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Goal Setting: The Key to Success

Published by InTouch Ministries for reading on June 5th.

Philippians 3:7-14 7 Howbeit what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ, 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, `even' that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith: 10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death; 11 if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I could not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing `I do', forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, 14 I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

What three goals would you set for your life if you knew that you could achieve them? Would any of them be spiritual in nature? The apostle Paul was a goal-oriented person (even before he became a Christian), and he understood which pursuits were the most important. His chief ambition was to know Christ and His resurrection power, along with the fellowship of His suffering (Phil. 3:10).

We’d all do well to adopt these goals, but they sound so broad. How do we put them into practice? First, it’s important to comprehend that a goal is a purpose or direction toward which we work. This concept is fairly easy to understand when we’re talking about specific objectives like going to bed earlier or washing dishes every day, but what steps would you need to take in order to achieve spiritual goals like Paul’s?

Success requires choosing steps that are specific, reasonable, and measurable. For example, if you want to know Christ more intimately, you might start by spending 15 minutes each day praying and reading His Word. After developing your plan and the steps to accomplish it, put your desire into action. If you don’t take the necessary steps, it will simply remain a wish. No one develops intimacy with Christ through good intentions; it takes commitment, diligence, and perseverance.

If you feel as if your faith is lacking vitality, it may be that you’ve lost sight of your goal. No one intends to slip into complacency. But unless you set some specific goals and work to achieve them, you’ll drift through life and miss the reward—knowing Christ intimately.

Bible in One Year: Job 22-25 Chapter 22 1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said, 2 Can a man be profitable unto God? Surely he that is wise is profitable unto himself. 3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? Or is it gain `to him', that thou makest thy ways perfect? 4 Is it for thy fear `of him' that he reproveth thee, That he entereth with thee into judgment? 5 Is not thy wickedness great? Neither is there any end to thine iniquities. 6 For thou hast taken pledges of thy brother for nought, And stripped the naked of their clothing. 7 Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, And thou hast withholden bread from the hungry. 8 But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; And the honorable man, he dwelt in it. 9 Thou hast sent widows away empty, And the arms of the fatherless have been broken. 10 Therefore snares are round about thee, And sudden fear troubleth thee, 11 Or darkness, so that thou canst not see, And abundance of waters cover thee. 12 Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are! 13 And thou sayest, What doth God know? Can he judge through the thick darkness? 14 Thick clouds are a covering to him, so that he seeth not; And he walketh on the vault of heaven. 15 Wilt thou keep the old way Which wicked men have trodden? 16 Who were snatched away before their time, Whose foundation was poured out as a stream, 17 Who said unto God, Depart from us; And, What can the Almighty do for us? 18 Yet he filled their houses with good things: But the counsel of the wicked is far from me. 19 The righteous see it, and are glad; And the innocent laugh them to scorn, 20 `Saying', Surely they that did rise up against us are cut off, And the remnant of them the fire hath consumed. 21 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: Thereby good shall come unto thee. 22 Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, And lay up his words in thy heart. 23 If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, If thou put away unrighteousness far from thy tents. 24 And lay thou `thy' treasure in the dust, And `the gold of' Ophir among the stones of the brooks; 25 And the Almighty will be thy treasure, And precious silver unto thee. 26 For then shalt thou delight thyself in the Almighty, And shalt lift up thy face unto God. 27 Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he will hear thee; And thou shalt pay thy vows. 28 Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee; And light shall shine upon thy ways. 29 When they cast `thee' down, thou shalt say, `There is' lifting up; And the humble person he will save. 30 He will deliver `even' him that is not innocent: Yea, he shall be delivered through the cleanness of thy hands. Chapter 23 1 Then Job answered and said, 2 Even to-day is my complaint rebellious: My stroke is heavier than my groaning. 3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat! 4 I would set my cause in order before him, And fill my mouth with arguments. 5 I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would say unto me. 6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me. 7 There the upright might reason with him; So should I be delivered for ever from my judge. 8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not `there'; And backward, but I cannot perceive him; 9 On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him. 10 But he knoweth the way that I take; When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. 11 My foot hath held fast to his steps; His way have I kept, and turned not aside. 12 I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. 13 But he is in one `mind', and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. 14 For he performeth that which is appointed for me: And many such things are with him. 15 Therefore am I terrified at his presence; When I consider, I am afraid of him. 16 For God hath made my heart faint, And the Almighty hath terrified me; 17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, Neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face. Chapter 24 1 Why are times not laid up by the Almighty? And why do not they that know him see his days? 2 There are that remove the landmarks; They violently take away flocks, and feed them. 3 They drive away the ass of the fatherless; They take the widow's ox for a pledge. 4 They turn the needy out of the way: The poor of the earth all hide themselves. 5 Behold, as wild asses in the desert They go forth to their work, seeking diligently for food; The wilderness `yieldeth' them bread for their children. 6 They cut their provender in the field; And they glean the vintage of the wicked. 7 They lie all night naked without clothing, And have no covering in the cold. 8 They are wet with the showers of the mountains, And embrace the rock for want of a shelter. 9 There are that pluck the fatherless from the breast, And take a pledge of the poor; 10 `So that' they go about naked without clothing, And being hungry they carry the sheaves. 11 They make oil within the walls of these men; They tread `their' winepresses, and suffer thirst. 12 From out of the populous city men groan, And the soul of the wounded crieth out: Yet God regardeth not the folly. 13 These are of them that rebel against the light; They know not the ways thereof, Nor abide in the paths thereof. 14 The murderer riseth with the light; He killeth the poor and needy; And in the night he is as a thief. 15 The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, Saying, No eye shall see me: And he disguiseth his face. 16 In the dark they dig through houses: They shut themselves up in the day-time; They know not the light. 17 For the morning is to all of them as thick darkness; For they know the terrors of the thick darkness. 18 Swiftly they `pass away' upon the face of the waters; Their portion is cursed in the earth: They turn not into the way of the vineyards. 19 Drought and heat consume the snow waters: `So doth' Sheol `those that' have sinned. 20 The womb shall forget him; The worm shall feed sweetly on him; He shall be no more remembered; And unrighteousness shall be broken as a tree. 21 He devoureth the barren that beareth not, And doeth not good to the widow. 22 Yet `God' preserveth the mighty by his power: He riseth up that hath no assurance of life. 23 `God' giveth them to be in security, and they rest thereon; And his eyes are upon their ways. 24 They are exalted; yet a little while, and they are gone; Yea, they are brought low, they are taken out of the way as all others, And are cut off as the tops of the ears of grain. 25 And if it be not so now, who will prove me a liar, And make my speech nothing worth? Chapter 25 1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, 2 Dominion and fear are with him; He maketh peace in his high places. 3 Is there any number of his armies? And upon whom doth not his light arise? 4 How then can man be just with God? Or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? 5 Behold, even the moon hath no brightness, And the stars are not pure in his sight: 6 How much less man, that is a worm! And the son of man, that is a worm!

