November 4

"Thus saith the Lord, I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth."—Jeremiah 2:2.

WHAT are the causes for the decline of my first love? Why have I changed my glory for that which does not profit? Why do I leave my God no resource but to contrast my disappointing present with my nobler past, and to remember the kindness of my youth?

Perhaps I have omitted to nourish my affection. Love has to be fed. It must be in the society of the person on whom it is centred. If my tenderness for God is to thrive, I must spend many fruitful moments every day in His company, and must cultivate an intimate fellowship with Him. It may be that I have failed here.

Or perhaps I have omitted to exercise my affection. Love diminishes unless it busies itself in labouring for its beloved. What have I been doing for God? What sacrifices have I been making? What freewill offerings have I been laying at His feet? It may be that I have been living a life of self-pleasing instead of a life of service. Yes, it may well be that the root of the trouble has been here.

Or perhaps I have omitted to shield my affection. Love has to be guarded. My attachment for God cannot flourish side by side with the conscious indulgence of sin; cannot mount up on eagle's wings if I am absorbed in worldly schemes and enterprises; cannot preserve its brightness if I hanker after the prizes and pleasures of those who are strangers to Christ. It will wither in such an atmosphere. It may be that this carelessness has been the "little rift within the lover's lute."

Let me search and see. One means which will lead to my recovery is to discover the reason for my decay.