the Fourth Week after Easter
Daily Devotionals
The Poor Man's Morning and Evening Portions
January 6—Morning—Hebrews 2:16
"For verily he took not on him the nature of angels."—Hebrews 2:16.
Contemplate, my soul, the peculiar sweetness of that grace which was in thy Jesus, when, for the accomplishment of thy salvation, he passed by the nature of angels to take upon him thy nature. There were but two sorts of transgressors in the creation of God; angels and men. But angels are left in everlasting chains, under darkness, to the judgment of the great day. And falled, sinful, rebellious man, finds the grace of redemption. Had Jesus taken their nature, would not this have been nearer to his own? Would not their services have been vastly superior to ours? Would not the redemption of beings so much higher in rank and intellect, have opened a far larger revenue of praise to our adorable Redeemer? Pause over these thoughts, my soul, and then consider therefrom how our Jesus, in his unequalled condescension, hath thereby the more endeared himself to thy love. And learn hence, that if Jesus needs not the service of angels, how is it possible that man can be profitable to God! And the simple act of faith of a poor fellow sinner, in believing the record that God hath given of his dear Son, gives more honour to God than all the services of men or angels for ever. Mark this down as a blessed truth; Jehovah is more glorified by thy faith and trust in him, than by all thy works. Lord, give me this faith, that I may cleave to thee, hang upon thee, follow thee, and never give over looking unto thee, until mine eye-strings break and my heart-strings fail and then as now, be thou "the strength of mine heart, and my portion for ever!"
January 6—Evening—Psalms 61:2
"When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I."—Psalms 61:2.
Yes, Lord! I would make this my morning, noon, and evening petition, that the great glorifier of Jesus would gently lead me to him who is a rock, and whose work is perfect. I know, dearest Lord, in theory, and can even reason upon it in seasons of coolness, that thy strength and thy security never fail; the failure is in me and my unbelief. And it is only when I lose sight of thee and thy promise, that I am tossed about with doubts and misgivings. If Jesus be out of sight, and thwarting dispensations arise, Oh! how soon is my poor forgetful heart ready to exclaim with the church of Old, "I said, my strength and my hope is perished from the Lord." Then come on the reasonings of flesh and blood. And then the question, whether my interest in Jesus and his salvation be sure? And then my poor heart goes forth, like the dove of Noah from the ark, having lost sight of Jesus, and can find no resting-place for the sole of my foot. Oh! Lord the Spirit, in all such seasons, do thou "lead me to the Rock that is higher than I." If thou, blessed leader of the Lord’s distressed ones, wouldest be my pilot when those storms are beating upon me, I should soon be blown upon the firm landing-place of Jesus’s security. Oh! how should I ride out the storm even when the tempest was highest, as long as God the Holy Ghost enabled me to cast the anchor of faith upon this eternal rock of Jesus. Oh! lead me then, thou sovereign Lord, continually to my all-precious Jesus. Open the port of communication, and keep it constantly open, between Christ and my soul. Faith will find a soft and quiet bed to sleep on, in the arms of Jesus, and no noise of wars shall break the soul’s rest while reposing on him; for so the promise runs: " Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." Oh ! then once again, I send up the earnest cry of my soul, let it be continually answered in mercy! "When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I."
