PREFACE

Older sheep need better feeding than younger ones ( Hebrews 5:12-14 ) ; we cannot live on milk all of our life ( although many attempt it ). The old disciples are fast approaching a time when they shall almost be in view of Home, and their concern is to be ' ready to depart ' ( Philipp.1:23 ). The old are aware of a decline in many areas of their life, but there is no necessity for spiritual decline. These Readings are written to encourage elderly believers, to help lift the mind onward and upward, - a comfort which only God can give with His Word. May the Spirit work with His Word in us.

None of us knows if we are on the last page of the last chapter of our life in this world, and from that perspective these readings are profitable for all ages.

Rev J.Clark. BA(hons.) MA. BSc(hons) MSc. MEd. MTh.

JULY 1

" A better country."   Hebrews 11:16.

" The country you are now going to is a better country. it is better in regard of buildings, whose Builder and Maker is God (vs.10). It is better in regard of inhabitants ( Rev.21:27). It is better in regard of quietness and freedom from trouble, God shall wipe away all tears. Better in regard of riches, an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, that fadeth not away. Better in regard of pleasures, for says the Psalmist, At thy right hand are rivers of pleasures forever more. Better in regard of our freedom from needs and necessities. It was Augustine's prayer, ' Lord deliver me from my needs '. It is a great mercy now to have bread to eat when we need it, but it is a greater mercy to have no need of it. A great mercy it is to have a good bed to lie on, and so to sleep quietly, but it is a greater mercy to have no need of a bed or to sleep...Your passage thither is very short, for no sooner do you step out of this world, but, if graced and godly in Christ, you step immediately into that country ; there is no sleeping of the soul after death...Therefore  lift up your heads ye old men and be of good comfort under all your natural infirmities." ( W. Bridge 1657).

JULY 2  

" A bruised reed shall He not break."   Matthew 12.20.

Others may make matters worse, but the Lord is very gentle with a fragile soul. Such are like the almost broken reed, with the head hanging down, struggling to stand up,afraid of any strong wind. Such are also compared to ' smoking flax ', a candle flickering with lack of strength and light.Because it refers to the condition of the soul, everything may look well from the outside, but inside there is the apprehension of feeling vulnerable to powers which are greater than our own.We are surrounded by such powers, but we are also protected from them. This does not exempt us from bruises or shades of darkness, but it comforts us that we are not alone to meet them. The reed is held together to endure and the candle still burns to see a little.

The Lord knows we have an aversion to noise and shouting in this condition, and uses a ' still, small voice ' with us, as He did with Elijah in his exhausted state. Fragile souls are repelled by loud speakers, whether in the pulpit or otherwise. A loud voice is fitting for condemnation but not for comfort. " Comfort ye, comfort ye my people," says the Lord ( Is.40:1) - this was said gently to those who needed His comfort.

JULY 3  

" Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right ? "   Genesis 18:25.

Abraham stood before the Lord as the Lord had revealed to him the future ( of Sodom). God told His friend Abraham some things in advance ( Ps.25:14. John 15:15). Abraham knew some people in Sodom were worse than others and that God would always do what is right. He thought there might be 10 righteous in Sodom, but there was only one, Lot. And it was clear from Lot's dreadful behaviour that he was not saved by his works ! Like others, anyone saved could only be saved by mercy, because " there is none righteous " ( Rom.3:10). Sinners can only be justified by faith and not by works, and a clear example of that is the salvation of Lot. If it were not written, we could not believe it, but it is written ( 2 Peter 2:7-9), and therefore Lot must be therefore classed as a horrible backslider and not an apostate. Justice was done to Sodom. All inside had broken God's law, including Lot. But one was justified by faith and the law in his case allowed mercy to go forth, because God is just and also the Justifier of those who believe in His Son. God's justice is vindicated and is satisfied, but not by us. By Christ, and thus we receive Him by faith and thus God's mercy. Hell is full of God's justice, The Judge of all the earth can only do what is right.

JULY 4

" God is greater than our heart and knoweth all things."   1 John 3:20.

