John R. Macduff

“He is Faithful that Promised.”

“In due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”—Gal. vi.9.

A Due Reaping.

Believer! all the glory of thy salvation belongs to Jesus,—none to thyself; every jewel in thine eternal crown is His,—purchased by His blood, and polished by His Spirit. The confession of time will be the ascription of all eternity: “By the grace of God I am what I am!” But though “all be of grace,” thy God calls thee to personal strenuousness in the work of thy high calling;—to “labour,” to “fight,” to “wrestle,” to “agonize;” and the heavenly reaping will be in proportion to the earthly sowing: “He that soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully!” What an incentive to holy living, and increased spiritual attainments! My soul! wouldst thou be a star shining high and bright in the firmament of glory?—wouldst thou receive the ten-talent recompense? Then be not weary. Gird on thine armour for fresh conquests. Be gaining daily some new victory over sin. Deny thyself. Be a willing cross-bearer for thy Lord’s sake. Do good to all men as thou hast opportunity; be patient under provocation, “slow to wrath,” resigned in trial. Let the world take knowledge of thee that thou art wearing Christ’s livery, and bearing Christ’s spirit, and sharing Christ’s cross. And when the reaping time comes, He who has promised that the cup of cold water cannot go unrecompensed, will not suffer thee to lose thy reward!

“REMEMBER THIS WORD UNTO THY SERVANT, UPON WHICH THOU HAST CAUSED ME TO HOPE!”