03.07. July

JULY July 1. The Touch of Faith "Jesus turned around in the crowd and asked: Who touched my clothes?" Mark 5:30

How did he know that one touch — amid all the jostling of the crowd? The multitude were close about Him, pressing up against Him. The disciples even thought it strange that He should ask such a question. The people could not help touching Him. Ah — but there was one touch different from all the rest! There was a heart’s cry in it — a piteous earnest supplication. It was not like the jostling of the crowd, an accidental or a thoughtless touch, the mere touch of nearness; there was a soul in it. So, amid all the crude pressure of the multitude, He recognized it. In every church service all are near to Christ — but all are not blessed. All press up against Christ — but some go away as they came, carrying with them sores unhealed, weakness unstrengthened, heart-hunger unfulfilled. Others, sitting close by, receive rich help. The first, though near, reach out no hand of faith, while the others touch the hem of Christ’s garment. The services of the Church may be compared to telegraph wires through which messages are all the while passing. You may climb up and put your ear to the wire, or hold it in your hand; but you will not hear a word of all the important messages that are flashing through it. But let an operator come with his instrument and attach it, and he hears every word. So in the church services, we touch the invisible wires that bind Heaven and earth together. Along these wires messages are flying up from earth to Heaven, prayers, praises, heart-cries, faith filled desires; down from Heaven to earth answers of comfort, cheer, joy, and help, blessings of pardon, healing, life, peace. But many know nothing of all this, no flash of healing, new life, joy, or help comes to them; they are close — but have no faith attachment. The others touch by prayer and faith.

July 2. Jairus’ Daughter

"While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. ’Your daughter is dead!’ they said." Mark 5:35 So it seemed that Jesus had tarried too long on the road. To us it may appears that He ought not to have stopped at all to heal or talk with the woman. The Jairus’ daughter was dying, and there was not a moment to lose. Why did the Master not hasten on and get to her bedside before she died? But when we read the story through to the end, we are glad that He did stop to heal and help the woman.

One thing we learn from this incident is — that Jesus is never in a hurry. He is never so much engrossed in one case of need — that He cannot stop to give attention to another. He is never so pressed for time — that we have to wait our turn. No matter what He is doing, He will always hear instantly our cry for need. A little child’s idea of God’s listening to her, was that when she began to pray — God bade all the angels be quiet, saying, "I hear a voice, a little girl’s voice!" and then all the angels kept perfectly still until she said Amen. The angels need not be hushed for God to hear the humblest little one pray; yet the child was not far wrong.

Another thing we lean from this delay is, that Jesus never comes too late, never waits too long. It certainly seemed that He had tarried too long this time; but when we see how it all turned out, we are sure that He made no mistake. True, the child died while He lingered; but this only gave Him an opportunity for a greater miracle. He waited — that He might do a more glorious work. There is always some good reason for it, when Christ delays to answer our prayers or come to our help. He waits — that He may do far more for us in the end. Even "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." So we have one more lesson on letting our Lord have His own way with us, even in answering our prayers. He knows best when to answer, and what answer to give.

July 3. Not Dead — but Sleeping "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead, but asleep." Mark 5:39 The Christian should not sorrow as others do. Christ has brought the truth of immortality out into clear light. We ought to familiarize our minds with the Christian conception of death. We ought to learn to look at death — in the light of Christ’s teachings. Too many Christians, however, never seem to have entered into the blessedness of the Savior’s victory over the grave. Here, in the account of this miracle of the raising of the ruler’s daughter — we have a beautiful illustration of the way our Lord would have us look at death. When we lament over our dead — he says, "They are not dead — but only sleeping. Why all this commotion and wailing?" Our Christian friends who have died — have only passed away out of our sight. They have not ceased to be. Even their bodies only sleep. And as a mother in the morning calls her children and awakes them — so Christ will some day call up from their graves all who sleep in him.

Sleep is not a terrible experience; it renews and strengthens the weary body. So the sleep of death is a time of rest and renewal. The calling of this child back from death, and her restoration to her friends — represents what Christ will do for all his people at the end. He will restore friend to friend, and bind up again the broken fragments of households.

There is one point, however, in which the raising of this young girl does not illustrate the final resurrection of believers. She was brought back to resume the old life of toil, struggle, temptation, and sorrow, and to die again. But in the final resurrection, believers shall rise to a new, glorious, and immortal life — without sorrow or sin, in the fullness of life, joy, and blessedness.

July 4. Words of Wonder

"When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. ’Where did this man get these things?’ they asked." Mark 6:2

They could not help being astonished, for Christ’s words were full of wisdom. "No man ever spoke like this man," they said. Yet, although they were astonished — they did not yield Him their confidence and their love. The outcome of their amazement was only scornful and unbelieving rejection. It is ofttimes the same still. People cannot help confessing that Christ is wonderful; that He is the most glorious character the world ever saw; that His teachings are infinitely above all human teaching; that His power is majestic; that His love passes all thought. Yet while they grant all this — they do not give Him the homage of their hearts.

It is as if a drowning man in the sea were to be amazed at the beauty and the completeness of the life-boat that came to offer him rescue — and should yet sneeringly reject the rescue and stay among the waves to perish.

’Where did this man get these things?’ they asked in derision and contempt. They knew Him. Some of them had been His playmates and schoolmates in earlier years, and then later His workmates. They knew that He had never been to any, but the village school, where they had all attended. How was it, that this plain, untaught young man had such wisdom as He now seemed to have, and did such works as were reported of Him? They could not explain it, and so they treated the whole matter with contempt.

