life of vast resource. "_As a tree planted by the
waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river._" It is not watered
by an occasional shower, it is unceasingly bathed by the vitalizing flood.
Its rootlets are always drinking the nutritious waters of grace. The
blessed life is planted on the banks of that wonderful river which takes
its rise in the great white throne.

And just because of these boundless supplies, the blessed life is
undisturbed in times of grave crisis and emergency. "_He shall not see
when heat cometh._" He shall be cool when the unblessed are hot and
fever-stricken. He shall "keep his head" in times of general panic. His
powers of endurance shall make the world wonder! He shall "hold out" when
everybody else is faint.

So shall there be nothing "sere and yellow" about him. "_His leaf shall be
green._" His faith, and hope, and love shall remain fresh and beautiful
even in "the dark and cloudy day."

SEPTEMBER The Eighteenth

_THE ALL-ROUND DEFENCE_

"_Thou hast beset me behind._"
--PSALM cxxxix. 1-12.

And that is a defence against the enemies which would attack me in the
rear. There is yesterday's sin, and the guilt which is the companion of
yesterday's sin. They pursue my soul like fierce hounds, but my gracious
Lord will come between my pursuers and me. His mighty grace intervenes,
and my security is complete.

"Thou hast beset me ... _before_." And that is a defence against the
enemies which would impede my advance and frighten me out of the heavenly
way. There is fear--fear of the morrow, fear of consequences, fear of
death! And my Lord will come between me and them, and their menace shall
be destroyed. The fiery darts shall be quenched before they reach my soul.

"_And laid Thine hand upon me._" And that is a defence against the enemies
which may lie in ambush in present and immediate circumstances: the sudden
temptation to passion, or the temptation to panic, or the temptation which
would snare me to criminal ease. But my Lord's hand is all-sufficient! And
so on every side my defence standeth; "the angel of the Lord encampeth
round about them that fear Him."

SEPTEMBER The Nineteenth

_THE NEEDS OF THE BODY_

JOHN vi. 1-21.

The Lord who came to save His people was sensitive to His people's hunger.
In the presence of the supreme need the smaller need was not forgotten. He
honoured the body as well as the soul. He ministered to the transient as
well as the