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T H ;E . K J N G ’ $ . B UjS I N E S S
July 1931
AUGUST 20 “That worthy name by the which ye are called” (Jas. 2:7). One of the most interesting, and, at the same time, one of the most searching and rewarding of New Testament studies is that of the titles, either assumed by the follow ers of Christ, or conferred upon them by those who took knowledge of them . . . Each suggests some characteristic, either of their life as seen by others, or of their purpose and aim as cherished by them selves. For instance, they were known among themselves as disciples, because they were fellow learners in Christ’s school. They were known also as breth ren, because of the law of love which bound them in mutual recognition and consideration. They were known, too, as saints, because their common aim was a life of holiness, in correspondence with the life of Him whose name they bore. Their opponents at Antioch, as you will remember, on one occasion nicknamed them Christians, because they were so evidently followers of Christ . . . and this, of all distinguishing titles, persists. We ourselves today glory in it. i — J . S tuart H olden . AUGUST 21 “Be renewed in the spirit of. your mind” (Eph. 4:23). There is something about the mind like the subtle fragrance of a flower. You look at a flower, its form, its color, its parts; but you do not know the most wonderful thing about a flower till you perceive its odor. It cannot be seen, touch ed, or heard; it is a mysterious spirit that seems to distinguish the flower, and you know it when you come near it. Now there is something about the mind like the fragrance of a flower, a personal quality of mind which we call the spirit . . . The spiritual mind is a mind that is turned Godward, that reflects like a mir ror and retains the reflection like a photo graphic plate.—A. T. P ierson . AUGUST 22 “Men ought always to pray” (Lk. 18:1). Many in our day . . . are swept off their feet with their engagements and can scarcely find time to eat. We make this a reason for not praying; Jesus made it a reason for praying. Is there any doubt which is the better course? Many of the wisest have in this respect done as Jesus did. When Luther had a specially busy and exciting day, he allowed himself longer time than usual for prayer before hand. A wise man once said that he was too busy to be in a hurry; he meant that if he allowed himself to become hurried, he could not do all that he had to do. There is nothing like prayer for produc ing this calm self-possession. When the dust of business so fills your room that it threatens to choke you, sprinkle it with the water of prayer, and then you can cleanse it out with comfort and expedi tion— J ames S talker . AUGUST 23 “I f thou wouldest believe, thou should- est see the glory of God” (John 11:40). There is nothing more convincing than sight. You say, “I saw it with my own
C£)aily Cl)évoiional(tftea cLings A M E S S A G E F O R E V E R Y DAY OF T H E M O N T H
AUGUST IS . "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). .• Unless the heart he kept peaceable, the life will not be happy. If calm doth not reign over that inner lake within the soul, which feeds the rivers of our life, the rivers themselves will always be in storm. Our outward acts will always tell that they were born in tempests, by being tem pestuous themselves. We all desire to lead a joyous life; . . . to carry about a contented mind is that to which most men are continually aspiring. Let us re member that the only way to keep our life peaceful and happy is to keep the heart at rest; for come poverty, come wealth, come honor, come shame, come plenty, or come scarcity, if the heart be quiet, there will be happiness anywhere. But whatever the sunshine and the bright ness, if the heart be troubled, the whole life must be troubled too. —C harles H addon S purgeon . . AUGUST 16 “Be ye stedfast, unmoveable” (1 Cor. 15:58). Jestfs, Shepherd of the sheep, Pity my unsettled soul! Guide, and nourish me, and keep, Till Thy love shall make me whole: Give me perfect soundness, give, Make me steadfastly believe. I am never at one stay, Changing every hour I am; But Thou art, as yesterday, Now and evermore the same; Constancy to me impart, Stablish with Thy grace my heart. —C harles W esley . AUGUST 17 Augustine says truly, “A refuge is not easily found in trouble, which was not sought in the time of peace.” A stranger that flies to a house for safety in the dark fumbles about the door, not knowing where to find the latch; his enemy, if nigh, may kill him before he can enter; but one that is well acquainted with the house is not long in getting in. Christian, inform thyself of the lodging of God’s promises, before the night of suffering sets in. —S elected . AUGUST 18 “When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23: 10). Daniel’s character was purified by tre mendous discipline. The furnace into which he was cast was heated seven times more than it is wont to be heated for ordinary men. He stands among the peers in the kingdom of sorrow, and through it all he passed into a peerage of moral and “The name of the Lord is a strong tow er: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Prov. 18:10).
spiritual power, which made the mightiest monarch of his times bend eagerly for a bl essi ng f r om his t r emb l i ng hand. Through such discipline His people have been passing for centuries. Surely be fore its searching fires the baser elements of their natures will be expelled, until they recognize the true Joseph of their seed.—F. B. M eyer . AUGUST 19 “By the grace o f God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10). “To this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord” (Rom. 14:9). As this is realized, His grace is seen to be sovereign, and the soul is called on to be humble. There is noth ing so humbling as grace, because we know it can be ours only in proportion as Jesus Christ is our Lord. “What hast thou that thou didst not receive?” This is the constant and grateful language of the soul. “By the grace of God I am what I am.” It is satisfying grace. This is suggested by the full title, “Jesus Christ our Lord.” Grace satisfies at every step. It meets the claim of law with justifica tion ; it meets the breach of love with for giveness ; it meets the consciousness of solitariness by fellowship; it meets the sense of misery by love; it meets the hid eousness of defilement by holiness; it meets the realization of weakness by pow er ; it meets the haunting of fear by hope. We can therefore -look back and praise the grace that made us Christ’s; we can look round and trust the grace that keeps us His; and we can look forward and hope perfectly for the grace that is to be brought to us in the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:13). “Grace, fathomless as the sea; Grace, flowing from Calvary; Grace enough for eternity, Grace enough for me.” — W. H. G riffith T homas . Contentment Some murmur when their sky is clear And wholly bright to view, I f one small speck o f dark appear In their great heaven of blue; And some with thankful love are filled If. but one streak o f light — One ray of God’s good mercy—gild The darkness of their night. In palaces are hearts that ask, In discontent and pride, Why life is such a dreary task, And all good things denied; And hearts in poorest huts admire How love has, in their aid — Love that not ever seems to tire — Such rich provision made. —A rchbishop T rench .
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