Devotionals Book Two

February 17

Now—Always Now

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of

man cometh. Matthew 25:13.

The coming of Christ will be as it were at midnight, when all are sleeping. It

will be well for every one to have his accounts all straightened up before sunset. All

his works should be right, all his dealings just, between himself and his fellow-men.

All dishonesty, all sinful practices should be put far away. The oil of grace should

be in our vessels with our lamps.... Sad indeed will be the condition of the soul who

has had a form of godliness but has denied the power thereof; who has called Christ,

Lord, Lord, and yet who has not His image and superscription....

God graciously grants a day of probation, a time of test and trial. He gives the

invitation: "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is

near." ...

Today the voice of mercy is calling, and Jesus is drawing men by the cords of His

love; but the day will come when Jesus will put on the garments of vengeance.... The

wickedness of the world is increasing every day, and when a certain line is reached,

the register will be closed, and the account settled. There will be no more a sacrifice

for sin. The Lord cometh. Long has mercy extended a hand of love, of patience and

forbearance, toward a guilty world. The invitation has been given, "Let him take

hold of my strength...." But men have presumed upon His mercy and refused His

grace.

Why has the Lord so long delayed His coming? The whole host of heaven is

waiting to fulfil the last work for this lost world, and yet the work waits. It is because

the few who profess to have the oil of grace in their vessels with their lamps, have

not become burning and shining lights in the world. It is because missionaries are

few....

Every week counts one week less, every day one day nearer to the appointed

time of the judgment. Alas that so many have only a spasmodic religion—a religion

dependent upon feeling and governed by emotion. "He that endureth to the end shall

be saved." Then see that you have the oil of grace in your hearts. The possession of

this will make every difference with you in the judgment.