"And the evening and the morning were the first day." (Genesis 1:5)

The evening was "darkness," and the morning was "light," yet together they are called by the name given to the light alone—"day." In every believer, there is both darkness and light, yet you are not called a sinner because there is

sin in you, but a saint because there is holiness in you. This is a comforting thought for those who ask, "Can I be a child of God with so much darkness in me?" Yes, for like the day, you are not named after the evening, but after the morning; you are spoken of in the Word of God as if you were already perfectly holy.

You, my brother or sister, may be like a sheaf of the finest grain. Be grateful, but remember that you will feel the "sharp threshing instrument with teeth." And you, my other brother or sister, may be one of the tender seeds in the Master’s garden. Be

grateful, for you will feel a gentler flail than others, but do not boast about it. You might almost regret that gentler flail, which shows that you are of lighter substance, though still true grain of the Master’s sowing.