April 10

Morning

The place which is called Calvary. — Luke 23:33

The hill of comfort—is the hill of Calvary. The house of consolation—is built with the wood of the cross. The temple of heavenly blessing—is founded upon the cleft rock—cleft by the spear which pierced His side! No scene in sacred history ever gladdens the soul—like Calvary’s tragedy!

Light springs from the midday-midnight of Golgotha! Every flower of blessing blooms sweetly beneath the shadow of the once accursed tree. In that place of thirst—grace has dug a fountain which ever gushes with waters pure as crystal, each drop capable of alleviating the woes of mankind!

You who have had your seasons of trouble, will confess that it was not at Mount Olivet that you ever found comfort, not on the Mount Sinai but Gethsemane, Gabbatha, and Golgotha have been a means of comfort to you. The bitter herbs of Gethsemane—have often taken away the bitters of your life. The scourge of Gabbatha—has often scourged away your cares. The groans of Calvary—yield us rare and rich comfort.

We would never have known Christ’s love in all its heights and depths—if He had not died; nor could we guess the Father’s deep affection—if He had not given His Son to die. The common mercies we enjoy, all sing of love; just as the sea-shell, when we put it to our ears, whispers of the deep sea whence it came. But if we desire to hear the ocean itself, we must not look at every-day blessings but at the transactions of the crucifixion. He who would know love, let him retire to Calvary and see the Man of sorrows die!

Evening

For there stood by me this night the angel of God. — Acts 27:23

Tempest and long darkness, coupled with imminent risk of shipwreck, had brought the crew of the vessel into a sad case; one man alone among them remained perfectly calm, and by his word—the rest were reassured. Paul was the only man who had heart enough to say, “take courage, men.” There were veteran Roman legionaries on board, and brave old mariners, and yet their poor Jewish prisoner had more courage than them all. He had a secret Friend who kept his courage up. The Lord Jesus despatched a heavenly messenger to whisper words of consolation in the ear of His faithful servant, therefore he wore a shining countenance and spoke like a man at ease.

If we sincerely fear the Lord, we may look for timely interpositions, when our case is at its worst. Angels are not kept from us by storms, or hindered by darkness. Seraphs think it no humiliation to visit the poorest of the heavenly family. If angel’s visits are few and far between at ordinary times—they shall be frequent in our nights of tempest and tossing. Friends may drop from us when we are under pressure but our fellowship with the inhabitants of the angelic world shall be more abundant; and in the strength of love-words, brought to us from the throne by the way of Jacob’s ladder—we shall be strong to do exploits!

Dear reader, is this an hour of distress with you? then ask for special help. Jesus is the angel of the covenant, and if His presence be now earnestly sought—it will not be denied. What that presence brings in heart-cheer, those remember who, like Paul, have had the angel of God standing by them in a night of storm, when anchors would no longer hold, and rocks were near.

“O angel of my God, be near,
Amid the darkness hush my fear;
Loud roars the wild tempestuous sea,
Your presence, Lord, shall comfort me.”