September 24

Morning

For I was ashamed to ask the king for an escort of soldiers and horsemen to protect us from our enemies on the road, since we had told him, “The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek Him, but His great anger is against all who forsake Him.” — Ezra 8:22 BSB

For Ezra and his band of pilgrims, a royal escort from the king would have been desirable for protection on their journey. Yet Ezra felt a holy shame in asking for one. He feared that if he requested help from the king, the heathen might think his trust in God was hypocritical or that the God of Israel was too weak to protect His people. Ezra couldn’t bring himself to rely on human help in a matter that so clearly belonged to God. Therefore, they set out without any visible protection, guarded only by the One who is the sword and shield of His people.

Few believers today feel this kind of holy jealousy for God’s honor. Even those who walk by faith sometimes weaken their testimony by seeking help from man. What a blessing it is to stand without any props, leaning solely on the Rock of Ages, upheld by the Lord alone!

Would any true believer seek government support for their church if they truly remembered that doing so dishonors the Lord, as if He couldn’t supply the needs of His own cause? Should we run so quickly to friends and family for help if we remembered that God is glorified when we rely fully on Him? My soul, wait only upon God!

“But,” some may say, “aren’t we supposed to use practical means?” Yes, but our failure often lies not in neglecting means, but in placing too much trust in them instead of trusting in God. Few people neglect human resources, but many greatly sin by relying on them too much. Learn, dear reader, to glorify God by trusting Him alone, even if that means leaving human means untried when they might dishonor His name.

Evening

I sleep, but my heart is awake. A sound! My beloved is knocking: “Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one. My head is drenched with dew, my hair with the dampness of the night.” — Song 5:2 BSB

Christian experience is full of paradoxes, and here is one: the bride of Christ is asleep, and yet awake. Only those who have walked with God can fully understand this riddle.

The first part of the paradox is a mournful sleepiness: “I sleep.” Even believers, due to the sin that still resides in them, may become lazy in their spiritual duties, careless in their joy, and lethargic in their devotion. This is a sad state for anyone in whom the Spirit of God dwells, and it’s also dangerous. Even the wise virgins in Jesus’ parable sometimes slumber, but it’s time for all of us to shake off the bonds of spiritual sleep.

Many Christians, like Samson, lose their strength while sleeping in the lap of worldly comfort. With a world that is perishing and eternity drawing near, it is madness to sleep. None of us are as awake as we should be. Perhaps we need some "thunderclaps" to rouse us from our slumber—whether it be war, disease, or personal loss. May we leave the bed of complacency forever and go out with burning lamps to meet the coming Bridegroom!

The second part of the paradox is a hopeful wakefulness: “My heart wakes.” This is a good sign—life is not extinguished, though it may be smothered. When our hearts stir against our natural laziness, we should thank God’s grace for keeping some spark of vitality alive within us. Jesus will hear our hearts, help our hearts, and visit our hearts. The voice of a wakeful heart is truly the voice of Jesus, saying, “Open to Me!” Holy zeal will soon break through the barriers of sloth and open the door to our Beloved.