March 14
Morning
"Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." — 1Co_10:12
It is a curious fact, that there is such a thing as being proud of
grace. A man says, "I have great faith, I shall not fall; poor little
faith may, but I never shall." "I have fervent love," says
another, "I can stand, there is no danger of my going astray." He who
boasts of grace has little grace to boast of. Some who do this imagine that
their graces can keep them, knowing not that the stream must flow constantly
from the fountain head, or else the brook will soon be dry. If a continuous
stream of oil comes not to the lamp, though it burn brightly to-day, it will
smoke to-morrow, and noxious will be its scent. Take heed that thou gloriest
not in thy graces, but let all thy glorying and confidence be in Christ and his
strength, for only so canst thou be kept from falling. Be much more in prayer.
Spend longer time in holy adoration. Read the Scriptures more earnestly and
constantly. Watch your lives more carefully. Live nearer to God. Take the best
examples for your pattern. Let your conversation be redolent of heaven. Let
your hearts be perfumed with affection for men's souls. So live that men may
take knowledge of you that you have been with Jesus, and have learned of him;
and when that happy day shall come, when he whom you love shall say, "Come
up higher," may it be your happiness to hear him say, "Thou hast
fought a good fight, thou hast finished thy course, and henceforth there is
laid up for thee a crown of righteousness which fadeth not away." On,
Christian, with care and caution! On, with holy fear and trembling! On, with
faith and confidence in Jesus alone, and let your constant petition be,
"Uphold me according to thy word." He is able, and he alone, "To
keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his
glory with exceeding joy."
1 Corinthians
10:12
1Co_4:6-8, 1Co_8:2;
Pro_16:18, Pro_28:14; Mat_26:33-34,
Mat_26:40-41; Rom_11:20; Rev_3:17-18
Evening
"I will take heed to my ways." —
Psa_39:1
Fellow-pilgrim, say not in your heart, "I will go hither and
thither, and I shall not sin;" for you are never so out of danger of
sinning as to boast of security. The road is very miry, it will be hard to pick
your path so as not to soil your garments. This is a world of pitch; you will
need to watch often, if in handling it you are to keep your hands clean. There
is a robber at every turn of the road to rob you of your jewels; there is a
temptation in every mercy; there is a snare in every joy; and if you ever reach
heaven, it will be a miracle of divine grace to be ascribed entirely to your
Father's power. Be on your guard. When a man carries a bomb-shell in his hand,
he should mind that he does not go near a candle; and you too must take care
that you enter not into temptation. Even your common actions are edged tools;
you must mind how you handle them. There is nothing in this world to foster a
Christian's piety, but everything to destroy it. How anxious should you be to
look up to God, that he may keep you! Your prayer should be, "Hold thou me
up, and I shall be safe." Having prayed, you must also watch; guarding
every thought, word, and action, with holy jealousy. Do not expose yourselves
unnecessarily; but if called to exposure, if you are bidden to go where the
darts are flying, never venture forth without your shield; for if once the
devil finds you without your buckler, he will rejoice that his hour of triumph
is come, and will soon make you fall down wounded by his arrows. Though slain
you cannot be; wounded you may be. "Be sober; be vigilant, danger may be
in an hour when all seemeth securest to thee." Therefore, take heed to thy
ways, and watch unto prayer. No man ever fell into error through being too
watchful. May the Holy Spirit guide us in all our ways, so shall they always
please the Lord.
Psalms 39:1
I said: Psa_119:9;
1Ki_2:4; 2Ki_10:31;
Pro_4:26-27; Heb_2:1
that I: Psa_12:4,
Psa_73:8-9, Psa_141:3; Pro_18:21,
Pro_21:23
my mouth: etc. Heb. a bridle, or muzzle, for my
mouth, Jas_1:26, Jas_3:2-8
while: Amo_5:13;
Mic_7:5-6; Col_4:5
Daily Devotions.
Extract from
e-Sword- the sword of the LORD with an
electronic edge.
Through the Bible Day by Day.(F.B Meyer)
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