We may ask the same question today in sincerity of those who reject Christ. Here is a man who spoke the wisest words ever spoken on this earth, and who did the most wonderful works ever performed. Yet He was only a village carpenter, and had only a village school education.

How do you account for His wisdom and His power? ’Where did this man get these things?’ Can it be, that He is more than human? Can it be, that He is who the Bible says He is — "God manifest in the flesh!"

July 5. Only a Carpenter "Isn’t this the carpenter?" Mark 6:3

Certainly; yet that refutes nothing. It only helps to prove the claims of Jesus, to be the Son of God. If he had been a learned rabbi or philosopher, it might have been said that he had received His wisdom from men; but as he was only a poor village carpenter, he must have been taught of God.

There are other thoughts which this question suggests. It tells us how wisely Jesus spent his youth and early manhood — not in idleness — but in useful toil, no doubt helping thus to provide for His mother and her family. The example has its inspiring lesson for every young man growing up in the home of his childhood. He should make the years bright with earnest work and the conscientious use of every moment of time.

There really are no pictures of Christ; yet there are on the pages of the evangelists, pictures of the Christ in certain attitudes, which have their deep meaning for us. Once we see Him with a whip in his hand driving the temple-profaners from their unlawful work. Another time we see Him with a basin and towel. Again we see Him on the cross dying. All these pictures are richly suggestive. Here we see Him as a carpenter, with the saw and the chisel in his hands — and this picture is rich in meaning.

It teaches us that there is no disgrace in being a common laborer, since the Son of God worked as a carpenter. No hands are so beautiful — as working hands. Marks of toil are brighter insignia of honor — than jeweled rings and delicate whiteness. The picture shows also the condescension of Christ. Though "he was rich — he became poor," and even toiled for His daily bread. It assures us, therefore, of His sympathy now with those who toil. It is a pleasant thought that the hands that now hold the scepter of universal dominion — once wielded the hammer and the saw!

July 6. The Secret of Power

"When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases" Luk 9:1 The first thing is always to come to Christ Himself. We can do nothing — until we have been to Him. We should take every commission from His lips, and go out always with the blessing of His touch upon our heads.

It is related of one of Wellington’s officers that when commanded, during a battle, to do some perilous duty, he seemed to hesitate. He did not for a moment shrink from the hazardous service — but he said to the duke, "Let me, before I go, have one grip of your all-conquering hand, and then I can do it." There is no duty too perilous, no toil too heavy, no task too responsible — if, as we start, we have the inspiration of Christ’s hand-grasp and his cheering words.

Christ alone can give power for the work He bids us do. His followers are to have authority over demons. Any one who tries to cast out demons in his own strength, whether the demon be in himself, or in some other person — will meet only miserable failure. A man may rule nations and conquer kingdoms — and yet be unable to eject one demon from his own heart. Alexander conquered the world — but he was overthrown by the demons of appetite and passion. Men are forever foolishly trying to battle unaided — with the evil of their own natures; but they fail in the struggle. The same is true of power over demons in others. Once the disciples, in Christ’s absence, tried to cast out an evil spirit, and could not do it. Yet they ought to have been able in Christ’s name, to cast out the demon. Jesus said afterward that the reason they could not do it was that they had no faith. He wants every follower of his to have power over all forms of evil in this world; not miraculous power, such as he gave the apostles — but real power. And if only we have faith in Him, He will always give us power.

July 7. What We can do for Others "He sent them to preach." Luk 9:2

Apostles are not the only people to whom Christ gives this same commission. He wants everyone whom he saves — to go out and preach the gospel to others. Christian boys and girls can preach by living a sweet and beautiful life at home, at school, among companions. Beautiful living is the most eloquent of all preaching.

There is a story of one who became a Christian; and when asked, under whose preaching he had been converted, he replied: "Under nobody’s preaching — but under Aunt Mary’s practicing." Everyone ought to preach — by faithful practicing. But there are other ways of preaching. There is in the Bible, a story of a little captive maid, far away from home, who told in her master’s house what the God of her own nation could do; and her words led to the healing of one leper at least. We can tell something about Christ — what He has done for us, what He can do for others; and our words may fall upon some ear that will be glad to hear them, and upon some heart that will turn to Him with hungry faith and prayer. This is a missionary text, and there are a thousand ways in which we can help to give the gospel to the world. What a pity it is that we should keep to ourselves anything so precious, that has such power to bless the world, and that men, women, and children everywhere need so much — as the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Think of a rich man in the time of famine, when his neighbors are all starving, keeping his great full barns locked up, and not dealing out bread to the hungry! We who have found Christ, have bread for human souls, not only enough for ourselves — but enough for all about us; for giving out does not waste this bread of life. All around us are perishing sinners whom we may save. Shall we keep to ourselves that for lack of which, souls are dying?

July 8. Home Missions "Whatever house you enter into, there abide." Luk 9:4 The place to carry the gospel is right into people’s homes. We must take it down along the streets and alleys, and over the fields and hills, entering every door, and telling the old, old story by the firesides and at the household tables. It should be the aim of every church to reach every house in its parish with the gospel. Christians should go themselves to this work, and not merely send a hired carrier to put tracts under the people’s doors. Tracts are good; but we should take them ourselves and add to them the gifts of our own warm love and eager sympathy and interest. We should get the sweet gospel into every home — by telling it from our own lips. Did you ever think what a wondrous blessing it is to a home when the salvation of Christ comes to it? Think what a dark and sad place a godless home is — with no prayer, no recognition of God’s love and mercy, no shelter, no comfort in sorrow, no hope in death.

