February 20

Watch, therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.—Matthew 24:42.

AM I living in constant expectation of the second coming of the Saviour, and in a state of watchfulness and preparation for it? Do I sit so loosely to the world, that the thought of leaving it when God shall call, is not painful to me? Do I so live as to show not only that I desire, but that I am seeking a better country, even an heavenly, so that God is not ashamed to be called my God?

It is the suddenness and uncertainty of the coming of Christ, for either judgment or death, that extends the charge of watchfulness to all, and calls us to keep our souls ever awake; for, if we are unprepared to meet the Lord at death, we can never be ready to meet him in judgment.—WATTS.

My night is far spent; my day is at hand. The wilderness is nearly traversed. Canaan is almost within my view. The everlasting hills are already appearing. What manner of person, then, ought I to be, in all holy conversation and godliness. Mine must be no half discipleship—no service of two masters—no divided heart. What remains of this brief life must be given wholly to the Lord—H. BONAR

Time's sun is fast setting; its twilight is nigh; Its evening is falling in cloud o'er the sky; Its shadows are stretching in ominous gloom; Its midnight approaches—the midnight of doom! Then haste, sinner, haste, while there's mercy for thee; To the cross, as your refuge, in penitence flee! And with joy lift your heads, O ye ransomed, on high, For your day of redemption is swift drawing nigh!