Morning
Time: 1:11 AM PST
"Thy paths drop fatness." --Psalm 65:11
Many are "the paths of the Lord" which "drop fatness," but an especial one is
the path of prayer. No believer, who is much in the closet, will have
need to cry, "My leanness, my leanness; woe unto me." Starving souls live at a
distance from the mercy- seat, and become like the parched fields in times of
drought. Prevalence with God in wrestling prayer is sure to make the believer
strong--if not happy. The nearest place to the gate of heaven is the throne of
the heavenly grace. Much alone, and you will have much assurance; little alone
with Jesus, your religion will be shallow, polluted with many doubts and fears,
and not sparkling with the joy of the Lord. Since the soul-enriching path of
prayer is open to the very weakest saint; since no high attainments are
required; since you are not bidden to come because you are an advanced saint,
but freely invited if you be a saint at all; see to it, dear reader, that you
are often in the way of private devotion. Be much on your knees, for so Elijah
drew the rain upon famished Israel's fields.
There is another especial path dropping with fatness to those who walk
therein, it is the secret walk of communion. Oh! the delights of fellowship with
Jesus! Earth hath no words which can set forth the holy calm of a soul leaning
on Jesus' bosom. Few Christians understand it, they live in the lowlands and
seldom climb to the top of Nebo: they live in the outer court, they enter not
the holy place, they take not up the privilege of priesthood. At a distance they
see the sacrifice, but they sit not down with the priest to eat thereof, and to
enjoy the fat of the burnt offering. But, reader, sit thou ever under the shadow
of Jesus; come up to that palm tree, and take hold of the branches thereof; let
thy beloved be unto thee as the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, and thou
shalt be satisfied as with marrow and fatness. O Jesus, visit us with Thy
salvation!