Morning   “And will manifest myself to him.”  John 14:21

The Lord Jesus gives special revelations of himself to his people. Even if

Scripture did not declare this, there are many of the children of God who could

testify the truth of it from their own experience. They have had manifestations

of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in a peculiar manner, such as no mere

reading or hearing could afford. In the biographies of eminent saints, you will

find many instances recorded in which Jesus has been pleased, in a very special

manner to speak to their souls, and to unfold the wonders of his person; yea, so

have their souls been steeped in happiness that they have thought themselves to

be in heaven, whereas they were not there, though they were well

nigh on the threshold of it–for when Jesus manifests himself to his people, it

is heaven on earth; it is paradise in embryo; it is bliss begun. Especial

manifestations of Christ exercise a holy influence on the believer’s heart. One

effect will be humility. If a man says, “I have had such-and-such spiritual

communications, I am a great man,” he has never had any communion with Jesus at

all; for “God hath respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.”

He does not need to come near them to know them, and will never give them any

visits of love. Another effect will be happiness; for in God’s presence there

are pleasures for evermore. Holiness will be sure to follow. A man who

has no holiness has never had this manifestation. Some men profess a great

deal; but we must not believe any one unless we see that his deeds answer to

what he says. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked.” He will not bestow his

favours upon the wicked: for while he will not cast away a perfect man, neither

will he respect an evil doer. Thus there will be three effects of nearness to

Jesus–humility, happiness, and holiness. May God give them to thee, Christian!

 

Evening  “Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: I

will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again.”

Genesis 46:3-4

Jacob must have shuddered at the thought of leaving the land of his father’s

sojourning, and dwelling among heathen strangers. It was a new scene, and likely

to be a trying one: who shall venture among couriers of a foreign monarch

without anxiety? Yet the way was evidently appointed for him, and therefore he

resolved to go. This is frequently the position of believers now–they are

called to perils and temptations altogether untried: at such seasons let them

imitate Jacob’s example by offering sacrifices of prayer unto God, and seeking

his direction; let them not take a step until they have waited upon the Lord for

his blessing: then they will have Jacob’s companion to be their friend and

helper. How blessed to feel assured that the Lord is with us in all our ways,

and condescends to go down into our humiliations and banishments with us! Even

beyond the ocean our Father’s love beams like the sun in its strength. We cannot

hesitate to go where Jehovah promises his presence; even the valley of

deathshade grows bright with the radiance of this assurance. Marching onwards

with faith in their God, believers shall have Jacob’s promise. They shall be

brought up again, whether it be from the troubles of life or the chambers of

death. Jacob’s seed came out of Egypt in due time, and so shall all the faithful

pass unscathed through the tribulation of life, and the terror of death. Let

us exercise Jacob’s confidence. “Fear not,” is the Lord’s command and his

divine encouragement to those who at his bidding are launching upon new seas;

the divine presence and preservation forbid so much as one unbelieving fear.

Without our God we should fear to move; but when he bids us to, it would be

dangerous to tarry. Reader, go forward, and fear not.