October 4 - Morning"At evening time it shall be light." — Zechariah 14:7
Oftentimes we look forward with forebodings to the time of old age,
forgetful that at eventide it shall be light. To many saints, old age is the
choicest season in their lives. A balmier air fans the mariner's cheek as he
nears the shore of immortality, fewer waves ruffle his sea, quiet reigns,
deep, still and solemn. From the altar of age the flashes of the fire of youth
are gone, but the more real flame of earnest feeling remains. The pilgrims
have reached the land of Beulah, that happy country, whose days are as the
days of heaven upon earth. Angels visit it, celestial gales blow over it,
flowers of paradise grow in it, and the air is filled with seraphic music.
Some dwell here for years, and others come to it but a few hours before
their departure, but it is an Eden on earth. We may well long for the time
when we shall recline in its shady groves and be satisfied with hope until
the time of fruition comes. The setting sun seems larger than when aloft in
the sky, and a splendour of glory tinges all the clouds which surround his
going down. Pain breaks not the calm of the sweet twilight of age, for
strength made perfect in weakness bears up with patience under it all. Ripe
fruits of choice experience are gathered as the rare repast of life's evening,
and the soul prepares itself for rest.
The Lord's people shall also enjoy light in the hour of death. Unbelief
laments; the shadows fall, the night is coming, existence is ending. Ah no,
crieth faith, the night is far spent, the true day is at hand. Light is come,
the light of immortality, the light of a Father's countenance. Gather up thy
feet in the bed, see the waiting bands of spirits! Angels waft thee away.
Farewell, beloved one, thou art gone, thou wavest thine hand. Ah, now it is
light. The pearly gates are open, the golden streets shine in the jasper light.
We cover our eyes, but thou beholdest the unseen; adieu, brother, thou
hast light at even-tide, such as we have not yet. October 4 - Evening"If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." — 1 John 2:1
"If any man sin, we have an advocate." Yes, though we sin, we have Him
still. John does not say, "If any man sin he has forfeited his advocate," but
"we have an advocate," sinners though we are. All the sin that a believer
ever did, or can be allowed to commit, cannot destroy his interest in the
Lord Jesus Christ, as his advocate. The name here given to our Lord is
suggestive. "Jesus." Ah! then He is an advocate such as we need, for Jesus
is the name of one whose business and delight it is to save. "They shall call
His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins." His
sweetest name implies His success.
Next, it is "Jesus Christ" — Christos,
the anointed. This shows His authority to plead. The Christ has a right to
plead, for He is the Father's own appointed advocate and elected priest. If
He were of our choosing He might fail, but if God hath laid help upon one
that is mighty, we may safely lay our trouble where God has laid His help.
He is Christ, and therefore authorized; He is Christ, and therefore
qualified, for the anointing has fully fitted Him for His work. He can plead
so as to move the heart of God and prevail. What words of tenderness,
what sentences of persuasion will the anointed use when He stands up to
plead for me!
One more letter of His name remains, "Jesus Christ the
righteous." This is not only His character BUT His plea. It is His
character, and if the Righteous One be my advocate, then my cause is
good, or He would not have espoused it. It is His plea, for He meets the
charge of unrighteousness against me by the plea that He is righteous. He
declares Himself my substitute and puts His obedience to my account.
My soul, thou hast a friend well fitted to be thine advocate, He cannot but
succeed; leave thyself entirely in His hands. October 4 |