The Unavoidable Appointment

Published by InTouch Ministries for reading on June 5th.

Hebrews 9:27-28 27 And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this `cometh' judgment; 28 so Christ also, having been once offered to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time, apart from sin, to them that wait for him, unto salvation.

There are many options in life, especially for those who live in a relatively free country. Where we live, whom we marry, and what kind of career we pursue—all these are very much influenced by our desires and choices. But there is one event over which we have no control, and that’s our appointment with death.

Adam and Eve, the very first human beings, actually did have a choice regarding life and death. When God gave Adam the command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, He said, “for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die” (Gen. 2:17). But Adam and Eve did eat of the forbidden tree, and sin and death became a constant companion of the human race from that day forward. In the genealogy of mankind, as recorded in Genesis 5 Chapter 5 1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; 2 male and female created he them, and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. 3 And Adam lived a hundred and thirty years, and begat `a son' in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth: 4 and the days of Adam after he begat Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters. 5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died. 6 And Seth lived a hundred and five years, and begat Enosh: 7 and Seth lived after he begat Enosh eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters: 8 and all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died. 9 And Enosh lived ninety years, and begat Kenan. 10 and Enosh lived after he begat Kenan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters: 11 and all the days of Enosh were nine hundred and five years: and he died. 12 And Kenan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalalel: 13 and Kenan lived after he begat Mahalalel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters: 14 and all the days of Kenan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died. 15 And Mahalalel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared: 16 And Mahalalel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters: 17 and all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died. 18 And Jared lived a hundred sixty and two years, and begat Enoch: 19 and Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 20 And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died. 21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: 22 and Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 23 and all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: 24 and Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. 25 And Methuselah lived a hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech: 26 and Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters. 27 And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died. 28 And Lamech lived a hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son: 29 and he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us in our work and in the toil of our hands, `which cometh' because of the ground which Jehovah hath cursed. 30 And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and daughters: 31 And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died. 32 And Noah was five hundred years old: And Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth. , one phrase repeatedly drives this point home: “and he died.”

Although we can no longer choose whether to live or die, there was one other man who could. His name was Jesus Christ. In the book of John, He said, “I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me” ( John 10:17-18 17 Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. 18 No one taketh it away from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment received I from my Father. ). Jesus, the eternal Son of God and source of all life, chose to take on human flesh in order to die on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind.

Because Jesus chose death, man can now have life eternal by believing in Him. Our human bodies will one day die, but if we’ve trusted in Christ’s death as the payment for our sins, we’ll be resurrected as He was and enter heaven to be with Him forever.

