The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself (Prov. 14:14)
That's the trouble with backsliding. That's why it's such a miserable condition. Nobody enjoys it. Backsliders are filled with their own ways. "The symptoms of spiritual decline," says Dr. Payson, "are like those which go with a decline of bodily health. First, loss of appetite for spiritual food, prayer, reading of the Scriptures, concern for others. When we see these symptoms we should be alarmed. Our spiritual health is in danger. We should go at once to the Great Physician for a cure."
On the other hand, there is much satisfaction in the service of God. Why do so many professed Christians look dissatisfied, gloomy, tense, and sad? If we are to be satisfied in the Lord's presence hereafter, why not be happy in His service now?
A wealthy woman, unfortunately deaf, made good use of her riches by providing for some excellent gospel services in a mission hall in London. On one occasion a well-known minister asked her, "What part do you take in this noble work?"
"Oh," she answered, "I smile them in, and I smile them out again."
It was not long before the minister saw the result of her sympathy, for great crowds gathered in the hall night after night and looked delighted to get a smile from her.
You know, friends, the bread of life and the water of life cannot be recommended to others by people who look as if the food and drink disagreed with them.
We are to be satisfied with the goodness of God's house (Ps. 65:4). Jesus was satisfied with the travail of His soul (Isa. 53:11). And when He dwells in our hearts by faith we should be satisfied, and happy, too.
MEDITATION PRAYER: "O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days" (Ps. 90:14).
That's the trouble with backsliding. That's why it's such a miserable condition. Nobody enjoys it. Backsliders are filled with their own ways. "The symptoms of spiritual decline," says Dr. Payson, "are like those which go with a decline of bodily health. First, loss of appetite for spiritual food, prayer, reading of the Scriptures, concern for others. When we see these symptoms we should be alarmed. Our spiritual health is in danger. We should go at once to the Great Physician for a cure."
On the other hand, there is much satisfaction in the service of God. Why do so many professed Christians look dissatisfied, gloomy, tense, and sad? If we are to be satisfied in the Lord's presence hereafter, why not be happy in His service now?
A wealthy woman, unfortunately deaf, made good use of her riches by providing for some excellent gospel services in a mission hall in London. On one occasion a well-known minister asked her, "What part do you take in this noble work?"
"Oh," she answered, "I smile them in, and I smile them out again."
It was not long before the minister saw the result of her sympathy, for great crowds gathered in the hall night after night and looked delighted to get a smile from her.
You know, friends, the bread of life and the water of life cannot be recommended to others by people who look as if the food and drink disagreed with them.
We are to be satisfied with the goodness of God's house (Ps. 65:4). Jesus was satisfied with the travail of His soul (Isa. 53:11). And when He dwells in our hearts by faith we should be satisfied, and happy, too.
MEDITATION PRAYER: "O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days" (Ps. 90:14).
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