These words can be taken in two ways, by way of warning or in comfort. On the one hand, if we are concealing sin or continuing sin, and our conscience is dulled, we are to remember that God knows all. Thus, the sooner we get back on the path of obedience the better. We cannot enjoy peace by making compromises with sin. " If our hearts condemn us, how much greater must be the condemnation of One who is absolutely holy and knows everything ? " ( J.D.Jones) It is good that the heart is conscious of sin moving in the heart, it means that we also know where to go, who to go to, for forgiveness and strength. Let us not delay to go to Him. The words may also mean not only that the heart is awakened and dull conscience has been aroused, but that there is a promise of forgiveness given although the conscience is not yet at peace after we have confessed our sin to God ( 1 John 1:9). None of us have a clear conscience from sin, and conscience has to be taught that our peace comes from the blood of Christ. But we must remember that this peace is not usually instantly enjoyed upon repentance. However, God is greater than our hearts," He knows all things ", and His approval is more important than any feeling we may enjoy.

JULY 5

" Jacob's thigh was [put] out of joint as he wrestled with Him."  Genesis 32:25.

Jacob was not the aggressor here, God was. Jacob's natural strength had to be weakened ( Ps.102:23). He had been too used to relying on his own strength and mental acuteness ; this reliance had detracted from his dependence on God. Now he was praying to be successful in his strategy to appease his brother, but it was God who wrestled with him. We sometimes hear of a person ' wrestling in prayer ',  trying to extort some promise from God. But it was actually the other way round - God was wrestling with Jacob to get some sincere dependence out of him, or rather into him. It was Jacob who must bend his way of thinking to God's and not vice versa.Jacob could not get out of this looming trouble ( with Esau and his 400 men approaching him) by his own efforts. He must cling or fall. God in His Providence will bring to us distressing trials which will prove whether our prayers are ' real ' or not. The word " Israel " means " God strives ". Jacob must submit if He is to receive God's blessing, and he does. Is God striving with you ? Search and see what is causing you to resist ? Jacob was in pain, but God's purpose was mercy and blessing.

JULY 6  

" I was dead,and behold, I am alive for evermore."  Revelation 1:18.

Death is a reality, but life after death is real also. It is contained in a promise made by Christ to those willing to follow Him through death ; becoming dead and then alive, just like Himself. His life conquers death, for Himself and for His people. He does not hide the fact of death, as many do, nor does He speak of it in vague terms. Likewise, what He says about life for evermore. when we come to die we shall need the need for certainty, more than at any other time - this will be the final transition. Like Paul, we must be " persuaded ", by Christ Himself. Human opinions can do nothing against death.

Most people die because they cannot help it, but Christ willed to die ( John 10:17), and it was the greatest death in history. It was a death that completed something and began something else. " To other men death comes to frustrate their work. But Christ's death consummated, crowned and completed His work." ( J.D.Jones) Death reigns no more. It is the ' last enemy ', but it is a defeated enemy. " The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice ! " (Psalm 97:1)

JULY 7   

" Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned."  Psalm 51:4.

We may have retired, but our memory has not, and there is plenty of time for it to remind us of the great sins in our past. We should go to Psalm 51 at such a time, it is ' the Prayer of the Penitent.' Your sin was great, but probably was not greater than David's, and he knew to whom to go; he was not disappointed in his hope. This Psalm deals with such questions as, Do I have a true repentance ? Will God hear me ? Have I sinned away salvation ? How could I have done It in the first place ? He, and we, can commit great sin as the power for sin(s) is in our nature somewhere, we are born with it (vs.5). David made no excuses, he saw himself in the mirror of the Word and saw a guilty man reflected. He had probably avoided looking in this mirror after he committed the act. The people around him knew nothing about what he had done, but he knew. He thought he could avoid the thought, but the memory does not give up, and conscience faces us down. The wonder of redemption is seen in that Christ bore the guilt and suffering of David's sins. As Nathan said, the Lord took away David's sin, and laid it upon Another ( 2 Sam.12:13. Isaiah 53:6). Psalm 51 gives hope for the worst sinner, especially those who keep putting off the confrontation with God. The sin is against Him and only He can pardon it. Pardon comes to those who plead guilty and look to their Advocate ( 1 John 2:1,2) - He has never lost a case. David knew this, - do we ?

JULY 8

" Behold the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah...and I saw...a Lamb." Revelation 5:5,6.

