July 31

Morning

I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me. — John 17:23 BSB

If such a deep union exists between our souls and the person of our Lord, how wide and vast is the channel of our communion! This is not a narrow stream through which a trickle of grace flows—it’s a deep, broad river along which mighty torrents of living water roll.

Behold, He has set before us an open door. Let us not hesitate to enter. This city of communion with Christ has many gates, each made of pearl, and all of them are thrown wide open so we may enter with the assurance of a warm welcome. If there were but a tiny crack through which to glimpse Jesus, it would be a privilege to speak even a word of fellowship. But we are blessed with a wide entrance to His presence!

If Jesus had remained distant, with many barriers between us, we would long to send messengers to Him with our love and prayers. But in His kindness, He has brought His house next door to ours! No, even more, He dwells within us, making His home in humble hearts, so that we may enjoy unbroken communion with Him. How foolish we are if we don’t live in constant fellowship with Him!

When the road is long, dangerous, and difficult, it’s understandable that friends might not meet often. But when they live together, how could Jonathan forget his beloved David? A wife might endure being apart from her husband while he is traveling, but she would never tolerate being separated from him if he were in the same house. So why, believer, do you not sit at the table with your Lord? Seek Him, for He is near. Embrace Him, for He is your Brother. Hold Him fast, for He is your Husband. Press Him close to your heart, for He is your very own flesh!

Evening

Those who were musicians, the heads of Levite families, stayed in the temple chambers and were exempt from other duties because they were on duty day and night. — 1 Chr 9:33 BSB

It was rightly arranged in the temple that the song of praise never ceased—day and night the singers worshiped the Lord, whose mercy endures forever. Just as God’s mercy never fails, neither did the music of His people’s worship.

My heart, there’s a lesson for you in the endless song of Zion’s temple. You too are constantly in debt to God’s grace, so let your gratitude be just as constant. Praise in heaven never ceases, and heaven is your eternal home, so begin to practice your hallelujahs here and now. As the sun lights up different parts of the earth, it wakes believers who rise to sing their morning hymns. Together, the priesthood of saints wraps the globe in a continuous offering of thanksgiving, a golden belt of praise encircling the world.

God always deserves praise—for who He is, for His works of creation and providence, for His goodness to all, and especially for the act of redemption and the countless blessings that flow from it.

Praising the Lord always benefits us too—it brightens the day and lightens the night, makes work more joyful, and softens sorrow. Even in our happiest moments, it sanctifies our joy, keeping us from being blinded by its brightness. Don’t we have reasons to sing right now? Can’t we lift a song of gratitude for our present blessings, past deliverances, or future hopes? The earth yields its harvest, the hay is stored, the grain ripens for harvest, and the sun lingers long, blessing the fruitful land. Let’s make the most of this season by lengthening our hours of worship. By the love of Jesus, let us end this day with a song of joyful praise!