August 2

He entered into one of the ships ... and ... sat down. — Luke 5:3

When Jesus sits in the ship everything is in its right place. The cargo is in the hold, not in the heart. Cares and gains, fears and losses, yesterday’s failure and today’s success do not thrust themselves in between us and His presence. The heart cleaves to Him. “Goodness and mercy shall follow me,” sang the psalmist. Alas, when the goodness and mercy come before us, and our blessings shut Jesus from view! Here is the blessed order the Lord ever first, I following Him, His goodness and mercy following me. — Mark Guy Pearse.