Bowen's Daily Meditations

Man walks in slippery places, saying, there is no danger. Yet every rock has one declivity that descends, gently and imperceptibly at first, perhaps, but still descends to the lake of fire. And carefully examined, it reveals the names of thousands and thousands who perished there, all saying, there is no danger. And scarcely is there an hour of the day when, to one who listens attentively, there comes not the wail of a forlorn being whose feet have slipped, without any to hold him up....

Let us define. But who can define? For the interpretation of this word, love is the interpretation of God. It is easy to say that love is a delight in the happiness of the loved. But the mind will not rest satisfied with this definition; it again and again replies, that the meaning includes more. Love cannot be defined, for it is itself a definition, the definition of God; but it may be described in its operations and effects.

The love that God has towards you, passes knowledge. The...

Two sublime arguments here present themselves. The first is this: God hath so loved me; therefore, beloved, I must love you. The second is: God hath so loved you; therefore, beloved, I must love you.

By virtue of the first argument, every expression of the love of God toward me that I have ever received, lays aside its smile, and assuming a beautiful air of authority, commands me to love you. All the promises that ever flocked in laughing troops or came singly and gently to my soul,...

Confession implies compunction. The mere statement of one's fault is not confession. The fault may be aggravated by a heartless mention of it. Some men are very tenacious of their imaginary rectitude; but others think it a pretty accomplishment to be able to speak of themselves as graceless characters. Into the idea of true confession humiliation enters. Confession should be particular. Individual sins must be seen in their hatefulness before the word of forgiveness can come in between them...

In us; in me, in you. Sin, not satisfied with the manifestation given of itself in the angels that left their first estate, not satisfied with the degradation into which it has caused the devils to sink, came to you and me, that it might obtain a fuller exhibition. You and I dwelt in a world the soil of which had been moistened with Christ's sweat of agony, with the drops of Calvary, in a world where the Gospel of God's amazing grace is preached to every creature. Sin said, " It is one thing...

We read of Christ that he has been made much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name that is above every name. God hath treated Christ as though he were the only heir. All the universe looks on amazed, as he ascends up above all principality and power, and might, and dominion, above every name that is named; and then learns with greatly more amazement that he is a representative heir; that...

Led by the Spirit of God. By the glorious being who led Christ. Without him was nothing made that was made. Without him the sceptre of the Godhead was never once extended. The highest archangel would not stir a step without him.

The children of God, all who inherit eternal life, have this infallible characteristic, they are led by the Spirit of God. They are led by him to a sense of their sinfulness and short sightedness; to an open recognition of the same; to the throne of grace; to...

About the reign of sin there is no doubt. The tyrant, with an astonishing refinement of tyranny, forbade you to believe in his tyranny, and compelled you to go hither and thither chanting his praises as though he were one of the most loving of masters. How grossly you were deluded. A king is for the protection of his subjects; but this monarch reigned unto death. He was a deformed and revolting monster; you were cheated into the idea of his loveliness. He taught you to boast of liberty,...

What an extraordinary world is this that such a sentence should ever have been uttered in it! Consider what is implied in these words. They manifestly imply that it is an opprobrious thing in the estimation of mankind to give honor to him who is the brightness of the Father's glory, and to acknowledge any connection with him. They imply that it is necessary to present the most powerful motives to the mind in order to subdue the feeling of shame that would naturally arise in the confession of...

Here is an invitation. Some one invites you. Some one has thrown open his doors to you. The words convey a privilege - you have it now - the privilege of going to him. No difficulties exist with him. If you have a will to go, you may go. Ponder this fact, - whatever you do, wherever you go, you are nevertheless among the invited.

He that invites you has cast many angels out of his presence because they were not worthy. The seraphim, of such exceeding might and majesty, are overwhelmed...

In carrying out a great enterprise, individual suffering is very little regarded. Revolutions are not generally effected without the immolation of many lives. Thousands, how many thousands, of human reeds were first bruised, then broken, and thrown to the winds of the Crimea, that Sevastopol might be taken. And can it be that Christ, in going forth to the conquest of the whole world, will not suffer a bruised and bent reed, ready of itself to snap asunder, will not suffer one such to be...

Not in uncertain riches, not in my own sagacity, not in my probity, not in my social position, not in the felicity of circumstances; not in the friendship of the world, not even in the favor of Christians; not in the sacraments, not in my prayers, nor in my repentance, nor in my obedience.

I will trust in Him that became man in order that he might bear my sins in his own body on the tree.

I will trust in him, for he is the most trustworthy being in the universe. Shall a child...

Fear not, thou righteous man, thou lover of righteousness, who hast taken Christ as thy righteousness, and whose sincere desire is to walk even as he also walked, who hath made the Lord thy refuge, and hath put thy trust in the shadow of his wings, fear not; we bring thee a message from God; it shall be well with thee.

Thy sins alarm thee. They say; " We have possessed thee all thy days, and thy heart is our home. Thou hast always served us, and every day of habit has bound thee by a...

It would be strange indeed if it were otherwise. If we believe in God the Creator of all, the Giver of every good gift, and if we believe it to be his wish that men should acknowledge his authority, and yield to his guidance, we cannot but believe that he will bestow his best gifts, especially such a gift as wisdom, on those only who defer to his authority, and aim to please him. The supposition that this gift is as fairly bestowed upon the ungodly as upon any implies that God disregards all...