August 21

Morning

A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. — Prov 11:25 BSB

We are taught here a great lesson: to get, we must give; to accumulate, we must scatter; to make ourselves happy, we must make others happy; and to become spiritually strong, we must seek the spiritual good of others. When we water others, we are also watered. How?

Our efforts to be useful bring out our abilities for usefulness. We all have hidden talents and untapped potential, which only become evident when we step out in faith to serve. Our strength for labor often remains undiscovered until we fight the Lord’s battles or climb the mountains of difficulty. We don’t know how deep our compassion runs until we try to dry the widow’s tears or comfort the orphan in their grief.

Often, when we try to teach others, we end up learning more ourselves. How many of us have gone to a sickbed to offer encouragement, only to leave humbled by how little we knew of Scripture compared to the suffering saint? In our conversations with humble believers, we are taught the ways of God more deeply, and we come away with a richer understanding of divine truth. Watering others makes us humble, for we see how much grace is at work where we least expect it, and how often the poor saint exceeds us in wisdom.

Our own comfort is also increased when we serve others. As we try to cheer them, our own hearts are lifted. It’s like the two men in the snow: one rubbed the other’s limbs to keep him from freezing, and in doing so, kept his own blood circulating and saved his own life. The widow of Sarepta gave from her meager supply to feed the prophet, and from that day, she never lacked again. Give, and it will be given to you—pressed down, shaken together, and running over!

Evening

I have not spoken in secret, from a place in a land of darkness. I did not say to the descendants of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in a wasteland.’ I, the LORD, speak the truth; I say what is right. — Isa 45:19 BSB

We can find much comfort in reflecting on what God has not said. While His promises are full of hope and joy, even the things He has left unsaid bring consolation. It was one of these "not saids" that preserved the kingdom of Israel in the days of Jeroboam, for “the Lord did not say He would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven” (2 Kings 14:27).

In our text, we have the assurance that God will answer prayer because He has not said to the descendants of Jacob, “Seek Me in vain.” You who wrestle with doubts and fears should take heart, for as long as God hasn’t cut you off from mercy, there is no room for despair. Even if your conscience speaks against you, if God hasn’t spoken a word of condemnation, there is still hope. Tremble at what God has said, but don’t let your own imaginations lead you into despair.

Some timid souls are troubled by the fear that God’s decree may exclude them from hope, but this is a baseless worry. No true seeker is ever doomed to eternal wrath, for God has not spoken in secret or hinted at some hidden decree that would nullify His promise. He has plainly declared that those who call upon Him will be heard, and His word cannot be undone. He says clearly, “Ask, and you shall receive.” So believe, trembling soul, in this sure truth: prayer will be heard, and never, not even in the depths of eternity, has God said to any living soul, “Seek Me in vain.”