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Daily Devotionals
Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God
Devotional: February 22nd

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Morning Devotional

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.- Psalms 42:11.

We are not to expect the sunshine of joy all the way through this vale of tears. Comfortable frames and joyful feelings, though sweet and delightful, are not always so profitable to the soul. Were we always on the mount of joy, alas, we should forget we are strangers and pilgrims on the earth; but should be for building tabernacles of rest in a polluted place; and cry out with the highly-favored disciples, "It is good for us to be here; but they knew not what they said."- Luke 9:33. It is the glory of a Christian to live by faith on Jesus; to judge of his Saviour’s love from the word of truth, more than by sense and feeling; yea under dejection and disquiet of soul, then to hope and trust in God, to check and rebuke one’s self for doubts and diffidence; this is truly the exercise of faith. Faith supports the soul, and lifts it above the determinations of carnal reason and the suggestions of sense. The believer is to abide steadily by the word of truth, though in heaviness for a season; being persuaded that shortly he shall rejoice in and praise God, even for this gloomy dispensation; concluding from the word of God’s grace and faithfulness, "Jehovah Jesus is the health of my countenance, and my God." This is the very joy of faith. Such the sweet experience of David. Mark the frequent declarations to this purpose in the 42d and 43d- Psalms. The Holy Ghost hath recorded these for our instruction.

Disciple, it is well for thee to learn wisdom hereby. Thy frame may vary; the foundation of God’s love standeth sure; his promises cannot fail; the word of truth, yea the oath of Jehovah, are engaged for the salvation of all who "have fled to Jesus for refuge." Thou mayest meet with many things, from within and without, to cast down thy soul, to distress and disquiet thee; but thou art called to look to Jesus, not to stagger at the promises through unbelief; but, like the father of the faithful, "against hope to believe in hope;" not to consider thine own corrupt nature, its lustings to evil, its enmity to grace, so as to give up thy hope. There is ever cause of humility, but no reason for casting away thy confidence in Jesus in and under thy worst frames. Though thou sinkest to hell, in the view of thy deserts, yet through the righteousness of Jesus, life and salvation are procured for the hell-deserving. Encourage thy soul to hope in him, so shall thou praise and glorify him. "I will bless the Lord at ALL TIMES, his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Why so? "Because my soul shall make her boast in the Lord."- Psalms 34:1-2.

Evening Devotional

Hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the spirit which he hath given us. 1 John 3:24.

“ That the soul be without knowledge, is not good.” (Proverbs 19:22.) What knowledge is to be compared with the excellency of the knowledge of Christ? All other will perish. But, “this is life eternal.” (; John 17:3.) “For he is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20.) Does he abide in us? Could we possess the whole world without this, we should only grasp a phantom. We might as well seek to fill our belly, and satisfy our hunger with the east wind, as be happy without Christ abiding in us. (1st.) What is implied in this? We know what it is to receive and entertain a friend in our dwelling. According to our love to him, and delight in him, so we treat him. Love will set the best things before him, give him the pre-eminence in all things, and accommodate him with the best room in our house. Yea, love is jealous, lest all things should not please, and will apologize. Now, is it so between Christ and our souls? have we received him, as the best and dearest friend, into our hearts? Do we welcome him, delight in him, invite his stay, entreat him to forgive what he sees amiss in our poor accommodation? Then, he abideth in us. But, (2d.) Can any one know and be sure that Christ abideth in him? Yes, blessed be God! this is not confined to the first age of Christianity; not limited to the apostles only: but it is the precious privilege of every believer in Christ: for it is our comfort, that, Jesus being glorified, the Spirit is given to all his redeemed, to testify of him. See (3d.) This knowledge is, by the Spirit which he hath given us. Take heed and beware that you do not grieve the Spirit, by ascribing that as common to nature, which can only be effected by His grace. Do you see, and know, and feel yourself to be a poor miserable sinner, from day to day? Is sin the grief of your soul, and the burden of your body? Do you delight in the sound of the gospel, and in the precious name of the Saviour of sinners? Is he the hope of your soul, the trust of your heart, and the joy of your mind? Do you desire his company, love his presence, and delight in his work of salvation? Were he now to appear to you in person, and ask, What is the one wish of thy soul? Ask, it shall be done unto thee. Could you reply, Lord, that I may know thee as my own dear Saviour from sin and damnation, into holiness and salvation? Is it so? Who gave thee this spirit? not Satan. It springs not in the garden of nature: it is from the Spirit of Christ. You may truly say, “I know Christ abideth in me, by the Spirit which he has given me.” (; 1 John 3:23.)

The Spirit make known

What Jesus hath done;

By faith we it own,

And choose him, and glory on him alone.

The Spirit we praise,

Who, in these last days,

Affections doth raise,

Jesus to love, & to live on his grace.

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