the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
The Poor Man's Morning and Evening Portions
June 7—Morning—Job 33:23-24
"If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness; then he is gracious unto him, and saith, deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom."—Job 33:23-24.
My soul, how precious are those views, in looking back upon where the first discoveries of grace were made. Moses never forgot the first visions of God at the bush; neither did Jacob outlive the remembrance of the first Bethel-visit of a God in Christ to his soul; and why should I? Hast thou not known this messenger, this interpreter, one among a ’thousand to shew unto thee’ God’s uprightness? Oh yes, Jesus by his Spirit hath shewn to me that my "God is righteous in all his ways, and holy in his works." When by the blessed discoveries which had been made to me in his word, by his ordinances, providences, judgments, mercies, like the poor creature described in this sweet scripture, when reduced to a mere skeleton, by reason of soul sickness, driven out of all resources in myself, and utterly despairing of ever seeing the face of God in glory, by any creature attempts, and by all creature righteousness, Oh then it was, thou blessed, glorious messenger of thine own covenant; thou faithful interpreter of the mind and will of Jehovah; then it was I was led to see the freeness, fulness, suitableness, and all-sufficiency of a Redeemer’s righteousness, and to cast my poor defenceless, naked, trembling soul upon the rich, powerful, and altogether-sufficient salvation, of thee, my God and Saviour! Oh how hast thou sweetly and mercifully explained to me the secrets of covenant mercies, the glories of thy person, and the greatness of thy finished work. And now at every step I take, at every portion of thy blessed word I read, when my mind feels the remains of indwelling corruption, and all the lurkings of the enemy’s suggestions ’within; then, then it is I hear the Father’s gracious voice, "Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom." Yes, precious Jesus, thou art my ransom, and my righteousness for ever!"
June 7—Evening—Song of Solomon 2:4
"He brought me to the banqueting-house, and his banner over me was love."—Song of Solomon 2:4.
In whatever sense thou art led, my soul, to look at the banqueting-house of Jesus, thy joy will be great in the contemplation. And if he who hath prepared the banqueting-house, and well stored it with every thing to afford a spiritual repast, will lead thee thither, and regale thee there with the rich enjoyment of himself, and the fulness of blessings in him, thou wilt have a feast of fat things indeed! Come then, this evening, and take a view of Jesus’s banqueting-house, and wait on thy kind and condescending Lord. He hath been known to take home many a poor waiting hungry sin-net, that hath been on the look-out for him, to his banqueting-house, and given him a gracious, full, and satisfying entertainment. Come then, my soul, and see this banqueting-house of Jesus. Some have looked at it as the covenant itself of redemption; for this is indeed a house of banquet, where every thing that can enrich the soul in the love of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, is found. Oh! the blessedness of this covenant! Well might David, when he was brought into it, exult and say, "This is all my salvation, and all my desire!" And some have looked at the banqueting-house, and thought it meant the church, the house of God; for here all the blessings of the covenant are given to the guests which Jesus brings into it. And here again we find, that they who are blessed with a place in God’s house are so delighted, as to resolve to go out no more. "Here would I dwell (is the language that expresseth the sentiment of all): this is my rest for ever; here will I dwell, for I have a delight therein," Psalms 132:14. And some have looked at the banqueting-house of the Lord Jesus, and considered, that it is the blessed "word of God, the scriptures, of truth." And certain it is, that" they contain the words of eternal life;" and open every day, and all the’ day, an everlasting supply to banquet the hungry soul, and to satiate the sorrowful soul. One, who could not be mistaken, said, when he had been feeding upon the rich things contained in it, "Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart," Jeremiah 15:16. And another, not less taught, cried out in a transport," O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day," Psalms 119:9. But I see no reason why the whole may not be considered as the banqueting, house of Jesus. For when, by the sweet influences of his Spirit, he hath brought his redeemed into a heart-felt enjoyment of an interest in his covenant, his church, and scriptures, every word, ordinance, and means of grace, with all the promises, are the inheritance of his people. Pause, my soul, and inquire, whether the Lord Jesus hath thus brought thee in? Art thou acquainted with his banqueting-house, and convinced that none but Jesus could bring thee in? It is a solemn thought! Man may attend the church, may read the scriptures, follow ordinances; yea, go to the Lord’s table; but unless Jesus, by his Holy Spirit, lead the sinner there, meets him there, and blesseth him there, to what purpose will be the going? Look to it, my soul, that thy visits are by the Lord’s invitation, and thy welcome from him; yea, that he leads thee by the hand, meets thee, and blesseth thee; sets his banner over thee of love, and bids thee partake largely in the riches of his grace and salvation, in those well known words of thy Lord: "Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved."
