Morning, July 31 Go To Evening Reading
“I in them.”
—John 17:23
If such be the union which subsists between our souls and the person of our Lord, how deep and broad is the channel of our communion! This is no narrow pipe through which a thread-like stream may wind; it is a channel of incredible depth and breadth, along whose glorious length a ponderous volume of living water may roll its floods. Behold he hath set before us an open door; let us not be slow to enter. This city of communion hath many pearly gates, every several gates are of one pearl, and each gate is thrown open to the uttermost that we may enter, assured of welcome. If there were but one small loophole to talk with Jesus, it would be a great privilege to thrust a word of fellowship through the narrow door; how much we are blessed in having so large an entrance! Had the Lord Jesus been far away from us, with many a stormy sea between, we should have longed to send a messenger to him to carry him our loves, and bring us tidings from his Father’s house; but see his kindness, he has built his house next door to ours, nay, more, he takes lodging with us, and tabernacles in poor humble hearts, that so he may have perpetual intercourse with us. How foolish must we be if we do not live in habitual communion with him? When the road is long, dangerous, and complex, we need not wonder that friends seldom meet, but when they live together, shall Jonathan forget his David? When her husband is on a journey, a wife may abide for many days without holding converse with him, but she could never endure being separated from him if she knew him to be in one of the chambers of her own house. Why, believer, dost not thou sit at his banquet of wine? Seek thy Lord, for he is near; embrace him, for he is thy Brother. Hold Him fast, for he is thine Husband; and press him to thine heart, for he is of thine own flesh.
Go To Morning Reading Evening, July 31
“And these are the singers … they were employed in that work day and night.”
—1 Chronicles 9:33
Well, was it so ordered in the temple that the sacred chant never ceased: for evermore did the singers praise the Lord, whose mercy endureth forever. As mercy did not cease to rule by day or night, neither did music hush its holy ministry. My heart, there is a lesson sweetly taught to you in the ceaseless song of Zion’s temple, thou to art a constant debtor, and see to it that thy gratitude, like charity, never faileth. God’s praise is constant in heaven, which is to be thy final dwelling place; learn to practice the eternal hallelujah. Around the earth, as the sun scatters his light, his beams awaken grateful believers to tune their morning hymn so that by the priesthood of the saints, perpetual praise is kept up at all hours, they swathe our globe in a mantle of thanksgiving and girdle it with a golden belt of song.
The Lord always deserves to be praised for what he is in himself, for his works of creation and providence, for his goodness towards his creatures, especially for the transcendent act of redemption and all the marvelous blessings flowing from that place. It is always beneficial to praise the Lord; it cheers the day and brightens the night; it lightens toil and softens sorrow; and over earthly gladness, it sheds a sanctifying radiance that makes it less liable to blind us with its glare. Have we yet to sing about something other than this moment? Can we not weave a song out of our present joys, past deliverances, or future hopes? Earth yields her summer fruits: the hay is housed, the golden grain invites the sickle, and the sun tarrying long to shine upon a fruitful land, shortens the interval of shade that we may lengthen the hours of devout worship. By the love of Jesus, let us be stirred up to close the day with a psalm of sanctified gladness.
Spurgeon, C. H. Morning and Evening: Daily Readings. London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1896. Print.
July 31: Cosmic, Creation, Chaos
2 Samuel 23:1–24:25; Jude 1:17–25; Psalm 148:1–150:6
Psalm 148 is cosmic in scope and comforting in the message. It’s a depiction of how Yahweh brought order to chaos in the very beginning. Yahweh put the heavens, heights, angels, hosts (His armies), sun, moon, stars, and waters in their place—each a sign of His rule over the universe (Psa 148:1–5). Yahweh rules over the elements commonly depicted as gods in the ancient Near East; He rules over the symbols of chaos. And this cosmic depiction is comforting.
The version of the creation story we typically hear tells how things came to be, which is good. But the message moves beyond intellectual knowledge when the story is cast like in Psa 148—where we see God as ruler and Lord over chaos. If God rules over turmoil and has since the beginning, He can bring order to our lives clutter. For this reason, the psalmist praises Yahweh for His creation and work in his own life.
The end of Psa 148 further reveals Yahweh’s intimate work with the worshiper: The psalmist declares Yahweh praiseworthy because “he has raised high a horn [the symbol of strength] for his people … for the children of Israel, a people close to him” (Psa 148:14). Yahweh’s work in creation proves that He is the most worthy partner in adverse situations. When things get tough, Yahweh will come through.
Sadly, the message of God’s provision for us has become so cliché that it’s easy for us to take it for granted. Perhaps that’s why it’s the central message of so many biblical books. For example, when Jude prays for protection for believers, he calls out to Jesus—dedicating his message to Him and His work (Jude 17–25). In doing so, Jude uses the words that would have traditionally conjured up images of God’s work in either creation or war—both of which parallel psalms like Psa 148. Jude declares that Jesus deserves “glory, power, and authority” (Jude 25) because He is the “savior” of people and the universe, both of which Yahweh created (Jude 24). Jesus is the one who came to earth to win the battle against chaos.
Next time things get rough, try replacing the cliché “God is in control” with “God is Lord over chaos.” The tense here is essential. God isn’t trying to be Lord—He is Lord. When God spoke, the chaos was subdued. Likewise, when God speaks truth into our lives, the chaos in our lives is subdued. Through Christ’s work, we can have this intimate relationship with God. Through Christ’s efforts in us, we can become people who act with Him to subdue chaos.
What chaos do you need God to subdue today?
John D. Barry
Barry, John D., and Rebecca Kruyswijk. Connect the Testaments: A One-Year Daily Devotional with Bible Reading Plan. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012. Print.
July 31st
Till you are entirely His
Let your endurance be a finished product so you may be complete, with no defect. James 1:4 (Moffatt).
Many of us are all right in the main, but there are some domains in which we are slovenly. It is not a question of sin but of the remnants of the carnal life which are apt to make us careless. Slovenliness is an insult to the Holy Ghost. There should be nothing slipshod, whether it be in how we eat and drink or in how we worship God.
Not only must our relationship with God be correct, but the external expression of that relationship must be correct. Ultimately God will let nothing escape; every detail is under His scrutiny. In numberless ways, God will bring us back to the same point repeatedly. He only tires of getting us to the one point once we learn the lesson because He produces the finished product. It may be a question of impulse, and again and again, with the most persistent patience, God has brought us back to one particular point; or it may be mental wool-gathering or independent individuality. God is trying to impress upon us the one thing that is not entirely right.
We have been having a wonderful time this Session over the revelation of God’s Redemption; our hearts are perfect towards Him; His wonderfuexcellentl work in us makes us know that, in the main we are right with Him; now, says the Spirit, through St. James, “Let your endurance be a finished product.” Watch the slipshod bits—‘Oh, that must do for now.’ Whatever it is, God will point it out with persistence until we are entirely His.
Chambers, Oswald. My Utmost for His Highest: Selections for the Year. Grand Rapids, MI: Oswald Chambers Publications; Marshall Pickering, 1986. Print.
July 31
Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall
1 Cor. 10:12
Angels fell in Heaven, Adam in Paradise, and Peter in Christ’s presence.
Theophilus Polwheile
Hardman, Samuel G., and Dwight Lyman Moody. Thoughts for the Quiet Hour. Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing, 1997. Print.
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