Lectionary Calendar
Friday, March 29th, 2024
Good Friday
There are 2 days til Easter!
Attention!
For 10¢ a day you can enjoy StudyLight.org ads
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!

Daily Devotionals
Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God
Devotional: March 21st

Resource Toolbox
Morning Devotional

Ye are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.- 1 Corinthians 3:23.

St. Paul ransacks heaven and earth, time and eternity, to make up the Christian’s rich catalogue of mercies. But, as though the utmost stretch of thought, of men or angels, might omit some part of the believer’s treasure; and lest any thing should be found wanting for support and comfort to any needy soul, he twice repeats "ALL THINGS ARE YOURS."

Believer, wouldst thou know thy title? Wouldst thou enquire, Whence is it the Lord should consign such innumerable blessings, such infinitely rich mercies to us? Whereas one thing we know, we feel daily we are sinners to this very hour. And will not this prevent the right to possession, and the freedom of enjoyment? No: justice and wisdom conspire to take away this and every objection. The medium of communication is such, that neither reason, law, nor equity can gainsay.

Dwell on this point; look up to the Spirit of truth, to establish faith, strengthen hope, increase love, and promote joy. "Ye are Christ’s," by special gift; his dear purchase, and his precious reward. "We have all in him by rich love, peculiar grace, free gift, and precious promises. Precious faith is the blessed evidence of interest and propriety in this blessed inventory. But how came faith? From hearing the word of God. From whom came the word? By the Spirit of truth, who also gives faith. Why is the Spirit given? Because Jesus is glorified. Wherefore came Jesus to seek and save the lost? The Father loved us, and gave his Son for us. Why did the Father love us? It was "the good pleasure of his will, according to which he chose us, in Christ Jesus, before the foundation of the world; predestinated us to the adoption of children, and blessed us with all spiritual blessings in him."- Ephesians 1:3-5. Hence, O believer, how clear thy title! how certain thy possession! "Christ is God’s," God’s beloved Son; so art thou in him. Christ is God’s gift for thee, God’s gift to thee, and thou to him. Thou enjoyest all in him, and receivest all from him. Canst thou ever want food for faith, a source of love, a fountain of holiness, or a spring of consolation? What have we done, or what could we do to get an interest in Christ, or procure a right to such heavenly treasures? Verily we have done enough to forfeit, but nothing to deserve them. Know this and be humbled; consider this and be joyful in love: "All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ."- 2 Corinthians 5:18.

I claim my title in my Head,

Faith is my evidence.

All things are mine, for I am Christ’s,

Howe’er oppos’d by sense.

How blessed is my present state?

Immensely rich am I:

Christ is my life-death is my gain;

I soon shall reign on high.

Evening Devotional

And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? 2 Samuel 9:8.

Old love cannot be forgotten: it makes such deep, and leaves such lasting impressions on the mind, which time itself cannot efface. This was verified in David and Jonathan. The latter is dead; yet love to his memory lives in David’s heart. Hence, he enquires after the remains of his family, to shew kindness unto them. Mephibosheth, the lame son of Jonathan, is introduced to the king: he thus expresses the affection of his royal heart to him, “Fear not; I will surely shew kindness to thee, for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father, and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.” Had any of David’s subjects a right to arraign, and call him to an account, for this sovereign act of favour? Which of them would dare to say unto him, What doest thou? But yet proud hearts rise with indignation, and utter their horrid speeches, against the sovereign Lord of heaven and earth, for dispensing his free favour and rich grace, which he owes to none, to whom he pleases. See how Mephibosheth is affected. Struck with astonishment, he bows with humility, and rates himself a dead dog! totally undeserving such signal favours. Generous love, in freely bestowing unmerited mercies, sinks reflecting minds into deep humility and self-abasement. O that God’s free grace to us in Jesus, may so affect us! Did such love dwell in David’s heart to all who belonged to Jonathan? Then, (1st.) here is a picture of the everlasting, infinite, and immutable love of God to all who belong to Jesus. Jonathan signifies, the gift of the Lord: this, Christ is to us. (2d.) Did David inquire after them? so God sends his Spirit, to seek us. “Thou shalt be called, sought out.” (Isaiah 62:12.) (3d.) Was Mephibosheth lame in his feet? we are so crippled by sin, that we cannot run the way of God’s commandments. Yet, (4th.) says David, “Fear not:” so saith our God, “Fear not; I have called thee by thy name,”-a sinner. (Isaiah 43:1.) (5th.) Says David, “I will surely shew kindness to thee:” “With everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:8.) (6th.) “I will restore thee all thy father’s land:” “it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (7th.) “Thou shalt eat bread continually:” we are appointed to eat bread at our Lord’s table in his kingdom. (Luke 22:29-30.) (8th.) Why is all this? “For Jonathan thy father’s sake.” O, sinner! be it known unto thee, all these favours, in time and to eternity, are bestowed upon thee for Jesus, the Son of God’s sake, only. Now, what say you to all this? Will you not fall down and own, I am as a dead dog, and deserve to be as a damned devil? “But grace reigns.” (Romans 5:21.)

Subscribe …
Get the latest devotional delivered straight to your inbox every week by signing up for the "Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God" subscription list. Simply provide your email address below, click on "Subscribe!", and you'll receive a confirmation email from us. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your subscription to this list.
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile