Morning   “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” / Galatians 5:25

The two most important things in our holy religion are the life of faith and
the walk of faith. He who shall rightly understand these is not far from being
a master in experimental theology, for they are vital points to a Christian.
You will never find true faith unattended by true godliness; on the other
hand, you will never discover a truly holy life which has not for its root a
living faith upon the righteousness of Christ. Woe unto those who seek after
the one without the other! There are some who cultivate faith and forget
holiness; these may be very high in orthodoxy, but they shall be very deep in
condemnation, for they hold the truth in unrighteousness; and there are others
who have strained after holiness of life, but have denied the faith, like the
Pharisees of old, of whom the Master said, they were “whitewashed sepulchres.”
We must have faith, for this is the foundation; we must have holiness of life,
for this is the superstructure. Of what service is the mere foundation of a
building to a man in the day of tempest? Can he hide himself therein? He wants
a house to cover him, as well as a foundation for that house. Even so we need
the superstructure of spiritual life if we would have comfort in the day of
doubt. But seek not a holy life without faith, for that would be to erect a
house which can afford no permanent shelter, because it has no foundation on a
rock. Let faith and life be put together, and, like the two abutments of an
arch, they will make our piety enduring. Like light and heat streaming from
the same sun, they are alike full of blessing. Like the two pillars of the
temple, they are for glory and for beauty. They are two streams from the
fountain of grace; two lamps lit with holy fire; two olive trees watered by
heavenly care. O Lord, give us this day life within, and it will reveal itself
without to thy glory.

Evening “And they follow me.” / John 10:27

We should follow our Lord as unhesitatingly as sheep follow their shepherd,
for he has a right to lead us wherever he pleases. We are not our own, we are
bought with a price–let us recognize the rights of the redeeming blood. The
soldier follows his captain, the servant obeys his master, much more must we
follow our Redeemer, to whom we are a purchased possession. We are not true to
our profession of being Christians, if we question the bidding of our Leader
and Commander. Submission is our duty, cavilling is our folly. Often might our
Lord say to us as to Peter, “What is that to thee? Follow thou me.” Wherever
Jesus may lead us, he goes before us. If we know not where we go, we know with
whom we go. With such a companion, who will dread the perils of the road? The
journey may be long, but his everlasting arms will carry us to the end. The
presence of Jesus is the assurance of eternal salvation, because he lives, we
shall live also. We should follow Christ in simplicity and faith, because the
paths in which he leads us all end in glory and immortality. It is true they
may not be smooth paths–they may be covered with sharp flinty trials, but
they lead to the “city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is
God.” “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his
covenant.” Let us put full trust in our Leader, since we know that, come
prosperity or adversity, sickness or health, popularity or contempt, his
purpose shall be worked out, and that purpose shall be pure, unmingled good to
every heir of mercy. We shall find it sweet to go up the bleak side of the
hill with Christ; and when rain and snow blow into our faces, his dear love
will make us far more blest than those who sit at home and warm their hands at
the world’s fire. To the top of Amana, to the dens of lions, or to the hills
of leopards, we will follow our Beloved. Precious Jesus, draw us, and we will
run after thee.