Daily Devotionals

Mornings and Evenings with Jesus

Devotional: December 31st

He hath done all things well. - Mark 7:37.

THE particular providence of God attends the Christian in all his concerns. He goes on board a vessel, launching on the ocean of life; he gives God the command of the helm. Thus we are enjoined to “commit all our ways unto the Lord,” and to trust also in him; and we are at the same time assured that he will bring it to pass, for when we “commit our works unto the Lord, the thoughts of our hearts are established.” Thus, also, we are enjoined to “be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, to let our request be made known unto God.” It is when we obey the apostle’s injunction that we feel the “peace of God, that passeth all understanding, keeping our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” “The way of the Lord is perfect;” but we may be left to charge him foolishly, and in so doing we only display our ignorance. In the world, in the nation, in the church, in the family, and with regard to the concerns of every individual, he is not only doing all things, but doing all things well.

Do we believe this? There is a vast difference between the reality, and our believing and acknowledging it. And what is it that keeps us from acknowledging that in all things and in all dispensations his providence is doing all things well? First, Because we judge too selfishly. We are not detached individuals; we are placed in connection with others. What is not good for us may be good for them; and what is not good for one part may be good for the whole.

Then, Secondly, We judge too carnally. What is not good for our pleasure may be good for our profit; our temporal losses maybe our spiritual gains; we may be “chastened with the righteous, that we may not be condemned with the wicked.” Here is cause for praise and gratitude. But, oh, how we yield to flesh and blood! When every thing is easy and prosperous, there is no obscurity then. No; but let a change take place, let affliction fall upon us; then, with a sad heart and sorrowful countenance, we immediately exclaim, “His way is in the sea, and his path in deep waters;” as if it were, after all, so wonderfully mysterious that he should suffer us to be afflicted; as if God were less wise and righteous and good in the dark than in the light, in a stormy day than in a calm one.

Jacob said, “All these things are against me;” but, if he had waited a little while longer, he might have said, with the apostle, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” Hence the apostle enjoins upon believers that they “judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.”

“Blind unbelief is sure to err,

And scan his work in vain:

God is his own interpreter,

And he will make it plain.”

He that endureth to the end shall he saved. - Matthew 10:22.

“LET not him that girdeth on the harness boast as he that putteth it off,” said Ahab; and this was the wisest thing he ever said. And it is not enough to begin well. It is the end proves all, completes all, crowns all; while some “draw back unto perdition,” there are those “who believe to the saving of their soul.” Apostasy from the faith and practice of the gospel generally go together; sometimes the one takes the lead, and sometimes the other. “Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God.”

It is a very easy thing to destroy religious convictions. There are two ways of doing it. One is by assassination, and the other is by starvation. Making shipwreck of faith and of a good conscience grieves the Holy Spirit, and in consequence of repeated provocations, God withdraws his restraints, and then the sinner brings upon himself swift destruction. For “it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” “The last state of that man is worse than the first.” But will not that which is Divine always endure? Assuredly; for that which comes from God will lead to God.

The devotion of a real Christian will be like the fire upon the Jewish altar, which was kindled by the breath of heaven, and was never to go out. It will not resemble the summer brook, but the perennial fountain. “The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” It was upon this principle that Barnabas exhorted the Christians at Antioch, that with “purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” He believed in the terms of the “covenant ordered in all things and sure,” and in the final perseverance of saints.

Why, then, it may be asked, did he thus exhort them? Because he well knew how to apply his own principles; because he knew that admonition and warning were not needless for the people of God themselves, nor would be useless. Yea, he knew they were the only persons who derive advantage from warning and admonition, and he knew also the certainty of the end always included the intervention of the means, and that reaping always required sowing; and he knew that there would be no perseverance without persevering, and that they, and only they, would be saved who endured unto the end.

And, says our Lord, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” And the Apostle James says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”