In the kingdom of heaven, weak things become mighty and mighty things often prove to be useless.
God seeth not as man seeth, and the things that are held in high esteem among men may be scorned by the Most High God, maker of heaven and earth.
That carnal courage so prized in the kingdom of Adam may be the direct cause of constant and humiliating defeat among Christians.
God will not be under the necessity of using fleshly means to accomplish His spiritual ends. The bold strength of character which helps men to forge to the front, to get the best jobs, to overawe their opponents, may stand squarely in the way of all efforts to progress in the life of the Spirit. God still gives courage to the faint, and He knoweth the proud afar off.
verse
But he gives more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'
— James 4:6
thought
Humility is a quality extremely counter to contemporary culture. Indeed, it is generally viewed as weakness.
But genuine humility is strength and the result of God's grace.
prayer
Thank You, Lord, for those brothers and sisters who have modeled genuine humility to me. May I grow to know their strength.
https://cmalliance.org/devotionals/tozer/
To the man out of Christ, the fall of the year, in spite of its many charms, must surely bring with it a deep and hidden terror.
For it speaks of the approaching end, the time when it may be said,
The summer is ended, and we are not saved.
It would be good indeed if the autumn winds could preach to the lost soul of the brevity of life and the long winter ahead.
The true Christian will not be saddened by the winds that herald the approach of winter.
Like the wise and he has made his preparation, and while the gusty tempest howls over him, he will sleep sweet in Christ while the circle of the heavens moves on toward the consummation of all things of which Moses and the prophets have spoken.
Happy man who knows that everything is well with him and that he will be among the blessed in that day when the breath of Jesus, like a breeze of spring, shall stir the sleeping dead to life again after the long night.
verse
After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.
— First Thessalonians 4:17-18
thought
Each day we draw closer to the fall and winter of life. All of which point to the golden tomorrow. May we live today in the expectation of that tomorrow.
prayer
Lord, may I live today in the glow of the eternal tomorrow.
https://cmalliance.org/devotionals/tozer/
Autumn winds are blowing again.
The fall of the year brings with it a world of emotions as rich and varied as the notes of an organ.
The spring is more stimulating and fuller of expectation, but there is about the fall a quiet strength which the spring lacks.
It is not a wonder that so many serious-minded people love the fall, . . . We are not much given to moralizing on natural objects, but who can fail to notice the parallel between Gods great lovely world and the little tribes of flesh and blood who inhabit it
Is it not plain that every human being runs through the same stages as the seasons
Spring, the time of childhood and youth when all the world is big with promise, a promise which the later years invariably fail to keep.
Summer, the period of full power when life multiplies and it is hard to believe that it can ever end.
Autumn, with its repose after toil, a gracious tapering off of our fuller powers, a kindly preparation for our longer rest.
Winter, when the leaves have dropped away and the last sign of life has disappeared.
Then only faith remains to assure us that there will be for us a bright tomorrow.
verse
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die . . .
— Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a
thought
As certain as the seasons of life and of nature we experience, so certain is the brightest, most glorious season of all. By faith we know it shall surely dawn in our eternal tomorrow.
prayer
Great is Your faithfulness, O God. I trust You for all the tomorrows.
https://cmalliance.org/devotionals/tozer/