03.05. May
MAY May 1. Secret Prayer
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. But when you pray, go into your closet, shut the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Mat 6:5-6
One of the most important things we ever do in this world, is to pray. No business transacted anywhere, so deeply touches the interests of our lives. We ought therefore to learn to pray aright — so as to be sure of answer. We ought to be eager to get every smallest fragment of instruction about prayer. In our verses for today, we have one of our Lord’s plainest and most significant instructions about the manner and the nature of prayer. He is speaking, not of public prayer — as when the minister leads the congregation; but of personal prayer — when the child of God wants to talk to his Father about his own affairs — and lay his own individual burdens at His feet. We should seek to be alone in all such praying. Other presences disturb our thoughts and restrict our freedom. So, we are to go into our closet and shut the door! This shutting of the door is significant in several ways. It shuts out the world. It secures us against interruption. It ought to shut out worldly thoughts and cares and distractions, as well as worldly presences. Wandering in prayer — is usually one of our sorest troubles.
Then, it shuts us in, and this also is important and significant. It shuts us in — alone with God. No eye but His sees us — as we bow in the secrecy. No ear but His hears us — as we pour out our heart’s feelings and desires. Thus we are helped to realize that we have to do with God alone — that He alone can help us! So we are shut up alone with God, so also are we shut up to God. There is precious comfort in the assurance that when we thus pray — we are not talking into the air. There is an ear to hear, though we can see no presence, and it is the ear of Heavenly our Father! This assures us of loving regard in Heaven, also of prompt and gracious answers to our sincere prayers. May 2. Our Father "Our Father in Heaven!" Mat 6:9 This is the ’golden gate’ of the temple of prayer! When our Lord taught His disciples how to pray — it was thus He said they should begin. They were not to come to infinite power, or to unknowable mystery, or to inaccessible light — but to tender fatherhood. This precious name "Father" at the gateway — makes the approach to God easy and sure. The name "Father" assures us of divine love and care. Does a true parent have care for his child? Much more does our Father in Heaven care for His children on the earth! He even cares for the birds — feeding them their daily food. He even cares for the flowers — weaving, with colorful threads, the lovely robes they wear. He surely cares more for His children! So the precious name "Father" assures us that we shall never be neglected nor overlooked in this great world. The name "Father" also gives us assurance of unhindered access to the Divine presence. The children of a great King are not kept waiting at their father’s door, as strangers are. God’s children have perfect liberty in His presence. They can never come at an untimely hour. He is never too busy to see them and to listen to their words of love and prayer. In the midst of the innumerable affairs of the vast universe — He thinks of His lowliest child! Amid all the confusion and noise of this great world — He hears and recognizes the faintest cry that rises from the lips of the least and lowliest of His little ones. The name "Father" also interprets for us, the grace and mercy of our God. We are always conscious of sin. How, then, can we gain access to a holy God? Ah! He is our Father! We know that even an earthly father does not shut the door on his erring child. The candle is left burning in the window through the long dark nights — that the wanderer out in the blackness and longing to return, seeing the bright beams — may be assured of love and a waiting welcome. Infinitely more gracious is our Father in Heaven! May 3. Glorifying God "Hallowed be your name." Mat 6:9
While the name "Our Father" over the gate of prayer assures us of loving welcome and of all tenderness, thoughtfulness, and care; the words "in Heaven" remind us of the surpassing glory and majesty of God. We should not lessen the force of "hallowed be your name." We should not rush into His presence as we do into the presence of an earthly parent. We should remember His infinite greatness and holiness — and should come always with reverence. His is a name to be "hallowed." "Holy and reverend is his name." Of this, this petition reminds us. It checks the flow of our thoughts and feelings, and bids us approach God with a suitable sense of our unworthiness — and of His holiness. It bids us be reverent though bold. The prayer found here in Matthew’s Gospel, is a prayer for the glorifying of God in this world. When we pray it we must be sure that we do our part in making His name hallowed. We can do this by our own reverent use of that holy name. Christian people sometimes grow very careless in speaking of God. They become so accustomed to using His name in prayer and speech — that they utter it as lightly as if it were the name of some familiar friend. I have seen a miner with black grimy hand, pluck a pure flower from the stem, and it seemed a profanation. But what shall we say of our own taking on our sin defiled lips — the holy and awesome name of God? We ought to learn to hallow that blessed name in our speech.
Then we should hallow it in our lives. We are God’s children, and we bear His name. How may a child honor a parent’s name? Only by a life worthy of a parent. We must take heed, therefore, that in every act of ours, in our behavior, in our whole character and influence — we so live that all who see us shall see in us something of the beauty of God. It would be a sad thing, indeed, if we gave people a wrong idea of God — or of the religion of Jesus Christ! May 4. Heaven Brought to Us "May Your kingdom come." Mat 6:10 This is a very comprehensive prayer. It pleads for . . .
the extension of God’s spiritual realm in this world,
His power over men’s hearts and lives,
the subjugation of earth’s kingdoms to His sway.
It is a prayer that men may put away their sins and amend their lives; that they may take Christ as their king, and yield every thought and desire to Him. It is not a longing to be lifted away to heaven — but a craving that Heaven may be brought to us, into our hearts and lives.
We are in danger of thinking too much of other people and the coming of God’s kingdom into other hearts and lives as we offer his prayer. The little piece of world for which we are first responsible — is that which lies within our own hearts and lives. While then we pray "May Your kingdom come," we should look within ourselves to see if we have submitted to the reign of Christ. May 5. Doing the Will of God "May Your will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven." Mat 6:10
Many people always quote this petition as if it meant only submission to some painful providence. They suppose it refers only to losing friends or money, or being sick or in trouble — but this is only a little part of its meaning. It is for the doing of God’s will — not the suffering of it, that we here pray.
