Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: March 23rd

Jesus said, One thing is needful.- Luke 10:42.

The disposition and carriage of the sisters, Martha and Mary, much resemble the different desires and actings of the flesh and spirit, of which every Christian is composed. The flesh, like Martha, is careful and troubled about many things: it is ever restless and uneasy; always in want; seldom satisfied; never truly happy. But the spirit hath chose that good part, that one thing needful: it is truly wise in its choice, quite satisfied in its object, and truly happy in its enjoyment.

Thus it is while the Christian is under the prevailing influence of this ONE THING NEEDFUL. One thing, the enjoyment of God, was our first parents’ paradise. A thirst after, and enjoyment of two things (the knowledge of evil as well as good) caused all their woe, and made them miserable: and it is the knowledge of the former which keeps all their posterity under the sad circumstances they are fallen into, till they are brought to know the one thing needful. What is this but the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? This was the great apostle’s continual prayer, "That I may know HIM." This was what Mary was happy in the enjoyment of, and what our Lord himself commends her for, and calls that good part, which shall never be taken away.

This one thing comprehends all wisdom, holiness, and happiness. To know Jesus, is to believe in him. To believe on him, is to love him; and to love him, is to keep his commandments. In every station, in all seasons, and under every circumstance, this one thing, this knowledge of Jesus, is ever needful, ever seasonable. Doth the Christian enjoy health? This knowledge joins to health of body, peace and joy of soul. Is he in sickness? To know Jesus is the richest cordial, the most reviving draught to his soul. Is he tempted? What consolation is it to know Jesus was in all things tempted, that he might succour the tempted? Doth sin distress? Doth the law condemn? O, the soul who knows Jesus, can boldly challenge, "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect?" He can confidently declare, "there is no condemnation to them." Does death, the king of terrors, affright him? By the knowledge of Jesus he is disarmed of his strength and sting; which is the law and sin. So that, O soul, thou mayest take up this triumphant challenge against the last enemy, "O death, where is thy sting! O grave, where is thy victory!" I have all things, and abound in this one thing; I have Christ my Saviour found.

On earth we want the sight

Of our Redeemer’s face,

Yet, Lord, our inmost thoughts delight

To dwell upon thy grace.

And when we taste thy love,

Our joys divinely grow

Unspeakable, like those above,

And heav’n begins below.

Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Psalms 51:8.

Of all the sad consequences of sin, good Lord! deliver us from Antinomian licentiousness; which consists in being so hardened by the deceitfulness of sin, as to make light of it. Though David had been awfully licentious in his practice, yet we see the grace of the saint shine forth, in his brokenness of heart, sorrow of soul, and contrition of spirit for his sins. Never quote David’s dreadful fall, without his deep, soul-afflicted, heart-broken, sorrow and repentance. Never think of one without the other; lest you think slightly of the most cursed evil of evils, willful sin against a gracious God. O! who can tell the horrors of soul, and terrors of conscience, David felt, when he uttered these words? Consider them, O my soul! The Lord make sin more dreadful to thy view, and hateful in thy sight. (1st.) Spiritual joy and gladness of soul in the Lord had forsaken him. What had the gratifying his cursed lusts and vile passions brought upon him? A guilty conscience, a heavy heart, and a disconsolate soul; the Spirit of peace and joy was grieved at his conduct, and withdrawn from his soul. Satan, the tempter, was now his accuser; the ghost of Uriah appeared to his mind: the thought of Bathsheba brought hell into his conscience. All within was terror; all around, distress; and all above, horror. But the Lord had not given him up to a reprobate mind. He convinced him of sin; and, by grace, broke his heart for it. Hence, behold! he prayed. O! were it possible to have recalled the cursed, hellish lust and bloody deed, he would rather have parted with his crown and kingdom, than ever have committed them. What would he now give, to hear the joy of pardon from God, to make glad his soul? For, (2d.) He complains of broken bones. Who can describe the agony of mind he now felt? A broken bone must be extremely painful: but he seems to feel, as though all the bones in his body were broken. Lord, deliver us from sin, which caused it! But why does he ascribe their being broken to God? Did not his fall cause it? Yes: but he lay many months (as it were) stupefied by his fall, and insensible of his hurt. But God convinced him of his sins, and quickened him to feel pain. O, ye fools! who make a mock of sin, see! God breaks the bones even of his beloved saints for it. Better to groan with broken bones on earth, than under damnation in hell. O! think of David’s pains and groans, under a sense of sin. Remember Peter went out and wept bitterly for sin. See, hence, the exceeding sinfulness of sin: but forget not the Saviour, “whose precious blood cleanseth from all sin.” (1 John 1:7.)

Against thee, Lord, I sinned have,

And brought distress upon my soul:

O! let me for thy mercy crave,

To heal my soul, and make me whole.