Morning “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” / Exodus 14:13

 These words contain God’s command to the believer when he is reduced to great

straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot retreat; he

cannot go forward; he is shut up on the right hand and on the left; what is he

now to do? The Master’s word to him is, “Stand still.” It will be well for him

if at such times he listens only to his Master’s word, for other and evil

advisers come with their suggestions. Despair whispers, “Lie down and die;

give it all up.” But God would have us put on a cheerful courage, and even in

our worst times, rejoice in his love and faithfulness. Cowardice says,

“Retreat; go back to the worldling’s way of action; you cannot play the

Christian’s part, it is too difficult. Relinquish your principles.” But,

however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it if you

are a child of God. His divine fiat has bid thee go from strength to strength,

and so thou shalt, and neither death nor hell shall turn thee from thy course.

What, if for a while thou art called to stand still, yet this is but to renew

thy strength for some greater advance in due time. Precipitancy cries, “do

something. Stir yourself; to stand still and wait, is sheer idleness.” We must

be doing something at once–we must do it so we think–instead of looking to

the Lord, who will not only do something but will do everything. Presumption

boasts, “If the sea be before you, march into it and expect a miracle.” But

Faith listens neither to Presumption, nor to Despair, nor to Cowardice, nor to

Precipitancy, but it hears God say, “Stand still,” and immovable as a rock it

stands. “Stand still;”–keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action,

expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing

voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as

Moses said it to the people of Israel, “Go forward.”

 

Evening  “His camp is very great.” / Joel 2:11

 Consider, my soul, the mightiness of the Lord who is thy glory and defence. He

is a man of war, Jehovah is his name. All the forces of heaven are at his

beck, legions wait at his door, cherubim and seraphim;, watchers and holy

ones, principalities and powers, are all attentive to his will. If our eyes

were not blinded by the ophthalmia of the flesh, we should see horses of fire

and chariots of fire round about the Lord’s beloved. The powers of nature are

all subject to the absolute control of the Creator: stormy wind and tempest,

lightning and rain, and snow, and hail, and the soft dews and cheering

sunshine, come and go at his decree. The bands of Orion he looseth, and

bindeth the sweet influences of the Pleiades. Earth, sea, and air, and the

places under the earth, are the barracks for Jehovah’s great armies; space is

his camping ground, light is his banner, and flame is his sword. When he goeth

forth to war, famine ravages the land, pestilence smites the nations,

hurricane sweeps the sea, tornado shakes the mountains, and earthquake makes

the solid world to tremble. As for animate creatures, they all own his

dominion, and from the great fish which swallowed the prophet, down to “all

manner of flies,” which plagued the field of Zoan, all are his servants, and

like the palmer-worm, the caterpillar, and the cankerworm, are squadrons of

his great army, for his camp is very great. My soul, see to it that thou be at

peace with this mighty King, yea, more, be sure to enlist under his banner,

for to war against him is madness, and to serve him is glory. Jesus, Immanuel,

God with us, is ready to receive recruits for the army of the Lord: if I am

not already enlisted let me go to him ere I sleep, and beg to be accepted

through his merits; and if I be already, as I hope I am, a soldier of the

cross, let me be of good courage; for the enemy is powerless compared with my

Lord, whose camp is very great.