Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: January 19th

If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.- John 8:31.

As mutual love subsists between Jesus and his believing members, so there is a mutual choice of each other. Hence, saith the church, "I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine."- Song of Solomon 6:3. So also there is a mutual inhabitation; every believer dwells in Christ, and Christ in him. This matter is only comfortably experienced by continuing in the truth. For "whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God; he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son."- 2 John 1:9. Many profess to be disciples of Jesus in name. But what profit is this? If souls have not been sick of sin, alas, Jesus will be a physician of no value to them. If souls have not seen themselves lost, their state accursed, and their case hopeless and desperate, so that none but Jesus can restore and save them, they will but lightly esteem our Saviour. However precious Jesus is to others, he will be but little regarded by them. They may profess his word, but not being his disciples indeed, they will not continue long; they will only follow him for a season. Ah, poor souls, how soon are they offended? Little things put them to a stand. Trifles turn them back. Temptations and trials prove what they are. Other objects engage their affections, and they presently fall quite away, and follow the Lamb no more.

Continuance in the truth is the touchstone of faith: thus only is it evidenced. Disciple, remember, "if thou comest to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation,"-Ecclesiastes 2-so surely as thou art a disciple in deed and in truth, thou must become a crucified servant of a crucified Lord. As thou hopest for the comforts of faith, so expect the trials of faith, and the exercise of patience. Thou must abide the tribulations of Jesu’s word, as well as its consolations. The master deceives none. He tells us what we are to expect; every thing grievous to flesh and blood. But blessed be his gracious name and precious love, he hath bid us "fear not," and hath given us the most comfortable assurances. "I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters (of affliction) I will be with thee; and through the rivers (deep and overwhelming distress) they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire (fiery darts of Satan, hot temptations within, and burning malice of men without) thou shalt not be burnt; (like the burning bush, thou shalt not be consumed) neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." (Thou shalt be fireproof.) Why all this safety in the midst of such danger? Most joyful reason! "For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour."- Isaiah 43:1-3.

The very hairs of your head are all numbered. Matthew 10:30.

I never can understand this, says carnal reason. Therefore, reject it, says human pride. What didst thou ever gain, O Christian! by indulging carnal reasonings, or giving way to human pride? Verily, many a sad hour, many an uncomfortable frame. O, how happy doth simple faith make the heart! It receives every word which the Lord speaks, and draws comfort from it. It serves carnal reason and pride, as David did his ten concubines: he put them in a ward, and shut them up, to the day of their death. (2 Samuel 20:3.) For verily, they are like the spies which Moses sent out, “who brought up an evil report of the land.” (Numbers 13:32.) Therefore, listen not to their suggestions. Our Lord never spoke a word as a subject for thy curious speculations; but, that thou shouldest humbly believe it, exercise thy believing mind upon it, and derive peace and comfort from it. Our Lord had been telling his disciples some things, which were very disagreeable to flesh and blood: that they were as sheep among wolves- would be hated of all men for his name’s sake, and persecuted. Yet, says he, fear not them, who can only kill the body: they cannot touch the soul. But what disciple is there, who is not subject to fear the wrath of man? Fear of being hurt, is natural to us all. What can deliver a man from, and set him above this fear? Nothing but the power of faith. Here is the Lord’s word. “The very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Now, you are brought to the suburbs of comfort. Believe, and enter into it. If every, the most minute excrescence of my body, lies open to my heavenly Father’s eye; if not one of them fall to the ground, without His permission-then, carnal reason, avaunt! fears, be gone. Men and devils, do your worst. My loving Father stands between your wrath and my soul. I am safe, while Omnipotence lives, and everlasting love changes not. Ah! but, when I think of the hairs of my head, I think of my sins. If the former are numbered, the latter are recorded; and they are more in number than the very hairs of my head; therefore, my heart faileth (Psalms 40:12.) Then, let sense and reason be subject to faith. Hear and rejoice at what thy Lord saith: “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions; and as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me, for I have redeemed thee.” (Isaiah 44:22.)

Still will, my God I leave my cause,

And trust his promised grace:

He rules me, by his well known laws

Of love and righteousness.

Not all the pains that e’er I bore,

Shall spoil my future peace;

For death and hell can do no more,

Than what my Father please!