Bible in One Year: Job 22-25 Chapter 22 1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said, 2 Can a man be profitable unto God? Surely he that is wise is profitable unto himself. 3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? Or is it gain `to him', that thou makest thy ways perfect? 4 Is it for thy fear `of him' that he reproveth thee, That he entereth with thee into judgment? 5 Is not thy wickedness great? Neither is there any end to thine iniquities. 6 For thou hast taken pledges of thy brother for nought, And stripped the naked of their clothing. 7 Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, And thou hast withholden bread from the hungry. 8 But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; And the honorable man, he dwelt in it. 9 Thou hast sent widows away empty, And the arms of the fatherless have been broken. 10 Therefore snares are round about thee, And sudden fear troubleth thee, 11 Or darkness, so that thou canst not see, And abundance of waters cover thee. 12 Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are! 13 And thou sayest, What doth God know? Can he judge through the thick darkness? 14 Thick clouds are a covering to him, so that he seeth not; And he walketh on the vault of heaven. 15 Wilt thou keep the old way Which wicked men have trodden? 16 Who were snatched away before their time, Whose foundation was poured out as a stream, 17 Who said unto God, Depart from us; And, What can the Almighty do for us? 18 Yet he filled their houses with good things: But the counsel of the wicked is far from me. 19 The righteous see it, and are glad; And the innocent laugh them to scorn, 20 `Saying', Surely they that did rise up against us are cut off, And the remnant of them the fire hath consumed. 21 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: Thereby good shall come unto thee. 22 Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, And lay up his words in thy heart. 23 If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, If thou put away unrighteousness far from thy tents. 24 And lay thou `thy' treasure in the dust, And `the gold of' Ophir among the stones of the brooks; 25 And the Almighty will be thy treasure, And precious silver unto thee. 26 For then shalt thou delight thyself in the Almighty, And shalt lift up thy face unto God. 27 Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he will hear thee; And thou shalt pay thy vows. 28 Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee; And light shall shine upon thy ways. 29 When they cast `thee' down, thou shalt say, `There is' lifting up; And the humble person he will save. 30 He will deliver `even' him that is not innocent: Yea, he shall be delivered through the cleanness of thy hands. Chapter 23 1 Then Job answered and said, 2 Even to-day is my complaint rebellious: My stroke is heavier than my groaning. 3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat! 4 I would set my cause in order before him, And fill my mouth with arguments. 5 I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would say unto me. 6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me. 7 There the upright might reason with him; So should I be delivered for ever from my judge. 8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not `there'; And backward, but I cannot perceive him; 9 On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him. 10 But he knoweth the way that I take; When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. 11 My foot hath held fast to his steps; His way have I kept, and turned not aside. 12 I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. 13 But he is in one `mind', and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. 14 For he performeth that which is appointed for me: And many such things are with him. 15 Therefore am I terrified at his presence; When I consider, I am afraid of him. 16 For God hath made my heart faint, And the Almighty hath terrified me; 17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, Neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face. Chapter 24 1 Why are times not laid up by the Almighty? And why do not they that know him see his days? 2 There are that remove the landmarks; They violently take away flocks, and feed them. 3 They drive away the ass of the fatherless; They take the widow's ox for a pledge. 4 They turn the needy out of the way: The poor of the earth all hide themselves. 5 Behold, as wild asses in the desert They go forth to their work, seeking diligently for food; The wilderness `yieldeth' them bread for their children. 6 They cut their provender in the field; And they glean the vintage of the wicked. 7 They lie all night naked without clothing, And have no covering in the cold. 8 They are wet with the showers of the mountains, And embrace the rock for want of a shelter. 9 There are that pluck the fatherless from the breast, And take a pledge of the poor; 10 `So that' they go about naked without clothing, And being hungry they carry the sheaves. 11 They make oil within the walls of these men; They tread `their' winepresses, and suffer thirst. 12 From out of the populous city men groan, And the soul of the wounded crieth out: Yet God regardeth not the folly. 13 These are of them that rebel against the light; They know not the ways thereof, Nor abide in the paths thereof. 14 The murderer riseth with the light; He killeth the poor and needy; And in the night he is as a thief. 15 The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, Saying, No eye shall see me: And he disguiseth his face. 16 In the dark they dig through houses: They shut themselves up in the day-time; They know not the light. 17 For the morning is to all of them as thick darkness; For they know the terrors of the thick darkness. 18 Swiftly they `pass away' upon the face of the waters; Their portion is cursed in the earth: They turn not into the way of the vineyards. 19 Drought and heat consume the snow waters: `So doth' Sheol `those that' have sinned. 20 The womb shall forget him; The worm shall feed sweetly on him; He shall be no more remembered; And unrighteousness shall be broken as a tree. 21 He devoureth the barren that beareth not, And doeth not good to the widow. 22 Yet `God' preserveth the mighty by his power: He riseth up that hath no assurance of life. 23 `God' giveth them to be in security, and they rest thereon; And his eyes are upon their ways. 24 They are exalted; yet a little while, and they are gone; Yea, they are brought low, they are taken out of the way as all others, And are cut off as the tops of the ears of grain. 25 And if it be not so now, who will prove me a liar, And make my speech nothing worth? Chapter 25 1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, 2 Dominion and fear are with him; He maketh peace in his high places. 3 Is there any number of his armies? And upon whom doth not his light arise? 4 How then can man be just with God? Or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? 5 Behold, even the moon hath no brightness, And the stars are not pure in his sight: 6 How much less man, that is a worm! And the son of man, that is a worm!

