February

THE fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

—Psalm 111: 10.

The fear of the Lord is the soul’s eastern window. It faces the place of the dawn. At that window I have spiritual understanding, and new things are unveiled unto me. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him.

Most Holy God, I would dwell near this window in Thy fear. I would be where the light is breaking. I would be as a watchman looking for the morning. In Thy fear I would receive Thy truth, and know Thy will with full understanding. For the Saviour’s sake. Amen.

jFebruars 2.

I WILL give praise unto the Lord with my whole heart. — Psalm 111:1.

There is what one may call solopraise, and there is orchestral praise. We can praise God with a single power of our being. It may be only the lips that we use, or we may call all our powers to engage in the gracious exercise. We can have choral praise, with every chorister and every instrument taking part. “All that is in me” can praise and bless His Holy Name.

Holy Father, let me not worship Thee with divided heart. Save me from devoting one instrument to Thy service, and holding all the rest in silence. Give me unity of life in Thy devotion. Help me to consecrate all I am and have to the glory of Thy name. For the Saviour’s sake. Amen.

HE hath given meat unto them that fear Him, He will ever he mindful of His covenant.

—Psalm 111: 5.

That secret covenant determines all the dealings of the Lord with His children. It is never forgotten. It governs the goings and the doings of the dark angels as well as the angels of light, those who carry ministries of disappointment and those who carry treasures of joy. The great covenant controls everything.

O Lord my God, help me to trust the word of Thy promise. Let me be confident that the covenant stands even when my life seems filled vnth unfriendly things. Let me regard the dark visitation as not beyond Thy gracious control. Give me the happy assurance that Thy word is as constant as my need. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

EE shall drink of the brook in the way, therefore shall he lift up the head. — Psalm 110: 7.

That is the secret of going on. “We can drink from the brook and be refreshed. The river of life runs alongside the road of God’s commandment. As we walk in the one we can hear the melody of the other, and at any moment the traveller can turn aside and drink. “He restoreth my soul.”

My Gracious God, Thou dost not leave Thy pUgrims to faint in the way. Thou hast provided refreshing streams. Thy children taste the glory of Heaven before they reach the heavenly fields. May I drink of the wells of salvation to-day and be cheered along my road. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

jfebruars 5.

IN the world ye shall have tribulation, but be off good cheer, I have overcome the world.

—John 16:33.

Why should I be of good cheer because Jesus has conquered? Is that good news for me? Yes, because I may share the power in which He conquered. That is the heart of grace, we can share the life of God. The Lord Jesus will impart His own strength, and the world will lie at our feet.

God of all grace, I pray that I may overcome the world. Let me not meet its antagonisms in my own weakness. Let me meet them in Thy strength. Let me rout my spiritual foes in overwhelming victory. Let me share the power of my Saviour’s resurrection. For His sake. Amen.

ENTER ye in at the strait gate; for strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life. — Matthew 7: 13, 14.

One of our most suggestive thinkers has said: “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting, it has been found difficult and not tried.” So many men prefer the easier road, and have turned their back on the road of constraint and difSeulty. But the fine view is always on the precipitous track. The hard climber has the incomparable visions.

My Father in Heaven, I pray that I may not shrink from the cliDftbing road. Let me not be daunted by difficulty. Let me rather be allured by it, confident that it leads to unveiled glory. Let me rise by hard duty to commanding vision. Grant me the upward walk to-day. For Christ’s ^ake. Amen.

Jfebtuarp 7.

THE stars in their courses fought against Sisera.

—Judges 5: 20.

The world is against him, the very order of the universe is leagued among his foes. There is a cosmic vengeance on sin. The universal order is at war with the man who is in revolt against God.

Most righteous God, help me to remember that, when I rebel against Thee, I am fighting the forces of the imiverse. Graciously incline me to march with them and not against them. Let everything in Thy world be my friend. Let the currents of the heavenly winds be favourable to my sails. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

jfebruars 8.

TRIBULATION worketh patience, and patience, experience, and experience, hope; and hope maketh nt ashamed. — Romans 5: 3-5.

