July 20

Morning

The earnest of our inheritance. — Eph 1:14

Oh! what enlightenment, what joys, what consolation, what delight of heart—is experienced by that man who has learned to feed on Jesus and on Jesus alone. Yet the realization which we have of Christ’s preciousness is, in this life, imperfect at the best. As an old writer says, “Tis but a taste!” We have but tasted “that the Lord is gracious,” but we do not yet know how good and gracious He is; although what we know of His sweetness, makes us long for more. We have enjoyed the first fruits and they have set us hungering and thirsting for the fullness of the heavenly vintage. Here we are like Israel in the wilderness, who had but one cluster from Eshcol—there we shall be in the vineyard!

We are but beginners now in spiritual education; for although we have learned the first letters of the alphabet, we cannot read words yet, much less can we put sentences together. As one says, “He who has been in heaven but five minutes—knows more than all the theologians on earth!”

We have many ungratified desires at present but soon every wish shall be satisfied; and all our powers shall find the sweetest employment in that eternal world of joy. O Christian, within a very little time you shall be rid of all your trials and your troubles. Your eyes which are now suffused with tears—shall weep no longer. You shall gaze in ineffable rapture upon the splendor of Him who sits upon the throne! Nay, more—upon His throne—you shall sit! The triumph of His glory shall be shared by you! His crown, His joy, His paradise—these shall be yours! You shall be co-heir with Him who is the heir of all things!

Evening

And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? — Jer 2:18

By wondrous miracles, by manifold mercies, by marvelous deliverances, Jehovah had proved Himself to be worthy of Israel’s trust. Yet they broke down the hedges with which God had enclosed them as a sacred garden; they forsook their own true and living God, and followed after false gods. Constantly did the Lord reprove them for this infatuation, and our text contains one instance of God’s expostulating with them, “What have you to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of the muddy river?” for so it may be translated. “Why do you wander afar to drink the waters of the muddy river and leave your own cool stream from Lebanon? Why are you so strangely set on mischief, that you cannot be content with the good and healthful but would follow after that which is evil and deceitful?”

Is there not here a word of expostulation and warning to the Christian? O believer, called by grace and washed in the precious blood of Jesus—you have tasted of better drink than the muddy river of this world’s pleasure can give you! You have had fellowship with Christ; you have obtained the joy of seeing Jesus, and leaning your head upon His bosom. Do the trifles, the songs, the honors, the merriment of this earth—content you after that? Have you eaten the bread of angels and can you live on swine-husks? Good Rutherford once said, “I have tasted of Christ’s own manna, and it has put my mouth out of taste for the brown bread of this world’s joys.” Me thinks it should be so with you.

If you are wandering after the muddy waters of Egypt, O return quickly to the one living fountain! The waters of the Nile may be sweet to the Egyptians but they will prove only bitterness to you. What have you to do with them? Jesus asks you this question this evening—what will you answer Him?