Then think what Christ brings when He is admitted. Peace comes with Him, for sin is pardoned. God’s love builds a shelter over the home; for they are His children who dwell there now. There is communication directly from Heaven, a ladder running up, with angels upon it and God above it. There is . . .
comfort in sorrow,
help in trial,
strength in weakness,
hope in dying. For illustration of the two homes — the godless and the godly — we can picture an Egyptian and a Hebrew home on that night when the angel of death came to slay the firstborn. The blood on the door-post made the difference. Christ’s blood on the door of a home — is a shelter from every woe. Would it not be a great thing if we could carry Christ’s gospel into every home about us, where Christ has not already been received? Do you know a home where there is no prayer? Will you not try to open that door for Jesus?

July 9. The Missionary Spirit "They departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere" Luk 9:6 A great many people do not do this. They come to Christ and hear His command — but they do not go, or at least they do not preach and heal. They do not carry to other homes and to other lives — the sweet blessings of mercy and health they have themselves received. Surely this is very ungrateful to Christ, when we remember all that He has done for us. Then it is also very selfish, when we have found such joys — not to try to share them with others who need them.

Christ wants to get the gospel into every home in the world; and the way He wants to do this — is through the hearts and hands of those whom he has already saved. If we do not carry the good news, the lost will not receive it at all.

It is told of a boy who was converted — that at once he started to walk, (for he was poor, and could not buy a ticket on the railroad) away to a place in the West, more than a thousand miles from his home, to tell his brother and Christ.

History relates that the early Christians, many of them, were so eager to carry Christ’s gospel everywhere that they even hired themselves out as servants or sold themselves as slaves, that they might be admitted into the homes of the rich and great among the heathen, to live there, and thus have opportunity to tell in those homes of the love of Jesus and of His salvation.

It would have great power in shaping our lives for usefulness, for us to consider ourselves under a divine commission to advance the kingdom of our Lord by bringing others under its holy sway. So long as we merely regard ourselves as sinners saved by grace, with no further responsibility — we shall be of very little use. But when we become conscious that we are apostles — every one of us sent to witness for Christ — we shall become blessings.

July 10. Herodia’s Revenge "On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod" Mat 14:6

It was deemed disgraceful even in that country and in those days, for a woman to show herself at all in a hall of revelry and carousal. Then to perform such a dance in such a place for the entertainment of the revelers — was regarded as a most debasing and shameful act. The dance was indecent, and only those who had lost all sense of modesty and womanly propriety, would so debase themselves. That a mother would send her own daughter into such a scene, to perform such a part — seems almost incredible. The act reveals the kind of home life and the ideas of womanly purity, which prevailed in the court of Herod; also the strength of Herodia’s passion for revenge upon John. She would even send her own daughter to play this shameful part, in order to accomplish her purpose.

While this picture is before them, young girls should learn that they cannot be too careful of their behavior and bearing in public. A young woman’s reputation is a precious jewel, which she should prize above all wealth or pleasure. If she loses it, neither wealth nor pleasure will be of much avail to her afterward. Her name once sullied, never can be altogether white again.

Sometimes young girls think their parents unreasonable in the restraints which they put upon them, with regard to appearance or conduct in public; but some day they will see how wise and loving is such restraint. It may very fairly be questioned, whether young ladies can take part in certain fashionable dances of today, and not pass beyond the bounds of pure womanly delicacy and propriety. At least, heart-purity is so holy a thing, and so easily tarnished, and the harm when done is so irreparable — that one had better deny one’s self many a fascinating pleasure, rather than risk the loss of anything so precious.

July 11. A Royal Coward

"The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted" Mat 14:9

Herod called himself a king — and yet see what a poor slave he was, what a craven coward! He was sorry he had made the oath, exceedingly sorry. His conscience was not altogether dead. He did not want to kill John. He was afraid of public opinion, which he knew would condemn him. He was afraid of avenging wrath. Then he hates himself for having been caught by Herodias in her plot to have her long-cherished revenge. Yet he was so much a slave that, although he claimed to be a king — he had not the courage to refuse such a request.

True, he had made an oath — but no promise or oath is binding which requires one to sin. Of course, Herod did very wrong to make such a reckless oath, not knowing what his promise would involve. After he had made it — he was bound to keep it, at whatever cost to himself — provided nothing sinful was involved. If Herodias had asked for half his kingdom, he would have been bound to grant her request; but he was under no obligation to grant any desire which required him to commit sin.

It was not the oath, however, that really influenced Herod. He had not the courage to do the heroic thing he ought to have done. He was afraid of the ridicule of his guests; and he was so under the power of Herodias — that he dared not refuse what she demanded. It was his weakness which wrecked him. Rather than be a moral hero — he stained his hands in holy blood; and the stains are not yet washed out.

There are some things which we have no right to swear away. Things that are our own — we are always to do with as we have sworn. According to the Scriptures, a good man, having sworn to his own hurt — changes not. But no oath binds any one to give away another man’s life. This is not his to give.

July 12. Death of John the Baptist "And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison." Mat 14:10 This seems a sad end for this holy man’s life. After a few months of faithful preaching, he was cast into a dungeon, where he lay for a year, and where he was beheaded as a felon. To us it is very mysterious. Why did God permit such a fate to come upon so faithful and noble a servant? Our Lord Himself said that no greater man ever lived, than John. Why then was his life allowed to go out in such darkness?

