the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God
Again he limiteth a certain day, saying, To-day, if ye will hear his voice.- Hebrews 4:7.
No marvel, that among other devices of Satan to distress sinners, and cause them to despair of God’s mercies in Christ Jesus, he urges this also, ’Your day of grace is past, the time of your visitation is ended.’ Hence many poor souls have been drove to their wits end. And have not some preachers been so too, who have increased such persons’ fears by speaking in a most unscriptural manner on this point? But such are the effects of human systems, and free-will notions, with their offers of Christ, their proffers of grace. I heard one declare, ’This is the last offer; if it is not now accepted, eternal damnation will be the inevitable consequence.’ Does thus preaching hell and damnation make converts to Jesus? From such harsh, unwarrantable declarations, these unscriptural conclusions have been drawn by sensible sinners, ’that they have withstood the offers of mercy, and their day of grace is for ever ended; and that there is no place for repentance, though they seek it carefully with tears.’
Most injurious thoughts of a God of love! most dishonorable thoughts of precious Jesus! Never was any sensible sinner half so willing to be saved from wrath as Jesus was to suffer wrath for sinners. Never was any weary, heavy-laden sinner, half so willing to come to Jesus as he is to receive him. "The Lord is long-suffering, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."- 2 Peter 3:9. Therefore he hath limited a certain day; the day of gospel-light and salvation; the day of glad tidings to poor sinners. In the day of his power, his people are made willing to trust to Jesus’ blood and righteousness; to come to his feet, claim him as their king, and submit to his laws and government. His voice of grace is first heard in his word: when that is believed in the heart, his voice of love is heard in the soul. While the gospel is proclaimed, God’s arms and heart are open to sinners; the chiefest and vilest sinners out of hell. His word assures, "the elect have obtained, and the rest were blinded."- Romans 11:7 -But who blinds them? Not the God of love. No; "the god of this world blinds the eyes of those that believe not."- 2 Corinthians 4:4 -Who hardens them? Not a God of grace; "but they are hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." O! if any sinner’s heart is soft and yielding to Jesus’ love and salvation, "this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes." How long hath he waited to be gracious to thee! Remember thy past conduct with shame; think on thy present state with gratitude; look forward with hope; hear his voice with joy; come to him with boldness; "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith thou art called."- Ephesians 4:1.
Only believe. Mark 5:36.
A short answer to a case of great distress. A simple recipe from the greatest physician. A grand catholicon, or universal remedy that suits all cases, states, and circumstances, and is seasonable at all times. Look at this history. Look to the author of faith to profit by it. Here is a ruler falls at Christ’s feet, beseeching help for his daughter, who is at the point of death. Jesus went with him. Before he arrives at the house, news is brought that the child is dead. The Lord of life and death forbids the father’s fears. Be not afraid. He encourages his hope: Only believe. Fears are natural to sinners. Faith expels them. Christ restores her to life. Joyful news for us. (1st.) Here is precious encouragement for our faith, in every application to Christ. For, (2d.) here is a marvellous display of his great love, ready will, and almighty power, to help and relieve us. He not only restores at the last gasp, but, when life is departed, recalls it. If your soul is alive to God, you have experienced this. It was dead to sin. Christ quickened you. Now he is your life, how are you to walk and enjoy the comfort of this? Only believe. How many hearts heave with indignation against this doctrine? How many taunt at us? “O you are all for faith-nothing but faith-only believe.” True, we are all for Christ, nothing but Christ, only Christ. And we can enjoy him only by believing. He reproves our slowness of heart to believe, as our greatest folly. (Luke 24:25.) All our comfort flows from faith; all our misery from unbelief. Bring this to a point. Are we groaning under the burden of inbred sin, vexed with sore temptations? Do we feel the accusations of conscience, fear the terrors of a broken law, see the drawn sword of justice in the hand of a sin-avenging God, and tremble at the solemn thoughts of death and judgment? Under all this, what can bring relief to our conscience, hope to our mind, and peace to our soul? Only believe that Christ hath redeemed, justified, and will eternally glorify us. This is death to our fears, and life to our joys. Again, how is the life of holiness maintained? Only believe, that walking in fellowship with Christ infinitely exceeds all the pleasures of sin, the joys of sense, and the happiness of the world. Faith elevates the soul above all this, and causes it to look down with a holy contempt upon it. Faith enjoys Christ, that is heaven in the heart. In this steadfast faith we are to resist Satan, (1 Peter 5:9.) and overcome the world. 1 John 5:4.
“Only believe: Lord, give the pow’r
To look to thee in ev’ry hour,
When sorrow, need, and sore distress,
On our dejected spirits press.
Faith brings all glory to the Lord,
It trusts his pow’r, believes his word:
It lifts dejected spirits up,
When call’d to drink the bitter cup.
