Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/topics27/t29650

Text File | 1994-03-11 | 32.6 KB | 613 lines

29650
 next 29651
29651
 November 16                                              Morning

 \\"The Lord is my portion, saith my soul."\\
                                              --Lamentations 3:24

    It is not "The Lord is \\partly\\ my portion," nor "The Lord
 is \\in\\ my portion"; but he himself makes up the sum total of
 my soul's inheritance. Within the circumference of that circle
 lies all that we possess or desire. The \\Lord\\ is my portion.
 Not his grace merely, nor his love, nor his covenant, but
 Jehovah himself. He has chosen us for his portion, and we have
 chosen him for ours. It is true that the Lord must first choose
 our inheritance for us, or else we shall never choose it for
 ourselves; but if we are really called according to the purpose
 of electing love, we can sing--

                  "Lov'd of my God for him again
                  With love intense I burn;
                  Chosen of him ere time began,
                  I choose him in return."

 The Lord is our \\all-sufficient\\ portion. God fills himself;
 and if God is all-sufficient in himself, he must be all-
 sufficient for us. It is not easy to satisfy man's desires.
 When he dreams that he is satisfied, anon he wakes to the
 perception that there is somewhat yet beyond, and straightway
 the horse-leech in his heart cries, "Give, give." But all that
 we can wish for is to be found in our divine portion, so that we
 ask, "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon
 earth that I desire beside thee." Well may we "delight ourselves
 in the Lord" who makes us to drink of the river of his
 pleasures. Our faith stretches her wings and mounts like an
 eagle into the heaven of divine love as to her proper
 dwelling-place. "The lines have fallen to us in pleasant places;
 yea, we have a goodly heritage." Let us rejoice in the Lord
 always; let us show to the world that we are a happy and a
 blessed people, and thus induce them to exclaim, "We will go
 with you, for we have heard that God is with you."

 Evening Reading .......................................... 29751
 # Ac 20:1 - 22:30 * Daily Bible Reading
29652
 November 17                                              Morning

 \\"To whom be glory for ever. Amen"\\
                                                   --Romans 11:36

   "To whom be glory for ever." This should be \\the single\\
 desire of the Christian. All other wishes must be subservient
 and tributary to this one. The Christian may wish for prosperity
 in his business, but only so far as it may help him to promote
 this--"To him be glory for ever." He may desire to attain more
 gifts and more graces, but it should only be that "To him may be
 glory for ever." You are not acting as you ought to do when you
 are moved by any other motive than a single eye to your Lord's
 glory. As a Christian, you are "of God, and through God," then
 live "to God." Let nothing ever set your heart beating so
 mightily as love to him. Let this ambition fire your soul; be
 this the foundation of every enterprise upon which you enter,
 and this your sustaining motive whenever your zeal would grow
 chill; make God your only object. Depend upon it, where self
 begins sorrow begins; but if God be my supreme delight and only
 object,

           "To me 'tis equal whether love ordain
           My life or death--appoint me ease or pain."

 Let your desire for God's glory be a \\growing\\ desire. You
 blessed him in your youth, do not be content with such praises
 as you gave him then. Has God prospered you in business? Give
 him more as he has given you more. Has God given you experience?
 Praise him by stronger faith than you exercised at first. Does
 your knowledge grow? Then sing more sweetly. Do you enjoy
 happier times than you once had? Have you been restored from
 sickness, and has your sorrow been turned into peace and joy?
 Then give him more music; put more coals and more sweet
 frankincense into the censer of your praise. Practically in your
 life give him honour, putting the "Amen" to this doxology to
 your great and gracious Lord, by your own individual service and
 increasing holiness.