We know, first, that it was no accident. There are no accidents, in this world over which our loving Father presides. John would not have chosen such a life-plan for himself — so brief, with such a tragic ending; few of us would choose just the life we live in this world. Yet there are no chances, no accidents. "Our ways are those of the Lord’s choosing — ways . . .
sadder, perhaps — but safer;
rougher, perhaps — but surer;
narrower, perhaps — but better than those of our own dreaming."

John finished his work. If there had been anything further for him to do he would not have been left to die so ignominiously, to gratify the revenge of a wicked woman. His work was done, when Christ began to preach. Then when he died, it was for faithfulness to the truth.

It is not long years which make a complete life. A life is complete, whether long or short, which fulfills the purpose of its creation. And the longest life is incomplete and a failure — if it does not do the work for which it was made. It is better to die in youth with a life unspotted — than to live on to old age in sin and crime. It was a thousand times better every way to die as John died — than to live on as Herod and Herodias lived.

July 13. Tell Jesus "The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught." Mark 6:30 That is just what we should always do — when we have been trying to do any service for our Lord. We should do it as well as we can — and then go and tell Him what we have done. At the close of each day we should go to Him and tell Him of all that we have done or tried to do during the day. We should tell Him how we have lived, how we have done our work, how we have endured temptations, how we have treated our friends and those with whom we have been associated, how we have performed our mission as His servants, what words we have spoken for Him, what efforts we have made to do good or to give comfort or help, and how we have met the calls upon us for sympathy and aid.

We must not forget to tell Him about the day’s failures. Did we lose our patience? Did we yield to temptation? Did we neglect to speak the word for the Master which we ought to have spoken? Were we unkind to anyone?

We must tell Him of the efforts to do good which seemed to come to nothing. Ofttimes we are like the disciples who had toiled all the night, and caught nothing. At many a setting sun we come, weary and sad, with empty hands. Then sometimes we are tempted to stay away from the Master and make no report: what have we to report? Nothing but a fruitless day. But we should not, therefore, keep away from Him who sent us forth. Jesus had days in His own life that seemed fruitless, and He can understand our sadness when we come with no sheaves. So let us tell Him all. That is the kind of evening secret prayer that will bless us. It will make us very watchful all day — if we remember that we must report to Jesus all that we say, or do, or fail to do; it will keep us in more intimate relations with Him. Then His sympathy will strengthen us for better service each day.

July 14. Quiet Resting-Places "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6:31

How thoughtful Jesus is for the comfort of His disciples! He never wants to overwork them. He provides seasons and places of rest for them all along the way. One of these "quiet resting-places" is the night, coming after each day of toil. Then our emptied life-fountains are refilled. Another resting-place is the Sabbath, after the week of anxious battle and strife. Then it is that we should seek the renewal of our spiritual life by communing with God, by lying on our Lord’s bosom. The Lord’s Supper is another resting-place. The Master leads us into the upper room to sit with Him at His table, to feast our souls on the provisions of His love and grace.

Then there are many other quiet places to which our Lord invites us to come apart with Him to rest a while — the sweet hours of prayer, alone, or in the house of God; the communings with friends; the sacred hours we spend in home joys. Sometimes the Master calls us to rest a while in a sick-room, away from the noise and struggle of the busy world. It may be in pain or in suffering, and there may be no bodily rest; but our souls are resting, and we are learning lessons we never could have learned in the midst of life’s exciting toil.

One thing about all these "rests" to which Jesus invites us — is that we are to rest with Him. He never says, "Go alone and rest," but ever His word is, "Come with me by yourselves." The resting is always to be with Him. It is His loving presence which makes the blessedness of the rest. There is no true soul-refreshing for us anywhere, even in the most sacred ordinances — if we do not find Christ there. It is lying on His bosom when we are tired or sorrowing or penitent — which rests us. Rest apart from Christ, brings no refreshing. So we must be sure that we come with Jesus to a quiet place and get some rest.

July 15. Divine Compassion

"When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd." Mark 6:34

Here we have a window through which we catch a glimpse of the heart of Jesus. Every scene of sorrow touched Him. It is a great thought, that the heart of the Son of God is actually moved at the sight of human distress or need. It was this compassion for lost sinners — which brought Christ from Heaven. Does God care now, if we are in suffering or in need? "Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him." Does Jesus, since He has gone up into glory, have any such compassion for human sorrow on the earth? "We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are." Heb 4:15

It is worth while to notice what kind of trouble it was, which so stirred the compassion of Jesus at this time. It was because He saw the people as sheep not having a shepherd. It was not their hunger, nor their poverty, nor their sickness — but their spiritual need which so deeply touched His compassions. There were no wise, gentle, thoughtful pastors watching over the higher interests of their immortal natures, feeding them with heavenly bread, protecting them from the wolves of sin and lust, and leading them in right paths.

We learn here, that no condition is so sad — as that of spiritual neglect. Soul peril is far more pitiable than bodily danger or distress. Nothing moves the Divine heart so deeply — as His child exposed to the world’s enmities, uncared for — and wandering from the fold amid sin’s pitfalls. Happy are those people, old and young, who are safe in the Good Shepherd’s keeping! If we have "the mind of Christ," we also shall be moved with compassion for all souls that have no shepherd.

