Daily Devotionals

Music For the Soul

Devotional: March 13th

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE ONE OF ABIDING BLESSEDNESS

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. - Matthew 5:8

OUR Lord, in that same discourse in which He spoke about abiding in us and we in Him, used the word very frequently in a great variety of aspects, and amongst them He said, "These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy may abide in you." And in other places we read about " abiding in the light," or having eternal life abiding in us. And in all these various places of the use of this expression there lies the one thought that it is possible for us to make, here and now, our lives one long series of conscious enjoyment of the highest blessings. There will be ups and downs, there will be circumstances that agitate and disturb. It will sometimes be hard for us to keep hold of our Lord, when tempests are sweeping us away from Him, and the sea is running hard and high. But, " My joy may remain in you." And, even if there be a circumference of sorrow, joy and peace may be the centre, and not be truly broken by the incursions of calamities. There are springs of fresh water that dart up from the depths of the salt sea, and spread themselves over its waves. It is possible, in the inmost chamber, to be still whilst the storm is raging without. Oh! if we are keeping our hold on Christ, and dwell in that strong fortress, no matter what enemies may assail us, we shall be kept in perfect peace. It is our own fault if ever external things have power over us enough to shake our inmost and central blessedness. " As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing."

Amidst all the tragic changes to which all things around us, and we ourselves, are exposed, let us grasp and keep our hold on the abiding Christ, "the same yesterday, and today, and for ever," and in Him we, too, fleeting as we are, shall endure for evermore.

May I add one word? John says about another kind of abiding: " He that loveth not abideth in death"; and he says, " He that believeth not on the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." There is a permanence heavy with all loss and tragic with all despair, "Abide in Me," for, severed from Me, ye are nothing.

Christ is all in all to His people. He is all their strength, wisdom, and righteousness. They are but the clouds irradiated by the sun, and bathed in its brightness. He is the light which flames in their grey mist and turns it to a glory. They are but the belt, and cranks, and wheels; He is the power. They are but the channel, muddy and dry; He is the flashing life which fills it and makes it a joy. They are the body; He is the soul dwelling in every part to save it from corruption and give movement and warmth.

"Thou art the organ, whose full breath is thunder,

I am the keys, beneath Thy fingers pressed."