June 13

Morning

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely. — Rev 22:17 BSB

Jesus says, “take freely.” He asks for no payment or preparation. He doesn’t seek any recommendation from our good feelings or virtuous emotions. Even if you have no holy feelings at all, if you are willing, you are invited—so come! You may lack faith and repentance, but come to Him, and He will give them to you. Come just as you are, and take freely, without money and without price. Jesus gives Himself to the needy.

The drinking fountains at the corners of our streets are invaluable, and we can hardly imagine anyone foolish enough to search their pockets for money when standing before one, saying, “I can’t drink because I don’t have five cents.” No matter how poor someone may be, the fountain is there, and they may drink from it freely. People passing by, whether dressed in scarlet or simple clothes, don’t ask for permission to drink—its presence is permission enough. The generosity of others has made the refreshing water available, and we take it without question. Perhaps the only people who pass by thirsty are the fine ladies and gentlemen in their carriages. Though parched, they won’t think of getting out to drink because they feel it would be beneath them.

In the same way, many are rich in their own good works and refuse to come to Christ. They say, “I won’t be saved the same way as the harlot or the drunkard. What! Go to heaven the same way as a chimney sweep? Is there no other path to glory but the one the thief took? I refuse to be saved that way.” Such proud souls will remain without the living water. But, “Whoever is willing, let him take the water of life freely!”

Evening

Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion. — Prov 30:8 BSB

“O my God, do not be far from me.” —Psalm 38:21

Here, we find two important lessons—what to avoid and what to seek. The holiest state is also the happiest state for a Christian. Just as there is the most warmth nearest the sun, so there is the most joy closest to Christ. No Christian experiences true comfort when their eyes are fixed on vain things—they find no satisfaction unless their soul is revived by God. The world may find happiness elsewhere, but a Christian cannot. I don’t blame ungodly people for chasing their pleasures—why shouldn’t they? That’s all they have to enjoy. A wife, once converted, who despaired of her unbelieving husband, showed him great kindness, saying, “I fear this is the only world where he’ll find happiness, so I’ve made up my mind to make him as happy as I can here.”

Christians, however, must seek their joy in higher things, not in the fleeting pleasures or sinful enjoyments of the world. Empty amusements are dangerous for renewed souls. There’s an old story of a philosopher who, while gazing at the stars, fell into a pit. But how much deeper is the fall of those who focus on earthly things! Their fall is fatal. No Christian is safe when their soul becomes sluggish and their God feels distant. While every Christian is always secure in Christ, we are not always safe in terms of our experience of holiness and communion with Him. Satan doesn’t often attack a Christian who is walking closely with God. It’s when a Christian strays from God, becomes spiritually weak, and tries to feed on vanities, that the devil finds his advantage. Though he may stand against the Christian active in service to God, the battle is usually short. But the Christian who stumbles in the Valley of Humiliation, each false step invites Apollyon’s attack. O, may we have the grace to walk humbly with our God!