Morning and Evening Podcast

“But I give myself unto prayer.” — Psalm 109:4

Lying tongues were busy against the reputation of David, but he did not
defend himself; he moved the case into a higher court, and pleaded before
the great King Himself. Prayer is the safest method of replying to words of
hatred. The Psalmist prayed in no cold-hearted manner, he gave himself to
the exercise — threw his whole soul and heart into it — straining every
sinew and muscle, as Jacob did when wrestling with the angel. Thus, and
thus only, shall any of us speed at the throne of grace. As a shadow has no
power because there is no substance in it, even so that supplication, in
which a man’s proper self is not thoroughly present in agonizing
earnestness and vehement desire, is utterly ineffectual, for it lacks that
which would give it force. “Fervent prayer,” says an old divine, “like a
cannon planted at the gates of heaven, makes them fly open.” The common
fault with the most of us is our readiness to yield to distractions.

[Read more…] about January 15th Evening

“Do as thou hast said.” — 2 Samuel 7:25

God’s promises were never meant to be thrown aside as waste paper; He
intended that they should be used. God’s gold is not miser’s money, but is
minted to be traded with. Nothing pleases our Lord better than to see His
promises put in circulation; He loves to see His children bring them up to
Him, and say, “Lord, do as Thou hast said.” We glorify God when we
plead His promises. Do you think that God will be any the poorer for
giving you the riches He has promised? Do you dream that He will be any
the less holy for giving holiness to you? Do you imagine He will be any
the less pure for washing you from your sins? He has said “Come now,
and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall
be as wool.” Faith lays hold upon the promise of pardon, and it does not
delay, saying,

[Read more…] about January 15th Morning

“Beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” — Matthew 14:30

Sinking times are praying times with the Lord’s servants. Peter neglected
prayer at starting upon his venturous journey, but when he began to sink
his danger made him a suppliant, and his cry though late was not too late.
In our hours of bodily pain and mental anguish, we find ourselves as
naturally driven to prayer as the wreck is driven upon the shore by the
waves. The fox hies to its hole for protection; the bird flies to the wood for
shelter; and even so the tried believer hastens to the mercy seat for safety.
Heaven’s great harbour of refuge is All-prayer; thousands of
weather-beaten vessels have found a haven there, and the moment a storm
comes on, it is wise for us to make for it with all sail.

[Read more…] about January 14th Evening

“Mighty to save.” — Isaiah 63:1

By the words “to save” we understand the whole of the great work of
salvation, from the first holy desire onward to complete sanctification. The
words are multum in parro: indeed, here is all mercy in one word. Christ is
not only “mighty to save” those who repent, but He is able to make men
repent. He will carry those to heaven who believe; but He is, moreover,
mighty to give men new hearts and to work faith in them. He is mighty to
make the man who hates holiness love it, and to constrain the despiser of
His name to bend the knee before Him. Nay, this is not all the meaning, for
the divine power is equally seen in the after-work. The life of a believer is
a series of miracles wrought by “the Mighty God.” The bush burns, but is
not consumed. He is mighty to keep His people holy after He has made
them so, and to preserve them in his fear and love until he consummates
their spiritual existence in heaven.

[Read more…] about January 14th Morning

“The iron did swim.” — 2 Kings 6:9

The axe-head seemed hopelessly lost, and as it was borrowed, the honour
of the prophetic band was likely to be imperilled, and so the name of their
God to be compromised. Contrary to all expectation, the iron was made to
mount from the depth of the stream and to swim; for things impossible
with man are possible with God. I knew a man in Christ but a few years
ago who was called to undertake a work far exceeding his strength. It
appeared so difficult as to involve absurdity in the bare idea of attempting
it. Yet he was called thereto, and his faith rose with the occasion; God
honoured his faith, unlooked-for aid was sent, and the iron did swim.
Another of the Lord’s family was in grievous financial straits, he was able
to meet all claims, and much more if he could have realized a certain
portion of his estate, but he was overtaken with a sudden pressure; he
sought for friends in vain, but faith led him to…

[Read more…] about January 13th Evening

“Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Ezion-geber.” — 1 Kings 22:48

Solomon’s ships had returned in safety, but Jehoshaphat’s vessels never
reached the land of gold. Providence prospers one, and frustrates the
desires of another, in the same business and at the same spot, yet the
Great Ruler is as good and wise at one time as another. May we have grace
to-day, in the remembrance of this text, to bless the Lord for ships broken
at Ezion-geber, as well as for vessels freighted with temporal blessings; let
us not envy the more successful, nor murmur at our losses as though we
were singularly and specially tried. Like Jehoshaphat, we may be precious
in the Lord’s sight, although our schemes end in disappointment.
The secret cause of Jehoshaphat’s loss is well worthy of notice, for it is
the root of very much of the suffering of the Lord’s people; it was his
alliance with a sinful family, his fellowship with sinners

[Read more…] about January 13th Morning