July 16. The Barley Loaves "He took the five loaves." Mat 14:19

We are not surprised that a disciple asked, of the five loaves and two fish, "What are these for so many?" What a little way they will go in feeding such a multitude! Why bring out this poor, paltry store at all? Surely Christ can feed the hungry people without these few little loaves.

Still, Jesus bade the disciples bring the few loaves to Him, and He used them. Is it not strange that the mighty Christ should need us and our little barley-loaves to feed people’s hunger? Yet He does: He wants our gifts; and then He wants our ministry in dispensing the gifts. He passed the bread to the multitude — through the hands of the disciples: He passes salvation — through His saved ones to the unsaved.

July 17. Straining at the Oars "He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them." Mark 6:48

Jesus always sees our toils and distresses in this world. We do not see Him — and sometimes we think that He has forgotten us; but that is never true. He is never forgets us, or is indifferent for a moment. On the heights, while the battle was in progress, stood a group of men watching the struggling armies in the plain below. In this group was the American general Sheridan, who watched the mighty strife with the keen eye of a soldier. King William was also there; but his interest was different from Sheridan’s. His son was in the thick of the fight — and he watched the battle with the eye of a father, as well as of a king.

Just so, Christ looks down upon our struggles in this world. He sees us straining and toiling; He beholds all our battles and strifes. He sees us in the waves and in the storm. He sees us, not merely with the eye of the calm spectator — but with the eye of tenderest love! This is a great thought! If we can only get it into our hearts — it will give us wondrous courage in the hour of toil, sorrow, or struggle. Jesus knows . . .
when the battle is hard,
when the night is dark,
when the temptation is more than we can bear. The winds were against His disciples — even though Christ sent them out to sea. We learn here, that even when we are doing the things God which has bidden us do — we may encounter great opposition and difficulty. We may even be beaten back, and find the trial too great for our strength. Many of the Lord’s disciples have to make their voyage over very stormy seas — on their way to glory. For some, duty is often very hard. Indeed, a true, noble, courageous, holy life — must always be in the face of opposition and contrary winds. "When the voyage is over, perhaps we shall be allowed to see the charts — and know why it had to be."

July 18. Never Forgotten

"He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night — He went out to them, walking on the sea." Mark 6:48

It was a long night for the tempest-driven disciples; they were in great distress. But Jesus saw their struggle and danger. He put up prayer for them. Then at length, He went to rescue them.

It is the same in every Christian’s life. Sometimes Christ seems to have forsaken His people. For a long while they are left to struggle alone — and to be driven back by contrary winds. They call — and get no answer. Then at last, Jesus comes! When people are in great trouble of any kind — they are like those disciples that night out in the midst of the sea. No human aid can reach them. Human friends eagerly want to help, and they come to offer sympathy and consolation. But in such hours, the most helpful of us are only like men standing on the shore of a dark and stormy sea — while our friends are far out on the wild waves! We cannot go to them to give help or rescue. Our little boats cannot ride in the wild surges. All we can do, is to stand on the shore, as it were, and look with pitying eye and heart — at the struggling ones in the angry sea. That is the very best that the richest human love can do. A father stood on the shore opposite the wild cataract, and with unutterable anguish saw the boat that bore his own son swept into the angry torrents — and could do nothing.

Thus it is, in all life’s deep needs. It is in such hours, that we realize the blessedness of Christ’s power to help. He can go out on any wave — into the wildest sea — to reach those who are helplessly driven and tossed about. He can carry help to all who are troubled. He can comfort in any sorrow, and give victory in any strife.

July 19. Christ Walking on the Sea

"When they saw Him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking He was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw Him!" Mark 6:49-50

It seems strange to us, that the disciples would ever have been afraid of their own Master. They had been in great distress all through the night — just because He was not with them. There was nothing they had desired so much all through those long dark hours — as that Jesus would come to them. Yet now, when He came — they were in terror at the sight of Him. It was because they did not know that it was Jesus — as His unusual presence so affrighted them.

It is ofttimes just so with us. We are in some need or danger, and Jesus does not come to us. We call upon Him, and most earnestly desire His coming; yet He does not come. At length He comes — but it is not as we expected, in lovely visage and gentle deportment — but in the form of terror! It is in some great trial — that He comes. Death enters our door and carries away a loved one. We experience some loss or some misfortune, at least it seems to us loss or misfortune. We cry out in terror! We do not know that it is Jesus, veiled in the dark robe, who has come! We do not know that this is the answer to our prayer for His presence and His help. We are affrighted at the unusual form that moves over the waters in the dark night. We think it is new danger — when really it is the very divine love and divine help — for which we have been longing and pleading!

We ought to learn that Jesus is in every providence that comes to us. He does not come in the sunshine only; quite as frequently — it is in the dark night that He draws near. It is our duty as Christians to train ourselves to see Christ in each event. Then, whether it is sorrow or joy which knocks at our door — we shall give it loving welcome, knowing that Jesus Himself is veiled in whatever form it is that enters. Then we shall find, that when we welcome Him in the somber garments of pain — He has always a rich blessing for our lives!

July 20. Peace in Storm "Then He got into the boat with them — and the wind ceased. They were completely astounded!" Mark 6:51 When Jesus comes to us — our trouble ceases. At His bidding — the wildest storm instantly becomes a calm. The trouble itself may not go away from us — but it is no longer a trouble, when He is with us. The wind may not cease to blow and beat upon our lives — but He makes peace within. It is far better to have so much grace — that our hearts shall be calm and quiet in the fiercest storm — than to have the storm itself quieted, while our hearts remain as restless as ever. Peace within is far better than any mere calm without. In a gallery in Italy, there are two pictures side by side by different artists. One represents a sea tossed by storms. Dark clouds hang over it, and the lightning-bolts pierce the sky, and the angry waves roll in great fury. In the seething waters, a dead human face is seen. The other picture presents a sea similarly storm-tossed; but in the midst of the angry waters is a rock, and in the rock a cleft with green herbage and flowers, and amid these — a dove quietly sitting on her nest.