It is a good deal easier to make prayers like this for others, than for ourselves. We all think other people ought to do God’s will, and we do not find it a difficult prayer to make that they may do so. But what about ourselves? There is no other person in the world for whose life we are really and finally responsible, but ourselves. This prayer, then, if we offer it sincerely, is that we may do God’s will as it is done in Heaven. We can pray it, therefore, only when we are ready for implicit, unquestioning obedience to the divine will — the moment we know what that will is.
Then some times it is a passive doing which is required. God asks of us something that costs pain or sacrifice or earthly loss; when this is true, our prayer may cut deeply into our own hearts. It may mean . . .
a giving up of some sweet joy,
a losing of some precious friend,
the sacrifice of some dear possession,
the going in some way of thorns and tears.
We should learn always to say the prayer, and then to hold our lives close to the line of the divine will, never rebelling nor murmuring — but sweetly doing whatever God gives us to do. May 6. Day by Day "Give us this day our daily bread." Mat 6:11 This seems a very small thing to ask — only bread for a day. Why are we not taught to pray for bread enough to last a week, or a month, or a year? For one thing, Jesus wanted to teach us the lesson of continual dependence. He taught us to come each morning with a request simply for the day’s food — that we might never feel we can get along without our Father.
Another lesson He wanted to teach us, was that the true way to live is by the day. We are not to be anxious even about the supply of tomorrow’s needs. When tomorrow comes — it will be right for us to take up its cares. The same great lesson was taught in the way the manna was given — just a day’s portion at a time.
We should not over look the word "us." It is plural and bids us to send thought beyond our own individual need — and remember God’s other children. This should always be a prayer for daily bread for our hungry neighbor — as well as for ourselves. Then while we thus enjoy our own plenty, we must share with those who have need. May 7. A Forgiving Spirit "Forgive us our sins — as we have forgiven those who sin against us." Mat 6:12 The first part of this petition, "forgive us our sins" is not so hard to say. Most people are willing to confess, at least in a general way — that they have sinned. But the second part is harder to repeat: "as we have forgiven those who sin against us." When someone has done us an injury, and we are feeling bitter over it — then it is not so easy to ask God to forgive us — as we forgive. Perhaps we do not forgive at all — but keep the bitter feeling in our heart against our brother.
What is it, then, that we ask God to do for us when we pray, "Forgive us — as we forgive"? God has linked blessing and duty together in this petition. If we will not forgive those who have wronged us — it is evident that we have not the spirit of penitence to which God grants forgiveness of sins. If we would enjoy the sweet peace of God in our own hearts — we must keep our minds free from all bitterness and anger and all feelings of unforgiveness. May 8. Enduring Temptation "Lead us not into temptation — but deliver us from evil." Mat 6:11
It is impossible to live in this world — and escape temptation. In olden times, Catholic monks fled away from active life and from human companionships, hoping thus to evade enticement to evil. But they were not at all successful; for wherever they went they carried in their own hearts a fountain of corruption, and were thus perpetually exposed to temptation. The only door of escape from all temptation — is the door that leads into Heaven! We grieve over our Christian friends whom the Lord calls away; but do we ever think that we have far more reason for concern, possibly for grief — over those who live and have to battle with sin in this world? Those who have gone to Heaven, in the victorious release of Christian faith, are forever secure; but those yet in the sore battle, are still in peril. This petition is a prayer that we may never be called needlessly to meet temptation. Sometimes God wants us to be tried, because we can grow strong only through victory. We have a word of Scripture which says: "Blessed is the man who endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life." Yet we ought never ourselves to seek any way of life — in which we shall have to be needlessly exposed to the peril of conflict with sin. Temptation is too terrible an experience, fraught with too much danger — to be sought by us, or ever encountered — except when God leads us in the path on which it lies. We must never rush unbidden or unsent into any spiritual danger. There are no promises for presumption. "It is written," said the Master, "You shall not tempt the Lord your God." When God sends us into danger, we are under His protection; when we go where He does not send us, we go unsheltered. May 9. The Love of Money
"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one — and love the other; you will be devoted to one — and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Mammon!" Mat 6:24
We had better look very carefully into the meaning of these words, remembering that it was our blessed Lord who spoke them. "Mammon" means riches. To "serve" means to be the slave of. Paul loved to call himself the servant or slave of Christ.
Now Jesus says here that we cannot be both God’s slave — and mammon’s slave too. We cannot belong to any two masters at the same time. If we are mammon’s slave — then we are not God’s slave. If we belong to God — then mammon is not our master.
Think, too, what a degrading thing it is for any human being — to be the slave of money! To use the word "serve" in its mildest English sense — no man should ever be the servant of money. Riches are meant to be man’s slave. Now think how degrading it would be for any man to become a slave to his own slave! A man should be ashamed to call riches, his master.
Money is meant to be man’s servant, and so long as he is its perfect master — it may be a blessing to him, and an instrument with which he may do great good. But when he gets down on his knees to it, and crawls in the dust for its sake, and sells his manhood to get it — then money is only a curse to him! Thus, it is easy to see why anyone who serves God — cannot also serve mammon. God must have all the heart, and must rule in all the life. He will not share His throne with the god of gold!
God’s true servants may have money, and may even be very rich — but they must use their money as a means for honoring God and blessing the world in Christ’s name.