The Jews expected only a lion for the coming Messiah, the Christ ( Gen. 49:9,10), but He is also a Lamb. The Lion is the symbol of kingship, of strength. The lamb is the symbol of meekness, of sacrificial blood. Both power and gentleness are combined in the Person of Jesus Christ the Son of God. But meekness is not weakness ; it takes courage to be submissive to God and not conform to a rebellious and hostile world ; Christ has shown us the way. Unlike an ordinary lion, His power is directed by goodness and justice. Unlike the lamb He laid down his life willingly, and lived to apply the blood and merit of His own death to sinners. The Lamb takes away the sin's penalty upon Himself and the Lion sets the prisoners free, and protects them on the journey Home. He was obedient unto death and is now exalted. We have experienced both these aspects of Christ's character in our lives ; the power and the pity. " The lion of Judah shall break every chain, and give us the victory again and again " was an old rhyme for children. " Thy gentleness has made me great," said David ( Ps.18:35). Whether it be our enemies or our mistakes, Christ's power and pity shall deal with both.

JULY 9

" Behold, He taketh away, who can hinder Him ? "  Job 9:12.

" It is God who has done it...Perhaps they are taken away from the evil to come. Perhaps that child,whose death caused you so many tears, would, if he had lived, broken your heart. Perhaps that Christian friend who departed with so fair a memory would, had he continued longer here, have been drawn aside by temptation and disgraced his profession. Perhaps that beloved relative may have become a sufferer for life, and you the worn out spectator of the pain and anguish which was beyond your ability to relieve. It is certain that if they were the followers of Jesus, by remaining here, they would have still been at sea. But they have now entered the desired haven. They would have been still at war, but now their warfare is accomplished.

The change is infinitely to their advantage. It is a deliverance, an advancement, a consummation. If absent from the body, they are present with the Lord. They have reached all that they valued and toiled after here." ( William Jay 1837 )

JULY 10   

" For my eyes have seen Thy salvation."  Luke 2:30.

Many thousands saw Christ during His lifetime here, but few saw salvation in Him. Simeon, however, was absorbed in the sight ; his faith was in his eyes, his tongue and his heart. He looked expectantly, believing God's promises, waiting and watching for God's time to fulfil them. Many old people spend their time looking back, but old Simeon and those like him were only looking one way. His lips praised God, he confessed his faith with his mouth ( Rom.10:9). He confessed God's sovereignty and faithfulness, he made public prayer, he was happy in his hope, and he comforted those around him. In his heart he experienced peace, the peace of reconciliation with God through the one he was taking hold of ; not only physically in his arms, but with the hands of faith. Faith takes hold of Christ as Saviour and is held there by Christ's grasp of us. He may have had heart trouble, as many old people do, but it was not a spiritual malady in his case. He looked forward to departing in peace, in shedding his burden, his cross. Meanwhile he would follow Christ with those who saw him by faith. " The just shall live by faith." They shall also die in faith, and Simeon knew it could not be long now.

JULY 11   

" For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt."  Deuteronomy 11:10.

No, it's quite different, especially as it's not on earth at all. Heaven is a distant place ( although passage across is instant at death ) where Christ is right now. To that place ( and a body means a place, not just a state ) Christ gathers up His people one by one. Believers are in a procession thither, but we do not know who shall precede us or follow us there ; He makes the appointments. How blessedly strange to be in a land where ' the inhabitant shall no longer say, I am sick.' A land without grief, pain, frustration, disappointment, where " the people no longer hurt one another." ( Bunyan). There will be no moral imperfections there, and nothing in ourselves to guard against. No laws will need to be framed there ; they are already in the heart (Jerem.31:33) of God's people and now they will have unhindered expression in their heavenly lives. There will be no need for ' church discipline ' once all the church reaches there. It will be as the difference between night and day in that land ( a foretaste of which did happen in Egypt).

But, as we journey there, let us remember and pray for those who are still 'bondmen in the land of Egypt ' ( Deut.15:15), and then fall on our knees in thanksgiving and adoration of the One who redeemed us out of it.

JULY 12

" Glorify ye the LORD in the fires."   Isaiah 24:15.

