The Seventh of November.

SOUL OF THE DILIGENT --- Proverbs 23:4.

"The soul of the diligent shall be made fat." --- Proverbs 23:4.

You are concerned for having no more grace. What is the reason. Perhaps you are indolent, careless and unfaithful. And though you have no warrant even for an hour to live, yet unreasonably you suppose you have time enough; therefore you are not serious, diligent, and fervent in prayer for sufficient strength to be always prepared, and have boldness in death. No wonder, if you do not immediately resist sin, that it grows strong, and you always are weak and discouraged. And how can you expect to receive more grace, if you do not faithfully improve what little you have?

If you would but diligently and faithfully apply yourself to the word and prayer, God would certainly not be wanting on his part to fulfil his promises, and give you enough; but not otherwise: for it is well to be observed, and we must know it once for all, that there is no such thing as making any progress in grace, and carrying our point, unless we are mindful of ourselves: watching and praying against all sins, and whatever may be an hinderance on one hand, and following with all diligence that which is good, and what may be a furtherance, on the other. It is not enough to use some, but we must use all diligence; and according as our grace is increased, our diligence must increase also, since it goes against the stream.

Well to resist the sinful power,
Requires a strong restraint;
We must be watchful ev'ry hour,
And pray, but never faint.

Devotion for November 7