August 31—Morning—John 9:25

"One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see."—John 9:25.

This is a profound statement, my soul: on what foundation do you base this knowledge? If the Lord Jesus has opened your eyes, then indeed you cannot help but recognize your former blindness; for in that state of nature, you could literally perceive nothing. And if your former blindness is now revealed, then your present sight has made you aware of new things. Pause and reflect on both this morning.

The blindness of nature to spiritual things is described in Scripture in strong terms. A poor, blind sinner sees nothing of the light of life. The Sun of Righteousness has not risen upon him. He perceives nothing of the love of God in Christ. If he reads the Scriptures, a veil covers his heart. If he hears of Jesus, he sees no beauty in him. Nothing is closer to him than the Lord, yet nothing is further from his thoughts. To tell him of the sweetness of God's Word is foreign to him; he tastes no sweetness in it. To speak to him of the loveliness of ordinances and the Sabbaths seems strange in his view.

My soul, if your eyes have truly been opened, you will know that you were once indeed blind, in the fullest sense of the word, to all these delightful views of sacred things, which are now your supreme pleasure and joy. So, what have you seen to justify this statement: "One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see?" Have you seen the King in his beauty? Have you seen, with the eye of faith, the glories of Jesus? Yes, if this is the case, all other objects become dim. The sight of Jesus, as the Christ of God, has overshadowed the glory and excellence of all else.

Jesus, as he is in himself, in his offices, his character, his relationships; as he is to you and your happiness; is the one, the only thing necessary, and you must count all things as rubbish to gain Christ. These, my soul, are blessed signs that Jesus has opened your eyes and brought you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Soon, you shall see him as he is and dwell with him forever.

August 31—Evening—Joshua 7:8, 9

"O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turns their backs before their enemies? For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, surround us, and cut off our name from the earth: and what will You do for Your great name?"—Joshua 7:8, 9.

My soul, learn a most blessed lesson here, one that will provide an unanswerable argument for you at all times and on all occasions, to use at the mercy seat, among the strongest pleas in prayer. Israel had sinned and had fallen before the enemy as a result. Joshua confessed that all that had come upon Israel was just, and if Israel's destruction had been the only outcome, it would have been no more than what was right. But God had promised to bring Israel into Canaan; therefore, God's honour was bound to fulfill this promise.

Now, Joshua says, if because of our sins you allow us to fall before our enemies, what will the nations of the earth say about it? How will the promise be fulfilled, and how will Your faithfulness and honour be upheld? "O Lord, what shall I say? What will You do for Your great name?"

Pause, my soul, and apply this sweet truth. God will magnify His name above all His word. He says of Himself, "I acted for My name's sake, that it should not be profaned before the heathen, in whose sight they lived." And the Lord repeats this three times for emphasis in one chapter (Ezekiel 20:9, 14, 22).

Now, my soul, in all your trials and difficulties, follow Joshua's example, and be assured that this is the greatest argument to ensure success. His name is committed to Jesus, to allow him to see the travail of his soul now that he has made his soul an offering for sin, and to be satisfied. Therefore, the name of Jehovah is pledged to this: "Once have I sworn by my holiness, that I will not lie to David" (Psalm 89:35). Every believer in Christ should continually plead this truth, relying on the blood and righteousness of Jesus.

Do you need pardon? Ask for it for His name's sake. Do you need grace? Again, let the Lord's name's sake be your plea. To bring the Lord's name into every petition is the sure way to obtain it. To rely on duties, ordinances, or anything other than Jesus and God the Father's covenant commitments to Jesus, is to step off the solid ground. No reason or shadow of a reason can be found, other than God's own name, engaged in redemption through Jesus, for the Lord to be merciful, to pardon, and to bless a poor sinner.

Do not forget this, but always plead with the Lord for His name's sake and for His glory in Christ; the result will surely be that Jehovah must act, and, as He has said Himself, have pity for His holy name, "that it be not profaned among the heathen," and answer your petition for grace. And oh, how blessed is that scripture in which the Lord sums up and confirms everything on this one basis: "Not for your sake do I do this, says the Lord God, let it be known to you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel" (Ezekiel 36:22, 32).