November 1

Morning

to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets at your house: — Phlm 1:2 BSB

Is there a church in your house? Are parents, children, and friends all part of it, or are some still unconverted? Pause and ask yourself—am I a member of the church in this house? Imagine the joy it would bring to a father’s heart and the tears of gladness in a mother’s eyes if, from the eldest to the youngest, all were saved! Let us pray earnestly for this great mercy until the Lord grants it to us.

Perhaps it was Philemon’s deepest desire to see his whole household saved, though he did not initially see it come to pass. He had a wicked servant, Onesimus, who, after wronging him, ran away. But his master’s prayers followed him, and in God’s timing, Onesimus heard Paul preach, his heart was changed, and he returned to Philemon—not only as a faithful servant but as a beloved brother, adding another member to the church in Philemon’s house.

If there is a church in our home, let us ensure it is well-ordered, with everyone living as before the Lord. In the everyday tasks of life, let holiness, diligence, kindness, and integrity be evident. More is expected of a church than of an ordinary household. Family worship must be more sincere and devout, love within the home must be warm and unbroken, and conduct should reflect the sanctified and Christlike spirit we profess. Don’t worry that the size of your family church might seem small; even a household is recorded as a church in the Holy Spirit’s inspired book of remembrance. As a church, let us now draw near to the great head of the universal church, and ask Him for grace to shine before others, bringing glory to His name!

Evening

And they were oblivious, until the flood came and swept them all away. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. — Matt 24:39 BSB

The doom was universal—none escaped. The rich and the poor, the learned and the ignorant, the admired and the despised, the religious and the profane, the old and the young—all perished in the same great destruction. Some had mocked Noah—where were their mocking words now? Others had threatened him, dismissing his zeal as madness—where were their boasts now? Those who ridiculed Noah’s labor were drowned along with their sneering companions. Even those who had spoken kindly of Noah’s faithfulness but had not shared in it met the same end. And the workers who helped build the ark but never entered it were lost as well. The flood took them all, without exception.

Likewise, final destruction awaits everyone who is outside of Christ. No position, wealth, or character can save a single soul that has not believed in the Lord Jesus. My soul, consider the vast scope of this judgment and tremble at it. How astonishing that everyone on earth, except those in the ark, was so indifferent! They ate, drank, married, and celebrated—until that dreadful morning arrived. Not a single wise person was found outside the ark. Folly deceived the entire world—folly in failing to preserve their own lives, the greatest of all foolishness; folly in doubting the most faithful God, the worst kind of unbelief.

Is it not strange, my soul, how all people are careless about their souls until saving grace opens their eyes? Only then do they abandon their madness and live as rational beings.

All those in the ark were safe—no harm came near them. From the mighty elephant to the tiny mouse, all were secure. The timid hare was as safe as the bold lion, the fragile cony as protected as the hardworking ox. Likewise, all are safe in Jesus. My soul, are you in Him?