The hope which is fixed in God is never the carrier of disappointment. The seeming waters, which allure us, do not prove to be a mirage which only mocks our thirst. Our Lord is always better than His word, and we are never ashamed of our hope in Him.

‘My Father in Heaven, I pray that Thou wilt light the lamp of hope in my soul. Fill me with the warmth of spiritual expectation. Give me the forward look and the forward mind, and then satisfy the desire which Thou hast created. Fulfill the hope which Thou hast lit. This I ask for Christ’s sake. Amen.

ffebruars 9.

THE earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness iheraof.

—Psalm 24:1. THE whole earth is full of His glory.

—Isaiah 6: 8.

Let us therefore call the Lord to mind when we walk through the world. When you are climbing the slope of some glorious hill, quietly say to yourself, “The strength of the hills is His also.” Or when you are walking by the ehores of the incoming sea, “The sea ia His, and He made it.” Or when you are gazing upon the wonders of sunrise and sunset, and upon their gorgeous harmony of colours; “He clothed Himself in light as with a garment.”

My Father God, let the kingdom of nature be to me the Kingdom of God. Let everything be to me a message of Thy grace and glory. Let the natural thing become transparent and let me behold Thee walking in the garden. In the beauty of the field let me behold the beauty of the Lord. For Christ ‘a sake. Amen.

yebruars 10.

7 WILL run in the way of Thy commandments when Thou hast enlarged my heart.

—Psalm 119: 32.

So this is the secret of increased speed in the heavenly way; — a bigger heart. It is the little heart that makes me reluctant in the way of obedience. If I were made in a bigger way I could run and not be weary. There must be spiritual enlargement before there can be moral swiftness.

0 Lord my God, I pray for a bigger heart. I pray that Thy holy grace may make my life more roomy for the entertainment of Thy spirit. Enlarge me in mind, and in conscience, and in feeling. And then let me run in the way of Thy commandments. For my Saviour’s sake. Amen.

jfebruari? ll.

THOZf hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

—Revelation 3: 4.

It is a wonderful thing to see the white pond-lily rising out of the noisome mud. It is a more wonderful thing to see men and women with white garments living in cities that are filled with pollution. It is one of the miracles of grace to find a noble life among ignoble people. And we can see these people every day. They bear the marks of the Lord Jesus.

Heavenly Father, grant that I may reflect Thy glory in every place in which I live. Let me walk with Thee in white. Let no unworthy circumstance provoke an unworthy life. Let me be royal when my surroundings are mean. Let me be a child of light in the gloom of midnight. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

jpebruat 12.

BUT this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitcens, which I also hate. — Rev. 2: 6.

It is an extraordinary thing, a form of hatred was their saving grace. There is a safeguard in stern repulsions. All neutral palates, that have no strong likes and dislikes, are the easy prey of the evil life. It is a great thing when the soul can say to the Lord, “Did not I hate what Thou hatest?”

Holy Father, create in me a fiery hatred of all that is evil. Forbid that any form of sin should be sweet unto my taste. May it be as loathsome food from which I turn in disgust. And to this end create within me Thy holy love, so that all things sweet and clean may be my eonstanfc delight. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

jfebruars 13.

UNTO Him that loved us, and washed us from

our sins in His own blood, and hath made us

Tangs and priests unto Ood and His Father, to

Him fee glory and dominion for ever and ever.

—ReveIjATION 1: 5, 6.

By the grace of God we are lifted from the gutter to the throne. He strips us of all carnality and clothes us with the garb of royalty. He leads us into a noble sovereignty and dominion. We reign with Him in light.

My Father God, I pray that this wonderful inheritance may be mine. I, too, would be a king in the spirit, ruling my life in noble self-control. I, too, would be a priest in the spirit, having free access into the holy place. I, too, would be of Thy kingdom, and share Thy power and Thy glory. In Christ my Saviour. Amen.

FOR He is our peace, Who hath made ioth one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between, us.

—Ephesians 2: 14.

The Lord Jesus is always breaking down the middle walls. He will have nothing standing as a barrier between man and man. He would break down the middle walls that are reared between races, and between classes, and between sects. He would bring us into a vital, spiritual communion.

