Morning, July 16
Go To Evening Reading
“They gathered manna every morning.”
Exodus 16:21
Labour to maintain a sense of thine entire dependence upon the Lord’s good will and pleasure for the continuance of thy richest enjoyments . Never try to live on the old manna, nor seek to find help in Egypt.
All must come from Jesus, or thou art undone forever. Old anointings
will not suffice to impart unction to thy spirit; thine head must
have fresh oil poured upon it from the golden horn of the sanctuary,
or it will cease from its glory. To-day thou mayest be upon the summit
of the mount of God, but he who has put thee there must keep thee
there, or thou wilt sink far more speedily than thou dreamest. Thy
mountain only stands firm when he settles it in its place; if he hide
his face, thou wilt soon be troubled. If the Saviour should see fit,
there is not a window through which thou seest the light of heaven
which he could not darken in an instant. Joshua bade the sun stand
still, but Jesus can shroud it in total darkness. He can withdraw
the joy of thine heart, the light of thine eyes, and the strength
of thy life; in his hand thy comforts lie, and at his will they can
depart from thee. This hourly dependence our Lord is determined that
we shall feel and recognize, for he only permits us to pray for “daily bread,” and only promises that “as our days our strength shall be.” Is it not best for us that it should be so, that we may often repair
to his throne, and constantly be reminded of his love? Oh! how rich
the grace which supplies us so continually, and doth not refrain itself
because of our ingratitude! The golden shower never ceases, the cloud
of blessing tarries evermore above our habitation. O Lord Jesus, we
would bow at thy feet, conscious of our utter inability to do anything
without thee, and in every favour which we are privileged to receive,
we would adore thy blessed name and acknowledge thine unexhausted
love.