Daily Devotionals

Mornings and Evenings with Jesus

Devotional: June 22nd

God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. - Hebrews 11:16.

IT is true that sometimes in his dealings with his people the Lord would seem to indicate that he has forgotten and forsaken them. But this is impossible; for he hath said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” Sometimes their enemies, seeing! them in their perplexities and difficulties, begin to insult them, and to ask, “Where is now thy God?” But, walking by faith and not by sight, they are enabled to answer, “We know where he is; we know that he is at the helm, steering us through the storm; we know that he is at the head of all concerns, making all things to work together for our good. He is turning the shadow of death into the morning, and is fulfilling his promise:- “I will bring the blind by a way which they know not, and I will lead them by paths which they have not known; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight: these things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.”

Having himself condescendingly and graciously entered into such a relation with his people as to become their God, we may be assured he will never do any thing unworthy of it; and therefore the apostle here says, “God is not ashamed to be called their God, because he hath prepared for them a city;” as if he should say, Though God does much for his people here, he would be ashamed to be known as their God, he would be ashamed of the relation in which his people have been induced to confide and glory, unless he did more for them hereafter. Another system, therefore, must be spread abroad for its development. Time is too short, and this world too narrow, for the dignified relation to be glorified and exemplified in. Glory must succeed grace, eternity must succeed time, another world must succeed this; and thus, according to his promise, “we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” Then the relation in all the munificence of it will be displayed. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.” But they shall in due time be displayed and realized.

Zaccheus, make haste and come down, for to-day I must abide at thy house. - Luke 19:5.

BEHOLD the Saviour, how he “prevents us with the blessings of his goodness.” Behold what extensive knowledge he possesses. He knew the name of this individual, he knew his abode. With what authority and freedom, condescension and kindness, he speaks! “To-day I must abide at thy house.” Thus not only indulging his simple desire in seeing him, but giving him an opportunity to enjoy his presence and to hold conversation with him. What is all this to us? It is much every way.

First, That Jesus now comes and, asks for admission. He comes and offers himself in his people, and he that receiveth them receiveth him. He comes now in his word, which we have in our own language and in our hands. He comes in the public ministry, in the preaching of the gospel. He comes and stands before us with love in his eyes, with compassion in his heart, with salvation in his hands, that we may hear and receive him. He urges this upon us by the dispensations of his providence, by a thousand kindnesses, by personal and relative affliction, by the death of relations, by the convictions of conscience, and by the operations of the Holy Spirit.

Secondly, It becomes us to receive him. When he thus comes and invites himself he deserves to be entertained by us. Consider his dignity and greatness. The most magnificent titles become him. He said himself, “A greater than Solomon is here. Here is one greater than the temple.” Fine language for a mere man to make use of! He is greater than angels. As much above angels as he is above man, as also “above every name that is named, not only in this world but in that which is to come.” Consider his proprietary in us.

He is the lawful owner of the house, and it was designed for him, originally prepared for him. Every other possessor is an intruder, an usurper. Let us consider our need of Him. What are any without him but wretched and miserable, and poor and blind and naked-patients without a physician-wanderers without a guide-debtors without a surety. “He that hath the Son hath life, but he that hath not the Son hath not life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.” Let us consider the blessings he brings. When he enters salvation comes to the soul-a free, full, and everlasting salvation. “There is salvation in none other.” but with him is “plenteous redemption.” “To as many as received him gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in his name.” “It hath pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell.”

In receiving him we receive all, and are “blessed with all Spiritual blessings in heavenly places in him.” Obededom received the ark under his roof, and God “blessed the house of Obededom for the ark’s sake.” Upon which Mr. Henry remarks that the ark is a guest that always pays well for entertainment; and surely it is much more the case here. If he be received as a guest, he will bring all his entertainment along with him.