August 15

Morning

Early in the evening, Isaac went out to the field to meditate, and looking up, he saw the camels approaching. — Gen 24:63 BSB

How admirable was his occupation! If only those who waste hours in idle company, light reading, and useless pastimes could learn wisdom—they would find more profitable company and more fulfilling engagement in meditation than in the fleeting pleasures that now charm them. We would all grow in grace, live nearer to God, and know more if we spent more time alone with Him. Meditation, like chewing the cud, helps us extract true nourishment from the mental food we gather elsewhere.

When the theme is Jesus, meditation becomes especially sweet! Isaac found Rebecca while he was meditating in the field, and many others have found their greatest treasures during times of quiet reflection.

His choice of place was also admirable. In the field, there is a study filled with lessons for thought. From the towering cedar to the humble hyssop, from the soaring eagle to the chirping grasshopper, from the vast sky to a drop of dew—everything teaches when our eyes are opened by God. The lessons come to life far more vividly in the open field than from the pages of a book. Our small rooms may not be as healthy, inspiring, or suggestive as the outdoors. Let us treat nothing in creation as common or unclean but see all things as pointing to their Creator, making the field a sacred space.

The time he chose was also excellent. The quiet of sunset, when the day closes and its cares fall away, fits the soul’s need for peace and heavenly communion. The beauty of the setting sun stirs wonder, and the approach of night invites a reverent awe.

If today’s duties allow, dear reader, it would be good to take an hour to walk in the fields at evening. But if that’s not possible, the Lord is also in the town and will meet you in your room or even on the busy streets. Let your heart go out to meet Him.

Evening

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. — Ezek 36:26 BSB

A heart of flesh is marked by its tenderness toward sin. Just a fleeting impure thought or a momentary wild desire is enough to make a tender heart grieve before the Lord. While a hard heart dismisses great iniquity as nothing, the heart of flesh is sensitive to even the smallest sin.

The heart of flesh is also tender toward God’s will. Our stubborn will, "My Lord Will-be-will," is hard to subdue to God’s commands. But when a heart of flesh is given, it responds like an aspen leaf to every breath from heaven and bends like a willow to every breeze of God’s Spirit. Our natural will is like cold, hard iron that resists being shaped but the renewed will, like molten metal, is easily molded by grace.

The heart of flesh is also tender in its affections. A hard heart feels no love for the Redeemer, but the renewed heart burns with love for Him. A hard heart selfishly asks, “Why should I weep for sin? Why should I love the Lord?” But the heart of flesh cries, “Lord, You know I love You—help me love You more!”

There are many blessings in having a renewed heart. It is where the Spirit dwells and where Jesus rests. It is ready to receive every spiritual gift and blessing, and from it flows every heavenly fruit to the glory of God. A tender heart is the best defense against sin and the best preparation for heaven. A renewed heart stands watchful, eagerly awaiting the return of the Lord Jesus. Do you have this heart of flesh?