the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
The Poor Man's Morning and Evening Portions
November 20—Morning—1 Corinthians 1:29
"Christ the wisdom of God."—l Cor. 1: 29.
Think, my soul, what wisdom is contained in that one word, and that one person, Christ. An whole eternity will not be sufficient to read over the immense volume. Wisdom in planning, wisdom in executing, wisdom in completing the great salvation. And what a world of wisdom, in the two natures united in one person-the God-man, the Glory-man, the Wisdomman, Christ Jesus! And Oh what wisdom, in making sin, which strikes at God’s sovereignty, the very means of manifesting God’s power and love. Such is the wisdom of God in Christ, that sin, which in its nature becomes productive of the greatest dishonour to God, should be rendered subservient to produce the greatest glory. My soul, ponder these things; then ask thyself, is there not a wisdom in this vast subject, as far as it concerns thee, yet more wonderful than all? Yes, for surely the greatest of all mysteries in this wonderful volume, to thy view, is, that thou, even thou, shouldest be made the subject for the exercise of such wisdom, as Christ, the wisdom of God, and the power of God, for thy salvation. And all this even against thy determined resolution to ruin thyself. Well mayest thou join the apostle in his overwhelming song of praise, and cry out, "Oh the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and goodness of God."
November 20—Evening—Luke 19:5
"And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said unto him, Zaccheus, make haste, and come down; for to-day I must abide at thine house."—Luke 19:5.
Precious Jesus! what an instance is here of the freeness, fulness, and sovereignty of thy grace! And was there "a needs be," O Lord, that thou shouldest go to the place where this publican was? "a needs be" to look up and see him? "a needs be" to call him? and "a needs be" to abide at his house? Is this thy manner, O Lord, in calling sinners? So then it was not Zaccheus seeking Jesus, but Jesus seeking Zaccheus. His curiosity, as he thought, led him thither; but it was the prevenient grace of Jesus in the poor man’s heart, that first awakened that curiosity in him. And did Jesus seek Zaccheus, call Zaccheus, incline Zaccheus to receive him, and bring salvation to his heart and house that blessed day? Oh! then for grace to see, and enjoy Jesus in all. Yea, I see, Lord, now, plain enough, that all is thine; and of thine own, all we give is from thee. When first my heart felt inclined to seek Jesus, it was Jesus who inclined my heart to this Christ seeking. Never should I have looked on thee, nor felt an inclination to see thee, hadst thou not first looked on me, and given me that desire. And what it was first, so is it now, in all the after enjoyments of thy sight and of thy presence. If I am at any time looking after thee, I may cry out with Abraham’s handmaid, "Thou, Lord, seest me," and art looking after me. For never, even after all my knowledge of thee, should I look to thee with an eye of desire, except the eye of Jesus glance on me, as it did on Peter, in quickening and awakening grace. Oh! then, thou dear Lord! let me daily, hourly, hear thy voice calling me down from all creature concerns, and creature confidences, to receive my Lord; and be thou constrained by thy love to come, not as the wayfaring man, to tarry but for the night, but to abide, and dwell, and never more depart from me. Be thou my God, and make me thy servant for ever.
