June 8

"lf any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15

Today the world comes and searches us out. There is a force abroad now which is captivating men. Did you ever feel the power of the world as you do today? Did you ever hear so much talk about money? Did you ever think so much about food and clothing?

Wherever you go, even among Christians, the things of the world are the topic of conversation. The world has advanced to the very door of the Church and is seeking to draw God’s people into its grasp. Never in this sphere of things have we so urgently needed to know the power of the cross to deliver us as we do at this present time.

Jesus spoke reassuringly to his disciples about this. He also prayed for them: "These are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name." Ultimately when we touch the things of the world, the only question we need ask ourselves is, "How is this thing affecting my relationship with the Father?"

June 7

"l have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content." Philippians 4:11

Paul was one who not only knew Christ, but had had Christ wrought into his very being through the testings of time. "I have learned," he says, and the context refers to experiences of physical want. Through such experiences, which took time, there was a progressive but a quite definite change in his character.

And this is what we ourselves need; net only exchanged lives, where it is no longer I but Christ, but changed lives. Of course we cannot have the second without the first, but God does indeed want the second. He wants a real transformation in us.

Let us not misunderstand God’s ways with us. If he uses special trials and testings, it is for a special purpose. A valuable vessel or a well-finished tool cannot be produced without a high price being paid. Only poor quality goods can be produced cheaply.

June 6

"What doth Jehovah require of thee, but to do justly, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah 6:8

Humility is a grace that should genuinely move people, but the way some of us Christians parade our humility reveals plainly the falsity of our hearts. We talk endlessly of being humble, but only display thereby what Paul calls a "voluntary humility" [Colossians 2:18], having hidden motives and not the genuine article. It were really better to call it pride!

He who is truly humble is net like that. He is real. He acts naturally and speaks gently. Like his master, he will "take a towel . . . " for he esteems others better than himself. He is not too proud, either, to ask for their help when he needs it. No wonder men ask one another, "Who is his Lord whom he serves so gladly?"

June 5

"Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin." Hebrews 12:4

What is the meaning of Christian suffering? Unless we are called to martyrdom, our resisting and striving against sin has not reached the point of bloodshed. Nevertheless, we still deplore our lot. Do we expect to have a prosperous road in this life—to wear a white linen garment and walk leisurely on a golden street leading to a pearly gate?

God has arranged all kinds of environment, all sorts of happenings, and many sufferings, all with a view to creating in each of his children a certain character which will glorify him. To be scourged may be the evidence of his approval. Chastisement is love’s arrangement. Love measures and love plans. God may not deal thus with everyone, but he certainly does so with those whom he has accepted as sons.

June 4

“Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?” Song of Songs 8:5

The Holy Spirit draws our attention to this surprising sight, which is none other than the mystery of the Church. She has the world behind her, for she is coming away from the wilderness; and she is making an upward movement, for she is advancing toward a heavenly goal.

What is more, she is utterly dependent, leaning hard upon her Beloved. She knows herself to be incapable of finding her own paths out of this wilderness world, so she must keep close to him. And her dependence and nearness are not a matter of duty or fear so much as of heart love.

So we have a glimpse of the onward and upward movement of the pilgrim Church which has an “on-high” calling in Christ. Why should we wait for the Lord’s return in passive contemplation? It is spiritual fitness which makes us ready for his coming, and that demands an onward progress with him now.

June 3

“Ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

If our work for God is truly accomplished in his strength, it cannot but bring results. Yet supposing we have been commissioned by him and have labored for eight or ten years without seeing any results at all, can we continue to toil on faithfully, simply because God has commanded it? How many of us are prepared to serve solely because it is God’s command? Or how many work for the sake of seeing fruit?

Since God’s work is eternal in nature, he seeks men with faith to labor for him. It is difficult for us humans who live in time to perceive and understand the work of God, by reason of its eternal character. But it helps to remember that the work of the Lord Jesus was that of the cross—losing for the sake of greater gain. Exactly so is the work of the Christian to be. Today God needs followers who will travail with him to the end, whether or not they see results.

June 2

“And Moses cried unto Jehovah, saying, Heal her, O God, I beseech thee.” Numbers 12:13

When Miriam and Aaron combined to challenge Moses’ unique position, no words of self-vindication came from the lips of God’s servant. He had nothing to say in his own defense. During the whole affair, he acted as though he were scarcely more than a spectator. He had no personal axe to grind; he neither reproved nor argued.

Moreover, he quickly forgave and was ready enough to pray for Miriam when she needed his prayers. Had he not tasted God’s mercy he would have said to Aaron, “Why do you not pray to God yourself, since you insist that God speaks to you also?” But, like Christ who prayed for his captors, he readily pleaded for Miriam’s recovery. In this he shows us the way to fulfill the command “Do good to them that hate you; pray for them that despitefully use you.”

June 1

“Make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind.” Philippians 2:2

I would like to point out that this request for the saints to be like-minded is not addressed to the universal Church. Though the universal Church can learn from it, the words apply especially to the Philippians to whom Paul wrote this letter. You Christians in Philippi, you Philippian brothers, you are the ones who must be like-minded.

It is not nearly so important for you who love the Lord here in Foochow to be like-minded with the brothers of the church in Shanghai, or with the brothers of the church in Lan-chou. What is of major importance is like-mindedness with those here in this city. This is what the Bible commands. If this is lacking in your own locality, all your doctrines are but fanciful ideals.