Morning, July 15
Go To Evening Reading
“The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.”
Leviticus 6:13
Keep the altar of private prayer burning. This is the very life of all piety. The sanctuary and family
altars borrow their fires here, therefore let this burn well. Secret
devotion is the very essence, evidence, and barometer, of vital and
experimental religion.
Burn here the fat of your sacrifices. Let your closet seasons be,
if possible, regular, frequent, and undisturbed. Effectual prayer
availeth much. Have you nothing to pray for? Let us suggest the Church,
the ministry, your own soul, your children, your relations, your neighbours,
your country, and the cause of God and truth throughout the world.
Let us examine ourselves on this important matter. Do we engage with
lukewarmness in private devotion? Is the fire of devotion burning
dimly in our hearts? Do the chariot wheels drag heavily? If so, let
us be alarmed at this sign of decay. Let us go with weeping, and ask
for the Spirit of grace and of supplications. Let us set apart special
seasons for extraordinary prayer. For if this fire should be smothered
beneath the ashes of a worldly conformity, it will dim the fire on
the family altar, and lessen our influence both in the Church and
in the world.
The text will also apply to the altar of the heart . This is a golden altar indeed. God loves to see the hearts of his
people glowing towards himself. Let us give to God our hearts, all
blazing with love, and seek his grace, that the fire may never be
quenched; for it will not burn if the Lord does not keep it burning.
Many foes will attempt to extinguish it; but if the unseen hand behind
the wall pour thereon the sacred oil, it will blaze higher and higher.
Let us use texts of Scripture as fuel for our heart’s fire, they are live coals; let us attend sermons, but above all,
let us be much alone with Jesus.