Evening, August 3
Go To Morning Reading
“But as he went.”
Luke 8:42
Jesus is passing through the throng to the house of Jairus, to raise
the ruler’s dead daughter; but he is so profuse in goodness that he works another
miracle while upon the road. While yet this rod of Aaron bears the
blossom of an unaccomplished wonder, it yields the ripe almonds of
a perfect work of mercy. It is enough for us, if we have some one
purpose, straightway to go and accomplish it; it were imprudent to
expend our energies by the way. Hastening to the rescue of a drowning
friend, we cannot afford to exhaust our strength upon another in like
danger. It is enough for a tree to yield one sort of fruit, and for
a man to fulfil his own peculiar calling. But our Master knows no
limit of power or boundary of mission. He is so prolific of grace,
that like the sun which shines as it rolls onward in its orbit, his
path is radiant with lovingkindness. He is a swift arrow of love,
which not only reaches its ordained target, but perfumes the air through
which it flies. Virtue is evermore going out of Jesus, as sweet odours
exhale from flowers; and it always will be emanating from him, as
water from a sparkling fountain. What delightful encouragement this
truth affords us! If our Lord is so ready to heal the sick and bless
the needy, then, my soul, be not thou slow to put thyself in his way,
that he may smile on thee. Be not slack in asking, if he be so abundant
in bestowing. Give earnest heed to his word now, and at all times,
that Jesus may speak through it to thy heart. Where he is to be found
there make thy resort, that thou mayst obtain his blessing. When he
is present to heal, may he not heal thee? But surely he is present
even now, for he always comes to hearts which need him. And dost not
thou need him? Ah, he knows how much! Thou Son of David, turn thine eye and look upon the
distress which is now before thee, and make thy suppliant whole.