohimjoinedinthis
prayer: "Lord, lift upthelight of Your countenanceuponus."
Heandhisfriendsagreeintheir choiceof God'sfavor astheir
felicity. It isthiswhich, intheir account, isbetter thanlifeand
all thecomfortsof life. ThoughDavidspeaksof onlyhimself
intheseventhandeighthverses, hespeaksinthisprayer for
othersalso, asChrist taught ustopraythe"Our Father." All
thesaintscometothethroneof graceonthesameerrand, and
inthistheyareone: Theyall desireGod'sfavor astheir chief
good. Weshouldbegit for othersaswell asfor ourselves, for
inGod'sfavor thereisenoughfor usall, andweshall have
plentyfor otherssharinginwhat wehave. Thisiswhat, above
anything, theyrejoicein. "Youhaveput gladnessinmyheart"
(v. 7); inward, solid, substantial joy. "I will bothliedownin
peace, andsleep; for Youalone, OLord, makemedwell in
safety." Whenhecomestosleepthesleepof death, hewill
then, likegoodoldSimeon, depart inpeace(Luke2:29),
beingassuredthat Godwill receivehissoul. Hecommitsall
hisaffairstoGodandcontentedlyleavestheissueof them
withHim.
MAY 23
"I will not leaveyouorphans;
I will cometoyou."
JOHN14:18
Whenfriendsareparting, theymakeacommonrequest of
eachother. "Let mehear fromyouasoftenasyoucan." This
Christ promisedtoHisdisciples, that out of sight theyshould
not beout of mind.
Hepromisedthat HewouldcontinueHiscareof them. "I
will not leaveyouorphans(or fatherless); I will cometoyou."
Hisdeparturefromthemwasneither total nor final. "Though
I leaveyouwithout Mybodilypresence, yet I donot leaveyou
without comfort." Thelifeof truebelievers, thoughsometimes
sorrowful, isnever comfordess, becausetheyarenever orphans.
Godistheir Father. "I will cometoyou. I will comespeedilyto
youat Myresurrection." Hehadoftensaid, "ThethirddayI
will riseagain. I will becomingdailytoyouinMySpirit," and
inthetokensof Hisloveandvisitsof Hisgrace, Heisstill com-
ing. Theconsiderationof Christ'scomingtoussavesusfrom
beingcomfordessinHisabsencefromus.
Hepromisesthat theywouldcontinuetheir acquaintance
withHim(w. 19-20). "Yet alitdewhile, andtheworldseesme
nomore." Themalignant worldthought theyhadseenenough
of Himandcried, "AwaywithHim, crucifyHim." Andso
shall their doombe; theyshall seeHimnomore. But Hisdis-
cipleshavecommunionwithHiminHisabsence.
TheysawHimwiththeir bodilyeyesafter Hisresurrec-
tion. TheysawHimwithaneyeof faithafter Hisascension;
sawthat inHimwhichtheworldsawnot.
MAY 24
"Thenyoushall call, andtheLORD will answer;
youshall cry, andHewill say, 'HereI am.' "
ISAIAH58:9
Thosewhoarecheerful indoinggood, Godwill makecheer-
ful inenjoyinggood. Thisisaspecial gift of God. Thosewho
havehelpedothersout of troublewill obtainhelpfromGod
whenit istheir turn. Goodworksshall berecompensedwith
agoodname.
Goodpeoplearesafeonall sides. Their defenseistheir
righteousnessandthegloryof theLord. Heisour reward, on
whomalonewecandependfor safetywhenour sinspursue
usandarereadytotakeholdof us. "Thenyoushall call, and
theLordwill answer." Hewill giveyouthethingsyoucall for.
Youshall crywhenyouareinanydistressor suddenfright,
andHeshall say, "HereI am." Whenever wearepraying, God
istherenext tous, listening.
TheLordwill guideyoucontinually. Whileweareherein
thewildernessof thisworld, wehaveneedof continual direc-
tionfromheaven. Toagoodman, Godgivesnot onlywisdom
andknowledge, but joy. Heissatisfiedinhimself withthetes-
timonyof hisconscienceandtheassurancesof God'sfavor. As
aspringthat continuallysendsout itswater but isalwaysfull,
sothecharitablemanaboundsingoodasheaboundsindoing
goodandisnever thepoorer for hisgenerosity.
MAY 25
"I will beaFather toyou,
andyoushall beMysonsanddaughters,
saystheLORD Almighty."
