December 21

"Faint, yet pursuing."—Judges 8:4.

EXHAUSTED with travel and abstinence, they refused to abandon their quest. It is the portrait of the good soldier of Jesus Christ.

I desire the concentration of this character. I would have a "chief end" which governs my thinking, my speaking, my doing. I oscillate, like the pendulum, between different sets of things. I drift, like the boat with no one at the helm to guide it into port. Henceforward let me have a purpose—to be perfect as my Father is perfect. Let me have a goal—the likeness of Jesus which lures me on.

I desire the courage of this character. Little Faith, whom the three rogues—Faint Heart and Mistrust and Guilt—rob and wound: I resemble him too often. But I will covet now the name of Mr. Valiant or Mr. Standfast. O Lord, Who givest power to the faint, and to them that have no might Thou increasest strength, grant me a sustained bravery.

And I desire the perseverance of this character. At many a door I knock, and I find no sympathy; I ask for bread, and I receive a stone. And my adversaries do not relax their vigilance. But forward my chariot must move. Upward my soul must press. I have meat to eat that the world knows nothing of; and refreshment comes to me from unseen hands.

And at the end, what will there be? Rest? Yes, "of labour I shall find the sum." But far more than rest. Once the Captain of my salvation was faint and yet pursued; nothing could turn Him back. And to-day He has a Name which is above every name. In His honour and dominion He will invite me to share.