October 1

Morning

The mandrakes send forth a fragrance, and at our door is every delicacy, new as well as old, that I have treasured up for you, my beloved. — Song 7:13 BSB

The bride longs to give to Jesus all that she produces. Our hearts are filled with “all kinds of pleasant fruits,” both “old and new,” and we have stored them up for our Beloved. As we enjoy this rich season of fruit, let’s take a moment to reflect on what we have.

We have new fruits. We long for new life, new joy, new gratitude. We desire to make fresh commitments and follow through with new labors. Our hearts are blossoming with new prayers, and our souls are dedicating themselves to new efforts.

But we also have old fruits. Our first love—that precious fruit in which Jesus delights—is still with us. So is our first faith, that simple, childlike trust that made us rich in Christ. We can recall the joy we felt when we first met the Lord. Let’s bring that joy to life again. We remember God’s promises and how faithful He has been. When we were sick, He gently comforted us. When we were overwhelmed, He upheld us. In the furnace of trial, He delivered us. These are the old fruits, and we have so many of them, for His mercies have been more than we can count. Yes, we have old sins to regret, but God has given us the gift of repentance, allowing us to weep at the foot of the cross and find redemption in His blood.

We have fruits both old and new this morning, but here’s what matters—they are all laid up for Jesus. The best and most pleasing offerings are those given with Jesus as the only focus, without any desire for our own recognition. Let our many fruits be stored up for our Beloved alone. Let us reveal them when He is near, not for the eyes of others.

Jesus, we will lock the door to our garden, allowing no one to steal even a single fruit from the soil You watered with Your blood. All that we have is Yours, and Yours alone, O Jesus, our Beloved.

Evening

For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity. — Ps 84:11 BSB

The Lord is generous by nature, and giving is His delight. His gifts are precious beyond measure, and they flow as freely as sunlight!

He freely gives all forms of grace to His people: saving grace, comforting grace, preserving grace, sanctifying grace, guiding grace, teaching grace, helping grace!

He gives grace . . . abundantly, at the right time, constantly, willingly, and sovereignly!

What makes His grace even more valuable is the way in which He gives it. He pours grace into our souls without ceasing, and He will always do so, no matter what happens. Sickness may come, but the Lord will give grace. Poverty may strike, but grace will be provided. Even death will come, but grace will light up the darkest hour. How blessed it is, year after year, to hold onto this unfailing promise: “The Lord will give grace!”

The little word “and” in this verse is like a diamond that connects the present with the future! Grace and glory always come together. God has joined them, and no one can separate them. The Lord will never withhold glory from a soul He has freely given grace to. In fact, glory is just grace in its perfected, heavenly form; grace fully grown, like the ripened fruit of autumn.

Who knows how soon we might see that glory? Perhaps before this month is over, we will gaze upon the Holy City. But whether that day is near or far, we will surely be glorified. The Lord will give glory to all His chosen ones—the glory of heaven, the glory of eternity, the glory of being with Jesus! What a beautiful promise from a faithful God!

Two golden links of one celestial chain!
Whoever has grace shall surely gain glory!