Morning   “At evening time it shall be light.” / Zechariah 14:7

Oftentimes we look forward with forebodings to the time of old age, forgetful

that at eventide it shall be light. To many saints, old age is the choicest

season in their lives. A balmier air fans the mariner’s cheek as he nears the

shore of immortality, fewer waves ruffle his sea, quiet reigns, deep, still

and solemn. From the altar of age the flashes of the fire of youth are gone,

but the more real flame of earnest feeling remains. The pilgrims have reached

the land Beulah, that happy country, whose days are as the days of heaven upon

earth. Angels visit it, celestial gales blow over it, flowers of paradise grow

in it, and the air is filled with seraphic music. Some dwell here for years,

and others come to it but a few hours before their departure, but it is an

Eden on earth. We may well long for the time when we shall recline in its

shady groves and be satisfied with hope until the time of fruition comes. The

setting sun seems larger than when aloft in the sky, and a splendour of glory

tinges all the clouds which surround his going down. Pain breaks not the calm

of the sweet twilight of age, for strength made perfect in weakness bears up

with patience under it all. Ripe fruits of choice experience are gathered as

the rare repast of life’s evening, and the soul prepares itself for rest.

 

The Lord’s people shall also enjoy light in the hour of death. Unbelief

laments; the shadows fall, the night is coming, existence is ending. Ah no,

crieth faith, the night is far spent, the true day is at hand. Light is come,

the light of immortality, the light of a Father’s countenance. Gather up thy

feet in the bed, see the waiting bands of spirits! Angels waft thee away.

Farewell, beloved one, thou art gone, thou wavest thine hand. Ah, now it is

light. The pearly gates are open, the golden streets shine in the jasper

light. We cover our eyes, but thou beholdest the unseen; adieu, brother, thou

hast light at even-tide, such as we have not yet.

 

Evening    “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the

righteous.” / 1 John 2:1

“If any man sin, we have an advocate.” Yes, though we sin, we have him still.

John does not say, “If any man sin he has forfeited his advocate,” but “we

have an advocate,” sinners though we are. All the sin that a believer ever

did, or can be allowed to commit, cannot destroy his interest in the Lord

Jesus Christ, as his advocate. The name here given to our Lord is suggestive.

“Jesus.” Ah! then he is an advocate such as we need, for Jesus is the name of

one whose business and delight it is to save. “They shall call his name Jesus,

for he shall save his people from their sins.” His sweetest name implies his

success. Next, it is “Jesus Christ”–Christos, the anointed. This shows his

authority to plead. The Christ has a right to plead, for he is the Father’s

own appointed advocate and elected priest. If he were of our choosing he might

fail, but if God hath laid help upon one that is mighty, we may safely lay our

trouble where God has laid his help. He is Christ, and therefore authorized;

he is Christ, and therefore qualified, for the anointing has fully fitted him

for his work. He can plead so as to move the heart of God and prevail. What

words of tenderness, what sentences of persuasion will the anointed use when

he stands up to plead for me! One more letter of his name remains, “Jesus

Christ the righteous.” This is not only his character but his plea. It is his

character, and if the Righteous One be my advocate, then my cause is good, or

he would not have espoused it. It is his plea, for he meets the charge of

unrighteousness against me by the plea that he is righteous. He declares

himself my substitute and puts his obedience to my account. My soul, thou hast

a friend well fitted to be thine advocate, he cannot but succeed; leave

thyself entirely in his hands.