These two pictures tell the whole story of human life in this world. The first is the story of life without Christ, unblessed by His presence and peace. There is storm everywhere — with no quiet shelter. The other picture paints the peace which Christ gives. There is no less storm. The waves roll as high — but there is peace. The rock represents Christ; it is in the cleft of the rock that the peace is found.

It is only in the redemption and atonement of Christ — that we can have true and lasting peace. "In Me, you shall have peace." If, therefore, we take Christ into our barques on the storm-swept sea — we shall glide on in safety through earth’s tempests — to glory’s shore!

July 21. One Thing Needful "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life." John 6:27

We would call a man very foolish who, in building a great and costly house, would look only after the outside, spending large amounts of money in exterior decoration — while he left the interior in a rough, unfinished state — the walls unplastered, the rooms filled with rubbish and without furniture or decorations of any kind. No one can get comfort from a beautiful exterior of his home and from fine grounds — if within all is bare and crude. The wise man will think more of the inside — than of the outside of the house in which he is to live. He will provide beauty, warmth, and comfort — and thus make a true home for himself, in which he may dwell in peace and in real enjoyment.

Still more foolish, is the man who thinks only of the needs of his physical nature, and gives no thought to the needs of his immortal soul. He is looking only after the outside, and neglecting the true inner life. He is providing for his body — which will soon perish; and giving no care to his soul — which will endure forever. He is planning only for the present — and neglecting his eternal interests.

How pitiable is such a life, deliberately turning away from all the best, holiest, most beautiful, and most enduring things — and seeking only the poor, miserable, worthless trifles — which are only burdens and impediments, not enriching him who has them! Our Lord’s counsel is, that we should look first after our spiritual necessities. It is a fearful mistake to toil all one’s days for bread and clothing, or for wealth and pleasure — and never do anything for the eternal soul’s life. At the end, there will be nothing left to show for all the toil and pain and sacrifice.

If we look after the interests of our souls, then when this life is ended — we shall find ourselves in possession of eternal life! A good motto for life is, "Live for the immortal things!"

July 22. The Work of Faith "This is the work of God — that you believe on Him whom He has sent." John 6:29

People are puzzled to know how they can eat spiritual bread. They cannot see it, nor take it into their hands. When they are told to work for the food that endures to eternal life — they ask how they can do it. Here Christ says that the way to work for the spiritual food, is to "believe on Him." Of course believing on Christ must be taken in its fullest sense. Merely believing that bread will satisfy hunger — will not in itself satisfy any hungry man; he must actually eat of the bread, for its nourishing qualities to be assimilated into his system. And merely believing that Christ is able to meet all our soul’s needs — will not in itself bring to us spiritual satisfaction. Christ must be received into our lives.

There are different ways of believing. One may read in a book on astronomy that the sun is some ninety million miles away. He believes the statement — but it has no particular effect on his living; it is not calculated to have any effect of this kind. But when he reads that whoever believes on the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved, the truth is meant to bless him by leading him, first of all — to entrust himself to Christ for salvation, then to follow Him as his Master, then to have his unholy life transformed into beauty like Christ’s. So it is with all spiritual truth. The mere receiving it is not enough — it must be assimilated, as food is assimilated in the body The Bible verses of the morning — must become the Christian’s joy, or refuge, or inspiration, or warning, or transforming influence — into the day’s struggles and toils.

It should be noticed also that we are not to get this spiritual food by working for it — but only by believing on Christ. We live by faith.

July 23. The Bread of Life "The Bread of God is He who comes down from Heaven" John 6:33 No bread which grows on the earth — will furnish food for a human soul. In all our worldly strivings and ambitions — we are thinking only of our perishing part, we are looking only after the poor, frail tabernacle — while we are allowing the dweller within to die of hunger.

Recently in an opulent house in a city — a family was found starving! Just so, there are many starving souls — in bodies that are luxuriously cared for. A soul cannot feed on meats and fruits. The finest luxuries of earth — will never quench a soul’s hunger.

Manna is called once in the Bible "angel’s food," but this was only a poetical designation, referring to its falling from the sky. Manna did not really come down from Heaven. It was not really angels’ food. It was food for bodies, not for souls. Angels could not have lived on it. Imagine an angel taking up his abode in some millionaire’s palace on the earth. Would he care for the magnificent things filling every room? Would he sit down and feed at the rich man’s luxurious table?

Souls and angels are much alike in their needs; both are spirits, unable to exist on material food. Yet many people live as if their souls could be clothed in earth’s finery, and fed and satisfied with earth’s dainties!

Bread for souls must literally come down from Heaven. It is the nature of the soul — to feed upon immortal things. Its hungers and cravings are for pardon of sin, for peace and communion with God, for holiness of character, for Christ-likeness, for restoration to the Divine favor. The bread for these spiritual hungers — must come down from Heaven. It must come in the form of mercy, of grace, of love, of Divine friendship, of gifts of life. Such food is found on no table on earth; it grows in no earthly climate; it can come only from God. It is for God, the living God — that our souls hunger and thirst.

