August 24

"They joy before Thee according to the joy in harvest."—Isaiah 9:3.

IT is harvest joy which Jesus brings.

The joy in harvest is the crowning of faith. The husbandman has long patience, and now at length he reaps his ample reward. Many there were who waited long ago, and at last the Son of God bowed the heavens. And I too, when I look for Him, am not disappointed. I tarry His leisure; and, when He comes in grace and mercy and peace, one moment's intercourse with Him overpays every delay.

The joy in harvest is the exceeding of hope. The farmer's largest anticipations are surpassed by the liberal reality. And is not Jesus always vaster than men's hopes? Does He not travel beyond my most golden fancies and dreams? I live the whole year round in wheatfields and orchards and vineyards. "My soul," as Pierre Séguier said, "is like a garden, full of shelter and of fountains."

The joy in harvest is the securing of plenty. Now there is food in men's homes: now there is gladness in their hearts. And Christ feeds all my hunger and assuages all my thirst. Pardon, sanctification, power, peace, the glorious assurance that the everlasting future is mine—He gives these noblest treasures without stint. There is not a trace of penuriousness in Him.

The joy in harvest is the work of God. It is His sunshine and rain, His vigilance and omnipotence and love, that have sent this overflowing gladness to the needy earth. And so it is with my Lord Jesus Christ. I could not merit Him. I could not win Him. From heaven He comes undeservedly, without money and without price. God opens His hand and supplies all my need.

This day and every day I will rejoice in Him.