Lord, decide the doubtful case : JUNE 22. "For who knoweth what is good for man in this life?" ECCLES. vi. 12. YAN knows not what is good for himself. In every age and in every land this statement has been proved. God knows what is good for us. He knows our real necessities; those of the race, and those of the individual; for time, and for eternity. He knows what can alone supply those necessities. The wisest of men could not discover this; but God has revealed its existence. He has made provision, moreover, for bestowing it upon us. He offers it freely in his Gospel; and the most needy may now be made rich and happy for ever. Do you possess this good? It matters not what else you have, if you have not this. Do you ask, what is it? It is the favour of God, which is life; his loving-kindness, which is better than life. May it be yours, dear reader, now and through all ages! Let earth and all her charms depart, Unworthy of the mind; In God alone, the human heart Enduring bliss can find. JUNE 23. "But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." DAN. xi. 32. HEY shall do exploits in spiritual conflict. Their foes are numerous-strong-disciplined to arms-possessing manifold advantages over them; but, in the strength of their God, they shall come off more than conquerors through him that hath loved them. They shall do exploits in the endurance of trials and persecutions. In the their souls. world they have tribulation. They that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution. Ten thousand ills mingle in the bitter cup which they have to drink. Yet, in patience they possess They endure as seeing him who is invisible. They have respect to the recompense of reward. Supported by the promises and presence of their God, they fear no evil. They know their days of suffering will soon be over, and that after a few more struggles they shall rest for ever above. They shall do exploits in Christian efforts and service. To their labours and zeal and fidelity and prayers, Christ has committed his cause on earth. They esteem this an honour-they feel the weight of responsibility-they estimate the toils and duties which the trust involves-and moved by the dying love of Jesus, and sustained by Divine strength, they give themselves to the work. Thus great things have already been accomplished; but greater things are yet to be done, and they who know their God shall be found strong and ready to do them all. Strengthen me, O God, with all might in the inward man; that I may do exploits for thee! So shall I triumph o'er my fears, JUNE 24. "The spirits of just men made perfect." HEB. xii. 23. HE spirits of departed saints are now in hea ven. They are perfect in holiness. All tendency to sin is destroyed. All temptation is destroyed. Every thought and every feeling-all the powers and desires of the soul-all are in harmony with the character and love of God. They are perfect in knowledge. Heaven is the abode of light as well as of purity. Here we know only in part. Now we wander through the wilderness in the dim twilight, with the haze and fog around us. When our spirits shall have reached the upper home, we shall find ourselves amid the splendour and clearness of perfect day. They are perfect in honour. Their reproach has been wiped away. Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed as they are. Here they suffered contempt and disgrace for their Master; but, there, they are clothed with robes of honour and wear a crown of gold. They are kings and priests for ever. They are perfect in happiness. They possess all that can afford them pure, solid, permanent delight. They behold the face of Jesus. They engage in the worship of the heavenly temple. They enjoy the communion of angels and blessed spirits like themselves. Nothing which can ruffle or disturb them is permitted to enter their abode. And all this perfection is eternal. It will be as endless as their being. "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." May I ever live with this perfection full in view Lord! with delight my constant feet Till death my willing soul shall meet, JUNE 25. "For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.". 1 Cor. v. 7. HE passover lamb was a type of Christ. It was a perfect animal. "Your lamb shall be without blemish; a male of the first year." Christ was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. He was a perfect sacrifice. The lamb of the passover was slain. It behoved Christ to suffer. His incarnation-his miracles-his instructions all were preparatory to his death. This was the satisfaction for our sins. The blood of the lamb was sprinkled on the door-posts of the Israelites, and his flesh eaten. So the blood of Christ must be sprinkled on our consciences, and we must live daily by faith on himself. "He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him." The lamb was eaten with bitter herbs. The bitter herbs were used only at the beginning of the feast; unlike the unleavened bread which was to be eaten to the close. Thus with bitterness and sorrow of heart on account of sin, the believer first receives Christ. The feast of the passover was observed with unleavened bread. All leaven was to be put away out of their houses. Most carefully do the Jews observe this at the present day. In like manner we are, all through our life on earth, to put away the leaven of corruption. We must "keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." In connection with this feast, the Israelites, sanctified their first-born unto the Lord; and, after they came to Canaan, the first-fruits of the field. Thus it behoves us to consecrate the very best we have to the Lord. Lord! help me to surrender myself and all I have heartily and unreservedly to thee. I own thy various claims, The willing victim of thy grace And bound with cords of love. JUNE 26. "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." ROM. xii. 18. N excellent minister of Christ, now in glory, he kept himself from being involved in quarrels. He answered, "By letting the angry person always have the quarrel to himself." This was a certain way of carrying out the Apostle's injunc tion. Am I sufficiently careful in attending to this injunction? Do I endeavour in all things to be at peace with others, and to promote peace? Do I enjoy the benediction of our Lord, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they they shall be called the children of God ?" I feel self-condemned and humbled. May the "God of peace" endue me with a larger measure of his Spirit, and help me to cultivate this grace with greater diligence and care! Let love through all my conduct shine, |