Old age brings its pains, mental and physical. But it also brings spiritual stress in the fires ( the metaphor for trouble and suffering, ch.43:2). Peter says we are not to ' think it strange ' that such a trial comes upon us. The natural mind thinks that Christians should be exempt from sufferings, but these trials are sent to us by mysterious Divine wisdom. We are to be witnesses to God's character in such a trial ( His Name, character,vs.15). It is our obligation and our opportunity, and if done will encourage others in their sufferings also. We may be trembling when we do it, not only through weakness but also afraid that suffering may harden us ( as we have seen in the case of others) and we fail to glorify God. " Call upon Me in the day of trouble " He says, and remember that troubles do not come by chance ( Ps.20:1). Hope will enable us to endure, to get through one day at a time. Days are temporary, as is our suffering, the suffering shall end with our days. How can we endure what seems to be unendurable, not only to others but to ourselves ? When Cromwell's daughter died aged 19 he crumbled inside, but God's word came to him with power, " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." ( Philipp.4:13) His grace shall always be ( found ) sufficient, but, as an old divine once said, in our experience there is none to spare !

JULY 13    

" To be spiritually minded is life and peace."   Romans 8:6.

How we think inside shows us what we are, to ourselves and to others ( Prov. 23:7). To be spiritually minded is the only way to enjoy the life and peace which we have in Christ. Avoiding sin is the negative part of this, focussing on the things revealed by the Spirit in His Word is the positive part. The Word reveals the eternally unseen, especially the Person of Christ and the unseen powers which go forth from God through Him. Our assurance is linked with our sanctification ( 1 Cor.1:30,31) which we draw from our union with Christ. Spiritual thoughts have a spiritual focus. Our interest and delight in these matters distinguish us from minds which are earthbound. Sometimes we struggle to get our minds off the things of this world, but we know we have to get above it, and see everything against the background of eternity. Some environments and company are more conducive to spiritual thinking than others, and we should notice this and act accordingly. In addition, we should beware of focussing more on the church than on Christ ; the church cannot save us. Lack of growth can be traced to a lack of spiritual thinking, but spiritual thinking is a necessary preparation for heaven. There there is no distraction from the Lamb, there communion is face to Face.

JULY 14  

" I go to prepare a place for you."    John 14:2.

This is a chapter of great comfort for those who are thinking about death, as Christ was. He looked forward to His activity after death, as His activity before death was nearing its end at the cross. He did not , as many, push death into the background ; it would open up new opportunities of service to His Father. What Christ was facing was not the end of everything, it was the end of suffering. He would now continue His work within the veil and leave His blessing behind upon those who desired to follow Him through. On the other side there would be a permanent place, the pilgrim's progress would be over. The Father's house was built for the Father's children, all of whom would be brought Home by the Son, those given the desire by the Holy Spirit to be with Christ ; not a natural desire or persuasion. It has been well said that " Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people."

That preparation goes on in us until the last moment here. Heaven needed the personal Presence of Christ in His human nature to be fully prepared for the reception and dwelling of God's children. The grave is but the hallway. Doubts ?- If it were not so I would have told you, He says (vs.2). The Christian responds," That's good enough for me ! "

JULY 15

" To dust thou shalt return."   Genesis 3:19.

If we are prepared for an appointment with death, then it shall not feel like a steep descent but a gentle slope into it, and then through the valley. This is the result of being familiar with God's promise, and not a stranger to it. We must remember that God called Adam out of hiding to give him the first Gospel promise about Christ ; the ' seed of the woman ' and not of the man. Philip of Macedon ( Alexander's father ) paid a man to remind him each day that he was mortal. This was not only to keep him from pride, but also to remind him what we so easily forget. " We think all are mortal except ourselves," said John Milton. Every illness is a little death, said a sufferer ; it is a foretaste of weakness and helplessness. We need Him who is " mighty to save " ( Is.63:1). When we commit bodies of loved ones to the earth, does not the mortality of others remind us of our own ? But for how long does that impression last ? We do not need to pay a man, as Philip did, we have God's Word, God's promises - of death, but also of life. We are to go through the valley of the shadow of death - and where there is Light to guide us through, there is a shadow.

Without light there can only be darkness. Christ is the Life and Light " ( John 1:4).

JULY 16 

" But now he is dead...I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. 2 Samuel 12:23.

