August

BUT ye are washed., but ye are sanctified, tut ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

When the apostle uses the word “washed” he suggests more than the washing out of an old sin. He means the removal of an old affection; more than the removal of a pimple, he means the purifying of the blood; more than the cancelling of guilt, he means the transformation of desire. This man never staggers in the presence of the worst, he triumphantly exults in the power of Christ’s salvation.

Holy Father, give me a more passionate confidence in the power of Thy redeeming grace. Help me to believe that it can lift the most depraved into heavenly places. Give me a happy assurance that those who have gone furthest astray can be made nigh by the blood of Christ. Give me a sublime hope that in Christ Jesus the impossible can be done. For His sake. Amen.

152 “COME YE^’APAHT’A

august 2.

ABIDE in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot hear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the vine, ye are the branches.

—John 15: 4, 5.

The branches need the vine, and the vine needs the branches. I need my Saviour, my Saviour needs me. He wishes to grow His fruit on my life, and to manifest His glory where I live. “Without me He is deprived of a witness; in me and with me He can reveal His glory.

0 Lord my God, I would be a branch in the living vine. Let the heavenly sap possess all my powers. Use me to reveal Thy fruitage. Let me abound in the graces of Thy Spirit, and all for Thy glory in Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

Hugust 3.

BELOVED, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day.

—2 Peter 3: 8.

I must not interpret the divine delays as God’s indifference. The seeming delay enshrines the answer. The snow that falls in December is really preparing the harvest of the following fall. Even the antagonisms are working as friends.

My Gracious G^d, help me to rest in Thee and quietly wait the workings of Thy will. Let me not think I am forgotten when the answer appears to tarry. Save me from the weakling’s doubt. Nourish in me the strength of assurance, and let me believe in the ministries of Thy love. For the Saviour’s sake. Amen.

Hugust 4.

GOD, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ. — Ephesians 2:4, 5.

This is the springtime of the soul. The winter is past. The quickening influences of the Spirit have brought life where there was death, and beauty where there was desolation. Our Lord can break up the wintriest life, aoid make it blossom like the rose. He that epareth not His Son, how shall He not also freely give us all things?

Ever Blessed God, let Thy quickening Spirit raise me into newness of life. Change the wilderness into a garden. Fill my barren lot with the fruits of Thy Spirit. Let my graces be so plentiful that everybody shall pay tribute to Thy glory. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

august 5.

IF ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve Him only. — 1 Samuel 7: 3.

God will not accept my tears if I marry the daughter of a strange god. He will not have my cheap emotions. He cares nothing about my worship if I withhold my will. It is the will which marries me unto the Lord.

My Father God, let Thy spirit keep me from idols. Let me serve Thee with a perfect heart and with a willing mind. Let me not insult Thee with a partial offering while the will enlists in the service of another. Unite my heart to fear Thy name. For His sake. Amen.

august 0.

THESE things have I spoken unto you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. — John 15: 11.

This joy was in Jesus when Calvary was in sight. The night was deepening into midnight, but the fountain of holy joy was welling up in the inner life. It was like some mountain spring which gushes night and day. It was just the joy of faultless communion with the Father. No outer circumstance can choke it or in any way impair its fulness.

My Father in Heaven, I pray for this holy joy of unbroken communion with Thee. I want a heart at rest when all without tumultuous seems. Let the well of water spring up within me, and let the joy of the Lord be my strength unto everlasting life. For His sake. Amen.

Hugust 7,

I WILL assemble her that halteth, and I wUl gather her that is driven out, and her that is afflicted. — Micah 4: 6.

All these are to be found in God’s family. The one that halteth, the child of “ifs,” and “buts,” and fears, and indecision; and she is to lose her halting and obtain a firm and confident step. And the one who was “driven out,” the child of exile, the outcast by reason of sin; she shall be home again! Along with these is to come the one who is “afflicted,” the child of sorrows. The day of grief is to be ended.

My Gracious God, fill my heart with this glorious vision. Let me see the prodigal-heart turning home again in penitence and eager joy. Let me see the child of sorrow, hastening into the cheery light of Thy grace. Let me see everybody nestling in the home of the eternal love. Let everybody find their missing piece in Thee. Amen.

august 8.

THERE was a rainbow round about the throne, in sigJit like unto an emerald. — Rev. 4: 3.

THIS is the token of the covenant which I make between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations; I do set My bow in the cloud and I will look upon it that I may remember. — Gen. 9: 12, 13.

