November 19 - Morning"Avoid foolish questions." — Titus 3:9
Our days are few, and are far better spent in doing good, than in disputing
over matters which are, at best, of minor importance. The old schoolmen
did a world of mischief by their incessant discussion of subjects of no
practical importance; and our Churches suffer much from petty wars over
abstruse points and unimportant questions. After everything has been said
that can be said, neither party is any the wiser, and therefore the
discussion no more promotes knowledge than love, and it is foolish to sow
in so barren a field. Questions upon points wherein Scripture is silent;
upon mysteries which belong to God alone; upon prophecies of doubtful
interpretation; and upon mere modes of observing human ceremonials, are
all foolish, and wise men avoid them.
Our business is neither to ask nor
answer foolish questions, but to avoid them altogether; and if we observe
the apostle's precept (Titus 3:8) to be careful to maintain good works, we
shall find ourselves far too much occupied with profitable business to take
much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings.
There are, however, some questions which are the reverse of foolish, which
we must not avoid, but fairly and honestly meet, such as these: Do I
believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind?
Am I walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit? Am I growing in
grace? Does my conversation adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour? Am I
looking for the coming of the Lord, and watching as a servant should do
who expects his master? What more can I do for Jesus?
Such enquiries as
these urgently demand our attention; and if we have been at all given to
cavilling, let us now turn our critical abilities to a service so much more
profitable. Let us be peace-makers, and endeavour to lead others both by
our precept and example, to "avoid foolish questions." November 19 - Evening"O that I knew where I might find Him!" — Job 23:3
In Job's uttermost extremity he cried after the Lord. The longing desire of
an afflicted child of God is once more to see his Father's face. His first
prayer is not "O that I might be healed of the disease which now festers in
every part of my body!" nor even "O that I might see my children restored
from the jaws of the grave, and my property once more brought from the
hand of the spoiler!" but the first and uppermost cry is, "O that I knew
where I might find HIM, who is my God! that I might come even to His
seat!"
God's children run home when the storm comes on. It is the
heaven-born instinct of a gracious soul to seek shelter from all ills beneath
the wings of Jehovah. "He that hath made his refuge God," might serve as
the title of a true believer. A hypocrite, when afflicted by God, resents the
infliction, and, like a slave, would run from the Master who has scourged
him; but not so the true heir of heaven, he kisses the hand which smote
him, and seeks shelter from the rod in the bosom of the God who frowned
upon him. Job's desire to commune with God was intensified by the
failure of all other sources of consolation.
The patriarch turned away from
his sorry friends, and looked up to the celestial throne, just as a traveller
turns from his empty skin bottle, and betakes himself with all speed to the
well. He bids farewell to earth-born hopes, and cries, "O that I knew
where I might find my God!" Nothing teaches us so much the preciousness
of the Creator, as when we learn the emptiness of all besides. Turning
away with bitter scorn from earth's hives, where we find no honey, but
many sharp stings, we rejoice in Him whose faithful word is sweeter than
honey or the honeycomb. In every trouble we should first seek to realize
God's presence with us. Only let us enjoy His smile, and we can bear our
daily cross with a willing heart for His dear sake. November 19 |