The Character of a Good Soldier

Published by InTouch Ministries for reading on June 6th.

2 Timothy 2:1-3 Chapter 2 1 Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Suffer hardship with `me', as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

In 1 Timothy 6:12 12 Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. , Paul calls on believers to “fight the good fight of faith.” Like first-century Christians, believers today are in a three-front war against the flesh, the world system, and Satan. The military metaphor is a good reminder that believers must prepare for daily spiritual battle. A good soldier ...

Is strong in Christ. Paul knew that the Lord stood by his side and strengthened him during trials (2 Tim. 4:17). The Holy Spirit provides the courage and power to obey God’s commands, so we can rely upon His might to carry us to victory against any enemy.

Shares knowledge. The church possesses not only the good news about salvation; it has all the riches of God’s Word. Many people have listened to biblical teaching and experienced the Lord interceding in their lives. To keep those lessons to oneself can leave unbelievers in harm’s way and deprive fellow Christians of necessary wisdom.

Suffers willingly. Hardship is part of combat and, therefore, part of the Christian experience. Believers will endure adversity and be asked to make sacrifices. It is little wonder, then, that Paul reminds Timothy to stand strong in the Lord and to uphold others (2 Tim. 2:1-2).

A wise commanding officer gives his troops a war cry that encourages their hearts and emboldens their steps. Paul had one, too: “Remember Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:8). Keep in mind that you serve an omnipotent Lord. He stands beside you, takes part in your suffering, and holds you securely through the most formidable battles.

