Evening, March 14
Go To Morning Reading
“I will take heed to my ways.”
Psalm 39:1
Fellow-pilgrim, say not in your heart, “I will go hither and thither, and I shall not sin;” for you are never so out of danger of sinning as to boast of security.
The road is very miry, it will be hard to pick your path so as not
to soil your garments. This is a world of pitch; you will need to
watch often, if in handling it you are to keep your hands clean. There
is a robber at every turn of the road to rob you of your jewels; there
is a temptation in every mercy; there is a snare in every joy; and
if you ever reach heaven, it will be a miracle of divine grace to
be ascribed entirely to your Father’s power. Be on your guard. When a man carries a bomb-shell in his
hand, he should mind that he does not go near a candle; and you too
must take care that you enter not into temptation. Even your common
actions are edged tools; you must mind how you handle them. There
is nothing in this world to foster a Christian’s piety, but everything to destroy it. How anxious should you be to
look up to God, that he may keep you! Your prayer should be, “Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe.” Having prayed, you must also watch; guarding every thought, word,
and action, with holy jealousy. Do not expose yourselves unnecessarily;
but if called to exposure, if you are bidden to go where the darts
are flying, never venture forth without your shield; for if once the
devil finds you without your buckler, he will rejoice that his hour
of triumph is come, and will soon make you fall down wounded by his
arrows. Though slain you cannot be; wounded you may be. “Be sober; be vigilant, danger may be in an hour when all seemeth securest
to thee.” Therefore, take heed to thy ways, and watch unto prayer. No man ever
fell into error through being too watchful. May the Holy Spirit guide
us in all our ways; so shall they always please the Lord.