Daily Devotionals

Mornings and Evenings with Jesus

Devotional: November 25th

This people have I formed for myself. - Isaiah 43:21.

NOW, there are three formations which we may notice. The first is national. In this class we place the Jews. They were formed a commonwealth by the agency of God. He called Abraham when alone, and blessed him. Then he gave his seed the land flowing with milk and honey. He gave them laws and ordinances of a peculiar nature, and distinguished them by dispensations the most wonderful and glorious; so that Moses could say, “What nation is there so great? who hath God so nigh unto them as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?” Yet he complains, “I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.” So said Moses concerning them:-“Of the rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.”

The second of these formations is natural. Here all mankind are included, for “we are all the work of his hands,” “we are fearfully and wonderfully made.” If we contemplate the human frame, and observe the body, the complexity of its vessels, the multitude of its organs, and how many of these are too minute for research; then if we think of the soul, its consciousness, its knowledge, its capacity for expansion, and its powers; and if we also think of the conjunction of these two,-a piece of clay and thought united together, combined in the very same formation, (for he is the framer of our flesh and the former of our spirits,) we shall arrive at the same conclusion with one of old,-that “there is a spirit in man; and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth him understanding.”

In the third of these formations we place all the subjects of divine influence. In the words before us, the Lord is speaking of “this people,” not as the creatures of his power or as the beneficiaries of his providence, but as the children of his grace. Our relation to him as our Benefactor and Preserver and Maker will not insure our safety. We may rejoice in the thought that we are the work of his hands, but he has expressly said of his ancient people, “Because they are a people of no understanding, therefore he that formed them will not have mercy on them, and he that created them will show them no favour.”

Now, all real Christians are renewed in the spirit of their minds. The understanding, which was darkness, is now made light in the Lord. The rebellious will is subdued to the obedience of Christ. The affections which were “earthly, sensual, devilish,” are now “set on things above,” and the conversation is in heaven. The very conscience which was defiled is “purified from dead works to serve the living God.” These are “the circumcision, who worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” “These are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” And to each and to all of these God looks down and says, “This people have I formed for myself: they shall show forth my praise.”

Nevertheless I am continually with thee. - Psalms 73:23.

OBSERVE here the source of the Psalmist’s satisfaction; as if he had said, “What have I been doing? I have been dwelling on my trials instead of considering my blessings. I have been among creatures and have not turned from them unto my God.” But he now says, “Nevertheless, I am continually with thee.” There are several ways in which this may be considered.

First, He was with him by a realizing sense of his presence. God is continually with all his creatures, as their Witness and Observer; but they are not continually with him. Yea, they are never with him long. God is not in all their thoughts. Their concern is to get him out of their way and out of sight, saying unto God, “Depart from us; we desire not a knowledge of thy ways.” They say this by their vices, by their infidelity, and by their carelessness. But it is otherwise with a Christian; he does not live without God, but is continually with him in the world.

Secondly, He was continually with God, as he was in a state of friendship with him. It is obvious Asaph mentions the thing here as a privilege, therefore it supposes reconciliation with God. We commonly infer the degree of friendship from the degree of visitation. This is really the case with regard to God and the Christian. Yes, God is his hiding-place, his resting place, his dwelling-place. God is the home of his heart. The Apostle John says, “And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” And our Saviour says, “If a man love me he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him.” And not only does the Christian dwell with God but in God. “God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

Thirdly, He was so by his engagement in his service. If any difficulty attended this, we could point out an explanation from the Book of Revelation, where it is said, “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and they that are with him are called and chosen and faithful.” And so our Saviour said, “He that is not with me is against me.”

Mere neutrality here is inadmissible; we must be decided. There are only two parties-the world’s party and God’s party; and “he that will be the friend of the world is the enemy of God.” “Who,” says God, “will rise up for me against the evil-doers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? “I will,” says David, “if there is no other individual to be found. Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred. I count them mine enemies.” Is this motto the motto of our lives? “Whose I am and whom I serve.” “I am continually with thee.”