December 1

"Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee."—Deuteronomy 8:2.

IT will keep thee humble. For thou hast failed so often, so sadly. Here there was a duty unfulfilled, and there a sin indulged. To-day, murmuring and discontent; to-morrow, doubt and fear. Many a clear command from thy Lord to which no response was given; many a hurt done thy brothers and friends. At one moment the mirage of earthly good and gain befooled thee; at another, the hot wind of little annoyances and petty cares was permitted to steal away thy peace. Thy heart cannot travel back into the past without contrition and confession.

It will intensify thy gratitude. How untiring God's patience has been! how unfailing His wisdom! how abiding His faithfulness! how invincible His power! how overflowing His love! He has answered thy prayers. He has disappointed thy alarms. He has changed thy midnight into noonday. Not as the avenger of blood but as the Angel of the Covenant, He has pursued thee with His goodness and mercy all the days of thy life. Come, my soul, wilt thou not arouse thyself from thy lethargy, and sing to Him a new song?

And it will make thy devotion fuller for the time to come. Ashamed of thy unthankfulness, thou wilt walk softly with Him. Throbbing with affection for Him who has crowned thee with His loving-kindness, thou wilt enter into a covenant not to be broken. Thy wilderness sojourn, thy pilgrim march, is not yet over; surely, through what remains, God will be King and Friend as He has never been before.

Thus, my heart, memory fulfils a good work for thee.