Daily Devotionals

Mornings and Evenings with Jesus

Devotional: August 10th

Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren. - Hebrews 2:17.

THERE is a conformity between Christ and believers. In all things, indeed, he has the preeminence; but, as they have borne the image of the earthy, they also bear the image of the heavenly. He is the “first-born among many brethren,” but they are predestinated to be conformed to the image of Christ. They are to follow him, “to walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us and given himself for us.” We cannot equal him, but then we can be like him in our measure and degree.

To his people he is a “hiding-place from the wind, a covert from the storm; as rivers of waters in a dry place, and as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” We cannot equal him, but we may have bowels of compassion. He went about doing good, and surely we may do the same; and as “we have opportunity,” we are commanded to “do good unto all men, especially to them who are of the household of faith.” And what is it Christians should admire most in each other? Why, not their fine apparel, or expensive furniture; not the largeness of their house, or the length of their purse. No! But those feelings which make them social beings, which make them kind, which make them compassionate, which make them useful to their fellow-creatures. And where are these best learned but in the school of affliction?

This is a reason, therefore, why Christians should be resigned to the will of God, and that they may be able to comfort others, that they may be able to speak a word in season to him that is weary. Then we see the various experiences and conditions of Christians. Here we see them tempted, but then also they are succoured; they suffer here, but then they have One with them who is able to afford deliverance, support, and consolation. They are like the bush Moses saw; and if there be a motto more proper for them than any other, it is comprised in the language of the apostle:-“We are troubled on every side, but not distressed; cast down, but not destroyed.”

Let us learn to make use of this in every time of need. It is possible that we may have a privilege, and be ignorant of it, or neglect to use it sufficiently. This was the case with Hagar. She was pining for thirst while there was a well just by; but she did not know it till the angel opened her eyes. “Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” What can others do for us compared to him? What said Job?-“My friends scorn me, but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.” And if they cry unto God he will put their tears into his bottle. Are they not in his book? And if friends are disposed to succour, and to do all they can, how little can they do! But here is an all-sufficient and suitable Saviour. Let us betake ourselves to him.

“Have you no words? ah, think again:

Words flow apace when you complain,

And fill your fellow-creature’s ear

With the sad tale of all your care.

“Were half the breath thus vainly spent,

To heaven in supplication sent,

Your cheerful songs would oftener be,

‘Hear what the Lord has done for me.’”

Call upon me in the day of trouble. - Psalms 50:15

THIS is the privilege of the real Christian, that he knows to whom he can go in the hour of distress; that though all be rough under foot, all when he looks up is clear overhead; that when he has little of the creature he has more of the Creator,” God over all blessed for evermore.” Jeremiah found him in the dungeon, and Daniel in the lions’ den, and the three Hebrew worthies in the fiery furnace; thus, when David was stripped of all he had in Ziklag, he encouraged himself, it is said, “in the Lord his God;” and this enabled him to say afterwards, “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee; when my heart is overwhelmed within, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.” Thus it was with Manasseh in his affliction; he sought the Lord his God, and he was found of him.

Had any of those who applied to our Saviour in the days of his flesh reason to complain either of those personal or relative troubles or afflictions which urged them to his feet? Here is the way, Christian, in which we are to learn, and to improve, and to sanctify the regrets, the disappointments, and the trials of life. We should be careful in our troubles that we do not fight against God, and creatures which are his instruments. Our troubles should lead us to God. And if they bring us to him, they can by no means hurt us. Our welfare can only be secured and promoted by intercourse and communion with God. It is well to be “drawn to him” by the “bands of love” and the “cords of a man.”

It is better to be driven to him, if we are driven as Paul was, by the buffetings of Satan, rather than that we should keep away from him. “Now I am weary of the world,” says a Christian; “I would not live here always; such a comfort is gone, and another is gone, and all are going, and I am going; and I am come, O Lord, to deal with thee on the subject.” “Now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.”

Our afflictions are sent us in mercy; they come and knock at the door of conscience, and say, “Well, what think you of sin now? Is it not an ‘evil and bitter thing?’ What think you of the world now? Is it not a poor resource? What think you of creatures now? Are they not ‘vanity and vexation of Spirit?’ What think you of the Saviour now? Can anything sustain and comfort you but the resurrection and the life?”

Are we burdened? God is a burden-bearer near us, who is saying, “Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”