Morning “He left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.” / Genesis 39:12

 In contending with certain sins there remains no mode of victory but by

flight. The ancient naturalists wrote much of basilisks, whose eyes fascinated

their victims and rendered them easy victims; so the mere gaze of wickedness

puts us in solemn danger. He who would be safe from acts of evil must haste

away from occasions of it. A covenant must be made with our eyes not even to

look upon the cause of temptation, for such sins only need a spark to begin

with and a blaze follows in an instant. Who would wantonly enter the leper’s

prison and sleep amid its horrible corruption? He only who desires to be

leprous himself would thus court contagion. If the mariner knew how to avoid a

storm, he would do anything rather than run the risk of weathering it.

Cautious pilots have no desire to try how near the quicksand they can sail, or

how often they may touch a rock without springing a leak; their aim is to keep

as nearly as possible in the midst of a safe channel.

 This day I may be exposed to great peril, let me have the serpent’s wisdom to

keep out of it and avoid it. The wings of a dove may be of more use to me

today than the jaws of a lion. It is true I may be an apparent loser by

declining evil company, but I had better leave my cloak than lose my

character; it is not needful that I should be rich, but it is imperative upon

me to be pure. No ties of friendship, no chains of beauty, no flashings of

talent, no shafts of ridicule must turn me from the wise resolve to flee from

sin. The devil I am to resist and he will flee from me, but the lusts of the

flesh, I must flee, or they will surely overcome me. O God of holiness

preserve thy Josephs, that Madam Bubble bewitch them not with her vile

suggestions. May the horrible trinity of the world, the flesh, and the devil,

never overcome us!

 

Evening “In their affliction they will seek me early.” / Hosea 5:15

 Losses and adversities are frequently the means which the great Shepherd uses

to fetch home his wandering sheep; like fierce dogs they worry the wanderers

back to the fold. There is no making lions tame if they are too well fed; they

must be brought down from their great strength, and their stomachs must be

lowered, and then they will submit to the tamer’s hand; and often have we seen

the Christian rendered obedient to the Lord’s will by straitness of bread and

hard labour. When rich and increased in goods many professors carry their

heads much too loftily, and speak exceeding boastfully. Like David, they

flatter themselves, “My mountain standeth fast; I shall never be moved.” When

the Christian groweth wealthy, is in good repute, hath good health, and a

happy family, he too often admits Mr. Carnal Security to feast at his table,

and then if he be a true child of God there is a rod preparing for him. Wait

awhile, and it may be you will see his substance melt away as a dream. There

goes a portion of his estate–how soon the acres change hands. That debt, that

dishonoured bill–how fast his losses roll in, where will they end? It is a

blessed sign of divine life if when these embarrassments occur one after

another he begins to be distressed about his backslidings, and betakes himself

to his God. Blessed are the waves that wash the mariner upon the rock of

salvation! Losses in business are often sanctified to our soul’s enriching. If

the chosen soul will not come to the Lord full-handed, it shall come empty. If

God, in his grace, findeth no other means of making us honour him among men,

he will cast us into the deep; if we fail to honour him on the pinnacle of

riches, he will bring us into the valley of poverty. Yet faint not, heir of

sorrow, when thou art thus rebuked, rather recognize the loving hand which

chastens, and say, “I will arise, and go unto my Father.”