 Evening Reading .......................................... 29752
 # Ac 23:1 - 25:27 * Daily Bible Reading
29653
 November 18                                              Morning

 \\"A spring shut up, a fountain sealed."\\
                                           --Song of Solomon 4:12

    In this metaphor, which has reference to the inner life of a
 believer, we have very plainly the idea of \\secrecy\\. It is a
 spring \\shut up\\: just as there were springs in the East, over
 which an edifice was built, so that none could reach them save
 those who knew the secret entrance; so is the heart of a
 believer when it is renewed by grace: there is a mysterious life
 within which no human skill can touch. It is a secret which no
 other man knoweth; nay, which the very man who is the possessor
 of it cannot tell to his neighbour. The text includes not only
 secrecy, but \\separation\\. It is not the common spring, of
 which every passer-by may drink, it is one kept and preserved
 from all others; it is a fountain bearing a particular mark--a
 king's royal seal, so that all can perceive that it is not a
 common fountain, but a fountain owned by a proprietor, and
 placed specially by itself alone. So is it with the spiritual
 life. The chosen of God were separated in the eternal decree;
 they were separated by God in the day of redemption; and they
 are separated by the possession of a life which others have not;
 and it is impossible for them to feel at home with the world, or
 to delight in its pleasures. There is also the idea of
 \\sacredness\\. The spring shut up is preserved for the use of
 some special person: and such is the Christian's heart. It is a
 spring kept for Jesus. Every Christian should feel that he has
 God's seal upon him--and he should be able to say with Paul,
 "From henceforth let no man trouble me, for I bear in my body
 the marks of the Lord Jesus." Another idea is prominent--it is
 that of \\security\\. Oh! how sure and safe is the inner life of
 the believer! If all the powers of earth and hell could combine
 against it, that immortal principle must still exist, for he who
 gave it pledged his life for its preservation. And who "is he
 that shall harm you," when God is your protector?

 Evening Reading .......................................... 29753
 # Ac 26:1 - 28:31 * Daily Bible Reading
29654
 November 19                                              Morning

 \\"Avoid foolish questions."\\
                                                      --Titus 3:9

    Our days are few, and are far better spent in doing good,
 than in disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor
 importance. The old schoolmen did a world of mischief by their
 incessant discussion of subjects of no practical importance; and
 our Churches suffer much from petty wars over abstruse points
 and unimportant questions. After everything has been said that
 can be said, neither party is any the wiser, and therefore the
 discussion no more promotes knowledge than love, and it is
 foolish to sow in so barren a field. Questions upon points
 wherein Scripture is silent; upon mysteries which belong to God
 alone; upon prophecies of doubtful interpretation; and upon mere
 modes of observing human ceremonials, are all foolish, and wise
 men avoid them. Our business is neither to ask nor answer
 foolish questions, but to avoid them altogether; and if we
 observe the apostle's precept (Titus 3:8) to be careful to
 maintain good works, we shall find ourselves far too much
 occupied with profitable business to take much interest in
 unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings.

    There are, however, some questions which are the reverse of
 foolish, which we must not avoid, but fairly and honestly meet,
 such as these: Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Am I
 renewed in the spirit of my mind? Am I walking not after the
 flesh, but after the Spirit? Am I growing in grace? Does my
 conversation adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour? Am I looking
 for the coming of the Lord, and watching as a servant should do
 who expects his master? What more can I do for Jesus? Such
 enquiries as these urgently demand our attention; and if we have
 been at all given to cavilling, let us now turn our critical
 abilities to a service so much more profitable. Let us be
 peace-makers, and endeavour to lead others both by our precept
 and example, to "avoid foolish questions."

 Evening Reading .......................................... 29754
 # Ro 1:1 - 3:31 * Daily Bible Reading
29655
 November 20                                              Morning

 \\"0 Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul."\\
                                              --Lamentations 3:58