A large number of children still die before their parents ; disease and ' accident 'do not respect age. Some die in the womb, just as many ( if not more nowadays ) as in previous centuries. The death of David's child was predicted ; some parents have time to prepare themselves for the death, others do not. David took himself to prayer, it balanced his sorrow ( Ps.61:2). On many occasions God's Providence puts us in a condition where we can do nothing to affect an undesirable outcome which we see ahead. David, unlike many in such misery, did at least have Someone to go to and pour out his heart. Prayer thrives in ( a sense of ) weakness. David was comforted that at his own death he would see his child again, " I shall go to him." Reunion is an ingredient in the comforts of heaven. We find it easier to wait patiently for something which is certain than for the uncertain. David expresses no vague hope here. There is no communication with those in heaven but communion with them continues. We are known to each other, as we are to Christ.

JULY 17   

" Behold, here I am. Let Him do to me as seemeth good to Him."   2 Samuel 15:26.

David teaches others by his example here. He is willing to suffer a loss if God wills it for him ; to lose temporary gifts from God is not to lose God. Grace teaches us submission to God's Will. We must be balanced in our mind to accept God's either Yes or No to our prayers ( John Newton). If feasible it is better to have God choose for us. However, if there is a clear choice for us to make, we cannot evade our responsibility. David did not overvalue the Ark or any other furniture used in worship ; he was not superstitious ( as earlier Israelites had been, 1 Samuel ch.4). He could worship God without it. It was clearly seen afterwards that the absence of the Ark did not affect the battle with Absalom's army. David trusted in God, that He would be faithful to David, not for David's sake but for Christ's sake. David's life was bound up in the Covenant made with Christ, as is every other believer's. Despite our deprivations, ' there is nothing too hard for the Lord.' Providence is like a wheel ( Ezekiel ch.1), it goes around, and ' the last shall be first.' All things are ' working together for good ', despite how bad things look. David found this, and so shall we. We commit ourselves in His care,  and fight the battle. All future events are in God's hand. Faith puts our hand in His.

JULY 18    

" A reason for the hope that is in you."    1 Peter  3:15.

This hope is put into us by the Spirit of Christ as we read the promises of Scripture, and is strengthened the more we read them. It did not come to us by nature, it is specific and surrounded with certainty. It is a " good hope " because founded on grace ( 2 thess.2:16). It is not based on our worthiness, but freely given to us ( Ps. 22:9,10). This means that neither we nor any other power can annihilate that hope ; it does not depend on us. He has the power to keep His promises, no-one else has that power. This hope in us is more than a vague feeling. How do we know it is given to us ? We know because of its effective application in our lives. The Lord said that His people are to be known by their fruit ( Mt.7) - the fruit of the Spirit ( Gal.5:22ff), the fruit of repentance and faith. We have therefore objective reasons for the hope from Scripture promises and subject reasons as we can affirm that we have received these promises, and received ' not in Word only but in power ' in the life. ( 1 Thess.1:3,4).There is no hope if there is no union to Christ. The world therefore remains ' without hope because without Christ.' ( Ephes. 2:12 ), but a false hope can still carry a person a long way. However, it does not reach heaven. The believer's hope comes from heaven and brings her there.

JULY 19  

" We have this treasure in earthen vessels."  2 Corinthians 4:7.

The earthen vessel grows older. It loses colour, develops cracks and is less used. But the treasure inside remains the same, only the outward appearance of the vessel changes. Because of its age it requires more careful, not less, handling. It is the fragile child in the family which is given greater attention. So in God's family - it is in the weak where God's strength is made perfect ( 2 Corinth.12:9). The strong man usually points to himself, the weak to God. What is this treasure ? Some think it is the Gospel, and certainly it was poor fishermen, publicans etc who carried it to others, not noble orators. Paul' s " bodily presence was " thought of as " weak " and his speech was regarded as " contemptible " by the learned experts, but the power with the Gospel was not human but the " power of God " ! ( Rom.1:16). However, there is a greater treasure within these chosen vessels, a Pearl  of great price, the Author of the gospel, " Christ in you the hope of glory " ( Coloss. 1:27). These vessels are heavenbound, they shall be carried there and displayed forever in heaven as Christ's trophies. On earth the world gave them the lowest place, but that shall soon change, because they are precious in God's eyes ( Ps.116:15. Malachi 3:17.)

JULY 20.   

" And when the Lord saw her..."   Luke 7:13.

