August 3

Morning

The Lamb is the light thereof. — Rev 21:23

Quietly contemplate the Lamb as the light of heaven.

Light in Scripture is the emblem of JOY. The joy of the saints in heaven is comprised in this—Jesus chose us, loved us, bought us, cleansed us, robed us, kept us, glorified us—we are here entirely through the Lord Jesus. Each one of these thoughts shall be to them like a cluster of the grapes of Eshcol!

Light is also the cause of BEAUTY. Nothing of beauty is left, when light is gone. Without light no radiance flashes from the sapphire, no peaceful ray proceeds from the pearl. In the same way—all the beauty of the saints above comes from Jesus. As planets, they reflect the light of the Sun of Righteousness; they live as beams proceeding from the central orb. If He withdrew, they must die; if His glory were veiled, their glory must expire.

Light is also the emblem of KNOWLEDGE. In heaven our knowledge will be perfect but the Lord Jesus Himself will be the fountain of it. Dark providences, never understood before, will then be clearly seen, and all that puzzles us now—will become plain to us in the light of the Lamb. Oh! what unfoldings there will be and what glorifying of the God of love!

Light also means MANIFESTATION. Light manifests. In this present world—it does not yet appear what we shall be. God’s people are a hidden people but when Christ receives His people into heaven, He will touch them with the wand of His own love, and change them into the image of His manifested glory! They were poor and wretched but what a transformation! They were stained with sin but one touch of His finger, and they are bright as the sun, and clear as crystal. Oh! what a manifestation!

All this proceeds from the exalted Lamb. Whatever there may be of effulgent splendor, Jesus shall be the center and soul of it all. Oh! to be present and to see Him in His own light, the King of kings, and Lord of lords!

Evening

But as he went. — Luke 8:42

Jesus is passing through the throng to the house of Jairus, to raise the ruler’s dead daughter; but He is so profuse in goodness, that He works another miracle while upon the road. While yet this rod of Aaron bears the blossom of an unaccomplished wonder, it yields the ripe almonds of a perfect work of mercy.

It is enough for us, if we have some one purpose, straightway to go and accomplish it; it were imprudent to expend our energies along the way. Hastening to the rescue of a drowning friend, we cannot afford to exhaust our strength upon another in like danger. It is enough for a tree to yield one sort of fruit and for a man to fulfill his own peculiar calling. But our Master knows no limit of power or boundary of mission. He is so prolific of grace, that like the sun which shines as it rolls onward in its orbit, His path is radiant with loving-kindness. He is a swift arrow of love, which not only reaches its ordained target but perfumes the air through which it flies. Virtue is evermore going out of Jesus—as sweet odors exhale from flowers! And it always will be emanating from Him—as water from a sparkling fountain.

What delightful encouragement this truth affords us! If our Lord is so ready to heal the sick and bless the needy, then, my soul, do not be slow to put yourself in His way—that He may smile on you. Do not be slack in asking—if He be so abundant in bestowing. Give earnest heed to His Word now, and at all times, that Jesus may speak through it to your heart. Where He is to be found—there make your resort, that you may obtain His blessing. When He is present to heal, may He not heal you? But surely He is present even now, for He always comes to hearts which need Him. And do not you need Him? Ah, He knows how much! O Son of David, turn Your eye and look upon the distress which is now before You, and make Your suppliant whole!