limy pool, so let us in this dark world shut ourselves in with Christ in
the little circle of each returning day, and so abide in Him, breathing
the air of heaven and living in His love.

DECEMBER 22.

"My tongue also shall talk of Thy righteousness all the day long" (Ps.
lxxi. 24).

It is a simple law of nature, that air always comes in to fill a vacuum.
You can produce a draught at any time, by heating the air until it
ascends, and then the cold air rushes in to supply its place. And so we
can always be filled with the Holy Spirit by providing a vacuum. This
breath is dependent upon exhausting the previous breath before you can
inhale a fresh one. And so we must empty our hearts of the last breath of
the Holy Spirit that we have received, for it becomes exhausted the moment
we have received it, and we need a new supply, to prevent spiritual
asphyxia.

We must learn the secret of breathing out, as well as breathing in. Now,
the breathing in will continue if the other part is rightly done. One of
the best ways to make room for the Holy Spirit is to recognize the needs
that come into the life as vacuums for Him to fill, and we shall find
plenty of needs all around us to be filled, and as we pour out our lives
in holy service, He will pour His in--in full measure.

Jesus, empty me and fill me
With Thy fulness to the brim.

DECEMBER 23.

"Out of the spoils won in battles, did they dedicate to maintain the house
of the Lord" (I. Chron. xxvi. 27).

Physical force is stored in the bowels of the earth, in the coal mines,
which came from the fiery heat that burned up great forests in ancient
ages. And so spiritual force is stored in the depths of our being, through
the very sufferings which we cannot understand. Some day we shall find
that the deliverance we have won from these trials were preparing us to
become true "Great Hearts" in life's Pilgrim's Progress, and to lead our
fellow pilgrims triumphantly through trial to the city of the King.

But let us never forget that the source of helping other people must be
victorious suffering. The whining, murmuring pang never does anybody any
good. Paul did not carry a cemetery with him, but a chorus choir of
victorious praise, and the harder the trial, the more he trusted and
rejoiced, shouting from the very altar of sacrifice, "Yea, and if I be
offered upon the service and sacrifice of your faith, I joy and rejoice
with you all."

Lord, help me this