Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: March 7th

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.- Psalms 5:3.

In the Lord we all live, move, and have our being; therefore it is the indispensable duty of all men to call upon the name of the Lord in prayer. But what is a duty from nature and reason, is esteemed a rich privilege, an inestimable blessing, by the children of grace. The pouring-out of the Spirit of grace and supplication, is one of those spiritual blessings wherewith they are blessed in Christ Jesus. In the exercise of this, saints in all ages have experienced sweet fellowship and communion with God, and have been indulged with many mercies which they sought for from him. "And this is the confidence that we have in Jesus, that if we ask ANY THING according to his will, he heareth us."- 1 John 5:14.

This duty seems to be the first employ of David’s heart. He began the day in prayer: as soon as his eyes were favored with the morning light, he directed them to look up unto the Lord: after his tongue had been locked up in silent sleep, the first sound of his voice breaks forth in address to his God. Why is this holy man’s practice recorded? Doubtless it was written for our instruction; to remind us that it is sweet to begin the day with God. Better to go from a throne of grace into the business of life, than after worldly concerns have intruded on our minds. Wisest to seek and serve our best friend first. But is not this an affecting truth? Though a throne of grace is ever accessible; though believers are always acceptable thereto in Christ; though we have the greatest encouragements to draw nigh to God; though we have so many strong corruptions, powerful lusts, and sinful passions, ever ready to break out, yet that we should be so often beset with backwardness to prayer! May we not justly charge many of the slips and miscarriages, sins and failings, the breakings forth of our unholy tempers, to the neglect of this duty? How carefully oughtest thou, O soul, to begin the day with seeking the power of the spirit to enable thee to mortify thy sins, and to live unto God. Thou complainest of deadness and barrenness of soul; who can enliven and make thee fruitful but the dear Lord whom thou neglectest to cry unto? If thine outward walk is a reproach unto thee, if the peace of thy mind is frequently ruffled and disturbed through want of peace and power from Jesus, doth not thy closet testify against thee, as too much neglected? May not this accusation be justly charged upon us? "Ye have not, because ye ask not."- James 4:2. But our beloved invites; his command is for our blessing. "Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."- John 16:24.

O visit me with thy salvation. Psalms 106:4.

There is no good obtained by paying trifling visits, and receiving trifling visitors. The soul that is alive to God, will refrain from such an impertinent way of sacrificing its time. “Christ hath redeemed us from our vain conversation.” (1 Peter 1:18.) Our grand business is, to be looking at, glorying in, and talking of his righteousness, and his salvation all the day long. This was David’s practice. If we followed it more, we too should say with him, “My lips shall greatly rejoice, and my soul which thou hast redeemed.” (Psalms 71:23.) As our joy in Jesus increases, carnal, impertinent acquaintance will forsake us. Here is the cry of a convinced sinner, of a truly gracious heart, O visit me with thy salvation. This is a blessed frame of soul. Lord help us to consider it, and animate us to live to thee. Here is spiritual sight, and spiritual feeling. What is a Christian without these? Truly sunk into a state of dead formality. (1st.) Spiritual sight. The poor sinner sees himself totally ruined, and must be eternally miserable, for any thing he can do to save himself. Sin has destroyed him, and the law of God curses him. But he sees that Christ has perfectly fulfilled the law, suffered its curse, and eternally satisfied inexorable justice. Thus is salvation finished. In the firm belief of this he prays, visit me, even me, a desperate sinner in myself, with the joys and comforts of thy salvation. O Jesus, I cannot be content with hearing of salvation, with seeing it is for sinners, with believing it is everlastingly finished for them, without tasting the joys, and feeding upon the comforts of it in my own soul. For, (2d.) Here is spiritual feeling. Laugh on, deride as you please, ye unquickened multitude, at the bitter, sweet feelings of living souls. We feel our misery as sinners- we groan being burdened with a body of sin and death-we cry out, O wretched that we are, who shall deliver us? But blessed be God, that prayer of the Church of England, at the Visitation of the Sick, is answered upon us: “We know and feel that there is none other name under heaven, given to men, in whom, and through whom, we may receive health and salvation, but only the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is the sweet feeling of faith. Therefore in faith we cry, visit me, miserable me, with thy salvation, Lord Jesus. Make me to feel the peace of God, which passeth all understanding. O shed the love of God abroad in my heart. The Lord keep our souls in this believing, praying, loving, feeling frame below, till we come to full fruition above, rejoicing that we are made “wise unto salvation.” (2 Timothy 3:15.)

In the firm faith of sacred truth,

O may I e’er abide,

Expecting God’s refreshing love,

Tho’ foes do me deride.

The precious visits of thy grace,

Grant me, dear Lord, to prove

In this forlorn and wretched state,

To fit me for above.