July 3

Morning

And the cows that were sickly and thin devoured the seven sleek, well-fed cows. Then Pharaoh woke up, — Gen 41:4 BSB

Pharaoh’s dream has often felt like my reality. Days of laziness have undone all the progress I made during times of zealous work; seasons of spiritual coldness have frozen the warmth I experienced during moments of passion and enthusiasm; and bouts of worldliness have undone my advances in the life of faith.

I must be on guard against lifeless prayers, empty praises, hollow duties, and shallow experiences, for they will consume the richness of my comfort and peace. If I neglect prayer, even for a short time, I lose the spiritual depth I had gained. Without fresh supplies from heaven, the old reserves in my soul are quickly consumed by the famine within. When the indifference of my heart, the distractions of the world, and the indulgence of my own desires leave my spirit barren, all the fruitfulness I once had counts for nothing.

How careful I should be to avoid weak, empty days and wasted hours! If I moved steadily toward my goal every day, I would reach it soon. But backsliding keeps me far from the prize of my high calling, stealing the progress I worked so hard to achieve. The only way to ensure my days are like the "healthy, well-fed cows" is to nourish them in the right pasture—spending my time with the Lord, serving Him, walking in His ways, and living in His presence.

Why shouldn’t each year be richer than the last, filled with more love, usefulness, and joy? I am closer to heaven, I have more experience with my Lord, and I should be more like Him. O Lord, keep the curse of spiritual emptiness far from me; may I never have to cry, “My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me!” Instead, may I be well-fed and nourished in Your house, that I may praise Your name!

Evening

if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; — 2 Tim 2:12 BSB

We must not assume that we are suffering for Christ, or with Christ, if we are not in Christ. Beloved, are you trusting in Jesus alone? If not, whatever troubles you face on earth, you aren’t “suffering with Christ,” and you have no hope of reigning with Him in heaven.

Not all the trials of a Christian are sufferings with Christ either; it’s essential that we are called by God to suffer. If we act impulsively and put ourselves in situations where neither providence nor grace has prepared us, we should ask whether we are sinning rather than sharing in Christ’s sufferings. If we let our emotions take the place of wisdom, and our own desires overrule the authority of Scripture, we may fight the Lord’s battles using the devil’s tools—and if we injure ourselves in the process, we can’t be surprised!

Also, if our suffering comes as a consequence of our own sin, we mustn’t deceive ourselves into thinking we are suffering with Christ. When Miriam spoke against Moses and was struck with leprosy, she wasn’t suffering for God.

Suffering that God accepts must also have God’s glory as its ultimate goal. If I suffer to earn recognition or applause, I will receive nothing more than what the Pharisees did. My motivation must always be love for Jesus and for His people. And in all my suffering, I must reflect the Spirit of Christ in gentleness, humility, and forgiveness.

Let us examine whether we truly suffer with Christ. If we do, how light our afflictions are compared to the promise of reigning with Him! It is a blessing to be in the furnace with Christ, and an honor to stand in disgrace alongside Him. If there were no future reward, we could still count it a privilege to share in His suffering. But since the reward is eternal and far greater than anything we deserve, shouldn’t we joyfully take up our cross and follow Him with gladness?