They must own their money — their money must not own them.
They must carry it in their hands — not in their hearts. This is a very important thing for us to learn. Many professors are in danger of forsaking the sweet, blessed service of Christ — for the servile, slavish service of mammon! May 10. Do Not Worry
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?" Mat 6:25 Of course we are to think about these things. Why were we made with brains — if we are not to think with them? It would be as if God bade us not to walk — after He had given us feet; or not to talk — after giving us tongues. We are to train our minds and to think with them, and think about the future too — laying plans with a long reach into the years before us. It is not forethought that is forbidden — but anxious worry and fear. We shall see as we go on, just what we are to do — instead of being anxious. At present let us get the simple lesson, that we are never to worry. This is not a rule with exceptions. It is not a bit of creed, that will not work in life. It is a lesson that we are to strive to carry out in all our days, however full they may be of things calculated to worry us. But why are we not to worry? The "therefore" helps us to the answer: "You cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore do not worry." So, then, worry seems to be serving mammon. We say we are God’s children — and yet when mammon seems in danger of failing us — we get worried. Practically, then we trust mammon — more than we trust our Heavenly Father! We feel safer when mammon’s abundance fills our hands — than when mammon threatens to fail, and we have only God. That is, we trust God and mammon. Anxiety about the supply of our needs, is therefore, distrust of our heavenly Father.
If we serve God only, we would not worry though we have not even bread for tomorrow; we would believe in our Father’s love. Money we may lose any day, for "riches make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward Heaven;" but we never can lose God. Nothing can rob us of His love, nor rob Him of the abundance He possesses from which to meet our needs. So if we trust God — we ought never to be anxious, though we have nothing else. May 11. A Lesson of Trust
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns — and yet your heavenly Father feeds them! Are you not much more valuable than they?" Mat 6:26 Are we to draw the inference that since the birds neither sow nor reap — that we should put forth no exertions to provide for our own needs? No! if we did nothing to earn our own bread — we would soon starve. God does not feed us — as He feeds the birds. He has bestowed upon us abilities by which we can make provision for our own needs; He feeds us, not by bringing the bread to us — but by making us able to sow and reap and gather into barns. God nowhere encourages that "trust" which idly sits down and waits to be cared for. Little babies, and sick and infirm people, and any who are incapacitated for exertion, may live as the birds do, and may expect to be cared for. But hearty people, with active brains and strong hands, will fare very poorly — if they try to live the birds’ way. The point of the illustration lies elsewhere. God’s care extends even to birds. There are two reasons, then, why it will more certainly extend to His redeemed people. First, they are better than birds. Birds . . .
have no souls,
do not bear the divine image,
have so spiritual nature,
cannot worship nor voluntarily serve God,
have no future and immortal life. The God who cares for a little soulless bird — will surely care much more thoughtfully for His thinking, immortal, godlike child.
Then the other reason is, that God is our Father. He is the creator and provider of the birds — but not their Father. Surely a father will do more for his children — than for his chickens! Surely a mother will give more thought to her baby — than to her canary! Will not our heavenly Father provide more certainly and more tenderly for His children — than for His birds? So from the birds — we get a lesson of trust. Every little bird sitting on its bough, or singing its sweet song, ought to lead us to renewed confidence in the care of our kind and gracious Heavenly Father. May 12. Useless Worries "Who of you by worrying, can add a single cubit to his height?" Mat 6:27 So it is useless to worry! A short person cannot, by any amount of anxiety, make himself an inch taller. Why, therefore, should he waste his energy and fret his life away — in wishing he were taller?
One worries because he is too short — another because he is too tall;
one because he too lean — another because he is too fat;
one because he has a lame foot — another because he has a mole on his face.
No amount of fretting will change any of these things!
People worry, too, over their circumstances. They are poor, and have to work hard. They have troubles, losses, and disappointments which come through causes entirely beyond their own control. They find difficulties in their environment which they cannot surmount. There are hard conditions in their lot which they cannot change.
Now why should they worry about these things? Will worrying make matters any better? Will discontent . . .
cure the blind eye, or
remove the ugly mole, or
give health to the infirm body? Will chafing make . . .
the hard work, lighter;
or the burdens, easier;
or the troubles, fewer? Will anxiety . . .
keep the winter away, or
keep the storm from rising, or
put coal in the cellar, or
put bread in the pantry, or
get clothes for the children?
Even human reason shows the uselessness of worrying, since it helps nothing, and only wastes one’s strength and unfits one for doing one’s best! The Christian gospel goes farther, and says that even the hard things and the obstacles, are blessings — if we meet them in the right spirit. They are stepping-stones lifting our feet upward — disciplinary experiences in which we grow. So we learn that we should quietly, and with faith, accept life as it comes to us — fretting at nothing, and changing hard conditions to easier if we can. And if we cannot — then we must use them as means for growth and advancement. May 13. Lessons from Lilies
"And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire — will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" Mat 6:28-30
Without any toiling or spinning on their own part, God clothes the flowers in loveliness far surpassing any adornment which the most skillful human arts can provide. Flowers bloom but a day — and then fade. We are better than flowers. If our Father lavishes so much beauty on perishing plants — is there any danger that He will not provide clothing for His own redeemed children? Of course it is not implied that like the lilies — we need neither labor nor spin. It is all right for lilies just to stand still and grow. That is their mission; that is the way God made them to grow. But He gave us hands, feet, brains, tongue, abilities, and will; and if we would be cared for as are the flowers — we must put forth our energies to produce the results of comfort. Yet Jesus tells us to consider how the lilies of the field grow. We ought to study the beautiful things in nature — and learn lessons from them.
