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Daily Devotionals
Mornings and Evenings with Jesus
Devotional: July 10th

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Morning Devotional

And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. - Matthew 14:32-33.

THOUGH Christ reproved Peter, yet he heard his prayer and helped him; and so he did the father of the child who cried out with tears, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” He was compelled to say, “O faithless generation! how long shall I be with you, how long shall I suffer you?” but he said, “Bring him unto me,” and he healed him. We see that he came into the ship now, and would not continue longer walking on the sea, but makes use of the ship. Our Lord thus teaches us, that, when ordinary resources are sufficient, we are not to be looking after extraordinary means and expedients. And he did not enter the ship alone: “they came;” that is, Peter came with him. He might have left Peter on the sea, and said to him, “This is what you wished; here you desired to come, and here you shall remain.” But he would not deal with him according to his desert, but allowed him to enter with him. We may be sure Peter was delighted with the permission to re-enter. “And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased;” not before the storm had done its appointed work. It had tried the disciples; it had tried Peter; and now it was to proclaim the Saviour’s power and authority, seeing that at his approach the wind ceased. We may apply this to another instance: when the Saviour enters the soul, however stormy its condition before, immediately there is a calm. “By believing we enter into rest.” “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God.” Then, “we joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have received the atonement.”

Observe the effects of this interposition. First, Behold the confirmation of their faith. They now said, “Of a truth thou art the Son of God.” They knew this before, but now felt it with more confidence. The thing was as true before, but their belief of it was now increased and established.

Secondly, We see how it drew forth their admiration. “They came and worshipped him,” not only for what he was in himself, but for what he had now done. According to the promise, “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”

Evening Devotional

With loving-kindness have I drawn thee. - Jeremiah 31:3.

THERE is everything attractive in the goodness of Cod, and we may observe the loving-kindness of God under four aspects, each of which is peculiarly attractive and powerful.

First, It is undeserved; and undeserved kindness is very attractive and powerful, that is, when its recipient has no claim upon the giver, and when the boon is entirely of pure favour. What right to support and wages has a servant who has run away from his master? What right to the protection of his sovereign has a subject who has become a rebel and a traitor? By sin we had forfeited every favour from God, and rendered ourselves unworthy of the least of all his mercies. It is therefore of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

Secondly, It is disinterested kindness; and this is very attractive and powerful, when it tends to the advantage of the person receiving it, and not to the profit of the giver. A perception of selfishness in the exercise of beneficence will destroy all its influence. There is very little benevolence that will bear examination. Men are perpetually looking towards their own reputation or honour; but what could God look for from us? “Can a man,” says Elihu, “be profitable unto God?” “Our goodness,” says David, “extendeth not to thee.” God is exalted above all blessing and praise, and as he was happy without the fallen angels, so he would have been happy without us.

Thirdly, It is magnanimous; and therefore exceedingly attractive and influential. If a man had the liberty and life of an adversary at his disposal, and he should save his life and restore his liberty, and bestow an estate upon him, surely this would be very winning; and what should we think of the wretch who would not be drawn by it to love and praise his deliverer and benefactor? “The soul,” saith the Scriptures, “that sinneth shall die.” We were under the law and under the curse; we were entirely in its power; and while we were waiting for condemnation, he stretched out his sceptre and said, “Touch and live.” “I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hard is the heart that does not feel this.

Fourthly, It is costly and expensive kindness; and on this account most attractive and powerful. Zeleuchus, in order to save one of his son’s eyes, consented to lose one of his own; and what should we think of that son who could ever view a father so devoted to him without emotions of attachment? But, be it observed, this was for a child. When Edward III. took Calais, he consented to spare the place on condition that six of the principal citizens should surrender themselves for execution; and would have forgot his humanity but for his queen, who threw herself at his feet, implored him, and obtained the lives of the noble victims who had offered themselves to save the lives of their fellow-citizens, their friends, their relations, their wives and their children.

There cannot, however, be produced an instance in which a man has sacrificed himself knowingly for his adversary. Oh, this remains to be displayed. No, it does not-it was displayed on Calvary; and God commendeth his love towards us, “in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend; but while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.”

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