Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: March 16th

I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help.- Psalms 121:1.

The most comforting subject to a spiritual mind, the most delightful object to a spiritual eye, is "God in Christ, reconciled to us, not imputing trespasses unto us." The hills afford us a pleasing idea of Jesus. As they are elevated parts of the same earth with the lowest valley, so Jesus "was found in the fashion as a man, took on him the same nature, and was in all things like unto his brethren, sin only excepted." Wherefore "God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name,"- Philippians 2:9, even the precious name JESUS, the Saviour. We can never dwell too much upon the human form and humble appearance of Jesus, while we entertain the most exalted ideas of his eternal power and Godhead. "He bore our sins, and carried our sorrows;" all our help is laid upon him; all our hope is in him; and our help cometh from him. And for the encouragement of faith, his word assures us of his love towards sinners, and his power to help them.

Soldiers of Christ, what is your chief business on earth but to glorify God? What your daily work, but "to fight the good fight of faith, and to lay hold on eternal life?" This is our calling; the light of another day is vouchsafed us. But whither can we turn our eyes, but enemies surround us on every side? Yea, from within as well as from without. And can we experience safety, or walk in comfort, but while our eyes are up to Jesus? He is entered into heaven "to appear in the presence of God for us."- Hebrews 9:24. He says to us, "LOOK UNTO ME, and be ye saved."- Isaiah 45:22.

The sight of sin that dwelleth in us causeth dejection; looking to our own righteousness and fancied excellence, begets pride and vain confidence; the power and subtlety of that malicious spirit, "the prince of the power of the air," is enough to make one tremble. This present evil world, with its honors, profits and pleasures, is exactly suited to our carnal nature. Who can withstand its smiles, renounce its carnal children, and bear their reproaches? Who is proof against these potent adversaries? Verily, with all knowledge received, all inherent grace, all past experience, we shall not be able to stand if we are not continually lifting up our eyes "looking to Jesus;" he only is our present help. We are kept by his mighty power to salvation; but let us remember it is through Christ’s exalting FAITH.- 1 Peter 1:5.

To heav’n I lift my waiting eyes;

There all my hopes are laid.

The Lord that built the earth and skies,

Is my perpetual aid.

Dear Saviour, let me find thy help,

On thee my hope I place,

So shall I fight the fight of faith,

And run with joy my race.

Perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1.

Who are thus exhorted? saints in Christ. What for? To labour to get perfect holiness, to obtain the favour of God? No: they are already perfectly justified in his sight, and sanctified to his glory. But some reject this: they legalize the gospel, (if I may so speak) under a specious shew for holiness, as though that was to procure more for us from God, than the blood and righteousness of his dear Son. This is aiming to perfect holiness, in ignorance and unbelief: this eclipses the glory of Christ’s work for us, inverts the order of gospel economy, and brings perplexity and distress upon God’s children. For, this is the glory of the gospel,-that moment a sinner is justified by the faith of Christ, he is sanctified by the Spirit of Christ. Our title to heaven, and our meetness for glory, come together by the same rich grace: being brought into the sense of God’s favour, we have also suitable dispositions to enjoy him. What then? Are we to be idle in the Christian life; to live and walk according to the course of this world, fulfilling our carnal lusts? No: those who do, have no reason to think they possess a holy faith in a holy Jesus, or that a holy God is their Father in Christ. Saint of God, thou art called to perfect holiness in the fear of God. (1st.) How is this to be done? by living a life of faith on the Son of God, who came to destroy the works of sin and Satan, and to conform us to the image of God. We are daily to look to Christ, to be made sanctification in us, as well as righteousness to us. We have daily sins to be subdued, graces to be exercised, and duties to be performed. Only the grace of Christ is sufficient for us; and by that we are enabled to go on, perfecting holiness. It is a constant, progressive work. No one is perfect in holiness. Every saint is going on perfecting it, to the end of his life, in the holy, loving fear of the Lord. (2d.) Why is this to be done? It is our calling: we must follow it as our daily employ. The more holiness from Christ, the more happiness with him. It brings honour and glory to Christ: it proves that his religion is of a holy nature; that we possess a holy faith; and that it works by the love of Christ, in holy love to him. So it puts to silence the ignorance of foolish men, by living down their carnal objection, That the doctrine of absolute, unconditional salvation leads to licentiousness. Yet, (3d.) here is no room for legal boasting of our holiness. For “the Lord worketh in us both to will and to do of his own good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13.) In all that we are and do, we are to follow after holiness. “Holiness to the Lord shall be upon the bells of the horses.” Zechariah 14:20.

Lord, daily teach me, more and more,

The way to joy and bliss,

That all who reach the heav’nly shore,

Must walk in holiness.

O! let thy fear dwell in my heart,

Lest I should thee offend,

And from thy holy ways depart

And hold not to the end.