Thoughts for the Quiet Hour Part 25

=October 30th.=

_He placed . . . cherubims, and a flaming sword . . .

to keep the way of the tree of life. Gen. iii. 24._

_Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life. Rev. xxii. 14._

How remarkable and how beautiful it is that the last page of the Revelation should come bending round to touch the first page of Genesis.

The history of man began with angels with frowning faces and flaming swords barring the way to the Tree of Life. It ends with the guard of cherubim withdrawn; or rather, perhaps, sheathing their swords and becoming guides to the no longer forbidden fruit, instead of being its guards. That is the Bible's grand symbolical way of saying that all between--the sin, the misery, the death--is a parenthesis. G.o.d's purpose is not going to be thwarted. The end of His majestic march through history is to be men's access to the Tree of Life, from which, for the dreary ages--that are but as a moment in the great eternities--they were barred out by their sin,--_Alex. McLaren._

=October 31st.=

_That the G.o.d of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened. Eph. i. 17, 18._

We were coming down a mountain in Switzerland one evening, when a black thunder-storm blotted out the day, and all things were suddenly plunged into darkness. We could only dimly see the narrow, dusty footpaths, and the gloomy sides that were swallowed up in deeper gloom. What, then, of the majesty all about us, heights, and depths, and wonders? All was darkness. Then came the lightning--not flashes, but the blazing of the whole sky, incessant, and on every side. What recesses of glory we gazed into! What marvels of splendor shone out of the darkness!

Think how with us, in us, is One who comes to make the common, dusty ways of life resplendent, illuminating our dull thoughts by the light of the glory of G.o.d; clearing the vision of the soul, and then revealing the greatness of the salvation that is ours in Christ.--_Mark Guy Pea.r.s.e._

[Ill.u.s.tration: November]

=November 1st.=

_Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. John viii. 9._

Alone with Jesus! What a sweet and holy spot! What a blessed refuge to which the soul may betake itself from the charges of Satan, the accusations of the world, and the sorrows of life! Sweet spot for the heart to unfold itself, to tell its hidden tale in the ear of Infinite love, tenderness, and compa.s.sion!

Alone with Jesus! How different a front would Christianity present to the world if the Lord's people were oftener there! What humility, and gentleness, and love, would characterize all their dealings! What holiness stamped on the very brow, that all might read! What few judgments pa.s.sed on others, how many more on ourselves! What calmness and resignation and joyful submission to all the Lord's dealings!

Be much "alone with Jesus!" Then will the pa.s.sage to glory be one of sunshine, whether it be through the portals of the grave or through the clouds of heaven.--_F. Whitfield._

=November 2nd.=

_Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psa. xvi. 11._

The man who walks along the path of life lives in the presence of the joy-giving G.o.d. Just in so far as he is true to that path of life, and wanders neither to the right hand nor to the left, his joy becomes deeper, nay! he becomes partaker of that very fullness of joy in which G.o.d Himself lives, and moves, and has His being. And while such is his experience in the midst of all the trials of life, he has also the privilege of looking forward to grander things yet in store for him, when that higher world shall be reached, and the shadows of time have pa.s.sed away forever. "At Thy right hand," exclaims the psalmist, "there are pleasures for evermore."--_W. Hay Aitken._

=November 3rd.=

_Be clothed with humility. 1 Pet. v. 5._

Is it not one of the difficulties of church work that we have more officers than men? We need more of the rank and file, who are willing to march anywhere, and to do the lowliest of tasks. We shall succeed in doing greater things when we are all of us willing to be subject. It is the bayonet rather than the gold lace which is wanted when the enemy is to be subdued.--_Thomas Champness._

=November 4th.=

_Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. Gen. x.x.xiii.

1._

Do not lift up your eyes and look for Esaus. Those who look for troubles will not be long without finding trouble to look at. Lift them higher--to Him from whom our help cometh. Then you will be able to meet your troubles with an unperturbed spirit. Those who have seen the face of G.o.d need not fear the face of man that shall die. To have power with G.o.d is to have power over all the evils that threaten us.--_F. B.

Meyer._

=November 5th.=

_Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of G.o.d. 2 Cor. vii. 1._

The Tree of Life, according to some of the old rabbinical legends, lifted its branches, by an indwelling motion, high above impure hands that were stretched to touch them; and until our hands are cleansed through faith in Jesus Christ, its richest fruit hangs unreachable, golden above our heads. The fullness of the life of heaven is only granted to those who, drawing near Jesus Christ by faith on earth, have thereby cleansed themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.--_Alex. McLaren._

=November 6th.=

_The pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them. Ex. xiv. 19._

It is not always guidance that we most need. Many of our dangers come upon us from behind. They are stealthy, insidious, a.s.saulting us when we are unaware of their nearness. The tempter is cunning and shrewd. He does not meet us full front. It is a comfort to know that Christ comes behind us when it is there we need the protection.--_J. R. Miller._

=November 7th.=

_Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, Thou shall purge them away. Psa. lxv.

3._

There is much earnest religion that lives in the dreary compa.s.s of these first four words, "Iniquities prevail against me," and never gets a glimpse beyond it. But do not put a full stop there. Fetch in One who can help. "As for our transgressions, THOU shalt purge them away." The moment we bring the Lord in, that moment defeat is turned to triumphant deliverance!

Write that up in golden letters--THOU! And do not find in this word only a trembling hope, or a wondering wish. Listen to its full a.s.surance--THOU SHALT!

There is but one result that can warrant the agony of Calvary; there is but one result that can satisfy either our blessed Savior or ourselves; and that is our being conquerors over sin.--_Mark Guy Pea.r.s.e._

=November 8th.=

_Speaking the truth in love. Eph. iv. 15._

The best way of eradicating error is to publish and practice truth.--_W.

Arnot._

=November 9th.=

_So he arose, and went to Zarephath. 1 Kings xvii.

10._

Let it be equally said of you to whatever duty the Lord may call you away, "He arose and went." Be the way ever so laborious or dangerous, still arise, like Elijah, and go. Go cheerfully, in faith, keeping your heart quietly dependent on the Lord, and in the end you will surely behold and sing of His goodness. Though tossed on a sea of troubles you may anchor on the firm foundation of G.o.d, which standeth sure. You have for your security His exceeding great and precious promises, and may say with the psalmist, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in G.o.d, for I shall yet praise Him who is the health of my countenance, and my G.o.d."--_F. W. Krummacher._