Here, it is a lesson of contentment which we are to learn. Who ever heard a lily complaining about its circumstances? It accepts the conditions in which it finds itself, and makes the best of them. It drinks in heaven’s sweet light, air, dew, and rain — and unfolds its own loveliness in quietness and peace. The lily grows from within. So ought we to grow, having within us the divine life, to be developed in our character and spirit. The lily is an emblem of beauty; our spiritual life should unfold likewise in all lovely ways. The lily is a picture of perfect peace. Who ever saw wrinkles of anxiety in a lily’s face? God wants us to grow into peace. The lily is fragrant; so should our lives be. The lily sometimes grows in the black bog — but it remains unspotted. Thus should we live in this world, keeping ourselves unspotted amid its evil.
These are a few of the lessons from the lily. May 14. God Will Provide
"Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Mat 6:33
We are to take no anxious thought for our own life, for food or clothing; because that is God’s responsibility, not ours. There is one thing, however, for which we are to take thought, not anxious but very earnest thought. We are to take thought about our duty, about doing God’s will and filling our place in God’s world.
We ought to get this very clearly in our mind. Too many people worry far more about their food and clothing, lest they shall be left to poverty, than they do about doing their whole duty well. That is, they are more anxious about God’s part in their lives — than they are about their own! They fear God may not take care of them — but they do not have any fear that they may fail in fidelity to Him. We ought to learn that providing for our needs is God’s business, not ours. We have nothing at all to do with it. But we have everything to do with our own duty, our allotted work, the doing of God’s will. God will never do these things for us. If we do not do them — they must remain undone; if we do them with fidelity — God will care for us. The noblest life possible in this world — is simple consecration to Christ and to duty, with no worry about anything else. We may not always be fed luxuriously, nor be clothed in scarlet and fine linen; yet food needful for us will always be provided, and clothing sufficient to keep us warm. But suppose we are near starving! Well, we must just go on doing our part and not worrying; in due time, somehow, God will provide. Here we have our Lord’s own promise of this. The truth is, too many of us take a great deal more thought about our support — than about our duty. Then of course we forfeit the promise and may suffer. How much better the other way — ours the doing, and God’s the providing. May 15. One Day at a Time
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own!" Mat 6:34 This last reason our Lord gives against anxiety for the future, is that we have nothing to do with the future. God gives us life by days — little single days. Each day has . . .
its own duties,
its own needs,
its own trials and temptations,
its own griefs and sorrows.
God always gives us strength enough for the day — as He gives it, with all that He puts into it. But if we insist on dragging back tomorrow’s cares and piling them on top of today’s — the strength will not be enough for the load. God will not give strength — just to humor our whims of worry and distrust. So the lesson is, that we should keep each day distinct — and attend strictly to what it brings us. Charles Kingsley says: "Do today’s duty, fight today’s temptation — and do not weaken and distract yourself by looking forward to things which you cannot see, and could not understand if you saw them." We really have nothing at all to do with the future — except to prepare for it by doing with fidelity the duties of today. No one was ever crushed by the burdens of one day. We can always get along with our heaviest load — until the sun goes down. Well, that is all we ever have to do. Tomorrow? Oh, you may have no tomorrow; you may be in Heaven. If you are here — God will be here too, and you will receive new strength sufficient for the new day.
One day at a time — but a single day,
Whatever its load, whatever its length;
And there’s a bit of precious Scripture to say
That according to each, shall be our strength. May 16. Judging of Others "Do not judge — or you too will be judged." Mat 7:1
Few faults are more common than this ’judging of others’. It would not be so bad if we were disposed to look at people charitably; but we are not. Our eyes are far keener for flaws and blemishes — than for marks of beauty. Not many of us are forever finding new features of loveliness in others; not a few of us can find an indefinite number of faults.
If we were ourselves up to the standard whereby we judge others — we would be very saintly people! If we were free from all the faults we so readily see when they appear in our neighbor — we would be well-near faultless. This word of our Lord not only instructs us not to be critical and censorious of others — but it presents the strongest kind of motive against such judging. It makes the appeal to our own interest.
None of us like other people to be critical and censorious toward us. We wince under unjust judgments. We resent unkind fault-finding. We demand that people shall judge us fairly. We claim forbearance and charity in our defects in duty, and for blemishes in our character. Can we expect other people to be any more lenient towards us — than we are toward them?
If we would receive kindly judgment from others — we must give the same to them. If we criticize another today in a harsh manner — we need not be surprised if we hear someone’s harsh criticism of us tomorrow. But if, on the other hand, we speak kindly, appreciative, and charitable words of someone today — very likely we shall hear tomorrow some pleasant word that another has said of us. So we make very largely, the music or the discord for our own hearts. We get back — what we give out. We gather the harvest of our own sowing. Then, even in the last judgment, we shall receive from the Judge — just what we have shown to others. May 17. Finding Fault with Others
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye — and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" Mat 7:3
It is strange how oblivious we can be of our own faults and blemishes — and how clearly we can see those of other people! One old writer says: "Men are more apt to use a magnifying glass to behold other men’s faults — than a mirror to behold their own." A man can see a little speck of dust in his neighbor’s eye — while utterly unaware of the great plank in his own eye. He observes the most minute fault in his brother — while unconscious of his own far greater fault.
