Category: Devotion of the Day

DON’T STAY AT SHILOH!

So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.
I Samuel 1:18

Hannah had not been eating and she had been sad (v. 7). But now she had poured out her heart to God, and had entered into a covenant with Him, and she trusted Him for the answer to her prayer. Notice that she did not run up to Shiloh every day and “agonize” and pray the same prayer over and over. It would have looked very religious, but it would have been rankest unbelief. Instead she “went her way, and did eat,” and resumed a normal life, “and her countenance was no more sad.” She did not live in alternate hope and fear, she lived happily with a glad face. Some of us need sorely to learn a lesson from Hannah. It is no mark of piety to return to Shiloh every day fasting and weeping. Faith settles with God and then eats a good dinner and goes its way looking happy, not hoping but believing. Nervous, uncertain souls, forever begging God, are really unbelievers. Faith takes His Word for it and lives normally and happily.

Don’t stay at Shiloh! God your way, eat, and smile!

NEARING HOME

The time of my departure is at hand.
II Timothy 4:6

How often have I noticed when headed home from my travels a relief and release, a lessening of strain and tension. Nothing bothers me, I feel great, I am going home!

Should it not be so with us Christian pilgrims who seek a country? Why should earth’s cares pester us? We are on our way home, and nothing can stop us. Death itself but speeds the arrival and is a paying proposition, for “to depart and be with Christ is far better.” “To die is gain.”

“One sweetly solemn thought” daily reminds us that we are nearer home than we’ve ever been before. Let time and earth do their worst, they but quicken our heavenward pace! There is nothing to fear. No combination of men or devils can keep us from getting home. Why should I not be hilarious with a song in my heart? I shall soon be beyond all that spoils my peace and joy. My Lord is over there, and more and more of those I love gather on that side. Nothing can hinder me from arriving. I feel like traveling on!

It is great to be nearing home!