    Observe how \\positively\\ the prophet speaks. He doth not
 say, "I hope, I trust, I sometimes think, that God hath pleaded
 the causes of my soul"; but he speaks of it as a matter of fact
 not to be disputed. "Thou \\hast\\ pleaded the causes of my
 soul." Let us, by the aid of the gracious Comforter, shake off
 those doubts and fears which so much mar our peace and comfort.
 Be this our prayer, that we may have done with the harsh
 croaking voice of surmise and suspicion, and may be able to
 speak with the clear, melodious voice of full assurance. Notice
 how \\gratefully\\ the prophet speaks, ascribing all the glory
 to God alone! You perceive there is not a word concerning
 himself or his own pleadings. He doth not ascribe his
 deliverance in any measure to any man, much less to his own
 merit; but it is "\\thou\\"--"O Lord, thou hast pleaded the
 causes of my soul; \\thou\\ hast redeemed my life." A grateful
 spirit should ever be cultivated by the Christian; and
 especially after deliverances we should prepare a song for our
 God. Earth should be a temple filled with the songs of grateful
 saints, and every day should be a censor smoking with the sweet
 incense of thanksgiving. How \\joyful\\ Jeremiah seems to be
 while he records the Lord's mercy. How triumphantly he lifts up
 the strain! He has been in the low dungeon, and is even now no
 other than the weeping prophet; and yet in the very book which
 is called "Lamentations," clear as the song of Miriam when she
 dashed her fingers against the tabor, shrill as the note of
 Deborah when she met Barak with shouts of victory, we hear the
 voice of Jeremy going up to heaven--"Thou hast pleaded the
 causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life." O children of
 God, seek after a vital experience of the Lord's lovingkindness,
 and when you have it, speak positively of it; sing gratefully;
 shout triumphantly.

 Evening Reading .......................................... 29755
 # Ro 4:1 - 7:25 * Daily Bible Reading
29656
 November 21                                              Morning

 \\"Grieve not the Holy Spirit."\\
                                                 --Ephesians 4:30

    All that the believer has must come from Christ, but it comes
 solely through the channel of the Spirit of grace. Moreover, as
 all blessings thus flow to you through the Holy Spirit, so also
 no good thing can come out of you in holy thought, devout
 worship, or gracious act, apart from the sanctifying operation
 of the same Spirit. Even if the good seed be sown in you, yet it
 lies dormant except he worketh in you to will and to do of his
 own good pleasure. Do you desire to speak for Jesus--how can you
 unless the Holy Ghost touch your tongue? Do you desire to pray?
 Alas! what dull work it is unless the Spirit maketh intercession
 for you! Do you desire to subdue sin? Would you be holy? Would
 you imitate your Master? Do you desire to rise to superlative
 heights of spirituality? Are you wanting to be made like the
 angels of God, full of zeal and ardour for the Master's cause?
 You cannot without the Spirit--"Without me ye can do nothing." O
 branch of the vine, thou canst have no fruit without the sap! O
 child of God, thou hast no life within thee apart from the life
 which God gives thee through his Spirit! Then let us not grieve
 him or provoke him to anger by our sin. Let us not quench him
 in one of his faintest motions in our soul; let us foster every
 suggestion, and be ready to obey every prompting. If the Holy
 Spirit be indeed so mighty, let us attempt nothing without him;
 let us begin no project, and carry on no enterprise, and
 conclude no transaction, without imploring his blessing. Let us
 do him the due homage of feeling our entire weakness apart from
 him, and then depending alone upon him, having this for our
 prayer, "Open thou my heart and my whole being to thine
 incoming, and uphold me with thy free Spirit when I shall have
 received that Spirit in my inward parts."

 Evening Reading .......................................... 29756
 # Ro 8:1 - 10:21 * Daily Bible Reading
29657
 November 22                                              Morning

 \\"Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep."\\
                                                    --Hosea 12:12

    Jacob, while expostulating with Laban, thus describes his own
 toil, "This twenty years have I been with thee. That which was
 torn of beasts I brought not unto thee: I bare the loss of it;
 of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or
 stolen by night.  Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed
 me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine
 eyes." Even more toilsome than this was the life of our Saviour
 here below. He watched over all his sheep till he gave in as his
 last account, "Of all those whom thou hast given me I have lost
 none." His hair was wet with dew, and his locks with the drops
 of the night. Sleep departed from his eyes, for all night he was
 in prayer wrestling for his people.  One night Peter must be
 pleaded for; anon, another claims his tearful intercession. No
 shepherd sitting beneath the cold skies, looking up to the
 stars, could ever utter such complaints because of the hardness
 of his toil as Jesus Christ might have brought, if he had chosen
 to do so, because of the sternness of his service in order to
 procure his spouse--

              "Cold mountains and the midnight air,
              Witnessed the fervour of his prayer;
              The desert his temptations knew,
              His conflict and his victory too."

