July 24

His own reward according to his own labour. — 1 Cor. iii. 8.

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. — MATT. xvi. 27.

THESE words of our Saviour immediately follow the announcement of his impending death in Jerusalem, and the call to all his disciples to a life of self-sacrifice for him. They present a powerful incentive to duty by showing us that the rewards of the future will more than compensate for all the trials of the present, however severe.

As our blessed Lord, in view of his baptism of suffering, in the true spirit of trustful obedience nerved himself for the dread conflict by looking forward to the “joy that was set before him,” so he would stimulate our faith and courage by directing our thoughts to that great day of assize when those who have suffered with him shall also be glorified with him. When he comes in the glory of his Father with his angels, when the judgment is set and the race of man is judged by the “Son of man,” who will not rejoice to have lived for Christ, like Christ, and if God has so ordered it, suffered for Christ?

Stand up! stand up for Jesus! The strife will not be long; This day, the noise of battle, The next, the victor’s song: To him that overcometh, A crown of life shall be; He with the King of glory Shall reign eternally.

S. DUFFIELD.