2CORINTHIANS6:18
It iswrongfor goodpeopletojoinwiththewickedandpro-
fane. Thereismoredanger that thebadwill damagethegood
thanhopethat thegoodwill benefit thebad. Weshouldnot
yokeourselvesinfriendshipwithwickedmenandunbeliev-
ers. Weshouldnever choosethemfor our friends. Muchless
shouldwejoininreligiouscommunionwiththem. It isavery
great absurdity(w. 1415). Believersarerighteous, but unbe-
lieversareunrighteous. Believersaremadelight intheLord,
but unbelieversareindarkness. What comfortablecommu-
nioncanthesehavetogether? Christ andBelial arecontrary,
onetotheother. It isadishonor totheChristian'sprofession,
for Christiansaretemplesof thelivingGod. Thereisagreat
deal of danger incommunicatingwithunbelievers, danger of
beingdefiledandof beingrejected; therefore, theexhortation
is(v. 17) tocomeout fromamongthem, tobeseparate, as
onewouldavoidthesocietyof thosewhohaveleprosyor the
plague, andnot totouchtheuncleanthing. Wemust take
carenot todefileourselvesbyconversationwiththosewho
defilethemselveswithsin. It isbaseingratitudetoGodfor all
thefavorsHehasbestowedonbelieversandpromisedto
them. GodhaspromisedtobeaFather tothemandthat they
shall all beHissonsandHisdaughters. Isthereagreater
honor or happinessthanthis?
MAY 26
are
"Eventoyour oldage, I amHe,
andeventograyhairsI will carryyou! I havemade,
andI will bear; evenI will carry, andwill deliver you.
ISAIAH46:4
ThetrueGodwill never fail Hisworshipers. Heformedthem
intoapeopleandgavethemtheir constitution. Everygoodman
iswhat Godmakeshim. Youhavebeen"upheldbyMefrom
birth" and"carriedfromthewomb" (v. 3). Just asGodbegan
earlytodothemgood, Hehasconstandycontinuedtodothem
good: Hehascarriedthemfromthewombtothisday. Wehave
beencarriedinthearmsof Hispower andinthebosomof His
loveandpity. Our spiritual lifeissustainedbyHisgrace, asnec-
essarilyandconstandyasour natural lifebyHisprovidence.
"Youhavebeenupheldbymefrombirth," nursedwhen
youwerechildren; and"eventoyour oldageI amHe, when, by
reasonof your infirmities, youwill needhelpasmuchasinyour
infancy." Israel wasnowgrowingold, andtheyhadhastened
their oldage, andthecalamitiesof it, bytheir irregularities. But
Godisstill their God, will still carrytheminthesameeverlast-
ingarmsthat werelaidunder theminMoses' time. "I will now
bear themuponeagles' wingsout of Babylon, asintheir infancy
I borethemout of Egypt." ThispromisetoagedIsrael isappli-
cabletoeveryagedIsraelite. "Eventoyour oldage, whenyou
growunfit for business, whenyouareovercomewithinfirmi-
ties, andperhapsyour relativesbegintogrowwearyof you, yet
I amHe, theverysamebywhomyouhavebeenupheldfrom
birthandcarriedfromthewomb. Youchange, but I amthe
same. I will carryyou, will bear youupandbear youout, and
will carryyouhomeat last."
MAY 27
"Yes, I havelovedyouwithaneverlastinglove;
thereforewithlovingkindnessI havedrawnyou. "
JEREMIAH31:3
GodassuresHispeoplethat Hewill dofor them, inbringing
themout of Babylon, asHehaddonefor their fatherswhen
Hedeliveredthemout of Egypt (v. 2). Theywerethen, asthese
were, apeoplewhosurvivedthesword, that swordof Pharaoh
withwhichhecut off all themalechildrenassoonastheywere
born. Theyweretheninthewilderness, wheretheyseemedto
belost andforgotten, asthesewerenowinastrangeland; and
yet theyfoundgraceinGodssight, wereownedandhighly
honoredbyHim, andHewasat thistimegoingtocause
themtorest inCanaan. Godisstill thesame.
Theyremindedhimof what Godhaddonefor theit fa-
thers, hintingthat theynowsawnosuchsignsandwerereadyto
ask, asGideondid: "Whereareall thewondersthat our fathers
toldusof? Theyearsof ancient timesweregloriousyears, but
nowit isotherwise. What goodwill it dousthat Heappeared
of oldtouswhennowHeisaGodwhohidesHimself from
us?" TothisHeanswerswithanassuranceof theconstancyof
Hislove: "Yes, I havelovedyounot onlywithanancient love,
but withaneverlastinglove, alovethat shall never fail; how-
ever, thecomfortsof it maybefor atimesuspended." Noth-
ingcanseparatethemfromthat love. ThosewhomGodloves
withthisloveHewill drawintocovenant andcommunion
withHimself, bytheinfluencesof HisSpirit upontheir souls.