The throne loses its terror because of the rainbow. The throne in itself would be a symbol of sternest judgment. The rainbow throws upon it the tender light of hope. The throne means law, the rainbow means mercy.

My Father God, I bless Thee for the rainbow which is round about the throne. I find a refuge in Thy grace. In Thy love there is room for the outcast whom outcasts have cast out. Thou dost save even unto the uttermost. O Lord, save me! For Christ’s sake. Amen.

august 9.

PETER... walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand and caught him and said unto him, 0 thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? — Matt. 14: 29-31.

It is faith which gives buoyancy to life. We can keep up as long as we believe. We can ride oui’ circumstances when we are trusting the Lord. But when faith falters we lose our buoyancy and we begin to sink. The waves become our masters.

0 Lord my God, I would walk the deep with Thee. I would have the buoyancy of spirit which can walk amid the storm. I would be the master of the roughest circumstance. Let such be my life to-day. Lord, increase my faith. For the Saviour’s sake. Amen.

august 10.

WE all, with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. — 2 Cor. 3: 18,

“We are always transformed into the things we most love. We appropriate what we contemplate. If we steadfastly gaze upon Christ we shall most surely acquire His likeness. It is the Spirit who is the minister of the transfiguration.

My Lord God, let mine eyes be unto Thee. Let me not be snared by the glamour of the world. Let my soul go in quest of Thee on every road, and so let me at last awake in Thy likeness. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

august II.

THE righteous shall flourish like the palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that ie planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall bring forth fruit in old age, they shall be fat and flourishing. — Psalm 92:12-14.

God’s children have the double characteristics of the cedar and the palm. The cedar is the symbol of strength; it resists the onslaught of the tempest. The pahn is the emblem of grace and beauty; it towers aloft like a cathedral spire.

0 Lord my God, let the cedar and the palm be found in my life. Let me be strong with the strength which can resist the strokes of calamity. Let me have the grace which always retains the beauty of the Lord. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

august 12.

LET the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. — CoLOSSiANS 3: 16.

It is a lovely way of admonition to do it in hymns and songs. We so often do it in temper and in fiery speech. We are merely critical when we ought to be helpful. Even our counsel can be given in the spirit of music and in the mood of divine praise. Thus inspiration is carried in our instruction.

My Father God, teach me the ways of gentleness. Deliver me from the harshness which spoils my counsels. Let me not be a critic when I might” be a friend. Make me very tender so that Thy word through me may have free course and be glorified. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

august 13,

MY people have cominiUed two evils; they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns which can hold no water. — Jeremiah 2: 13.

It is a strange thing that we resort to cisterns when we might visit springs. We ignore the supply that never slackens, whether in summer drought or in winter frosts, and we linger near the supply that fails. We are satisfied to be children of meanness and want when we might exalt in the overflowing riches of grace.

My Father God, save me from depending upon my own resources. Let me not lean upon my own understending. Let me not think myself sufScient for any task. Draw me to the fountain, and let me abide by the eternal springs. Spring Thou up within my heart, rise to all eternity. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

Bugust 14.

7 AM now ready to be offered, tut the time of, my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day. — 2 Timothy 4: 6-8.

Such is the happy warrior, and such is his glorious end! The end is only a new beginning. He takes his disciplined powers to new fields of life and service. He has prepared himself, by fidelity on the road, for the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.

0 Lord my God, let me do Thy will to-day. Let me fight my battles vsdth courage. Let me run my race with patience. Let me finish my daily task. Let me lay up treasure in heaven. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

Hugust 15.

ONE of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back 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 f But where are the nine?

—LuKK 17: 15-17.

Ten men had faith enough to be healed, and only one had grace enough to be thankful. All the ten had a certain kind of religion, but nine of them had a religion in which there was no praise. A multitude crying, “God be merciful,” will never cry, “God be praised.”

0 Lord my God, save me from the deadliness of ingratitude. Let me not take Thy gifts as though I had a right to them. Let me be conscious of Thy favour, and in Thy bounty let me see marks of Thy grace. For the Saviour’s sake. Amen.

august 16.

BY the way they had disputed among themselves who should he the greatest. And He sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to he first the same shall he last of all. — Maek 9: 34, 35.

There is no forcing of places in the heavenly Kingdom. The arrogant obtain no preeminence. The self-pushful make no gains. It is the humble who make the conquests, for the real conquest is a growing likeness of the Lord. There is no crown like the crown of life.