Others saw only a funeral procession, but He knew the particulars of this case ; the only son of a poor widow. He did not need anyone to tell Him or even to pray to Him, He knew. And the great High Priest was ' touched '( Heb.4:15). The widow did not seek Him, and the son could not. " I am found by those who sought Me not " ( Rom.10:20). Christ was distinguished from all others by His pity and tenderness. " His eye affected His heart." ( W.Jay)

He said, " Weep not." If anyone else had said that to her she would have been shocked at their cruel callousness,if not angry ! But there was hope conveyed in His words. When Christ spoke, all eyes were upon Him. What could He accomplish at a funeral ? When His words come with power, hearts are encouraged ; the focus is taken away from death to Himself. We will not see in this world what He did at that funeral again, but perhaps in heaven we shall see Christ handing over the children to their mothers, mothers who longed to see their children again after death took them away.

JULY 21

" The end of that man is peace."    Psalm 37:37.

Perhaps he didn't enjoy much of it here below, but in the end he knows it fully. Peace means the absence of war, disturbance and noise. But spiritually speaking, it is positive, it is reconciliation with God through the Mediator, Christ Jesus. If we have this while we live we shall enter into the full enjoyment of it when we die. The world's idea of peace is ' Leave me alone ! ' but for the Christian it is saying to God, ' Do not leave me alone ! ' ( Ps.23:4). Mr. Honest had arranged to meet with a certain Mr. Good Conscience when he came to the shore of death - he was ready now to cross over to heaven. It is how we finish our journey that matters, whether it is with Christ or without Him. Before we reach death we need to know how matters stand between our souls and Christ. Christ had taught us how to live and also how to die. " Now let Thy servant depart in peace," said old Simeon ( Luke 2:29). David, the Psalmist, certainly did not have a perfect life here, but his soul was made perfect in death. We shall have peace if we depend on Christ and not on ourselves, whether in life or at death. " Now like the weary traveller I lean upon my Guide." ( S.Rutherford)

JULY 22. 

" Who hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Timothy 2:10.

Our knowledge of heaven can only be derived from the One who made heaven and is there Himself.His description is given in the Bible.This not only restrains our speculation but also whets our appetite for the experience of what is described. The Bible describes heaven negatively, ie by what is not there ( cf. Rev.21:4. 22:3-5.) There are no more fears, perplexity or disappointments, no more spots or blemishes ( Ephes.5:27) There is a great contrast with this world ; we are going to a new world, not a re-newed one !) The descriptions also uses perfected likenesses of some things we have seen here. Heaven is like a fine city, a beautiful garden, a peaceful and harmonious community. A glorious King can be seen there in all the beauty of His power and gentleness - unlike here, this King has no flaws. There is a Rest there, a Feast there, and worship without distraction or discontent. There is perfect knowledge, perfect service, perfect communion. And yet, because of our weak mental and spiritual capacity here, " the half has not been told ' us. There will be surprises there, but at last there will be nothing to worry about.

JULY 23

"Remember me, O LORD, with the favour which Thou bearest to Thy people."   Psalm 106:4.

The believer is afraid of being neglected, a fear often based on circumstances or feelings ( and perhaps a combination of both). But the Lord's ' pleasure ' in His people, mentioned in Psalm 149 vs.4 ( same word as in Ps.106:4) is eternal and unchangeable. This people are united to, and seen in Him in whom the Father is well-pleased ( Matt.3:17). They know how undeserving they are of this grace, but also are aware that this belongs to God's people, the people to whom Christ was sent, " to save His people from their sins "( Matt.1:21). This people are not confined to one era or one nationality, but are joined together by the Holy Spirit to Christ in all ages. Like David, they have the mark of prayer, prayer with humility ; the tone of their voice in addressing God is quite different from the Pharisees. God will always remember His covenant with them ( vs.45). The reliability of His promise will be a source of comfort to them. He will not forget His people, He shall lead them, feed them and bring them Home. They pray to be remembered by Him even when all others do not have them in mind, just like the dying thief. When it comes to dying, Christ's remembrance means everything to them !

JULY 24  

" Be filled with the Spirit."   Ephesians 5:18.