We would say that a plank in a man’s eye would so blind him — that he could not see the speck in another’s eye. As our Lord represents it, however, the man with the plank, is the very one who sees the speck and thinks himself competent to pull it out! So it is in morals. No man is so sharp at seeing a fault in another — as he who has the same or a similar fault of his own. A vain man — is the first to detect the indications of vanity in another. A bad-tempered person — is most apt to be censorious toward a neighbor who displays bad temper. One with a sharp uncontrolled tongue — has the least patience with another whose speech is full of poisoned arrows. A selfish man — discovers even specks of selfishness in others. Rude people — are the very first to be hurt and offended by rudeness in a neighbor. So it is always. If we are quick to perceive blemishes and faults in others — the probability is that we have far greater blemishes and faults in ourselves! This truth ought to make us exceedingly careful in our judgments, and exceedingly modest in our expressions of censure — for we really are telling the world our own faults! It is wiser, as well as more in accordance with the spirit of Christ — for us to find lovely things in others, and to be silent regarding their faults. May 18. A Self-Righteous Spirit
"How can you say to your brother, ’Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?" Mat 7:4 But is it not a kindness to a friend to take the speck out of his eye? If we met a neighbor with a speck in his eye, would it not be a brotherly thing to stop and take it out for him? Then why is it not just as true a kindness to want to cure another’s fault — even though we have the same fault ourselves? If we did it in the right spirit — it would be. We are bound to seek the welfare of our friends in every possible way, and therefore, if we discover in them things which mar their beauty — we should seek the removal of those things. But the trouble is, that we are not apt to look at our neighbor’s faults in this loving and sympathetic way. To begin with, we do not know, or at least we do not confess — that we ourselves have planks in our own eyes; we are not even aware that there are specks in our own eyes! It is the self-righteous spirit that our Lord is here condemning. A man holds up his hands in horror at the blemish he has found in his neighbor’s character; and his neighbor, looking up, sees in him an immensely magnified copy of the blemish! Will the neighbor be greatly benefitted by the rebuke?
Suppose a bad-tempered man lectures us on the sin of giving way to bad temper; or a dishonest man on some apparent lack of honesty; or a liar on the wickedness of falsehood; or a bad-mannered man on some discourtesy of ours; or a hypocrite on insincerity — what good will such lectures do, even admitting that we are conscious of the faults? We are only irritated by the unfitness of such rebukes — from those in whom the faults are ten times greater than in us! We wonder how people can have the face to talk about the specks in our eyes — when huge planks project from their own eyes. Truly this is not the way to tell others of their faults. May 19. Begin at Home
"You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye!" Mat 7:5
Begin at home — that is the teaching; not at home in the general sense, with other members of your family — but very close at home, with yourself. It is a good deal easier, of course, to pull specks out of other people’s eyes — than planks out of one’s own.
We are not put in this world to look after other people’s faults — to pick the dust out of their eyes — to remove their specks of blemish. Our first business, is to get rid of our own faults. We are scarcely competent to take the speck of dust out of another’s eye — while a plank protrudes from our own. We are not ready to do much toward curing our friend of his faults — until we have sincerely tried to rid ourselves of our own.
We all know people whose very presence, is a silent rebuke of sin. Their lives are pure and holy, and their unconscious influence is a restraint upon all evil. We are ofttimes told that one of the truest tests of a good friendship, is that our friend can tell us of our faults — and we shall receive it kindly. That depends first on ourselves — and then upon our friend. If we are proud and vain — it will be very hard for any friend, the wisest and gentlest, to speak to us of our faults, except at the peril of the friendship.
Then, if the friend treats our faults in a conceited and censorious way — it will be equally dangerous. He who would truly help to take the specks out of our eyes — must come to us in tender love, proving his generous and unselfish interest in us. He must come to us humbly, not as our judge but as our brother, with faults like our own which he is trying to cure. If he approaches us in this way, conscious of his own infirmity, desiring to be helpful to us, as Christ has been helpful to him — nothing but unpardonable vanity and self-conceit will prevent our accepting his kind offer. May 20. The Prayer Promise "For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Mat 7:8
These are very positive promises — and yet they must be read intelligently, in the light of other scriptures which explain and qualify the words. It is not all asking, which receives; for there is asking, which is not true prayer.
Some ask merely in word — with no real desire in their hearts.
Some ask selfishly — that they may consume the divine gift on their lusts.
Some ask rebelliously — without submission to the will of God.
Some ask without faith — not expecting any answer.
Some ask indolently — not ready to do their own part.
Some ask ignorantly — for things which would not be blessings if they were granted.
It is very clear that in these cases, those who ask will not receive. So not literally ’all’ who seek find. The seeking must be earnest. There is a remarkable word in one of the old prophets: "You shall seek me, and find Me — when you shall search for me with all your heart." The seeking must also be for good things. If our quest is for sinful things, or for worldly good, which would work in us spiritual harm — God will not give us what we seek. Then we must live right. "No good thing will he withhold — from those who walk uprightly." The thing itself must be good; and we must walk in paths of obedience — or there is no promise of reward for our quest. In like manner, it is not to all knocking, that God opens the door. There are timid knocks that indicate neither desire nor faith, as when mischievous children ring a doorbell and then run away, not wanting to enter. It is when we knock at the right door, and knock with expectancy and faith and importunity — that the door is graciously opened. Thus in interpreting this wonderful prayer-promise, we must read into the words their true meaning. The asking, seeking, knocking — must be true prayer. May 21. Good Things from God
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children — how much more shall your Father who is in Heaven, give good things to those who ask him." Mat 7:11 No father will answer his hungry child’s cry for bread — with a stone; or give the child a serpent — if he asks for a fish. Even sinful parents have in their hearts, something of the image of God’s own fatherhood. The argument is from the less to the greater. If a true earthly father, with all his imperfection, will not mock a child’s cry, but will respond lovingly — then how much more will our Father in Heaven do for us?