MAY 28
"And1havedeclaredtothemYour name,
andwill declareit,
that thelovewithwhichYoulovedMemaybeinthem,
andI inthem. "
JOHN17:26
What Christ didfor Hisdisciples: "I havedeclaredtothem
Your name." Christ declaredHisFathersnametobelievers,
that withthat divinelight intheir minds, adivinelovemay
besent abroadintheir hearts, that theymaypartakeof adi-
vinenature. WhenGod'slovetouscomestous, it drawsout
thesoul towardGod. Let themnot onlybeinterestedinthe
loveof God; let themhavethecomfort of that interest, that
theymaynot onlyknowGod, but knowthat theyknowHim.
It istheloveof Godthusshedabroadintheheart that fillsit
withjoy. Thiswemust pressafter. If wehaveit, wemust
thank Christ for it; if wewant it, wemaythank ourselves.
Thereisnogettingintotheloveof Godbut through
Christ, nor canwekeepourselvesinthat lovebut byabiding
inChrist. It isChrist inusthat istheonlyhopeof glorythat
will not makeusashamed. All our communionwithGod
passesthroughthehandsof theLordJesus. Christ hadsaid
just alittlebefore, "I inthem," andhereit isrepeated, andthe
prayer closedwithit, toshowhowmuchtheheart of Christ
wasset uponit. "I inthem. Let mehavethis, andI desireno
more." Let usthereforemakesureof our unionwithChrist
andthentakethecomfort of Hisintercession.
MAY 29
"For whoever doesthewill of MyFather inheaven
isMybrother andsister andmother."
MATTHEW12:50
Our nearest relativesmust becomparativelyhated; that is, we
must lovethemlessthanChrist, andour dutytoGodmust
takepreference. Wemust not takeit poorlyof our friends, or
addit totheir scoreof wickedness, if theyprefer thepleasing
of Godbeforethepleasingof us. No, wemust denyourselves
andour ownsatisfactionrather thandothat whichmayin
anywaydivert our friendsfrom, or distract themin, their
dutytoGod.
JesuspreferredHisdisciples, whowereHisspiritual kin-
dred, beforeHisnatural relatives. Hewouldrather beprofit-
ingHisdisciplesthanpleasingHisrelatives.
Christ'sdisciplesarethosewhodothewill of HisFather;
thesameisHisbrother, andsister, andmother. Hisdisciples,
whohadleft everythingtofollowHimandembracedHisdoc-
trine, weredearer toHimthananywhowereHiskinaccording
totheflesh. It wasveryendearingandveryencouragingfor
Christ tosay, "BeholdMymother andMybrethren," yet it was
not their privilegealone. Thishonor all thesaintshave. All obe-
dient believersareclosekintoJesusChrist. Helovesthem, con-
verses freelywiththemasHisrelatives. Hebidsthemwelcome
toHistable, seesthat theylack nothingfit for them, andwill
never beashamedof Hispoor relatives, but will confessthem
beforemen, beforetheangels, andbeforeHisFather.
MAY 30
"Whatever youaskinMyname, that I will do,
that theFather maybeglorifiedintheSon."
JOHN14:13
Howwerethedisciplestoderivepower fromJesuswhenHe
wasgonetotheFather? Byprayer. Whenfriendsmoveaway,
theypromisetowriteeachother. Thus, whenChrist was
goingtoHisFather, HetellsHisdiscipleshowtheymight
writetoHimandsendtheir lettersbyasafeandreadywayof
conveyance. "Let Mehear fromyoubyprayer, andyoushall
hear fromMebytheSpirit." Humilitywasprescribed: You
shall ask.. .. "Ask anything, anythingthat isgoodandproper
for you; anything, providedyouknowwhat youask."
Howweretheytopresent their petitions? "Ask inMy
name." TheyweretopleadHismerit andintercessionandto
dependonit. If weask inour ownname, wecannot expect
success, for, beingstrangers, wehavenonameinheaven.
Beingsinners, wehaveabadnamethere. But Christ'sisa
goodname, well knowninheaven.
Whatever youask, "that I will do. YoumaybesureI will.
Not onlyshall it bedone, but / will doit." ByfaithinHis
name, wemayhavewhat wewill for theasking.
Theseprayerswouldsucceedso"that theFather maybe
glorifiedintheSon." "HallowedbeThyname" isananswered
prayer andisput first because, if theheart issincereinthis, it
consecratesall theother petitions. This, Christ will aimat in
granting, andfor thesakeof thiswill dowhat theyask. Thewis-
dom, power, andgoodnessof GodweremagnifiedintheRe-
deemer whenHisaposdesandministerswereenabledtodo
suchgreat things, bothinproof of their doctrineandinthesuc-
cessof it.