Daily EncouragementSample

There is no better place to find encouragement than at the Lord’s table. If we are discouraged when we come, much should have changed before we leave.

Here we remember the Lord. All that is done at the table is in remembrance of him. It is a memorial feast. Those who want to make it more should give full weight to his own words, “do this in remembrance of me.” Our remembering does not create his real presence; it reminds us of its reality.

Here we are taken to the heart of the gospel. “No gospel like this feast” - as we receive the bread and wine we proclaim the gospel to ourselves afresh. “Christ dies for our sins . . . the Son of God . . . loved me and gave himself for me.” We breathe pure gospel air.

Here the advent hope is stirred within us. Here if anywhere we sense that “the Lord’s coming is near” (James 5:8).

And thus that dark betrayal night
With the last advent we unite,
By one blest chain of loving rite,
Until He come.

O blessed hope! with this elate,
Let not your hearts be desolate,
But, strong in faith, in patience wait
Until He come.