Bible in One Year: Job 22-25 Chapter 22 1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said, 2 Can a man be profitable unto God? Surely he that is wise is profitable unto himself. 3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? Or is it gain `to him', that thou makest thy ways perfect? 4 Is it for thy fear `of him' that he reproveth thee, That he entereth with thee into judgment? 5 Is not thy wickedness great? Neither is there any end to thine iniquities. 6 For thou hast taken pledges of thy brother for nought, And stripped the naked of their clothing. 7 Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, And thou hast withholden bread from the hungry. 8 But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; And the honorable man, he dwelt in it. 9 Thou hast sent widows away empty, And the arms of the fatherless have been broken. 10 Therefore snares are round about thee, And sudden fear troubleth thee, 11 Or darkness, so that thou canst not see, And abundance of waters cover thee. 12 Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are! 13 And thou sayest, What doth God know? Can he judge through the thick darkness? 14 Thick clouds are a covering to him, so that he seeth not; And he walketh on the vault of heaven. 15 Wilt thou keep the old way Which wicked men have trodden? 16 Who were snatched away before their time, Whose foundation was poured out as a stream, 17 Who said unto God, Depart from us; And, What can the Almighty do for us? 18 Yet he filled their houses with good things: But the counsel of the wicked is far from me. 19 The righteous see it, and are glad; And the innocent laugh them to scorn, 20 `Saying', Surely they that did rise up against us are cut off, And the remnant of them the fire hath consumed. 21 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: Thereby good shall come unto thee. 22 Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, And lay up his words in thy heart. 23 If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, If thou put away unrighteousness far from thy tents. 24 And lay thou `thy' treasure in the dust, And `the gold of' Ophir among the stones of the brooks; 25 And the Almighty will be thy treasure, And precious silver unto thee. 26 For then shalt thou delight thyself in the Almighty, And shalt lift up thy face unto God. 27 Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he will hear thee; And thou shalt pay thy vows. 28 Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee; And light shall shine upon thy ways. 29 When they cast `thee' down, thou shalt say, `There is' lifting up; And the humble person he will save. 30 He will deliver `even' him that is not innocent: Yea, he shall be delivered through the cleanness of thy hands. Chapter 23 1 Then Job answered and said, 2 Even to-day is my complaint rebellious: My stroke is heavier than my groaning. 3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat! 4 I would set my cause in order before him, And fill my mouth with arguments. 5 I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would say unto me. 6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me. 7 There the upright might reason with him; So should I be delivered for ever from my judge. 8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not `there'; And backward, but I cannot perceive him; 9 On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him. 10 But he knoweth the way that I take; When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. 11 My foot hath held fast to his steps; His way have I kept, and turned not aside. 12 I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. 13 But he is in one `mind', and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. 14 For he performeth that which is appointed for me: And many such things are with him. 15 Therefore am I terrified at his presence; When I consider, I am afraid of him. 16 For God hath made my heart faint, And the Almighty hath terrified me; 17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, Neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face. Chapter 24 1 Why are times not laid up by the Almighty? And why do not they that know him see his days? 2 There are that remove the landmarks; They violently take away flocks, and feed them. 3 They drive away the ass of the fatherless; They take the widow's ox for a pledge. 4 They turn the needy out of the way: The poor of the earth all hide themselves. 5 Behold, as wild asses in the desert They go forth to their work, seeking diligently for food; The wilderness `yieldeth' them bread for their children. 6 They cut their provender in the field; And they glean the vintage of the wicked. 7 They lie all night naked without clothing, And have no covering in the cold. 8 They are wet with the showers of the mountains, And embrace the rock for want of a shelter. 9 There are that pluck the fatherless from the breast, And take a pledge of the poor; 10 `So that' they go about naked without clothing, And being hungry they carry the sheaves. 11 They make oil within the walls of these men; They tread `their' winepresses, and suffer thirst. 12 From out of the populous city men groan, And the soul of the wounded crieth out: Yet God regardeth not the folly. 13 These are of them that rebel against the light; They know not the ways thereof, Nor abide in the paths thereof. 14 The murderer riseth with the light; He killeth the poor and needy; And in the night he is as a thief. 15 The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, Saying, No eye shall see me: And he disguiseth his face. 16 In the dark they dig through houses: They shut themselves up in the day-time; They know not the light. 17 For the morning is to all of them as thick darkness; For they know the terrors of the thick darkness. 18 Swiftly they `pass away' upon the face of the waters; Their portion is cursed in the earth: They turn not into the way of the vineyards. 19 Drought and heat consume the snow waters: `So doth' Sheol `those that' have sinned. 20 The womb shall forget him; The worm shall feed sweetly on him; He shall be no more remembered; And unrighteousness shall be broken as a tree. 21 He devoureth the barren that beareth not, And doeth not good to the widow. 22 Yet `God' preserveth the mighty by his power: He riseth up that hath no assurance of life. 23 `God' giveth them to be in security, and they rest thereon; And his eyes are upon their ways. 24 They are exalted; yet a little while, and they are gone; Yea, they are brought low, they are taken out of the way as all others, And are cut off as the tops of the ears of grain. 25 And if it be not so now, who will prove me a liar, And make my speech nothing worth? Chapter 25 1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, 2 Dominion and fear are with him; He maketh peace in his high places. 3 Is there any number of his armies? And upon whom doth not his light arise? 4 How then can man be just with God? Or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? 5 Behold, even the moon hath no brightness, And the stars are not pure in his sight: 6 How much less man, that is a worm! And the son of man, that is a worm!

Daily Bible - June 6

Published by Grace To You for reading on June 6th.

Reading for Today:

1 Kings 21:1 Chapter 21 1 And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. –22:53
Psalms 71:1-8 Chapter 71 1 In thee, O Jehovah, do I take refuge: Let me never be put to shame. 2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and rescue me: Bow down thine ear unto me, and save me. 3 Be thou to me a rock of habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: Thou hast given commandment to save me; For thou art my rock and my fortress. 4 Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. 5 For thou art my hope, O Lord Jehovah: `Thou art' my trust from my youth. 6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb; Thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: My praise shall be continually of thee. 7 I am as a wonder unto many; But thou art my strong refuge. 8 My mouth shall be filled with thy praise, And with thy honor all the day.
Proverbs 18:3-5 3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy `cometh' reproach. 4 The words of a man's mouth are `as' deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is `as' a flowing brook. 5 To respect the person of the wicked is not good, `Nor' to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
John 15:1-27 Chapter 15 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every `branch' that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and `so' shall ye be my disciples. 9 Even as the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you: abide ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and `that' your joy may be made full. 12 This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father, I have made known unto you. 16 Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and `that' your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17 These things I command you, that ye may love one another. 18 If the world hateth you, ye know that it hath hated me before `it hated' you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which none other did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But `this cometh to pass', that the word may be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. 26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, `even' the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall bear witness of me: 27 and ye also bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

Notes:

1 Kings 21:3 The LORD forbid. Naboth’s words implied that trading or selling his property would be a disregard of the law and thus displeasing in God’s eyes (1 Sam. 24:6; 26:11; 2 Sam. 23:17). The reason was that the vineyard was his ancestral property. The Lord, the owner of all of the land of Israel, had forbidden Israelite families to surrender ownership of family lands permanently (Lev. 25:23–28; Num. 36:7–9). Out of loyalty to God, Naboth declined Ahab’s offer.