 It is sweet to dwell upon the spiritual parallel of Laban having
 required all the sheep at Jacob's hand. If they were torn of
 beasts, Jacob must make it good; if any of them died, he must
 stand as surety for the whole. Was not the toil of Jesus for his
 Church the toil of one who was under suretiship obligations to
 bring every believing one safe to the hand of him who had
 committed them to his charge? Look upon toiling Jacob, and you
 see a representation of him of whom we read, "He shall feed his
 flock like a shepherd."

 Evening Reading .......................................... 29757
 # Ro 11:1 - 13:14 * Daily Bible Reading
29658
 November 23                                              Morning

 \\"Fellowship with him."\\
                                                     --1 John 1:6

    When we were united by faith to Christ, we were brought into
 such complete fellowship with him, that we were made one with
 him, and his interests and ours became mutual and identical. We
 have fellowship with Christ in his \\love\\. What he loves we
 love. He loves the saints--so do we. He loves sinners--so do we.
 He loves the poor perishing race of man, and pants to see
 earth's deserts transformed into the garden of the Lord--so do
 we. We have fellowship with him in his \\desires\\. He desires
 the glory of God--we also labour for the same. He desires that
 the saints may be with him where he is--we desire to be with him
 there too. He desires to drive out sin--behold we fight under
 his banner. He desires that his Father's name may be loved and
 adored by all his creatures--we pray daily, "Let thy kingdom
 come. Thy will be done on earth, even as it is in heaven." We
 have fellowship with Christ in his \\sufferings\\. We are not
 nailed to the cross, nor do we die a cruel death, but when he is
 reproached, we are reproached; and a very sweet thing it is to
 be blamed for his sake, to be despised for following the Master,
 to have the world against us. The disciple should not be above
 his Lord. In our measure we commune with him in his \\labours\\,
 ministering to men by the word of truth and by deeds of love.
 Our meat and our drink, like his, is to do the will of him who
 hath sent us and to finish his work. We have also fellowship
 with Christ in his \\joys\\. We are happy in his happiness, we
 rejoice in his exaltation. Have you ever tasted that joy,
 believer? There is no purer or more thrilling delight to be
 known this side heaven than that of having Christ's joy
 fulfilled in us, that our joy may be full. His \\glory\\ awaits
 us to complete our fellowship, for his Church shall sit with him
 upon his throne, as his well-beloved bride and queen.

 Evening Reading .......................................... 29758
 # Ro 14:1 - 16:27 * Daily Bible Reading
29659
 November 24                                              Morning

 \\"The glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and\\
 \\streams."\\
                                                   --Isaiah 33:21

    Broad rivers and streams produce fertility, and abundance in
 the land. Places near broad rivers are remarkable for the
 variety of their plants and their plentiful harvests. God is all
 this to his Church. Having God she has \\abundance\\. What can
 she ask for that he will not give her? What want can she mention
 which he will not supply? "In this mountain shall the Lord of
 Hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things." Want ye the
 bread of life? It drops like manna from the sky. Want ye
 refreshing streams? The rock follows you, and that Rock is
 Christ. If you suffer any want it is your own fault; if you are
 straitened you are not straitened in him, but in your own
 bowels. Broad rivers and streams also point to \\commerce\\. Our
 glorious Lord is to us a place of heavenly merchandise. Through
 our Redeemer we have commerce with the past; the wealth of
 Calvary, the treasures of the covenant, the riches of the
 ancient days of election, the stores of eternity, all come to us
 down the broad stream of our gracious Lord. We have commerce,
 too, with the future. What galleys, laden to the water's edge,
 come to us from the millennium! What visions we have of the days
 of heaven upon earth! Through our glorious Lord we have commerce
 with angels; communion with the bright spirits washed in blood,
 who sing before the throne; nay, better still, we have
 fellowship with the Infinite One. Broad rivers and streams are
 specially intended to set forth the idea of \\security\\. Rivers
 were of old a defence. Oh! beloved, what a defence is God to his
 Church! The devil cannot cross this broad river of God. How he
 wishes he could turn the current, but fear not, for God abideth
 immutably the same. Satan may worry, but he cannot destroy us;
 no galley with oars shall invade our river, neither shall
 gallant ship pass thereby.