"How much more?" is a question none can answer. We can only say as much more — as the heavenly Father is more loving, and wiser, and more able to give, than is the earthly father. Yet we must explain this promise also by other scriptures. The gate of prayer is set very wide open in this verse — yet those who would enter must come in the right way and seek "good" things.
While no one who asks for bread will receive a stone — so neither will one who asks for a stone receive a stone. And many times do we come to God, pleading with Him to let us have a stone! Of course we imagine it is bread, and that it will be food to us. It is some earthly thing, some gift of honor or pleasure, some achievement of ambition, some object of heart desire. It looks like bread to our deluded vision. But God knows it is only a cold stone, that it would leave us starving if we were to receive it; and He loves us too well to listen to our piteous cries for it, or to be moved by our earnestness or our tears to give it to us. When we ask for a stone — He will give us bread.
Thus it is that many requests for earthly things are not granted. Yet the prayers are not unanswered. Instead of the stone we wish — God gives us the bread we need! We do not always know what is bread — and what is a stone. We must leave to God, the final decision in all our prayers! May 22. Our Duty to Others "So in everything, do unto others — what you would have them do unto you." Mat 7:12 This is a wonderfully comprehensive rule of action! It bids us to consider the interests of others — as well as our own. It bids us to set our neighbor alongside of ourselves, and think of him as having the same rights as we have, and requiring from us the same treatment that we give to ourselves. It gives us a standard by which to test all our motives and all our conduct which bears on others. We are at once in thought, to change places with the person toward whom duty is to be determined, and ask, "if he were where I am, and I were where He is — how should I want him to treat me in this case?" The application of this Golden Rule would instantly put a stop to all rash, hasty actions; for it commands us to consider our neighbor and question our own heart before doing anything. It would slay all selfishness; for it compels us to regard our neighbors interests as precisely equal to our own. It would lead us to honor others; for it puts us and them on the same platform. The application of this Golden Rule would put a stop to all injustice and wrong; for none of us would do injustice or wrong to ourselves — and we are to treat our neighbor as if he were ourselves. It would lead us to seek the highest good of all other men, even the lowliest; for we surely want all men to seek our good. The thorough applying of this Golden Rule would end all conflict between capital and labor; for it would give the employer a deep, loving interest in the men he employs, and lead him to think of their good in all ways. It would also give to every employee a desire for the prosperity of his employer and an interest in his business. The application of this Golden Rule would end all strife in families, in communities, among nations. The perfect working of this rule everywhere would make Heaven; for the will of God would then "be done on earth, as it is in Heaven." May 23. Two Roads and Two Gates "Enter in at the strait gate." Mat 7:13
All truly valuable things cost much. Such a glorious privilege as the Christian’s, therefore, cannot be gotten without effort. To open the way, and to purchase for us the privilege of becoming children of God — the Son of God had to come from Heaven in condescending love, and give His own life. Jesus said, too, that any who would reach the glory of His kingdom — must go by the same way of the cross by which He went. He said that he who "will save his life" — that is, keep it from self-denial and sacrifice, "shall loose it;" and that only he who "will lose his life for my sake" — gives it out in devotion to God and to duty, "shall save it." In one of His parables Jesus speaks of salvation as a treasure hidden in a field, and a man who learns of the treasure and its hiding-place sells all that he has and goes and buys the field. In another parable our Lord presents the same truth under the figure of a merchant seeking fine pearls, who, finding one pearl of great price, sells all he has and buys it. We must, in a very deep sense — give up all we have to get Christ and the blessings that come with Him.
Here the truth is put in another way. There are two roads through this world, and two gates into the future world.
One of these ways is broad and easy, with descending grade, leading to a wide gate. It is not hard to go on this way. The other road is strait, and leads to a narrow gate. To go this way, one has to leave the crowd and go almost alone, and leave the broad, easy way — and go on a hard, rugged path, and enter by a gate too small to admit any bundles of worldliness, or self-righteousness, or any of the fashionable trappings of the old life. If we would get to Heaven, we must make up our minds it can be only by this narrow way of self-denial. All the world is not flowing into Heaven; the crowds are going to eternal destruction! May 24. In Sheep’s Clothing
"Watch out for false prophets! They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves!" Mat 7:15
There is something fearful in the eagerness of the devil to destroy souls. He sends his agents and messengers in forms and garbs to deceive the simple-minded and unwary. He even steals the dress of God’s own servants and children — hoping thus to gain the confidence of believers, and then destroy their faith and lead them away to eternal destruction. The world is full now of just such agents of Satan. They profess to be Christians — but in their hearts they are disloyal to Christ and to His cause and kingdom. They win the confidence of the sheep by passing off for sheep themselves; but the sheep’s covering is only worn outside — while underneath is the heart of a hungry, bloodthirsty wolf!
We need to be on our guard perpetually against the wiles of the devil. Utmost vigilance is the price of spiritual safety and of Christian peace. Many young people, especially of those who are intelligent and gifted, fall under the influence of those who have caught smatterings of skeptical talk, which they drop in the form of sneers or mocking queries, in the ears of their confiding listeners. They laugh at the simple faith which these young Christians hold, and ask with wise air, "Do you still believe these old superstitions?" Then they go on to cast doubt or to start questions about this or that difficulty in the Bible, or they caricature some Christian doctrine and hold it up in such light as to make it look absurd.