July 24. Spiritual Food "I am the bread of life! He who comes to me shall never hunger" John 6:35

How is Christ, bread? We understand what the bodily needs — are those which common bread satisfies. What in the soul corresponds to these cravings? The most intense of the soul-cravings is for pardon of sin. All men sin — but sin satisfies no one. Nor has the world any power to give peace to a troubled conscience. We cannot forgive ourselves, and no man can really forgive us. How is Christ bread to this hunger for forgiveness? He was the Lamb of God, taking away the sin of the world; and because He bore our sins — He is able to forgive us. We remember how on earth, the guilty crept to His feet when they saw Him, and looking up into His face heard the word of forgiveness, which gave them peace.

Another craving is for holiness. The world has no art by which human souls can be restored into moral beauty. Men can restore paintings, and buildings over which the fire has swept, and they can be erected again into more than their original nobleness; but there is no human hand that can replace the glory of a ruined soul. Yet this craving, Christ satisfies through the Holy Spirit, who enters the heart of everyone who believes, and builds up anew the holy beauty which sin has destroyed.

Another of the soul’s cravings is for life — spiritual life here, and then everlasting life in Heaven. Again, earth has no bread to meet the hunger. The searches for hope, are among the most pitiable of this world’s experiences. But those who receive Christ have eternal life. He has opened the doors clear through into the glory beyond. He said, "Whoever lives and believes on me, shall never die." He is the hope of glory to every one who receives Him. Said a martyr as he was led to execution: "I have only two stiles to get over to reach my Father’s house — one, the steps up the scaffold; the other, the ladder let down from Heaven!"

July 25. A Welcome for All

"All whom the Father gives Me — will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me — I will never cast out!" John 6:37

We need not worry ourselves trying to harmonize the two parts of this verse; we can believe them both, and find great comfort and joy in them. Together they bring to every Christian a glorious and double confidence. Surely it is a blessed thing, to know that God has planned for our salvation — and then has given us to Christ to be His.

If this is true — then it is easy to understand the other part of this verse. Of course, Christ will never cast out any whom His Father gives to Him! They are His own; He knows them by name, and He loves them — for He died for them. Surely He will not pass by one of His own people — when He finds him lying by the wayside or among the thorns, wounded, bleeding, dying — but will take him up and bear him home in safety.

We need not give ourselves any anxiety about the former part of this verse; the latter part is all that really concerns us. If we truly come to Christ, we are here assured that He will never cast us out; but we must come. Then we shall find room enough, and a most loving welcome.

July 26. Our Security

"And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day!" John 6:39

There is not a shadow of doubt in the Christian’s security. There is not a broken or weak link in the chain which binds the believer to eternal blessedness. There is not a step lacking in the ladder which reaches up from the depths of sin — to the heights of glory. "For those whom God foreknew — he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son. And those he predestined — he also called; those he called — he also justified; those he justified — he also glorified!" Rom 8:29-30. These are the links in the Christian’s hope as Paul saw them. In the words of today’s text — we have the same links as they appeared to our Savior’s eye. The assurance is, that Christ will never lose any soul which intrusts itself to Him for salvation. An old Christian sailor put it well. When asked if he was afraid when the storms were very high; he answered, that according to the Bible, God held the waters "in the hollow of his hand;" and ever if the ship were wrecked, and he should fall into the sea — he would but drop into his Father’s hand! That is what death is to a Christian, however and wherever he may die — breathing his soul into the hands of God. The grave seems dark — but we have Christ’s own pledge here, that not one of His own shall be lost or left in the grave. No matter where we die, or where our bodies lie — we have the Savior’s word — which we had better receive in simplicity, without questioning or doubt — that "I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day." John 6:39 July 27. Pharisaism

"The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat, unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing — holding to the tradition of the elders." Mark 7:3 The religion of the Pharisees consisted not in love to God, and in disposition, character, and conduct — but in certain ceremonial rites which they observed with great scrupulousness. They washed their hands before meals, because ceremonial impurity in the hands communicated itself to the food. Yet they took no pains to wash their hearts of evil or uncharitable thoughts and feelings toward others. They washed when they came in from their shops, because worldly business defiled them; but they were not careful in their dealings with others to be just, honest, and true. They saw that every pot and kettle, every vessel, and all household utensils, were ceremonially cleansed; but they did not stop to look within their own hearts to see if all was clean there, for the indwelling of God’s Spirit.

We all need to watch against making our religion consist in external forms of worship. We may pray many times a day, and read a regular number of chapters, and go through many and laborious devotions — and yet not have a particle of true religion! We are truly Christian, just in the measure in which we have the spirit of Christ in our disposition, heart, and character. "The kingdom of God is not food and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Loving God and our fellow-men is the sum of all Christian duty. Unless we have this twofold love in our hearts, manifested in life and character — our profession of religion is vain. Not a word should be said against external cleanliness; a clean heart should make the life clean to the tips of the fingers — and in all tastes, feelings, habits, words, and actions. But clean hands and well-scrubbed floors and shining dishes and careful ceremonial observances — will never please God, if in the heart there is no love for Him and no love for men. "Blessed are the pure in heart — for the shall see God."

