Evening, July 1
Go To Morning Reading
“The voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the
day.”
Genesis 3:8
My soul, now that the cool of the day has come, retire awhile and
hearken to the voice of thy God. He is always ready to speak with
thee when thou art prepared to hear. If there be any slowness to commune
it is not on his part, but altogether on thine own, for he stands
at the door and knocks, and if his people will but open he rejoices
to enter. But in what state is my heart, which is my Lord’s garden? May I venture to hope that it is well trimmed and watered,
and is bringing forth fruit fit for him? If not, he will have much
to reprove, but still I pray him to come unto me, for nothing can
so certainly bring my heart into a right condition as the presence
of the Sun of Righteousness, who brings healing in his wings. Come,
therefore, O Lord, my God, my soul invites thee earnestly, and waits
for thee eagerly. Come to me, O Jesus, my well-beloved, and plant
fresh flowers in my garden, such as I see blooming in such perfection
in thy matchless character! Come, O my Father, who art the Husbandman,
and deal with me in thy tenderness and prudence! Come, O Holy Spirit,
and bedew my whole nature, as the herbs are now moistened with the
evening dews. O that God would speak to me. Speak, Lord, for thy servant
heareth! O that he would walk with me; I am ready to give up my whole
heart and mind to him, and every other thought is hushed. I am only
asking what he delights to give. I am sure that he will condescend
to have fellowship with me, for he has given me his Holy Spirit to
abide with me forever. Sweet is the cool twilight, when every star
seems like the eye of heaven, and the cool wind is as the breath of
celestial love. My Father, my elder Brother, my sweet Comforter, speak
now in lovingkindness, for thou hast opened mine ear and I am not
rebellious.