1 Kings 22:6 prophets. These 400 prophets of Ahab were not true prophets of the Lord. They worshiped at Bethel in the golden-calf center set up by Jeroboam (12:28, 29) and were supported by Ahab, whose religious policy also permitted Baal worship. Their words were designed to please Ahab (v. 8), so they refused to begin with the authoritative “thus says the LORD” and did not use the covenant name for Israel’s God, “LORD.”

John 15:14 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you. ,15 friends. Just as Abraham was called the friend of God (2 Chr. 20:7; James 2:23 23 and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God. ) because he enjoyed extraordinary access to the mind of God through God’s revelation to him which he believed, so also those who follow Christ are privileged with extraordinary revelation through the Messiah and Son of God and, believing, become friends of God also. It was for His friends that the Lord laid down His life (v. 13; 10:11, 15, 17).

DAY 6: What serious warning is sounded in the lesson of the vine and branches?

In John 15:1 Chapter 15 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. –17, Jesus used the extended metaphor of the vine and branches to set forth the basis of Christian living. Jesus used the imagery of agricultural life at the time, i.e., vines and vine crops (see also Matt. 20:1–16; 21:23–41; Mark 12:1 Chapter 12 1 And he began to speak unto them in parables. A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a pit for the winepress, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country. –9; Luke 13:6 6 And he spake this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none. –9; 20:9–16). In the Old Testament, the vine is used commonly as a symbol for Israel (Ps. 80:9–16; Is. 5:1–7; 27:2–6; Jer. 2:21; 12:10; Ezek. 15:1–8; 17:1–21; 19:10–14; Hos. 10:1, 2). He specifically identified Himself as the true vine and the Father as the vinedresser or caretaker of the vine.

The vine has two types of branches: 1) branches that bear fruit (vv. 2, 8), and 2) branches that do not (vv. 2, 6).The branches that bear fruit are genuine believers. Though in immediate context the focus is upon the 11 faithful disciples, the imagery also encompasses all believers down through the ages. The branches that do not bear fruit are those who profess to believe, but their lack of fruit indicates genuine salvation has never taken place and they have no life from the vine. Especially in the immediate context, Judas was in view, but the imagery extends from him to all those who make a profession of faith in Christ but do not actually possess salvation. The image of non-fruit-bearing branches being burned pictures eschatological judgment and eternal rejection (Ezek. 15:6–8).

“Abide in Me,” Jesus said (vv. 4–6).The word “abide” means to remain or stay around. The remaining is evidence that salvation has already taken place ( 1 John 2:19 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but `they went out', that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us. ) and not vice versa. The fruit or evidence of salvation is continuance in service to Him and in His teaching (8:31; 1 John 2:24 24 As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father. ; Col. 1:23). The abiding believer is the only legitimate believer. Abiding and believing actually are addressing the same issue of genuine salvation (Heb. 3:6–19). “Abide in My love” (vv. 9, 10; Jude 21). This is not emotional or mystical, but defined in v. 10 as obedience. Jesus set the model by His perfect obedience to the Father, which we are to use as the pattern for our obedience to Him.

Additional Resources

June 6 - Wealth and Heart Attitudes

Published by Grace To You for reading on June 6th.

“‘The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!’” ( Matthew 6:22 22 The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. –23).

Expanding on the previous three verses, Jesus uses the eye as an illustration of the heart. The lamp, or lens, of the body is the eye; that’s how we receive light. The heart is the eye of the soul, and it is through our hearts that God’s truth, love, peace, and every spiritual blessing comes to us.

Words closely related to the word for “clear” include liberality and generosity. So the implication is that if our heart is generous (clear), our spiritual life will be flooded with spiritual understanding.

However, if our eye is diseased or damaged, no light can enter, and our “whole body will be full of darkness.” If our hearts are burdened with material concerns, we’ll become “blind” and insensitive to spiritual concerns. The eye is our window—when it’s clear, light shines through; but when it’s corrupt, it prevents light from entering.

The eye that is bad is the heart that is selfishly indulgent. The person who is materialistic and greedy is spiritually blind. Because he has no way of recognizing true light, he thinks he has light when he doesn’t. It’s because he’s self-deceived that Jesus says, “How great is the darkness!”

This principle is both simple and sobering: the way we look at and use our money is a sure barometer of our spiritual condition.

Ask Yourself

Blind spots are certainly easy to develop in our hearts, whether about money or any other aspect of belief and practice. How can you safeguard yourself from letting your personal blind spots become ingrained attitudes, poisoning your ability to see clearly what God wants to do in your life?

Additional Resources

Integrity Enjoys God's Favor

Published by Grace To You for reading on June 6th.

“Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials” ( Daniel 1:9 9 Now God made Daniel to find kindness and compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs. ).

God’s favor is the rich reward of obedience.

God delights in granting special grace and favor to those whose hearts are set on pleasing Him. For example, “Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord” and was spared the ravages of the Flood (Gen. 6:8). Joseph found favor in His sight and was elevated to prominence in Egypt (Gen. 39—41). God granted Moses and the children of Israel favor in the sight of the Egyptians, and they were able to plunder Egypt in the Exodus (Ex. 11:3; 12:36).

When Daniel chose to obey God by not defiling himself with the king’s special diet (Dan. 1:8), he demonstrated great courage and integrity. God responded by granting him favor and compassion in the sight of Ashpenaz, the commander of the king’s officials. The Hebrew word translated “favor” speaks of goodness or kindness. It can also include a strong affection from deep within. “Compassion” means a tender, unfailing love. Together these words tell us that God established a special relationship between Ashpenaz and Daniel that not only protected Daniel from harm in this instance, but also helped prepare him for his future role as a man of enormous influence in Babylon.

Today God’s favor is the special grace He grants His children in times of need. It is especially evident when their obedience brings persecution. The apostle Peter wrote, “This finds favor [grace], if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. . . . If when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor [grace] with God” ( 1 Peter 2:19-20 19 For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted `for it', ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer `for it', ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. ).

Daniel knew that refusing the king’s special diet could lead to serious consequences, but he was more interested in obeying God’s Word than avoiding man’s punishment. He had the right priorities, and God honored his obedience, just as He will honor yours.

Suggestions for Prayer

Let the prayer of Moses be yours today: “Let me know Thy ways, that I may know Thee, so that I may find favor in Thy sight” (Ex. 33:13).

For Further Study

Read Genesis 39 Chapter 39 1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hand of the Ishmaelites, that had brought him down thither. 2 And Jehovah was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that Jehovah was with him, and that Jehovah made all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4 And Joseph found favor in his sight, and he ministered unto him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. 5 And it came to pass from the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that Jehovah blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of Jehovah was upon all that he had, in the house and in the field. 6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not aught `that was' with him, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was comely, and well-favored. 7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master knoweth not what is with me in the house, and he hath put all that he hath into my hand: 9 he is not greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? 10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, `or' to be with her. 11 And it came to pass about this time, that he went into the house to do his work; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. 13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, 14 that she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in a Hebrew unto us to mock us: he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: 15 and it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me, and fled, and got him out. 16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his master came home. 17 And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, whom thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: 18 and it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment by me, and fled out. 19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. 20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. 21 But Jehovah was with Joseph, and showed kindness unto him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. 23 The keeper of the prison looked not to anything that was under his hand, because Jehovah was with him; and that which he did, Jehovah made it prosper. . What were the results of God’s favor upon Joseph?

Additional Resources

Receiving the Word in Purity

Published by Grace To You for reading on June 6th.

"Putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness . . . receive the word" ( James 1:21 21 Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. ).

You cannot receive God’s Word and harbor sin at the same time.

When the psalmist said, "I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Thy word" (Ps. 119:101), he was acknowledging a key principle of spiritual growth: you must set aside sin if you expect to benefit from God's Word. Peter was expressing the same thought when he said, "Putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation" (1 Pet. 2:1-2). Likewise, James admonished us to put off sin and receive the Word ( James 1:21 21 Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. ).

Neither James nor Peter were addressing unbelievers, because without Christ, people have no capacity to set sin aside or receive God's Word. But we as Christians are characterized by our ability to do both, and must continually purify our lives through confession of sin, repentance, and right choices. That's why Paul said, "Just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification" (Rom. 6:19).

The Greek word translated "putting aside" in James 1:21 21 Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. originally meant taking off dirty, soiled clothes. "Filthiness" translates a Greek word that was used of moral vice as well as dirty clothes. Its root word was sometimes used of ear wax, which impedes a person's hearing. Similarly, sin impedes reception of the Word. "Wickedness" speaks of any evil intent or desire. Together they stress the importance of setting aside all evil actions and intentions.

Simply stated, you should never presume on God's grace by approaching His Word with unconfessed sin. David prayed, "Keep back Thy servant from presumptuous [deliberate] sins; let them not rule over me; then I shall be blameless" (Ps. 19:13). He wanted to be pure before the Lord. I pray that you share his desire and will always receive the Word in purity.

Suggestions for Prayer

Memorize Psalms 19:14 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in thy sight, O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer. Psalm 20 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. . Make it your prayer as you study God's Word.

For Further Study

Read Colossians 3:5-17 5 Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; 6 for which things' sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience: 7 wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things; 8 but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth: 9 lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings, 10 and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; 13 forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: 14 and above all these things `put on' love, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms `and' hymns `and' spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God. 17 And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, `do' all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. .