July 28. Corban

"But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: ’Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me, is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that." Mark 7:11-13

It is a good thing to dedicate one’s property to God. But when we have done this — we must take good heed that we use it in the ways marked out for us by the Divine commandments. It will not do to cover miserliness and greed by a pretense that we have given our money to God, and therefore cannot use it for charitable purposes. For example, if a man has needy parents, one of the first uses of consecrated money is to provide for their needs. He may say that he is gathering means to build an orphanage, or an asylum for infirm old men or old women, and that he has consecrated his property to this great charity; but if meanwhile he allows his own aged parents to suffer, his consecration of property is not acceptable to God. He who sets aside the fifth commandment, that he may use his money for the poor — is playing a miserable farce before God. No amount of service in the work of the Church avails — when one is neglecting the duties he owes to his own family. The case is still worse when, as under the Rabbinical rules, the money or property was never really used at all for God, the plea of "Corban" being only a pretext to evade the requirements of filial duty. The consecration of money to God implies always the use of the consecrated money in the service of God as He may call for it. God does not want money hoarded up; He wants it going about doing good. We apply the parable of the talents to everything but money, when there surely is nothing to which the parable applies more certainly than to money. At least we may never pretend that we have given our money to God, and therefore cannot give it away. Giving it away for wise use — is the very thing God wants us to do with it.

July 29. What Defiles?

"What goes into a man’s mouth — does not make him ’unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth — that is what makes him ’unclean.’" Mat 15:11

There are many applications of this principle. The food we eat does not affect our moral character. No external ceremonies really touch the soul. Indeed, nothing in this world has any power to defile a heart while it remains outside and is not allowed to enter. A man may be a coal-miner, always black and grimy, and always working in dirt — and yet he may have a white and unspotted soul. This is true of living amid temptations. So long as we keep them outside — they have no power to injure us.

Luther says that we cannot prevent the birds flying over our heads — but we can prevent them building their nests in our hair! We cannot prevent temptations buzzing around us continually — but we can keep them from entering our hearts and nesting there. And so long as we do this — the worst things in the world cannot put a spot upon our souls. The Savior says further, that it is what comes out of the mouth, which defiles. So, then, there may even be evil in the heart which does not defile — unless it is allowed to shape itself in thoughts, words, or deeds. The suggestion of wrong-doing is not a sin — until the suggestion is accepted and entertained. Temptation to sin — is not itself sin. Jesus was tempted. Suggestions of evil were made to Him by Satan; yet He never sinned, because these suggestions never found any lodgment in His heart, and therefore never found any expression in word or act, or even in thought. So temptations come to us from without. We cannot stop them from coming; we are not responsible for them; there is no sin in merely having these suggestions. But the sin begins the moment we open the door to one of these sinful solicitations.

July 30. He Could Not Be Hidden

"Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet He could not be hidden." Mark 7:24 The fame of Christ had gone out too widely over the whole country, for Him to travel anywhere without being recognized. No doubt there was something in His bearing that distinguished Him from other men and soon revealed Him. There must have been a rare sweetness in His face, and the outpouring of the great love from His heart. There was no halo over His head, as artists represent Him in their pictures; yet there must have been a glow of grace which attracted sad and hungry hearts to Him. But really, Christ never can be hidden. He can be in no place in this world very long — and His presence not be recognized. You may hide fragrant flowers so that they cannot be seen — but soon the fragrance will reveal their hiding-place. Just so, the sweetness of the Savior’s life and love — will always tell when He is near. When He enters a human heart — He cannot be hidden; for soon His Spirit begins to breathe out in all the words, actions, and life of the new follower. When He enters a home — He cannot long be hidden, for the home is changed. Worldliness, bitterness, and sin — give place to prayer and praise, to the spirit of love and gentleness, and to purity and holiness. When He enters a community — He cannot remain concealed. The stories of missionary work illustrate this. Cannibal islands are changed into God-fearing, man-loving settlements.

Christ will always reveal His presence in this world. The same is true also of all faithful discipleship. A Christian cannot be hidden. If the love of Christ is in his heart — people around him will very soon know it. They will see it in his bearing, in his disposition, in the way he honors God, in the way he treats his fellow-men. When a man can hide his religion — he has not much of it to hide. True religion breathes out in fragrance, shines out in light.

July 31. Silence, Not Denial "But He did not answer her a word." Mat 15:23

There is something very remarkable in this silence of Christ. Usually He was quick to hear every request made to Him by a sufferer. Scarcely ever had anyone to ask twice for a favor. His heart was as sensitive as is a mother’s heart to her child’s cries, and instantly responded to every petition for help. Yet now He stood and listened to this woman’s piteous pleading and did not answer her a word. Like a miser with hoards of gold, at whose gates the poor and suffering knock — but who, hearing their cries of need and distress, keeps his gates locked and is deaf to every entreaty — so Jesus stood unmoved by this woman’s cries, though He had all power in His hands.

Why was He thus silent? It was not because He could not help her, for His arm was never weak. The best of us have our weak hours, our days of emptiness, when we have nothing with which to help; but His fullness was never exhausted. It was not because He was so engrossed in His own approaching sorrows — that He could think of no other one’s sorrow, for even on the cross He forgot Himself — to show kindness to others. Evidently the reason for silence, was to try this mother’s faith, and to draw it out into still greater strength. He was preparing her to receive in the end — a better blessing than she could have received at the beginning. Our Lord sometimes still seems to be silent to His people when they cry to Him. To all their earnest supplications — He answers not a word. Is His silence a refusal? By no means. Ofttimes, at least, it is meant only to make the suppliants more earnest, and to prepare their hearts to receive richer and greater blessings. So when Christ is silent to our prayers — it is that we may be brought down in deeper humility at His feet, and that our hearts may be made more fit to receive heaven’s gifts and blessings.