Thus they poison the minds of these earnest young believers, weaken their faith, and fill them with perplexity! Pastors and teachers of intelligent young people are continually called to try to undo the wicked and destructive work of these wolves in sheep’s clothing; but ofttimes it is impossible to undo it. Wrecked faiths are hard to restore. May 25. Doing the Father’s Will
"Not everyone who says to me, ’Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven. Mat 7:21
It is not enough to believe in Christ intellectually, even to be quite orthodox in creed. It is not enough to seem to honor Christ before men, praying to Him and ascribing power to Him. It is a sad thing that Jesus tells us here — that some who have thus seemed to be His friends on earth, and who have publicly confessed Him — shall fail at last to get into Heaven!
Such a word from our Lord’s lips cannot but startle us. We stop and ask, "Are we sure that we shall be admitted to Heaven? Why are these confessors of Christ kept out? What are the conditions of entrance?" To these questions, the answer is so plain that there is no possibility of mistake if we read the Lord’s words with honest care. He tells us that those alone shall enter Heaven — who on earth do the will of the Father. No confession, therefore, is true — which is not confirmed and verified by a life of obedience and holiness. "Simply to your cross I cling" is but half of the gospel. No one is really clinging to the cross — who is not at the same time faithfully following Christ and doing whatever He commands. No one can enter into Heaven, into whose heart Heaven has not first entered on this earth. We shall do God’s will in Heaven — if we do it here on earth.
Some people have the impression that salvation sets them free from the law; it does as a ground of salvation — but it does not as a rule of duty. We pray, "May Your will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven;" if the prayer is sincere — it must draw our own lives with it in loving obedience and acquiescence to the divine will. Our confessions of Christ — must be confirmed by the earnest doing of the Father’s will. All other confession is only an empty mockery! May 26. The Safe Foundation
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice — is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." Mat 7:24
Everything turns on the doing or not doing of Christ’s words. Both these men heard the words — but one of them obeyed as well, and thus built on the true and immovable foundation. Both men built houses very much alike — so far as the superstructures were concerned. But there were two kinds of ground. There was a valley, which was dry and pleasant in the summer days when the men were looking for building sites. Then there were high rocky bluffs. One man decided to build in the valley. It would cost less. It would be easy digging. It was more convenient, for the bluffs were inaccessible. The other man built on the high ground. It would cost more — but it would be safer. The two homes went up simultaneously, only the one in the valley was finished long before the other was. The families moved into their new residences, and were quite happy for a time. But one night there was a storm. The house in the valley was carried away with its dwellers; the house on the bluff was unharmed. The pictures explain themselves. He who built in the valley is the man who has only knowledge and profession — but who really has never built on Christ as a foundation. The other man, who built on a rock, is the man who has true faith in Christ, confirmed by loving obedience. The storms that burst, are earth’s trials which test every life; and then the tempests of death and judgment. The mere professor of religion is swept away in these storms, for he has only sand under him; he who is truly in Christ is secure, for no storm can reach Christ’s bosom. It will be a terrible thing to cherish a false hope of salvation through life, and only find out in eternity, too late to build again — that we have no true foundation under our hopes! May 27. Christ the Great Counselor
"Calling two of them, John sent them to the Lord to ask: Are you the one who was to come — or should we expect someone else?" Luk 7:18-19
John the Baptist was in perplexity about certain matters. There were some things that were baffling him, that he could not make out himself, and he sent to Christ to ask Him about them. That is just what every one of us should do when perplexities of any kind arise in our lives or affairs — we should carry them straight to Jesus. Even the Lord’s children have their disappointments and trials. They have discouragements. Now they ought not to worry about these matters. Of course they cannot always understand them; how could they expect to understand everything in such a vast world as this? But is it not a great thing to know that Jesus understands it all? He knows what He is doing! So the true way for us, is just to do what John did — tell Jesus whenever anything appears to go wrong, or when anything happens we cannot understand. That is the rule Paul gives for keeping clear of anxiety. "Do not worry about anything; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Then He promises that if we only do this — we shall never have worry: "The peace of God shall keep your hearts and minds." The meaning of all this is that we should never carry a worry of any kind even for a moment — but whenever any matter begins to perplex us — we should go instantly and tell Jesus all about it, and leave it in His hands, that He may manage it for us. The leaving it is the hardest part. We can easily take it to Him — but we are so apt to pick it up again and carry it back with us, and keep it — just as if we had not taken it to Him. We should learn to tell Jesus of our perplexities and sorrows — and then commit all to Him without further anxiety. This is faith, and is the way to find peace. May 28. Loss of Faith
"Calling two of them, John sent them to the Lord to ask: Are you the one who was to come — or should we expect someone else?" Luk 7:18-19
John the Baptist was in prison — it certainly was not a very cheerful place to be in. We ought scarcely to be astonished at his temporary loss of bright faith. Yet a good many people think it strange that the grand, brave John the Baptist, could really have been in doubt, and scarcely believe it. "It is not possible," they say, "that such a great, heroic man should ever waver in his confidence." They forget that John lived just in the dim dawn of the gospel, before the full day burst upon the world. He had not the thousandth part of the light that we have in our day; and yet do we, with all our light — never get depressed? The truth is, there is not one of us who is not sometimes disheartened — without a hundredth part of the cause John had! But that is always the way. We are amazed at every other person’s blindness, or dullness, or unbelief — but not at our own! Other people’s failures look very large to us — but we never see our own at all. We wonder how Moses once, under terrible provocation, lost his temper and spoke a dozen hasty and impatient words; while we can scarcely get through a single sunny day, without a much worse outbreak upon a far slighter provocation.
