Daily Devotionals

Bowen's Daily Meditations

Devotional: February 4th

" He will keep the feet of his saints." - 1 Samuel 2:9.

We have here the perseverance of the saints.

God will keep the foot of those who walk in his paths. They are saints, inasmuch as the Holy Spirit dwelleth in them, as they are born of God, walk by faith, renounce the idea of their natural holiness, and hunger and thirst after righteousness. Their feet he will keep. He will not keep the feet of those who simply seek to be kept from eternal perdition; but of those who wish to be kept from all steps that accord not with the glory of God. He will keep the feet of those who commit all their steps unto his keeping.

He will keep them from frequenting the society of the wicked. From approaching the precipice of temptation. From that prosperity which bringeth a snare. From circumstances that are likely to be adverse to their piety and usefulness. From the burden of care, and from the excessive pressure of responsibility. From erroneous doctrines. From vain speculations. From supineness and a blind confidence. From the fear of death. From a serious misinterpretation of his providences.

He will not keep them from trials, privations, bereavements, worldly losses, perplexing combinations, inward conflicts, the tongue of slander and the misjudgment of friends. But he will keep them under these, and bring them off more than conquerors.

He will keep them by the promises. By the commandments. By the example of Christ. By that of other saints, departed or contemporary. By good words, printed or spoken. By the preaching of the gospel. By the Sabbath and by prayer-meetings. By giving them the love of private prayer. By leading them to self-examination.

Sometimes, when a broad sea stretches before them, they are ready to say, " We are safer where we are." But the enemy presses upon them, and they have to go forward. Then a path is opened for them through the depths of the sea, and their feet are kept. Sometimes a mighty ocean expands before them, and beyond that the howling wilderness of an unknown world; behind them fires are kindled; a side path invites them to ease, opulence and honor: but the promise to keep their feet is valid only in that path which crosses the billows of the ocean, and lands them on a savage coast; and they follow it, singing the song of Moses and the Lamb.

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