 Evening Reading .......................................... 29759
 # 1Co 1:1 - 4:21 * Daily Bible Reading
29660
 November 25                                              Morning

 \\"To preach deliverance to the captives."\\
                                                      --Luke 4:18

    None but Jesus can give deliverance to captives. Real liberty
 cometh from him only. It is a liberty \\righteously bestowed\\;
 for the Son, who is Heir of all things, has a right to make men
 free. The saints honour the justice of God, which now secures
 their salvation. It is a liberty which has been \\dearly\\
 \\purchased\\. Christ speaks it by his power, but he bought it
 by his blood. He makes thee free, but it is by his own bonds.
 Thou goest clear, because he bare thy burden for thee: thou art
 set at liberty, because he has suffered in thy stead. But,
 though dearly purchased, \\he freely gives it\\. Jesus asks
 nothing of us as a preparation for this liberty. He finds us
 sitting in sackcloth and ashes, and bids us put on the beautiful
 array of freedom; he saves us just as we are, and all without
 our help or merit. When Jesus sets free, the liberty is
 \\perpetually entailed\\; no chains can bind again. Let the
 Master say to me, "Captive, I have delivered thee," and it is
 done for ever. Satan may plot to enslave us, but if the Lord be
 on our side, whom shall we fear? The world, with its
 temptations, may seek to ensnare us, but mightier is he who is
 for us than all they who be against us. The machinations of our
 own deceitful hearts may harass and annoy us, but he who hath
 begun the good work in us will carry it on and perfect it to the
 end. The foes of God and the enemies of man may gather their
 hosts together, and come with concentrated fury against us, but
 if God acquitteth, who is he that condemneth? Not more free is
 the eagle which mounts to his rocky eyrie, and afterwards
 outsoars the clouds, than the soul which Christ hath delivered.
 If we are no more under the law, but free from its curse, let
 our liberty be \\practically exhibited\\ in our serving God with
 gratitude and delight. "I am thy servant, and the son of thine
 handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds." "Lord, what wilt thou have
 me to do?"

 Evening Reading .......................................... 29760
 # 1Co 5:1 - 9:27 * Daily Bible Reading
29661
 November 26                                              Morning

 \\"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."\\
                                              --Ecclesiastes 9:10

    "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do," refers to works that are
 \\possible\\. There are many things which our heart findeth to
 do which we never shall do. It is well it is in our heart; but
 if we would be eminently useful, we must not be content with
 forming schemes in our heart, and talking of them; we must
 practically carry out "\\whatsoever our hand findeth to do\\."
 One good deed is more worth than a thousand brilliant theories.
 Let us not wait for large opportunities, or for a different kind
 of work, but do just the things we "find to do" day by day. We
 have no other time in which to live. The past is gone; the
 future has not arrived; we never shall have any time but time
 present. Then do not wait until your experience has ripened into
 maturity before you attempt to serve God. Endeavour now to bring
 forth fruit. Serve God now, but be careful as to the way in
 which you perform what you find to do--"\\do it with thy\\
 \\might\\." Do it \\promptly\\; do not fritter away your life in
 thinking of what you intend to do to-morrow as if that could
 recompense for the idleness of to-day. No man ever served God by
 doing things to-morrow. If we honour Christ and are blessed, it
 is by the things which we do \\to-day\\. Whatever you do for
 Christ throw your whole soul into it. Do not give Christ a
 little slurred labour, done as a matter of course now and then;
 but when you do serve him, do it with heart, and soul, and
 strength.