My Father in Heaven, let it be my supreme aspiration to become like Thee. Save me from selfishness and self-seeking. Let me be contented with the lowly places and find Thy companionship there. Let me be exalted in the sharing of Thy grace. For His sake. Amen.

august 17.

BECAUSE thou hast kept the word of My patience, I will also keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwelleth upon the earth. — Revelation 3: 10.

Here are two keepers; I am to keep the Lord’s word and the Lord will keep me. I am to bind His truth with my mind and He will clothe me with spiritual power. In all spiritual conflicts the tempter will retire baffled from the field. I shall share the victory of Christ.

0 Lord my God, give me a serene confidence in Thee in the day of battle. Let me hold to Thy word as to an indestructible promise. Help me to believe in the face of the impossible. Let me be more than conqueror m Christ Who strengtheneth me. For His sake. Amen.

august 18.

I WILL greatly rejoice in the Lord; He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, os a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. — Isaiah 61: 10.

If this be the character of the redeemed they must be very attractive. Their habits are those of righteousness, and yet they have the gentle beauty of a bride. Their rectitude is softened into goodness. Their justice is tempered by mercy. Strength, and beauty are in their sanctuary.

My Father God, wilt Thou clothe me with the beauty of holiness? Make me scrupulously pure and true. And let Thy graces abound, so that my character may be winsome to my fellow men. Let the beauty of the Lord my God be upon me. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

august 19,

WHY art thou cast down 0 my soul? And, why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the health of my countenance and my God.

—Psalm 42: 11.

There are days in every life when the clouds gather in the skies and the cold rain falls from morning till night. There are seasons when the burden almost breaks the back. Our only resource is in the Lord. Other ministries would only mock us in our quest and send us away in deeper disquietude. Our satisfaction is in the eternal springs.

My Father God, in the desolate hour let me seek Thy communion. Let me find Thy refuge in the storm. In the boisterous tempest I am in port if I have Thee. Let me live in Thee, so that when the dark hour cometh I may find myself at home. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

HUQUSt 20» THESE are they which have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. — Revelation 7: 14.

It is a strange figure, this of making robes white when washed in crimson blood. Yet nothing can cleanse our hearts except the blood of the Saviour. Nothing else can reach the inner corruption. Nothing else can search out the ingrained guilt. But Christ can make us clean. We can become white in the blood of the Lamb.

Almighty God, may the blood of Jesus make me clean. Let my spiritual garments be washed in His sacrificial grace. Rid me of all my corruption, and make me fit to stand before Thy throne. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

august 21.

AS every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

—1 Peter 4: 10.

This is the only way in which to interpret our life. We are stewards in everything. We own nothing as personal property; we have it as a sacred trust. Everything is given to us by the Lord, and we are to use it in the service of His holy will.

O Lord my God, help me to consecrate all I am and have to Thy service. Let me be a steward in Thy bounty. Help me to do with it what Thou wilt. Reveal Thy purpose to me, and let Thy choice be my delight. For the Saviour’s sake. Amen.

august 22.

THERE was given to me a thorn in the flesh. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee.

—2 Corinthians 12: 7-9.

Was this prayer answered? Yes, God answered his prayer, but the thorn remained. No prayer is ever treated with indifference. Although the thing we ask for may be denied, it will be answered in a larger way. When grace was given to the apostle the thorn was no longer a barrier of the spirit, it became an instrument of the Kingdom.

Most Gracious God, when my requests are denied help me to believe that Thy grace has given something better. Let me have quiet confidence in Thy wisdom and love. Help me to believe that Thou art working even when my thorns remain. Help me to be triumphant in my pain. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

Hugust 23.

THE effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. — James 5: 16.

When we pray we engage in mighty business. Vital prayer is not so much speech as an act. We are not merely saying something, we are doing something. We rise from our knees with great transactions done. When we pray we are fellow-labourers with God.

0 Lord my God, help me to believe in the power of prayer. May I accept it as the greatest privilege of my soul. May I not rob my brother by my prayerlessness. Let me be an intercessor, and thereby convey to others the riches of Thy grace. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

Hugust 24,

MOSES kept the flock of Jethro... and the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire. — Exodus 3: 1, 2.

The vision came in the midst of common toil. And that is where the Lord delights to give His revelations. He seeks a man who is on the ordinary road, and the divine fire leaps out at his feet. The mystic ladder can rise from the market-place to the heavens. It can connect the realm of drudgery with the realms of grace.

