Morning and Evening Podcast

“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

“I have yet to speak on God’s behalf.” — Job 36:2

We ought not to court publicity for our virtue, or notoriety for our zeal;
but, at the same time, it is a sin to be always seeking to hide that which
God has bestowed upon us for the good of others. A Christian is not to be
a village in a valley, but “a city set upon a hill;” he is not to be a candle
under a bushel, but a candle in a candlestick, giving light to all. Retirement
may be lovely in its season, and to hide one’s self is doubtless modest, but
the hiding of Christ in us can never be justified, and the keeping back of
truth which is precious to ourselves is a sin against others and an offence
against God. If you are of a nervous temperament and of retiring
disposition, take care that you do not too much indulge this trembling
propensity, lest you should be useless to the church. Seek in the name of

[Read more…] about January 12th Evening

“Ye are Christ’s.” — 1 Corinthians 3:23

Ye are Christ’s.” You are His by donation, for the Father gave you to the
Son; His by His bloody purchase, for He counted down the price for your
redemption; His by dedication, for you have consecrated yourself to Him;
His by relation, for you are named by his name, and made one of His
brethren and joint-heirs. Labour practically to show the world that you are
the servant, the friend, the bride of Jesus. When tempted to sin, reply, “I
cannot do this great wickedness, for I am Christ’s.” Immortal principles
forbid the friend of Christ to sin. When wealth is before you to be won by
sin, say that you are Christ’s, and touch it not. Are you exposed to
difficulties and dangers? Stand fast in the evil day, remembering that you
are Christ’s. Are you placed where others are sitting down idly, doing
nothing?

[Read more…] about January 12th Morning

“I have prayed for thee.” — Luke 22:32

How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer’s never-ceasing
intercession for us. When we pray, He pleads for us; and then we are not
praying, He is advocating our cause, and by His supplications shielding us
from unseen dangers. Notice the word of comfort addressed to Peter —
”Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as
wheat; but” — what? “But go and pray for yourself.” That would be good
advice, but it is not so written. Neither does he say, “But I will keep you
watchful, and so you shall be preserved.” That were a great blessing. No, it
is, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.” We little know what
we owe to our Saviour’s prayers. When we reach the hill-tops of heaven,
and look back upon all the way whereby the Lord our God hath led us,

[Read more…] about January 11th Evening

“These have no root.” — Luke 8:13

My soul, examine thyself this morning by the light of this text. Thou hast received the word with joy; thy feelings have been stirred and a lively
impression has been made; but, remember, that to receive the word in the
ear is one thing, and to receive Jesus into thy very soul is quite
another;superficial feeling is often joined to inward hardness of heart, and a lively impression of the word is not always a lasting one. In the parable,
the seed in one case fell upon ground having a rocky bottom, covered over
with a thin layer of earth; when the seed began to take root, its downward
growth was hindered by the hard stone and therefore it spent its strength
in pushing its green shoot aloft as high as it could, but having no inward
moisture derived from root nourishment, it withered away. Is this my
case?

[Read more…] about January 11 Morning

“In my flesh shall I see God.” — Job 19:26

Mark the subject of Job’s devout anticipation “I shall see God.” He does not say, “I shall see the saints” — though doubtless that will be untold felicity — but, “I shall see God.” It is not — ”I shall see the pearly gates, I shall behold the walls of jasper, I shall gaze upon the crowns of gold,” but “I shall see God.” This is the sum and substance of heaven, this is the joyful hope of all believers. It is their delight to see Him now in the ordinances by faith. They love to behold Him in communion and in prayer; but there in heaven they shall have an open and unclouded vision, and thus seeing “Him as He is,” shall be made completely like Him. Likeness to God — what can we wish for more? And a sight of God — what can we desire better? Some read the passage, “Yet, I shall see God in my flesh,” and find here an allusion to Christ, as the “Word made flesh,” and that glorious beholding of Him which shall be the splendour of the latter days. Whether so or not it is certain that Christ shall be the object of our eternal vision; nor shall we ever want any joy beyond that of seeing Him.

[Read more…] about January 10 Evening