Morning  “For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to
help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king,
saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his
power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.” / Ezra 8:22

A convoy on many accounts would have been desirable for the pilgrim band, but
a holy shame-facedness would not allow Ezra to seek one. He feared lest the
heathen king should think his professions of faith in God to be mere
hypocrisy, or imagine that the God of Israel was not able to preserve his own
worshippers. He could not bring his mind to lean on an arm of flesh in a
matter so evidently of the Lord, and therefore the caravan set out with no
visible protection, guarded by him who is the sword and shield of his people.
It is to be feared that few believers feel this holy jealousy for God; even
those who in a measure walk by faith, occasionally mar the lustre of their
life by craving aid from man. It is a most blessed thing to have no props and
no buttresses, but to stand upright on the Rock of Ages, upheld by the Lord
alone. Would any believers seek state endowments for their Church, if they
remembered that the Lord is dishonoured by their asking Caesar’s aid? as if
the Lord could not supply the needs of his own cause! Should we run so hastily
to friends and relations for assistance, if we remembered that the Lord is
magnified by our implicit reliance upon his solitary arm? My soul, wait thou
only upon God. “But,” says one, “are not means to be used?” Assuredly they
are; but our fault seldom lies in their neglect: far more frequently it
springs out of foolishly believing in them instead of believing in God. Few
run too far in neglecting the creature’s arm; but very many sin greatly in
making too much of it. Learn, dear reader, to glorify the Lord by leaving
means untried, if by using them thou wouldst dishonour the name of the Lord.

Evening   “I sleep, but my heart waketh.” / Song of Solomon 5:2

Paradoxes abound in Christian experience, and here is one–the spouse was
asleep, and yet she was awake. He only can read the believer’s riddle who has
ploughed with the heifer of his experience. The two points in this evening’s
text are–a mournful sleepiness and a hopeful wakefulness. I sleep. Through
sin that dwelleth in us we may become lax in holy duties, slothful in
religious exercises, dull in spiritual joys, and altogether supine and
careless. This is a shameful state for one in whom the quickening Spirit
dwells; and it is dangerous to the highest degree. Even wise virgins sometimes
slumber, but it is high time for all to shake off the bands of sloth. It is to
be feared that many believers lose their strength as Samson lost his locks,
while sleeping on the lap of carnal security. With a perishing world around
us, to sleep is cruel; with eternity so near at hand, it is madness. Yet we
are none of us so much awake as we should be; a few thunder-claps would do us
all good, and it may be, unless we soon bestir ourselves, we shall have them
in the form of war, or pestilence, or personal bereavements and losses. O that
we may leave forever the couch of fleshly ease, and go forth with flaming
torches to meet the coming Bridegroom! My heart waketh. This is a happy sign.
Life is not extinct, though sadly smothered. When our renewed heart struggles
against our natural heaviness, we should be grateful to sovereign grace for
keeping a little vitality within the body of this death. Jesus will hear our
hearts, will help our hearts, will visit our hearts; for the voice of the
wakeful heart is really the voice of our Beloved, saying, “Open to me.” Holy
zeal will surely unbar the door.

“Oh lovely attitude! He stands

With melting heart and laden hands;

My soul forsakes her every sin;

And lets the heavenly stranger in.”