What does Paul admonish you to put off? Put on?
Why is it important to heed his admonitions?

Additional Resources

All Hostile to God

Published by John Piper for reading on June 6th.

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death. ( Colossians 1:21 21 And you, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, –22)

The best news in all the world is that our alienation from God is ended and we are reconciled to the Judge of the universe. God is no longer against us but for us. Having omnipotent love on our side mightily steels the soul. Life becomes utterly free and daring when the strongest being is for you.

But Paul’s whole message of salvation is not good news to those who reject the diagnosis in Colossians 1:21 21 And you, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, . He says, you “were alienated and hostile in mind.”

How many people do you know who say, “I am hostile to God in my mind”? People seldom say, “I hate God.” So what does Paul mean that people were “hostile in mind” to God before they were reconciled by the blood of Christ?

I think he means that the hostility is really there toward the true God, but people do not allow themselves to think about the true God. They imagine God to be the way they would like him to be, which seldom includes any possibility that they might be in really serious trouble with him.

But concerning the God who really is — a God who is sovereign over all things, including sickness and calamity — we were all hostile to him, Paul says. Deep down, we hated his absolute power and authority.

That any of us is saved is owing to the wonderful truth that the death of Christ obtained the grace by which God conquered our hearts and caused us to love the One we once hated.

Many are still learning not to be hostile to God. It is a good thing that he is gloriously patient.

Morning Devotional by C.H. Spurgeon for June 6th

Published by C.H. Spurgeon for reading on June 6th.

Job 40:4 4 Behold, I am of small account; What shall I answer thee? I lay my hand upon my mouth.

ONE cheering word, poor lost sinner, for thee! You think you must not come to God because YOU are vile. Now, there is not a saint living on earth but has been made to feel that he is vile. If Job, and Isaiah, and Paul were all obliged to say "I am vile," oh, poor sinner, wilt thou be ashamed to join in the same confession? If divine grace does not eradicate all sin from the believer, how dost thou hope to do it thyself? and if God loves His people while they are yet vile, dost thou think thy vileness will prevent His loving thee? Believe on Jesus, thou outcast of the world's society! Jesus calls thee, and such as thou art.

"Not the righteous, not the righteous; Sinners, Jesus came to call." Even now say, "Thou hast died for sinners; I am a sinner, Lord Jesus, sprinkle Thy blood on me"; if thou wilt confess thy sin thou shalt find pardon. If, now, with all thy heart, thou wilt say, "I am vile, wash me," thou shalt be washed now. If the Holy Spirit shall enable thee from thy heart to cry

Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that thou bidd'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come!"

thou shalt rise from reading this morning's portion with all thy sins pardoned; and though thou didst wake this morning with every sin that man hath ever committed on thy head, thou shalt rest to-night accepted in the Beloved; though once degraded with the rags of sin, thou shalt be adorned with a robe of righteousness, and appear white as the angels are. For "now," mark it, "Now is the accepted time." If thou "believest on Him who justifieth the ungodly thou art saved." Oh! may the Holy Spirit give thee saving faith in Him who receives the vilest.

Evening Devotional by C.H. Spurgeon for June 6th

Published by C.H. Spurgeon for reading on June 6th.

2 Corinthians 11:22 22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.

WE have here A PERSONAL CLAIM, and one that needs proof. The apostle knew that His claim was indisputable, but there are many persons who have no right to the title who yet claim to belong to the Israel of God. If we are with confidence declaring, "So am I also an Israelite," let us only say it after having searched our heart as in the presence of God. But if we can give proof that we are following Jesus, if we can from the heart say, "I trust Him wholly, trust Him only, trust Him simply, trust Him now, and trust Him ever," then the position which the saints of God hold belongs to us—all their enjoyments are our possessions; we may be the very least in Israel, "less than the least of all saints," yet since the mercies of God belong to the saints AS SAINTS, and not as advanced saints, or well-taught saints, we may put in our plea, and say, "Are they Israelites? so am I; therefore the promises are mine, grace is mine, glory will be mine." The claim, rightfully made, is one which will yield untold comfort. When God's people are rejoicing that they are His, what a happiness if they can say, "So AM I!" When they speak of being pardoned, and justified, and accepted in the Beloved, how joyful to respond, "Through the grace of God, SO AM I." But this claim not only has its enjoyments and privileges, but also its conditions and duties. We must share with God's people in cloud as well as in sunshine. When we hear them spoken of with contempt and ridicule for being Christians, we must come boldly forward and say, "So am I." When we see them working for Christ, giving their time, their talent, their whole heart to Jesus, we must be able to say, "So do I." O let us prove our gratitude by our devotion, and live as those who, having claimed a privilege, are willing to take the responsibility connected with it.