February 10. EXOD. xxxiv. 35. The children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone. He had been on the mount with God, and the glory of the Lord had been reflected on his face. No one can draw really nigh to God without receiving something from Him, which other persons cannot help perceiving. If my friends and neighbours, my employers, my customers, my family, my servants, do not see me to be humble, holy, pure, heavenly-minded like God Himself, I may be quite certain that I have not been having real communion with Him. Strive, my soul, to draw near to God in spirit and in truth, that virtue may come out from Him to sanctify thee. A heart in every thought renewed, And filled with love divine; Perfect, and right, and pure, and good- February 11. MARK XI. 24. What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Oh, where is my faith? God's promises are so good and so full, and yet I dare not trust them. He bids me believe not only that I shall have what I ask for, but that I do receive it. He cannot hear a simple, believing prayer, without granting the request; therefore He bids me make the request and expect the fulfilment. How many things I want from Him, and though I ask and hope to have them given, I have not faith to look certainly for their appearance. Lord, give me the gift of believing prayer! Oh, help us through the prayer of faith More firmly to believe; For still the more Thy servant hath The more shall he receive. February 12. 2 COR. viii. 21. Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. Though I am not to be governed by man's opinion, it is my duty to adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour in all things, that is, to behave so holily and righteously before all men, that they may learn to admire and love the religion which gives me such good principles. I must not forget that men can judge only by what they see; and I must take care that all which they see in me is such as to make them judge me to be holy in heart and feeling. If my religion is good for anything, it will look well; my conduct will be just, honest, sober, quiet. Lord, make me in Thy sight sincere, From heartless prayer my soul protect, February 13. NUMB. xi. 5. We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick. Israel, when the Lord led thee in the wilderness, Himself going with thee, couldest thou long for the fleshly pleasures of Egypt, where thou wast a slave, and thy God far from thee? Alas! man is the same in all ages. How often have I complained of the heavy burden and yoke of the Cross, though my Saviour is with me to help me bear it, and have longed in my heart for the vanities, and pleasures, and gains, and honours of the world, which I have renounced. I have been almost ready to wish that I might lay down the Cross, and go back to the sins which (with shame I say it) I love still! God be merciful to me a sinner! Renew my will from day to day, February 14. NUMB. Xiii. 30. Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. How often it is want of will, not of power to overcome temptation, that makes me give way to it! Satan whispers that he is too strong for me, but I know it is false. His strength is departed from him, if I will but be courageous, and, trusting in the strength of the Spirit, will fight manfully against my evil inclinations. I can control my tongue, and my temper, and my fleshly desires, and my love of gain, if I will not parley with them, but making the Lord my strength will determine to overcome. I am well able when I go with Him, trusting His promise. From strength to strength go on, Wrestle, and fight, and pray; Tread all the powers of darkness down, February 15. PSALM cxli. 3. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. It is very difficult, one of the hardest of tasks, to keep the tongue from evil: St. James says it is harder than to tame wild beasts. My Saviour set me the example when He stood before Pilate and "answered nothing." "There is a time to keep silence and a time to speak.' But a great deal more mischief is done by not knowing the former than the latter. For one fault of not speaking, we might reckon a score of speaking wrongfully. I had better put a bridle upon my lips, and keep them closed too much, than open them carelessly. There are idle, useless, unprofitable words to be guarded against, as well as such as are positively harmful; and our Lord tells us, "By thy words thou shalt be condemned." He who knew the thoughts of men, February 16. MARK xvi. 15. Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. This command was intended for me: what have I done to fulfil it? If I am sure that I cannot literally go to a foreign land and teach others, are there none at home that need teaching, and who are within my reach? Can I teach poor children in the Sunday School? or read the Bible to some sick or ignorant neighbour? Or can I persuade some one to go oftener to Church? Do I subscribe to a Missionary Society, and as much as I possibly can? If some one had not been sent by God to teach me, where should I have been? If I have "freely received" from Him, am not I bound "freely to give to others for His sake? Mid the homes of want and woe, Let the voice of hope be heard. February 17. 1 TIM. vi. 9. They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. What a fearful illustration of this truth is the history of Balaam! But Balaam's temptation is very common. He would have liked the gold and the honours which were offered him. Do I never find myself wishing for more than God has given me?-perhaps not much more, but just a little, just to save me from being pinched, or to give me something which I greatly desire. And if the opportunity is offered me of gaining more, am not I sometimes vexed if the means of obtaining it be not strictly according to God's will? Am not I tempted to think that it cannot be of so much consequence, to go contrary to His will, when the advantage is so great? Fearful of wealth, and worldly pride, With even sorrow by my side, Help me to walk with Thee. February 18. LUKE i. 79. To guide our feet into the way of peace. True peace was that which Christ came to bring to all who will receive Him. My conscience has often tried to deceive me with false assurances of peace when there was no peace. But Jesus has bought my pardon, and points out to me the way of repentance and holiness of life, by which my soul may remain in peace. When all the ungodly are in fear, and misery, and discomfort, because of sin itself and of its consequences, I may have true peace which cannot be disturbed if I look to Him who is the Prince of Peace. It is His gift, not my merit, so I need not be afraid. Touched with a feeling of thy woe, Since all except its sin I know, I listen to the feeblest voice, February 19. GAL. ii. 20. I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. I may do the same; and if He will but Himself enable me, from henceforth I will. I do believe that Christ loved me, and gave Himself for me. I do believe that I have not anything, and cannot have anything, but through Him and for His sake. I do believe that He is mine, and that through Him I have all I need. I do believe that in Holy Communion I do really receive Him into my very soul and body, and that having Him I need nothing besides, either bodily or spiritual. He can sustain my body if He pleases without food, and my soul by His continual grace. Thus would I live; yet now Not I, but He, In all His power and love Henceforth alive in me. |