Daily Devotionals

Mornings and Evenings with Jesus

Devotional: September 19th

Now, he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God. - 2 Corinthians 5:5.

THE Christian’s present attainments consist in God’s work and God’s bestowments. God has prepared his people for the whole, and he has given them a part; and this constitutes the present state of indulgence in which the Christian now is. “Now, he hath wrought us (says the apostle) for the selfsame thing.” This preparation is absolutely necessary. In vain should we have a title to heaven unless we have a meetness for it.

If people used the same common sense in religious affairs which guides them in the ordinary concerns of life, they would be preserved from many a mistake; and many of them would immediately see that, according to their present state, there is no probability or possibility of their happiness were they now to die. For common sense surely must tell them that every state and every office requires a qualification for it; and that the higher the state or the office may be, the more important and difficult it is to obtain the qualification becoming it. Common sense would tell them, if they referred to their own feelings, that happiness is not derived from any one thing, without a suitableness for it; it would tell them that happiness depends not upon the excellency of the object, but upon conformity to it. Common sense would tell them, if they appealed to their feelings, that that which is not wanted, which is not desired, which is not valued, would, if attained, afford them no gratification.

Therefore, the thing is whether we are now in possession of any thing that would enable us to relish and to enjoy heaven; not the heaven of pagans, nor the heaven of Mohammedans, nor yet the heaven of those who are only looking for exemption from distress and trouble, but the Christian heaven,-the heaven which is derived from the presence, the vision and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to his own prayer:-“Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me may be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory.” Oh, we could trust any Christian here upon this ground. We know his principles and dispositions. He has that in him which would enable him to relish and enjoy such blessedness.

But, secondly, He will remember and acknowledge with the apostle that this experience is as divine as it is necessary. He will allow that he has not wrought himself for the “selfsame thing;” that creatures have not wrought him “for the selfsame thing;” that the effect was above the production of education, of example, of moral suasion; that it was of divine operation. Hence it arises that it is frequently held forth by the figure of a creation, the figure of a resurrection, in order to remind us not only of the grandeur of the work, but of the ability of Him that hath performed it. Therefore the apostle says, “He that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God.”

And nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee. - Isaiah 55:5.

IT early obtained belief in the Christian Church, that, for predicting thus freely the calling of the Gentiles by Messiah, the prophet Isaiah was sawn asunder- indeed, Paul mentions it as a proof of his moral heroism; for, says he, “Isaiah is very bold,” &c.

Let us notice First, The ignorance of the people: “the nations that knew not thee.” They were, as Paul says, “without Christ;” that is, without a revelation of him. They never heard of his name, and they knew nothing of his redeeming blood and renewing grace. He was unknown even to the princes of the world, who lived either near or among the people to whom pertained the oracles of God: for “had they have known him, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” Jesus, when he was dying, said: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Peter says to the Jews: “I wot, brethren, that ye did it in ignorance.” Paul, educated at the feet of Gamaliel, referring to his persecuting the Church, declares that he did it” ignorantly and in unbelief.” And when the Saviour appeared to him, and addressed him, he said, “Who art thou?” It is not the reality of things, therefore, but the knowledge of them which must affect and influence us. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him might not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Let us notice, secondly, The Saviour’s attraction. Observe the centre. “They shall run unto thee.” The dying patriarch said: “Unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” Israel also said: “To thee shall men come.” And Peter said: “To whom can we go but unto thee, for thou hast the words of eternal life?” Where else in the universe can we find one who is “made of God unto us wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption?” Where else can we find “all Spiritual blessings in heavenly places?”

If there were only one well belonging to a town, all the inhabitants must go to that for supplies, or perish with thirst. In the time of famine, all the multitudes that repaired to Pharaoh were authorised by him to go to Joseph. “He has,” said he, “all the storehouses and all the supplies.” Thus the gospel says to sinners: Go to Jesus, “in him all fulness dwells.” There you can be blessed with all Spiritual blessings in heavenly places. Let us, therefore, repair to him and say: I am perishing, but thou hast bread enough and to spare. My heart is a stone, oh turn it to flesh. I am guilty, blot out my transgressions. I am sinful, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right Spirit within me.” And to encourage us, let us remember that he is as willing as he is able, and as free as he is full; that he is now saying, “Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.”

Observe also the swiftness ascribed to them. It is not said they shall walk, but “they shall run unto thee.” We should never overlook the words which the Holy Ghost uses. There are other terms of similar import. There is “flying.” “Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as doves to their windows,” away from the storm? The Apostle employs another term: “Who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us;” alluding to the manslayers, who were running away from the avenger of blood to a city of refuge.

What can there be in any case that might induce a man to run that might not be applied in a much higher degree to sinners who are seeking salvation by Jesus Christ? Would the nearness of danger make men run? They know that hell is pursuing them. Would the magnitude of the object make them run? They know that “one thing is needful,” and that compared with this everything else is less than nothing and vanity. Would extreme want make them run? Their earnest exclamation is-

“Give me Christ or else I die.”

Would the strength of desire make them run? “They now hunger and thirst after righteousness;” and now, “as the heart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth their soul after” him. Would the shortness and uncertainty of their opportunity of effecting it make them run? Would a man run if he saw the bridge ready to be drawn, and the door ready to be shut? They know that life is all their season; that “now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.”