May 23

Morning

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me. — Ps 138:8

Most manifestly the confidence which the Psalmist here expressed was a divine confidence. He did not say, “I have grace enough to perfect that which concerns me—my faith is so steady that it will not stagger—my love is so warm that it will never grow cold—my resolution is so firm that nothing can move it.” No! his dependence was on the Lord alone. If we indulge in any confidence which is not grounded on the Rock of ages—our confidence is worse than a dream, it will fall upon us, and cover us with its ruins to our sorrow and confusion. All that human nature spins—time will unravel, to the eternal confusion of all who are clothed therein.

The Psalmist was wise, he rested upon nothing short of the Lord’s work. It is the Lord who has begun the good work within us; it is He who has carried it on; and if He does not finish it—it never will be complete! If there is one stitch in the celestial garment of our righteousness, which we are to insert ourselves, then we are lost! But this is our confidence, the Lord who began—will perfect. He has done it all, must do it all, and will do it all. Our confidence must not be in what we have done, nor in what we have resolved to do but entirely in what the Lord will do!

Unbelief insinuates, “You will never be able to stand. Look at the evil of your heart! You can never conquer sin! Remember the sinful pleasures and temptations of the world which beset you—you will be certainly allured by them and led astray!” Ah! yes, we would indeed perish—if left to our own strength. If we had to navigate our frail vessels over so rough a sea alone—we might well give up the voyage in despair! But, thanks be to God—HE will perfect that which concerns us, and bring us to the desired haven! We can never be too confident—when we confide in Him alone!

Evening

Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money. — Isa 43:24

Worshipers at the temple were accustomed to bring presents of sweet perfumes to be burned upon the altar of God but Israel, in the time of her backsliding, became ungenerous, and made but few votive offerings to her Lord. This was an evidence of coldness of heart towards God and His house. Reader, does this never occur with you? Might not the complaint of the text be occasionally, if not frequently, brought against you?

Those who are poor in pocket, if rich in faith, will be accepted none the less, because their gifts are small; but, poor reader, do you give in fair proportion to the Lord, or is the widow’s mite kept back from the sacred treasury? The rich believer should be thankful for the talent entrusted to him but should not forget his large responsibility, for where much is given—much will be required. But, rich reader, are you mindful of your obligations, and rendering to the Lord according to the benefit received?

Jesus gave His blood for us—what shall we give to Him? We are His, and all that we have, for He has purchased us unto Himself—can we act as if we were our own? O for more consecration! and to this end, O for more love!

Blessed Jesus, how good it is of You to accept our fragrant incense! Nothing is too costly as a tribute to Your unrivaled love, and yet You receive with favor, the smallest sincere token of affection! You receive our poor forget-me-nots and love-tokens as though they were intrinsically precious, though indeed they are but as the bunch of wild flowers which the child brings to its mother. May we never grow niggardly towards You, and from this hour may we never hear You complain of us again for withholding the gifts of our love. We will give You the first fruits of our increase, and pay You tithes of all, and then we will confess “of Your own—have we given You.”