When their brother, who was to be their savior, saw that they had brought with them the dearest treasure of their family, there went forth the instant word for a king’s feast to be prepared for them.

That is all that my Savior is waiting for that He may lavish the fullness of His bounty upon me: my bringing to Him the dearest possession of my life—myself—in unconditional surrender to His mastery, confessing my helplessness and awful need. Then He gives the word that I may come into His own house and eat at His table the best food of which He Himself partakes.

The surrender of Benjamin, their dearest possession, was the key to all the treasures of the kingdom—yes, even to the recognition of Joseph by the brothers and Jacob. The surrender of the costliest possession of my life is the key to the treasures of the Kingdom for me—yes, even to the full recognition and appropriation of Christ as my whole and only life.

Oh, Lord Jesus, show me more that I may give up, that I may have more of Thee!

MESSAGES FOR THE MORNING WATCH

My friend, beware of me Lest I should do The very thing I’d sooner die than do, In some way crucify the Christ in you.

If you are called to some great sacrifice, And I should come to you with frightened eyes And cry, “Take care, take care, be wise, be wise!” See through my softness then a fiend’s attack, And bid me get me straight behind your back; To your own conscience and your God be true, Lest I play Satan to the Christ in you.

And I would humbly ask of you in turn That if someday in me Love’s fires should burn To whiteness, and a Voice should call Bidding me leave my little for God’s all, If need be, you would thrust me from your side— So keep love loyal to the Crucified.