September 1

Morning

Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. — Ps 73:24

The Psalmist felt his need of divine guidance. He had just been discovering the foolishness of his own heart, and lest he should be constantly led astray by it, he resolved that God’s counsel should henceforth guide him. A sense of our own folly—is a great step towards being wise, when it leads us to rely on the wisdom of the Lord. The blind man leans on his friend’s arm and reaches home in safety. Just so, should we give ourselves up implicitly to divine guidance, nothing doubting; assured that though we cannot see—it is always safe to trust the All-seeing God!

“You shall,” is a blessed expression of confidence. He was sure that the Lord would not decline the condescending task. There is a word for you, O believer; rest in it. Be assured that your God will be your Counselor and Friend—He shall guide you—He will direct all your ways. In His written Word, so that you have this assurance in part fulfilled, for holy Scripture is His counsel to you. Happy are we to have God’s Word always to guide us! What would the mariner be—without his compass? And what would the Christian be—without his Bible! This is the unerring chart—the map in which every dangerous shoal is described, and all the channels from the quicksands of destruction to the haven of salvation, mapped and marked by one who knows all the way. Blessed are You, O God, that we may trust You to guide us now, and guide us even to the end!

After this guidance through life, the Psalmist anticipates a divine reception at last, “and afterward receive me to glory!” What a thought for you, believer! God Himself will receive you to glory—you! Wandering, erring, straying—yet He will bring you safe at last to glory! This is your portion; live on it this day; and if perplexities should surround you—go in the strength of this text straight to the throne!

Evening

Trust in him at all times. — Ps 62:8

Faith is as much the rule of temporal life—as of spiritual life; we ought to have faith in God for our earthly affairs—as well as for our heavenly business. It is only as we learn to trust in God for the supply of all our daily needs—that we shall live above the world. We are not to be idle—that would show we did not trust in God—who continues to work but in the devil—who is the father of idleness. We are not to be imprudent or rash; that would be to trust chance, and not the living God, who is a God of economy and order. Acting in all prudence and uprightness, we are to rely simply and entirely upon the Lord at all times.

Let me commend to you a life of trust in God in temporal things. Trusting in God, you will not be compelled to mourn because you have used sinful means to grow rich. Serve God with integrity, and if you achieve no success—at least no sin will lie upon your conscience.

Trusting God, you will not be guilty of using deceptive means. He who trusts in deceit—sails this way today, and that way the next, like a vessel tossed about by the fickle wind. But he who trusts in the Lord is like a vessel propelled by steam, she cuts through the waves, defies the wind, and makes one bright silvery straightforward track to her destined haven. Be a man with living principles within; never bow to the varying customs of worldly wisdom. Walk in your path of integrity with steadfast steps, and show that you are invincibly strong in the strength which confidence in God alone can confer. Thus you will be delivered from carking care, you will not be troubled with evil tidings—your heart will be fixed, trusting in the Lord. How pleasant to float along the stream of providence! There is no more blessed way of living—than a life of dependence upon a covenant-keeping God. We have no care—for He cares for us. We have no troubles, because we cast our burdens upon the Lord.