From J. C. Philpot's Daily Portions
December 23 "And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind
of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the
will of God." Romans 8:27 God's will must ever stand--it is as unchanging and as
unchangeable as God himself. Our wills are ever fluctuating; God's will
fluctuates not. And as that will must ever live and rule, it will be our
highest wisdom and richest mercy to submit to, and be conformed unto it. Now
the will of God to you who desire to fear his name is not your destruction,
but your salvation; your profit now, your happiness hereafter; your present
grace, and eternal glory. And the Spirit is making intercession for you
according to the will of God; for is it not your earnest desire and prayer
that your soul should be saved and blessed, that you should serve God and
live to his glory, and when you die be with him forever? Lie, then, at his feet. Be the clay, and let him be your
heavenly Potter. Do not think of saving yourself, or of putting your own
hand to God's gracious work. Be content to be nothing. Sink even lower than
that; be willing to be less than nothing, that Christ may be all in all.
Covet above all things the Spirit's interceding breath; for in possessing
that, you will have a sure pledge that he will guide you in life, support
you in death, and land you in glory. With his guidance we can never err;
with his supporting arms we can never fall; taught by him we shall see the
path of life plainly; upheld by his strength we shall walk in it without
fear. Without his light we are dark; without his life we are
dead; without his teaching we are but a mass of ignorance and folly. We
cannot find the way except he guides; but if he does guide, we cannot but
find it. The more we confide in his teaching and guidance, the better it
will be for us; and the more that under this teaching we can lie
submissively at the Lord's feet, looking up to him for his will to be made
known in us and perfected in us, the more it will be for our present peace,
and the more it will redound to his eternal praise.