June 22
HE WITH US; WE WITH HIM
"The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked
shall be shortened" Prov. 10:27
There is no doubt about it. The fear of the Lord leads to virtuous
habits, and these prevent that waste of life which comes of sin and
vice. The holy rest which springs out of faith in the Lord Jesus also
greatly helps a man when he is ill. Every physician rejoices to have a
patient whose mind is fully at ease. Worry kills, but confidence in
God is like healing medicine.
We have therefore all the arrangements for long life, and if it be
really for our good, we shall see a good old age, and come to our
graves as shocks of corn in their season. Let us not be overcome with
sudden expectation of death the moment we have a finger-ache, but let
us rather expect that we may have to work on through a considerable
length of days.
And what if we should soon be called to the higher sphere?
Certainly there would be nothing to deplore in such a summons, but
everything to rejoice in. Living or dying we are the Lord's. If we
live, Jesus will be with us; if we die, we shall be with Jesus.
The truest lengthening of life is to live while we live, wasting no
time, but using every hour for the highest ends. So be it this day.