None other has ever known.
C. Austin Miles
1868-1946
February First
O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
Psalm 95:6(RSV)
The bowed head and contrite heart are fitting as you wait for My word. They are fitting, too, before the circumstances I will to place in your path. Your head does not bow easily—for you still long to be in charge. Little do you realize the hold that desire has on your life, and the peace you forfeit as a result. Esau despised his birthright for a mess of pottage. You forfeit yours for less!! O My dear child, learn to bow the head. Learn to bow the heart! My way truly is best.
February Second
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
Psalm 112:4
Light arises in the darkness for those who love Me. No threat can thwart the ongoing fulfillment of My will. Say to those of a fearful heart: Behold your King! Have I failed you in the past? Has My help been withheld from your cry? Let everything conspire to propel you forward in the path I have laid out for you. No, you cannot see the distant end—but there is light on your path today. Keep your eye on the light, and the darkness will lose its power to trouble you.
February Third
And when He [the Comforter] is come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.
John 16:8
I come not to praise you nor condemn you, but to build you up in spirit. Your adversary would use both praise and condemnation to confound you and tear you down. The memory of past sins should not linger, but hasten you to thankfulness for forgiveness and mercy. The sobering result of reminders of your wrong choices should keep you from vainglory. Remembering who you are is not a cause for despair but wonder. My presence in your life has saved you from many disasters—so let them remind you that your help has been, is, and ever shall be from Me.
February Fourth
Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me.
Matthew 11:29
Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me. Learn. Learn. You know so little, and have so far to go! You tell others of My glory and My grace, but inwardly know precious little of either. O My child, how often would I have led you in paths of righteousness, and you would not! Another master would have grown weary and impatient, but I am “slow to anger and of great mercy.” I have had to bring suffering into your life because your proud and haughty nature would not otherwise bend. Do you think this was a joy to Me, to see you broken and sick? No, for I am afflicted in the affliction of My people. But I did look for positive results—and in part they came. But only in part. The proud and arrogant person still lives—subdued somewhat—but far from dead!
My yoke—My restraining and guiding Hand, the harness of My call—these are your safeguards and through the restraint of that yoke you are learning of Me. Learn! Listen and learn! Do this, My child, for the sake of My love for you.
February Fifth
All Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I am glorified in them.
John 17:10
All are Mine—the living and the dead. Those who have gone from your sight and left their bodies to return to dust—still live in My sight. You are connected with the unseen world with ties that were made during their earthly life span. You are never alone in that sense, My child.
You have tended to think of your life as a solo performance. That is a grave misunderstanding. Whenever you can you should strengthen the inner sense of connectedness with your companions. Loneliness is not inevitable. Once you catch the vision of being part of the great company, not imaginary or mystical, but real, you will begin to experience the benefits I planned in My divine scheme of things. Don’t be afraid of “the company of heaven,” My child. It is real and you are called to be part of it one day.
February Sixth
And God saw everything that He had made, and behold it was very good.
Genesis 1:31
I am He who gives existence to all things. It is My overflowing love expressed in My universe—My creation. You exist because of My desire to share My life with others. When My love reaches your hearts, and you begin to love Me and one another, then My creative purpose is being fulfilled. It is My will that there be a creation moved by and filled with love. You call it “heaven.” It is the Home toward which I am leading you. You have only “tasted” it thus far—there is far more.
February Seventh
And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.
Genesis 3:8
I have walked and talked with many a soul over the years. Yet surprisingly few of My people understand and avail themselves of this privilege. It was My first plan, as revealed in the Garden of Eden, to have fellowship with those I had created in My image. Then misuse of the freedom. Which, that image carried with it meant a loss on both sides—and the possibility had to be re-established. You catch glimpses of it in the Old Testament writings, for there were, even then, those who discovered and claimed this fellowship.
I came in full measure with the gift of the Holy Spirit, poured out on My people. The veil of the temple was rent, and access—an open door—placed for the highest and lowest among them.
Still even My own seem to prefer distance to nearness. They erect new barriers and place new conditions and restrictions on this invitation to fellowship. You are required to continue to struggle against the willful and rebellious nature that seeks to deafen your ears to My voice. Practice instant obedience to My Spirit’s “nudges”—the gentle voice you so often ignore. This will put you “on track” to have a closer walk with Me.
February Eighth
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
My dear child, know that I love you. You long to be loved and yet you are afraid of love, and close your heart against Me and those who seek admission. You need My love, not just as an objective reality—which it is—but as a subjective, inner heart experience, which you do not, for the most part, have. I say this not to condemn you, but to invite you to open the door that I may comfort and sustain you in your times of need.
February Ninth
Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Psalm 127:1
Unless I build the house, their labor is vain who build it. Unless I guard the city, the watchmen wait in vain. It is not just to the generation to whom those words first came, but to yours that I send them. Beware of the arm of flesh. Beware of leaning on human wisdom and worldly means. Be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. You are in danger of being seduced by human reasoning—reducing your dependence on My sovereign power and wisdom.