We wonder how the beloved disciple John, with all his sweet humility, could once show a carnal ambition for a place of honor, while we ourselves are forever scrambling for preferments. We say, "Isn’t it strange that people would not believe on Christ when they saw all His power and love?" Yet we do not believe in Him any more fully than they did. We can scarcely believe that John the Baptist grew despondent when his trials were so great — though most of us are often plunged into gloom by the merest trifles. Many Christian people get more despairing over the gain or loss of a few dollars, or a little pain — than John did in his really great trials! May 29. Needless Doubts
"Calling two of them, John sent them to the Lord to ask: Are you the one who was to come — or should we expect someone else?" Luk 7:18-19
John did not doubt the Messiahship of Jesus that day beside the Jordan, when from the cloven heavens, the radiant Dove descended upon Him and the Father’s voice was heard in loving approval. Nor did He doubt in any of the bright days that followed. It was only when it grew dark for John himself, that he doubted. That is just the way yet with many people. When everything is bright and sunny — they think they have surely found Christ, and they believe He is their friend, and their hearts are full of joy. But when troubles come and things begin to go against them — then they wonder whether, after all, they have really found the Savior. They begin to question their own experiences. "Am I really a Christian? Was that really conversion, when I thought I was saved? or is there some other experience that I must yet have?" Christ does not do just the things they thought He would do for them. Their religion does not support them as firmly as they supposed it would. If they are indeed Christians — then why does Christ let them suffer so much and not come to relieve them? So they sink away down into the Slough of Despond, some times losing all hope.
See how unnecessary was John’s doubt. Jesus was indeed the Messiah. John’s active work was done, and he was now to glorify God by suffering, and soon by martyrdom.
Just as needless, is all anxiety of Christian people in their times of darkness. Of course we must have some earthly trials. Christ does not carry us to Heaven on flowery beds of ease. We must expect to bear the cross for many a mile. The true way for us, is never to doubt Jesus. Suppose there are clouds — the sun still shines behind them undimmed. Suppose we have failures, trials, and disappointments — Jesus is the same loving friend as when there was not a speck of trouble for us in all the world. May 30. Jesus Always Answers
"Calling two of them, John sent them to the Lord to ask: Are you the one who was to come — or should we expect someone else?"
"Then Jesus answered" Luk 7:18-22
John was perplexed, and sent from his prison to ask Jesus if He were indeed the promised Messiah. Jesus patiently answered the messengers. He always answers. Many of our prayers to Him are mixed with doubt; many of them are filled with complaints and fears and murmurings. Still He never grows impatient with us. He never shuts His door upon us. It must grieve and pain Him to have us doubt Him. Joseph wept when his brothers sent a message to him, after their father’s death, asking him to forgive them, when he had forgiven them years before, and had proved it by a thousand kindnesses; it almost broke his heart to think how they had misjudged him.
Yet that is the way many of us do with Jesus. After all the sacrifices He has made on our behalf, and the blessings His love has bestowed upon us — when some shadow falls upon our heart, we wonder whether Christ loves us or not, whether or not He has forgiven us, whether or not He will take care of us in the future! We are half the time perplexed about something — full of worries; and these doubts, fears, and anxieties get into our prayers. They take the joy out of our worship, and the faith out of our supplications, and give a sad tone to our devotions. Does Jesus ever get tired of such prayers? No, no! He listens, and hears all the discords made by the murmurings. His heart must be pained by the too; but He answers us nevertheless. He is very patient with us — He never chides; He remembers how frail we are, and sends the sweetest answers that His love can give. It is wonderful indeed how rich and gentle our Savior is! Truly,
"There is no place where earth’s sorrows
Are more felt than up in Heaven;
There is no place where earth’s failings
Have such kindly judgments given." May 31. Footprints of Christ
"Go and report to John the things you have seen and heard: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with skin diseases are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news." Luk 7:22
John wanted to know whether Jesus really was the Messiah or not. Jesus did not present arguments to prove that He was the Messiah — but pointed the messengers to the work He was doing. The best evidence of the divinity of Christ, is not any number of proof-texts gathered from all parts of the Bible and arranged in order — but the works that Christ has done and is doing every day. An atheist asked a man how he knew there was a God. The man answered by inquiring, "How do I know whether it was a man or a camel that passed my tent last night?" He knew by the footprints. Then he pointed to the setting sun and asked: "Whose footprint is that?"
Look at the footprints of Christ, and see whether they are a man’s — or God’s. Whose footprints are those by the gate of Nain, by the grave of Bethany, coming away from the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea? Whose prints are those by the doors of sorrow, along the path where the leper, the blind, the lame, the demoniac waited for Him? Or look around at what you see now — churches, missions, hospitals, asylums, sweetened homes, cleansed sinners, renewed lives, comforted mourners — whose footprints are these? These works, wrought by Christianity, are the best evidences of Christianity. Christ wants to be judged, not by His claims — but by His works. The world is full today of the proofs of Christ’s divinity. In like manner, we must prove that we belong to Christ, not by getting certificates of church membership — but by showing in our daily lives the unselfishness, the sympathy, the self-denial, the kindness, the love — which were the highest proofs on Christ’s own life of His divine mission. We must be able, when people ask us if we are Christians, to say: "Look at my life and my works — and judge for yourselves!"