    But where is the might of a Christian? It is not in himself,
 for he is perfect weakness. His might lieth in the Lord of
 Hosts. Then let us seek his help; let us proceed with prayer and
 faith, and when we have done what our "hand findeth to do," let
 us wait upon the Lord for his blessing. What we do thus will be
 well done, and will not fail in its effect.

 Evening Reading .......................................... 29761
 # 1Co 10:1 - 13:13 * Daily Bible Reading
29662
 November 27                                              Morning

 \\"Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the\\
 \\Lord."\\
                                                  --Zechariah 3:1

    In Joshua \\the high priest\\ we see a picture of each and
 every child of God, who has been made nigh by the blood of
 Christ, and has been taught to minister in holy things, and
 enter into that which is within the veil. Jesus has made us
 priests and kings unto God, and even here upon earth we exercise
 the priesthood of consecrated living and hallowed service. But
 this high priest is said to be "\\standing\\ before the angel of
 the Lord," that is, standing to minister. This should be the
 perpetual position of every true believer. Every place is now
 God's temple, and his people can as truly serve him in their
 daily employments as in his house. They are to be always
 "ministering," offering the spiritual sacrifice of prayer and
 praise, and presenting themselves a "living sacrifice." But
 notice where it is that Joshua stands to minister, it is
 \\before the angel\\ of Jehovah. It is only through a mediator
 that we poor defiled ones can ever become priests unto God. I
 present what I have before the messenger, the angel of the
 covenant, the Lord Jesus; and through him my prayers find
 acceptance wrapped up in his prayers; my praises become sweet as
 they are bound up with bundles of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia
 from Christ's own garden. If I can bring him nothing but my
 tears, he will put them with his own tears in his own bottle for
 he once wept; if I can bring him nothing but my groans and
 sighs, he will accept these as an acceptable sacrifice, for he
 once was broken in heart, and sighed heavily in spirit. I
 myself, standing in him, am accepted in the Beloved; and all my
 polluted works, though in themselves only objects of divine
 abhorrence, are so received, that God smelleth a sweet savour.
 He is content and I am blessed. See, then, the position of the
 Christian--"a priest-- standing--before the angel of the Lord."

 Evening Reading .......................................... 29762
 # 1Co 14:1 - 16:24 * Daily Bible Reading
29663
 November 28                                              Morning

 \\"For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified\\
 \\of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the\\
 \\truth."\\
                                                       --3 John 3

    The truth was in Gaius, and Gaius walked in the truth. If
 the first had not been the case, the second could never have
 occurred; and if the second could not be said of him the first
 would have been a mere pretence. Truth must enter into the soul,
 penetrate and saturate it, or else it is of no value. Doctrines
 held as a matter of creed are like bread in the hand, which
 ministers no nourishment to the frame; but doctrine accepted by
 the heart, is as food digested, which, by assimilation, sustains
 and builds up the body. In us truth must be a living force, an
 active energy, an indwelling reality, a part of the woof and
 warp of our being. If it be \\in us\\, we cannot henceforth part
 with it. A man may lose his garments or his limbs, but his
 inward parts are vital, and cannot be torn away without absolute
 loss of life. A Christian can die, but he cannot deny the truth.
 Now it is a rule of nature that the inward affects the outward,
 as light shines from the centre of the lantern through the
 glass: when, therefore, the truth is kindled within, its
 brightness soon beams forth in the outward life and
 conversation. It is said that the food of certain worms colours
 the cocoons of silk which they spin: and just so the nutriment
 upon which a man's inward nature lives gives a tinge to every
 word and deed proceeding from him. To walk in the truth, imports
 a life of integrity, holiness, faithfulness, and simplicity--the
 natural product of those principles of truth which the gospel
 teaches, and which the Spirit of God enables us to receive. We
 may judge of the secrets of the soul by their manifestation in
 the man's conversation. Be it ours to-day, O gracious Spirit, to
 be ruled and governed by thy divine authority, so that nothing
 false or sinful may reign in our hearts, lest it extend its
 malignant influence to our daily walk among men.

