"FAINT NOT WHEN THOU ART REBUKED OF HIM." Our Lord rebukes us for our good, as He did to Martha. Martha was too anxious about temporal things and therefore Jesus lovingly reproved her. She was entangled and hurried; His aim was to set her free. Her care was intense and as it frayed her temper, it hindered her enjoying His company, or receiving with joy His word. This is a common fault among our Lord's disciples: how many Marthas have we in the church, how very few Marys. Let us take our seat at the feet of Jesus by Mary's side, and let us listen to His word; let us realize His care for us, and let us cast all our care on Him. All our concerns are in His hands, all circumstances are under His control, all events are managed by His wisdom. He exhorts us to seek first His kingdom, to aim always at His glory, to be satisfied with His provisions, and to live in peace. Whatever happens will be overruled for your good. You will soon depart the present scene, and leave behind you all the objects about which you have been careful. Be prayerful, but not careful. Receive thy Lord's reproof this evening as spoken to thee, and bury thy cares where He has buried thy sins.

For Meditation:
How often we like Martha vexed,
Encumbered, hurried, and perplexed!
While trifles so engross our thought,
The one thing needful is forgot.