November 5 - Morning"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper." — Isaiah 54:17
This day is notable in English history for two great deliverances wrought
by God for us. On this day the plot of the Papists to destroy our Houses
of Parliament was discovered, 1605.
"While for our princes they prepare And secondly — to-day is the anniversary of the landing of King William
III, at Torbay, by which the hope of Popish ascendancy was quashed, and
religious liberty was secured, 1688. This day ought to be celebrated, not by the saturnalia of striplings, but by
the songs of saints. Our Puritan forefathers most devoutly made it a
special time of thanksgiving. There is extant a record of the annual sermons
preached by Matthew Henry on this day. Our Protestant feeling, and our
love of liberty, should make us regard its anniversary with holy gratitude.
Let our hearts and lips exclaim, "We have heard with our ears, and our
fathers have told us the wondrous things which Thou didst in their day,
and in the old time before them." Thou hast made this nation the home of
the gospel; and when the foe has risen against her, Thou hast shielded her. Help us to offer repeated songs for repeated deliverances. Grant us more
and more a hatred of Antichrist, and hasten on the day of her entire
extinction. Till then and ever, we believe the promise, "No weapon that is
formed against thee shall prosper." Should it not be laid upon the heart of
every lover of the gospel of Jesus on this day to plead for the overturning
of false doctrines and the extension of divine truth? Would it not be well to
search our own hearts, and turn out any of the Popish lumber of
self-righteousness which may lie concealed therein? November 5 - Evening"Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name." — Psalm 100:4
Our Lord would have all His people rich in high and happy thoughts
concerning His blessed person. Jesus is not content that His brethren
should think meanly of Him; it is His pleasure that His espoused ones
should be delighted with His beauty. We are not to regard Him as a bare
necessary, like to bread and water, but as a luxurious delicacy, as a rare and
ravishing delight. To this end He has revealed Himself as the "pearl of
great price" in its peerless beauty, as the "bundle of myrrh" in its
refreshing fragrance, as the "rose of Sharon" in its lasting perfume, as the
"lily" in its spotless purity.
As a help to high thoughts of Christ, remember the estimation that Christ
is had in beyond the skies, where things are measured by the right
standard. Think how God esteems the Only Begotten, His unspeakable
gift to us. Consider what the angels think of Him, as they count it their
highest honour to veil their faces at His feet. Consider what the
blood-washed think of Him, as day without night they sing His well
deserved praises. High thoughts of Christ will enable us to act consistently
with our relations towards Him. The more loftily we see Christ enthroned,
and the more lowly we are when bowing before the foot of the throne, the
more truly shall we be prepared to act our part towards Him.
Our Lord
Jesus desires us to think well of Him, that we may submit cheerfully to
His authority. High thoughts of Him increase our love. Love and esteem go
together. Therefore, believer, think much of your Master's excellencies.
Study Him in His primeval glory, before He took upon Himself your
nature! Think of the mighty love which drew Him from His throne to die
upon the cross! Admire Him as He conquers all the powers of hell! See
Him risen, crowned, glorified! Bow before Him as the Wonderful, the
Counsellor, the mighty God, for only thus will your love to Him be what
it should. November 5 |