This is a command ( daily ) to be filled with what the Spirit gives : words of prayer, promise and praise ( different types of Psalms). Rather than trying to be filled with excitements or this -world-based interests or excesses, we are directed to seek the filling of what the Spirit brings to us from Christ. Only the Holy Spirit gives spiritual fillings. The means of grace, mentioned in verse 19 and 20 are given to fill us ; to use as food for thought and fuel for energy to serve Him. The Spirit fills what lies empty and fructifies what lies barren. It is ' times of refreshing ', something which we must seek daily, whether we feel like it or not. It is our responsibility to seek it, it is His grace to give it.Read the Bible, sing the Psalms and pray with thanksgiving, and so keep the channel open. Neglect of the means of grace shows our ingratitude for what is given to us in Christ. Without thanksgiving we lose the vigour of that new life, a life which we cannot live on our own. It is a life of dependence on Him. " It is the spirit that quickens, the flesh profits nothing. " ( John 6:63).

JULY 25  

" Moses knew not that...his face shone while He talked with him."  Exodus 34:29.

" Spiritual beauty is loveliest when it is unconsciously possessed...Moses knew not, and that is the supreme height of spiritual loveliness ; to be lovely and not to know it. Surely this is a lesson we all need to learn. Virtue is so apt to become self-conscious, and so to lose its glow. Take the grace of humility. Humility is very beautiful when we see it unimpaired. It is exquisite with the loveliness of Christ. But there is a self-conscious humility which is only a very subtle species of pride. It is possible to boast of our humility !  There are men and women whose only source of pride appears to be their modesty. " ( J.H.Jowett).The remedy for this temptation ( to be proud of our humility) is to be so absorbed in contemplating God that we forget ourselves. Moses gave attention to God, who ' talked to him.' This is how we are transformed - by ' beholding the glory of the Lord ' in the mirror of His Word ( 2 Corinth.3:18). Contemplation brings transformation, faces shine in His presence, in communion with Him. While looking at Him we cannot look at ourselves, and the more ' He increases and we decrease ', the better.

JULY 26   

" Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. "  John 11:5.

When we are united to Christ we do not lose our individuality. Moreover, although grace changes our state it does not usually change our temperament, our underlying personality. Christ has a personal and particular ( and equal) love for each of His people ; " who loved me and gave Himself for me," says Paul to the Galatian church. Jesus loved Martha, who is set forth as the practical worker in the family. She did not wait for responsibilities, she took them eagerly. Activity was her life, and she probably felt guilty when she was not busy doing something. Mary was the contemplative one, spending long periods in communion with the Unseen. She seems to have been quiet, reserved and thoughtful ; a sensitive soul. But she could take bold steps to commend Christ when the need arose. She appears to be the woman who anointed him in Bethany before His burial ( Mark 14:3), seeing His work more clearly than the other disciples. Some women are better theologians than many men.

We know little about Lazarus, but Jesus loved him, and that is enough for us to know. The world would see him as a nobody, but " Behold how He loved him," they said of Christ at lazarus' grave. There were many, and still are many of Jesus' disciples who are not named in the Bible. Who were the seventy sent out with the Gospel, who were Paul's ' fellow labourers ' ? We don't know, but thing we do know - their " names were written in the Book of Life " by Christ ( Philipp.4:3). That is love and life !

JULY 27   

" Stand therefore, with your loins girt about with truth. "  Ephesians 6:14.

The belt around the soldier braced him for battle. Nothing was allowed to hang loose, all was compact and firm. The belt tightened his clothes around him.The Apostle's application of this is, Wrap the truth around you, around your life. Wear it like a belt to give you the strength to stand against the pressure of contradiction and antagonism. Say to the devil also, " It is written." Paul was a great example of this, " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." ( Philipp.4:13) Trying to live without applying the truth makes a person loose, careless, unsteady. " Beware the man of one Book," said Spurgeon." Prick Bunyan and you will find his blood is Bibline." There is a calmness around those who trust in God, who take Him at His Word, like a child. It is true that in some days the belt is less tight than in others, but hopefully we will notice this and remember the truth enough to apply it and practise it. You will find in the Psalms, in particular, the experiences that a Christian goes through in this battleground of a world. We stand upon the Word, and His Word enables us to stand ( Heb.1:3)." Take this truth and wear it, and paralysing despair shall yield to a bright and vigorous hope." ( J.H.Jowett).

