August 27

Morning

And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them? — Num 14:11 BSB

Strive diligently to keep out that monster—unbelief. It dishonors Christ so greatly that He may withdraw His visible presence if we indulge in it. While it’s true that unbelief is a weed we can never fully eradicate, we must continually aim at its root with zeal and perseverance. Of all hateful things, unbelief is the most abominable. Its venomous nature harms both the one who exercises it and the one upon whom it is exercised.

For you, O believer, it is especially grievous, because the mercies of your Lord in the past make your current doubts all the more sinful. When you distrust the Lord Jesus, He may rightly say, “Behold, I am burdened by you, like a cart pressed down with heavy sheaves.” Doubting Him is like placing thorns on His brow. It’s cruel for a dearly loved wife to mistrust a kind and faithful husband. This sin is needless, foolish, and unjustified. Jesus has never given you any reason to doubt Him, and yet He is doubted by those to whom He has always been loving and true.

Jesus is the Son of the Most High, possessing all riches and power. It is shameful to doubt omnipotence and to question all-sufficiency. The cattle on a thousand hills are enough for even the most ravenous appetite, and the granaries of heaven will never be emptied by our hunger. If Christ were a mere cistern, His supply might run dry, but who can drain a fountain? Millions have drawn from Him, yet none have ever complained that His resources are lacking.

Away with this deceitful enemy—unbelief. Its sole purpose is to cut the bonds of communion and cause us to mourn an absent Savior. John Bunyan said unbelief has “as many lives as a cat,” but let’s kill one of them now and continue until all nine are gone. Down with you, traitor! My heart despises you!

Evening

Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD, God of truth. — Ps 31:5 BSB

These words have often been used by godly men in their final moments. Let’s reflect on them tonight. The faithful person’s chief concern in life and death is not their body or estate, but their soul. This is their most precious possession—if the soul is safe, all is well. What is this fleeting life compared to the value of the soul?

The believer entrusts their soul into the hands of God. It came from Him, it belongs to Him, He has sustained it thus far, and He is able to keep it. It is fitting that He should receive it. All things are secure in the hands of Jehovah. Whatever we commit to the Lord will be safe, both now and in the day to come.

It brings peace in life and glory in death to rest in Jesus’ care. At all times, we should commit everything to His faithful hands. Then, even if life hangs by a thread and trials multiply like the sands of the sea, our soul will rest in peace and find comfort in quiet places.

"You have redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth." Redemption is a solid foundation for trust. David did not know Calvary as we do, but even temporal deliverance comforted him. How much more should eternal redemption console us! The Lord’s past deliverances give us confidence for the present. What He has done before, He will do again, for He does not change. He is faithful to His promises and gracious to His people. He will never forsake His own.

"Though You slay me—I will trust,
Praise You even from the dust,
Prove, and tell it as I prove,
Your unutterable love.

You may chasten and correct—
But You never can neglect;
Since the ransom price is paid,
On Your love my hope is stayed."