My Father God, help me to expect Thee on the ordinary road. I do not ask for sensational happenings. Commune with me through ordinary work and duty. Be my companion when I take the common journey. Let the humble life be transfigured by Thy presence. For the Saviour’s sake. Amen.

august 25.

THE Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.

—Psalm 46: 7.

Let us become restfuUy sure of God, and we shall meet the battalions of the evil one unstrained and undismayed. We used to sing, “Hold the fort for I am coming,” but the doctrine is pernicious, and it fills the life with strain and uncertainty and fear. “For I am coming”! Contrast it with this jubilant assurance: “The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge”!

Heavenly Father, give me the steadying assurance of Thy Presence. Let me never be smitten by the fear that my Lord has left the field. In the midst of the fight let me feel the Captain by my side. Let all my fellow soldiers share this glorious assurance. Let us be more han conquerors in Christ our Saviour. Amen.

august 26.

HE was despised and rejected of, men; a man of. sorrows and acquainted with grief.

—Isaiah 53: 3.

There is no sorrow that He will not

share, No cross, no burden for our hearts to

bear Without His help, no care of ours too

small To cast on Jesus; let us tell Him all — Lay at His feet the sorrow of our woes, And in His sympathy find sweet repose.

Holy Father, I thank Thee for the assurance that my way is known to Thee. Jesus my Saviour has trodden my road. He is acquainted with my grief. Let my sorrow be transfigured in His communion. Let me wear my sufferings like a crown. For His sake. Amen.

Hugust 27.

PEACE I leave witJi you, My peace I give unto you.

—John 14:27.

And what is this peace? It is rightness with God. It is the recovery of healthy fellowship. It is the restoration of the lost bond. And it is a gift. It is not the perquisite of some particular temperament. It is not the attainment of painful effort and service. It is not the refined fruit of prolonged culture. It is a legacy; “Peace I leave with you.” It is a gift; “My peace I give unto you.”

Holy Father, I bow before Thee for the bequest of Thy peace. Kestore my soul to its appointed place. Let me live and move and have my being in Thee. Graciously deliver me from the bondage of sin, and lift me into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For His sake. Amen.

august 28.

WHAT I do thou knowest not now, hut iJiou shalt know hereafter. — John 13: 7.

If I do not know it now it is not needful for me to know it. What God withholds I do not require. He will light my lamps according to my necessities. The revelation will begin when my duty demands it.

0 Lord my God, let me wait for Thee in the way of Thy commandments. Let me step forth in quiet confidence, knowing that guidance will be given me at the turning of the ways. Thy light shines for the righteous. Help me to trust and not be afraid. For the Saviour’s sake. Amen.

Hugust 29.

AND Jesus said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things; but one thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. — Luke 10: 41, 42.

It is not that Mary was less practical than Martha. I have no doubt that Mary was the busiest woman in all Bethany. You could find her on every road of service going about doing good. But her goodness was very quiet because her springs were very full. She took much in, and she was able to give much out. She took time of the Lord to feed her lamp, and then she gave the light to others.

O Lord my God, let me find the springs of practical life at Thy feet. Let me be nourished for Thy service in Thy communion. Let me know how to relate the common deed to the risen Lord. Let the earthly be transfigured because I have fellowship with the heavenly. For Christ’s sake. Amen.

Hugust 30.

I WILL wash my hands in innocency; so vMl I compass Thine altar, 0 Lord; that I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell all Thy wondrous works. — Psalm 26: 6, 7.

The child of grace must be a witness of grace. It is a great and glorious proof of the blessings which we have received when we don the apron of service to distribute these blessings to others.

Most Gracious God, I pray that my thanksgivings may break forth continually. Let me publish the news of Thy goodness. Let me teU to others what Thou hast first told to me. Let me comfort others with the comfort wherewith I have been comforted of Thee. For the Saviour’s sake. Amen.

august 31.

OTJR God, Whom we serve, is able to deliver us... and He will deliver us.

—Daniel 3: 17.

These are the twin sources of our spiritual security: — we believe in God’s power, and we are confident in His grace. If we only knew His power we might fear Him as the king of terrors. If we only knew His grace we might doubt His power. To have confidence in both is to go on our way rejoicing.

My Father God, Thou hast revealed Thy power and Thy love in Christ Jesus. Let me abide in Him. Let me face the unknown in the happy assurance that Thy sufficiency is greater than my need, and Thy love is even larger than my sin. Let my faith inspire my heart in grateful song. For Christ’s sake. Amen.