JULY 28

" We walk by faith and not by sight. "  2 Corinthians 5:7.

While we would like to contemplate  Christ all the day ( Ps.25:5) our weakness prevents it in this world. We are like the mariner on hisvoyage, who finds it difficult to gaze upon a stationary object in the distance because the waves carry him up and down. Nor do all ourthoughts have a spiritual focus, many are occupied with the things of this world, but not too much we pray. We are like the blind man restored in his vision in part. While he could see what he could not see before ( Heb.11:1), it was only ' in part ' ( 1 Corinth. 13;12), menas trees walking." Even the sinless angels do not have a perfect knowledge of what is happening on earth. Some days we see more clearly than others. Likewise in the spiritual realm ; some days we grasp the hidden part of reality more strongly than on other days. All depends on the activity of the Spirit within us, but we must also use the means. The Word of God reveals to us the unseen, tells us what is happening, what God is working out in His purpose ; for us as individuals and for the world. This faith is a preparation for the glory of heaven, not seen yet, but promised to those who follow Christ. Trust Him even in the dark parts of the journey.

JULY 29    

" Fret not thyself...to do evil.  " Psalm 37:8.

This is what fretting ( anxious and fearful thoughts ) can lead to - choices which have evil consequences. Impulsive decisions which cast off the fear of God in order to answer some other worldly fear. This fretfulness exhausts a person and whn feeble he gives way more easily to the devil's influence. There is an internal collapse, and an evil means may be chosen for a good end, or just plain relief from pressure. Fretfulness wears away our defences and allows temptation easier access. " Fretfulness diminishes spiritual force.It sucks away the thought and energy which ought to feed religious impulse and endeavour. "( Jowett ). " Many who have indulged a murmuring disposition have at last come to sin, in order to gain their fancied rights." ( Spurgeon) Fretfulness shall pressure you to justify doing something which you would not ordinarily do ; it distorts reality, especially happiness.

Anger, impatience and envy can lead to no good if continued. The answer, as always, involves trust, patience and contentment - which are highlighted throughout this Psalm of David. David knew the devil and his ways by experience, sometimes painful ones, but it was for his good in the end.

JULY 30   

" In the evening my wife died, and in the morning I did as I was commanded."    Ezekiel  24:18.

Someone once asked why a man did not mourn excessively as did others. The reply he received was, " Because he knows where she is." He did not sorrow as those who had no hope ( 1 Thess.4:13). What a difference this makes in bereavement ! Ezekiel was to continue serving the Lord the day after. His devotion to the Lord was to be a testimony to the people - " Thou shalt be a sign unto them and they shall know that I am the LORD."( vs.27). Even if he said nothing that day, they would see that he continued to follow his Master. Death is not an obstacle where there is life in Christ. We do not know his feelings on that morning, but we can guess. But the lord was near him, and there is comfort in that company. As the sheep go on they see some of their companions die, but the sheep go on following the Shepherd. Like Rachel, Ezekiel's wife died ' in the way ' ( Gen. 35:19), suddenly reaching her heavenly destination. We shall not all end our pilgrimage here at the same time. Ezekiel went out the next morning to live another day. At the end of that day he wondered how he got through it, but God did not, He knew how.

JULY 31     

" This spoke He, signifying by what death he should glorify God."  John 21:19.

" Come with me and see how a Christian can die," said an old Christian to an atheist. The manner of a Christian's death can affect others. Those who saw the deaths of the dying thief and his companion, almost side by side, saw the difference between the joy of hope and the misery of despair. One died calling upon Christ, the other died in cold silence. If the Christian is not conscious at the point of death and unable to leave behind a final testimony to Christ ( which is the best thing he can leave behind to his family) yet his previous life has spoken for him. They have been ' living epistles, known and read by all men ' ( 2 Cor. 3:2,3). They did not die as the slaves of this world but as the servants of Christ.  " Our people die well." said an old preacher to the world. " We serve the Lord not only by the life we live but by the death we die." (W.Jay) we may take our last step in the dark, but the Light shines just beyond. Peter was given some details by the Lord about his death ; there would be signs of his imminent departure. Few have such intimations, but our departure is certain and it would be strange indeed if we were not having thoughts about our destination, to prepare us and lift up our hearts. The singing of thanksgiving and adoration which continues in heaven begins here.