 Evening Reading .......................................... 29763
 # 2Co 1:1 - 4:18 * Daily Bible Reading
29664
 November 29                                              Morning

 \\"Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy\\
 \\people ... Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and\\
 \\not suffer sin upon him."\\
                                            --Leviticus 19:16, 17

    Tale-bearing emits a threefold poison; for it injures the
 teller, the hearer, and the person concerning whom the tale is
 told. Whether the report be true or false, we are by this
 precept of God's Word forbidden to spread it. The reputations of
 the Lord's people should be very precious in our sight, and we
 should count it shame to help the devil to dishonour the Church
 and the name of the Lord. Some tongues need a bridle rather than
 a spur. Many glory in pulling down their brethren, as if thereby
 they raised themselves. Noah's wise sons cast a mantle over
 their father, and he who exposed him earned a fearful curse. We
 may ourselves one of these dark days need forbearance and
 silence from our brethren, let us render it cheerfully to those
 who require it now. Be this our family rule, and our personal
 bond--SPEAK EVIL OF NO MAN.

    The Holy Spirit, however, permits us to censure sin, and
 prescribes the way in which we are to do it. It must be done by
 rebuking our brother to his face, not by railing behind his
 back. This course is manly, brotherly, Christlike, and under
 God's blessing will be useful. Does the flesh shrink from it?
 Then we must lay the greater stress upon our conscience, and
 keep ourselves to the work, lest by suffering sin upon our
 friend we become ourselves partakers of it. Hundreds have been
 saved from gross sins by the timely, wise, affectionate warnings
 of faithful ministers and brethren. Our Lord Jesus has set us a
 gracious example of how to deal with erring friends in his
 warning given to Peter, the prayer with which he preceded it,
 and the gentle way in which he bore with Peter's boastful denial
 that he needed such a caution.

 Evening Reading .......................................... 29764
 # 2Co 5:1 - 8:24 * Daily Bible Reading
29665
 November 30                                              Morning

 \\"And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for\\
 \\the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel?\\
 \\And the man of God answered, The Lord is able to give thee\\
 \\much more than this."\\
                                              --2 Chronicles 25:9

    A very important question this seemed to be to the king of
 Judah, and possibly it is of even more weight with the tried and
 tempted O Christian. To lose money is at no times pleasant, and
 when principle involves it, the flesh is not always ready to
 make the sacrifice. "Why lose that which may be so usefully
 employed? May not the truth itself be bought too dear? What
 shall we do without it? Remember the children, and our small
 income!" All these things and a thousand more would tempt the
 Christian to put forth his hand to unrighteous gain, or stay
 himself from carrying out his conscientious convictions, when
 they involve serious loss. All men cannot view these matters in
 the light of faith; and even with the followers of Jesus, the
 doctrine of "we must live" has quite sufficient weight.

    \\The Lord is able to give thee much more than this\\ is a
 very satisfactory answer to the anxious question. Our Father
 holds the purse-strings, and what we lose for his sake he can
 repay a thousand-fold. It is ours to obey his will, and we may
 rest assured that he will provide for us. The Lord will be no
 man's debtor at the last. Saints know that a grain of
 heart's-ease is of more value than a ton of gold. He who wraps a
 threadbare coat about a good conscience has gained a spiritual
 wealth far more desirable than any he has lost. God's smile and
 a dungeon are enough for a true heart; his frown and a palace
 would be hell to a gracious spirit. Let the worst come to the
 worst, let all the talents go, we have not lost our treasure,
 for that is above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of
 God. Meanwhile, even now, the Lord maketh the meek to inherit
 the earth, and no good thing doth he withhold from them that
 walk uprightly.

 Evening Reading .......................................... 29765
 # 2Co 9:1 - 13:14 * Daily Bible Reading
29666
 next 29701