God of all men. Who didst send Thy Son to save the world, break down the middle walls which divide us. Destroy anything in my life which separates me from my fellows. Bring us to the true and sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

jfebruari? 15,

GOD, Who is rich in mercy, for Eis great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus. — Ephesians 2: 4-6.

In Christ Jesus we are lifted from the grave of spiritual death to the throne of spiritual glory. Such is the range of our redemption. From the pit to the sea of glass! From moral corruption to the virgin glory of the saints!

Holy Father, I thank Thee for the glory of Thy redemptive work in Christ. Thou dost raise us from the dust, and we are made to sit amongst princes. Help me to believe in my spiritual destiny. Help me to walk among men as one of the princes of glory. For the Saviour’s sake. Amen.

^^^tS among lions.

MY heart is fixed, 0 God.

—Psalm 57: 4. — Psalm 57: 7.

That is a most healthy combination. The man might have been among lions and be filled with dismay. But to be among lions, with a heart that is fixed in God, is perfect safety. The greatest peril in life is to face the lions with a wandering heart. Indeed it is a very sure destruction.

My Father God, help me to face the fierce things in life with a heart that is quietly fixed in Thee. Let not my spirit be an aimless vagrant when peril comes near. Unite my heart to fear Thy Name, and so make me the master of the fiercest circumstances that may lurk in my path. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

ifebruars 17,

0 THAT I had wings like a dove; then would 1 fly away and he at rest.

—Psalm 55: 6. CAST thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.

—Psalm 55: 22.

Here are two ways of seeking rest. The first is an attempt to fly away from the burden. The other casts the burden upon the Lord. There are many people who think they will find rest by a change of air, when what they need is a change of heart. Their necessity is not to visit this place or that place, but to rest in the Lord.

Most Gracious Father, save me from the folly of seeking rest where it cannot be found. Let me not seek to fly away, but to fly to Thee. Inspire my heart with true wisdom. Nerve my will with the energies of Thy grace. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

jfebruarig is.

MY God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus.

—Philippians 4: 19.

And so here is my bank; — “Riches in glory.” And here are my spiritual necessities: —” all your need.” Let me come boldly to the bank and find grace and mercy in time of need.

God of all glory, help me to believe that my resources are in Thee. Thy bounty more than covers my need. Thy grace more than covers my Bin. Let me draw upon Thee with the confidence of unbroken faith. Let me live through this day as a spiritual millionaire by Christ Jesus. In His name I ask it. Amen.

40 ^’OOME YE APABT>’

yebruars 19.

UNTO you it is given in the hehalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, hut also to suffer for His sake. — Philippians 1: 29.

TMs is discipleship with high honours. These are the honoured Knights of King Jesu’s Order. Their medals are their scars, heir sufferings are their glory.

Heavenly Father, I would that I might be counted worthy in Christ to belong to this High Order. May I not shirk the rugged road and the exacting sacrifice. May I love Thy way, even when it is full of thorns. Endow me with the spirit of eagerness and triumph. For the Redeemer’s sake. Amen.

jfebruarp 20.

7 ENOW tJiat this shall turn to my salvation through your prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

—Philippians 1: 19.

That is one way in which things which are seemingly hostile are made to be our servants. Other people pray for us, and their prayer makes us receptive to the supply of God’s Spirit. The unfriendly circumstance bows at our feet.

My Heavenly Father, help me to use my ministry of prayer. May I be busy in praying for others, so that they may become filled with Thy Spirit. May I be eager to make them more than conquerors through the ministry of my intercessions. For His sake Who died for me. Amen.

3fel)ruars 21.

THEN Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him; but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if Thou hadst teen here, my brother had not died. — John 11: 20, 21.

This is a commonplace example of needless regret. We think that if we had only arranged things a little differently, how different might have been the issues! If only so and so had been done, Lazarus might have been with us still! But He had been there all the time. What they were thinking to be a lamentable mischance was a vital part of a larger scheme, begotten and inspired by unfailing love. There was no need for regret; everything was just exactly right.

My Gracious God, save me from wasting my strength in needless regret. Give me a living faith that Thou hast control of my life. Let me interpret Thy delays in the light of Thy love and grace. Let me trust Thee even when the clouds are low upon my way. Amen.

jfebruari? 22.

