Bowen's Daily Meditations

This is a very defective world. Everybody says so. We have here only the rudiments of things. There is beauty and there is blessing; but only in fragments. A great deal has been done to make man's condition agreeable; and a great deal left undone. There is health; but it does not endure. Strength; but it is evanescent. Rain in its season; but not invariable. Fruits; but they sometimes fail. Friends; but they are called away. Comforts; but we are liable to lose them. Wealth; but it takes...

" I write unto you," says John, " that ye sin not." Such was his aim in writing this epistle, and such was his aim in writing the words of our text. The statement that we have an advocate with the Father, is intended to keep us from sinning. Any man that uses it merely as an opiate to his conscience, and to procure him peace in sinning, diverts it from its legitimate use.

But when a Christian has been overtaken in a fault, what shall he do? Let him remember that for him, the...

Christ, in the prayer recorded in the seventeenth chapter of John, says: " I have manifested thy name unto the men that thou gavest me." And again: "I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it." The manifestation of God's name is the manifestation of God. They that know his name know him, and they put their trust in him. Knowledge and faith are in inseparable alliance. Unbelief and ignorance go together.

Do you grieve over your want of faith? Grieve over your want of...

"We have not a high-priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses," would be more literal, but would not be more beautiful. The statement is in the negative, and seems to summon us for a moment to consider what our condition would be, if we had a high-priest incapable of sympathizing with us. We may also view it as conveying a reproach to those who act towards Christ as though he were such a high priest. They do so when the keen sense of their...

This portion of Scripture is an exposition of the ninety-fifth Psalm. The word rendered " rest'' in this verse, is different from the word so rendered in many other verses of the context. It does not, however, signify anything different: it is intended to elucidate. There is in it a reference to the Sabbath, and it indicates a Sabbatical rest - a great and glorious rest of which the Sabbath is an emblem. And Paul exhorts the Hebrew Christians to labor to enter into that rest. To labor now,...

To them which are in Christ Jesus. Think it not a strange expression. It is well chosen. Faith in Christ, union to Christ, and similar expressions, mean much more than can easily be comprehended. The expression "them which are in Christ" is added, that we may not too soon think we understand the others. In Christ, as Noah was in the ark. Without, the besom of condemnation swept the universal face of things; but there was no condemnation to him who had fled for refuge to that sanctuary. In...

This promise is introduced by a declaration that there is nothing but the want of faith to hinder Christ's disciples from doing works as great as those that Christ himself performed when on the earth; greater works even.

" Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do. Ye shall do those works nominally, but I really. Understand that I do not deprive the earth of any of my power by my departure. I go to sit upon my Father's throne, that I may do greater works on earth than I have...

These words were evidently intended to produce the impression (1) that there are difficulties in the way of salvation, be sides those at the entrance of that way; (2) that these difficulties may be overcome; but only (3) by him who contemplates them, appreciates them, prepares for them, and confronts them. The doctrine of " the perseverance of the saints" teaches that every one who is united to Christ by a living faith, will, by virtue of that faith, endure unto the end - will resist and...

Tell him your story; unfold to him your case; expect deliverance through him alone; -be satisfied to receive it as it shall please him to give it and in the time that seems best to him. By prayer and faith on your part and promise on his, there is an alliance signed, sealed, and ratified. Your enemies see you alone, and dream not that the Almighty is your ally, and that they are rushing upon the thick bosses of his shield. See him that is to them invisible, and be of good courage....

There is a time of trouble. It comes once and again. Murmur not against it. Say not, let mercy appear in the exemption from trouble. Mercy requires that there should be tribulation. There are some gems in your breastplate that only give forth their lustre when trouble comes nigh to you.

Your heart is agitated at its approach. It comes perhaps in such an unexpected guise. It appears so irresistible; you seem so helpless. You have what has long been thought by you a trusty blade, but it...

Note - The gift: - the vilest thing in the universe, - a sinner's soul.

The Giver:- God the Father.

To whom given? - to his equal Son.

Why such a gift? First, because all else belonged to Christ. Second, its very vileness afforded the largest scope for divine love to manifest itself. Third, it shall be fashioned into incomparable excellence.

In coming to Christ, there need be no trembling. We are not the principals in the matter. We are but a third party. The...

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19 NIV

He knows your need. It seems to you that no one can know it, it is so vast. He knows it better than you do yourself. He does not confound you with others, saying, I know what man needs; but he knows you, yourself, and is acquainted with all the necessities of your individual being, as though every thought, every desire, that had ever trembled in your heart had spent itself...

Consider the speaker, the giver. Who is this shepherd? It is the Lord of Glory. All things were made not only by him, but for him..It is for all to yield the tribute of all they possess to him, and ever to ascribe unto him all glory and honor and wisdom and power. But lo! this Lord of all quits his throne, takes a shepherd's crook, and comes forth with a gift.

Consider then on whom the gift is bestowed! As you ascended high to learn the dignity of the giver, so must you descend...

Acknowledge him as thy guide, thine only, thy necessary guide. Refuse to stir a step without him, as the blind man that stops the moment he misses his guide. Without him thou art in utter darkness, and thy next step may be into a pit. He has made thee thus dependent. It is not enough that the sun shines for thee, the earth upholds thee, and all God's works wait upon thee; all these finite ministers cannot guarantee thee one safe step. God has ordained it. He created thee to be guided by...