17 NOVEMBER
Watch over one another in love
‘Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.’ Malachi 3:16
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Ephesians 4:1–16
To those who are stronger and more established: you remember the time when the conversation of the people of God was exceedingly helpful to you, and you were glad to be admitted among them. If you think you can do without it now, yet remember there are some at this time in the same state as you were then. Should not then a remembrance of your own case awaken your compassion and diligence to seek out and assist others? Again, when you used to have free communion with another, was it not good? Have you not often met a blessing and a comfort? Have not your minds been composed and refreshed and strengthened for every service you were called to? Why then is the habit discontinued? Why do any of you live alone, and to yourselves? Have you forgot that you are members one of another, and that you are not your own? Do you plead business and families? These things are to be attended to, but perhaps you had such engagements in times past and you did not neglect them, though you could find time to speak often one to another. If these are your hindrances it argues that all is not right. A ready and willing heart will find times and seasons and be content to suffer some inconveniencies for the sake of speaking often one to another. Take heed lest dryness and leanness insensibly steal upon your souls. What, shall it be said that the Lord hearkens and hears with pleasure, that he writes our conferences in his book? Has he given us so many causes to speak of his goodness and exhorted and charged us to watch over one another in love, and shall we like men in a storm shift each for ourselves, think we need no assistance from our brethren, or express no desire to be helpful to our faith? I hope this will not be the case. Away with our sinful backwardness and selfish excuses and let us join heart and hand; let us speak one to another—we have enough to talk of.
FOR MEDITATION: Let us exhort one another today, while it is called today, lest any of us be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin [Hebrews 3:13].
SERMON: MALACHI 3:16–17 [5/5]
Milo 