I PRAY that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all discernment, so that ye may approve the things that are excellent.

—Philippians 1: 9, 10.

Love is our spiritual organ, and as it grows in refinement, it grows in powers of perception and vision. The progress of love is always in the direction of the excellent. We may test this progress by noting the things we approve.

God of Love, hear my prayer for love. Let my love be more and more illumined. Let it interpret Thy mysteries to me. May I look at everything and everybody in the transparent light of heavenly love. For my Saviour’s sake. Amen.

iFebruari? 23.

I AM confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.

—Philippians 1: 6.

That can always be said of our Father’s work. He perfects what He began. His work is never left half done. He never leaves the blind man when he sees men as trees walking. He gives him perfect sight. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending.

My Father in Heaven, I thank Thee for my perfect hope in Thee. My assurance is in Thy loving grace. Thou wilt not leave me in the dust. I praise Thee for my high calling in Christ Jesus my Lord. In His name. Amen.

ffebruarg 24.

AND at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto Him all that were diseased, and they that were possessed with devils.

—Mark 1: 32.

What a gathering to bring to the great Physician. But they brought the sick folk to a Doctor who has never lost a patient. The leprous, the paralyzed, the withered, the drugged, the soured! He heals them all!

God of Healing Grace, help me to believe Thou canst make me whole. Save me from the unbelief of despair. Let me not add to my sin by doubting the power of Thy grace. Renew all my moral and spiritual powers, and let me be as one who has been born again. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

ifebruars 25.

WE AT man is there that is fearful and faint-hearted? Let him go and return unto his house, lest his “brethren’s heart melt as well as his heart. — Deutekonomy 20: 8.

There is evidently a contagion of faint-heartedness. We can infect another by the weakness of our spirits. How will it be with my spirit to-day? WiU it tend to make my brother timid, or will it help to make him brave?

My Father in Heaven, help me to remember the influence of my spirit. My spirit is working even when I am silent and seem to be doing nothing. Make my soul very royal so that it may carry grace and inspiration to all my friends. Let me be as one who carries the vitaliziag water of life. For my Saviour’s sake. Amen.

Jfebruar 26.

AND it shall he, when the Lord thy God shall have brought thee into the land... to give thee great and goodly cities which thou didst not build... then beware, lest thou forget the Lord thy Ood.

—Deuteronomy 6: 10, 12.

This is the forgetfulness which is begotten of fulness. Our spiritual senses can be drugged by our prosperity. Bees can stupefy themselves by gloating on “OOMB TE APAET” 45

sweetness. That is one of the great perils of the spirit; we acquire, and then we forget; we pile up treasure, and then we neglect the Lord who gave us strength to get it.

Most merciful God, forgive my negligence. My many things have shut Thee out, and I have often forgotten Thee. Help me to command the world, to bid it remain at a distance. Let nothing invade the Holy Place and desecrate it. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

3Pebtuars 27.

I HAVE glorified Thee on earth. I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do.

—John 17: 4.

It is a happy thing when, in our own degree, we finish the work which God has given us to do. We so often leave our tasks unfinished. There is about them a want of completeness and perfect grace. They lack the finish of real devotion.

My Father in Heaven, help me this day to finish my appointed task. Let me not leave it In a condition of which I shall be ashamed. May I be perfectly consecrated to its perfect attainment. Even if the work be a common courtesy may it shine with the grace of the Lord. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

jfebruat 28,

AND one of fhe lepers, when he saw that he was healed, turned hack, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks; and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said. Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

—Luke 17: 15-18.

This fine flower of gratitude was found in the life of a Samaritan. It was growing beyond the pale of exclusive and traditional privilege. And so it is to-day. This noble and graceful flower of gratitude may often be found growing in profusion outside the outermost walls of the Church. Within the walls, amid rich conditions of soil and climate, you may sometimes seek for the flower in vain.

Heavenly Father, I pray that this flower may be found growing in. the garden of my life. Let the fragrance of praise rise like incense from the altar. Save me from coveting mercies which find no response in praise. For Christ’s sake. Amen.