Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: April 16th

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: to him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.- 2 Peter 3:18.

Christian, know thy danger. Thou art ever liable to be led away by the error of the wicked one, to decline from the TRUTH, and to fall away from thy stedfastness in the faith of Jesus. Exhortations warn of this; they tend to quicken stronger exercises of faith and love, as a remedy against this; yea, through the influences of the Spirit they cause new-born souls to grow and increase with the increase of God, just as reviving showers of rain and warm influences of the sun, cause the fruits of the earth to grow. It behoves every follower of the Lamb to consider this; to wrestle with the God of all grace, lest he grow faint in his mind, his hands hang down, and his knees become feeble; but that he "grow strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus." Behold the inseparable connection between grace and Jesus, knowledge and growth. No growth in grace but by the knowledge of Jesus. The more thou growest up in thy HEAD, Christ, the more thou wilt grow out of hope in thyself, out of conceit with thyself, out of the reach of the SELF-RIGHTEOUSLY WICKED.

To know and experience the grace of God in Christ, is the special mercy of poor sinners. To grow in the faith of freegrace truths, and in the knowledge of the love of Jesus, is our richest consolation, our highest joy. Hast thou experienced a little of this special grace? Hast thou tasted that the Lord is gracious? In this consists thy present blessedness, peace, and joy. But, alas! what is thy knowledge and experience, but like a drop of water to the vast ocean. Art thou hungering after more grace, thirsting after greater knowledge of Jesus? Verily, thou shalt be filled-"filled with all the fulness of God." It is the nature of grace, the property of the knowledge of Jesus, to create an insatiable thirst in the soul after deeper experiences of it: hence means of grace will be diligently used, the scriptures, which testify of Jesus, constantly searched, the gospel of grace highly prized, the sincere milk of the word desired, and the influences of the Spirit implored. Why all this? That the soul may grow in the faith and love of Jesus; that the bud of grace may blossom and bear ripe fruit to the glory of God. The smallest knowledge of Jesus shall be increased till the believing babe in Christ comes "in the unity of the faith, and in the knowledge of the Son of God, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ," until faith is turned into sight, hope swallowed up in fruition, and the love of an unseen Jesus on earth shall ripen unto the fullest enjoyment of him in heaven; and all this to the glory of God the Father, who hath "made us accepted in his beloved Son."- Ephesians 1:6.

Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen: let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation. Judges 10:14.

A severe sarcasm from the Lord to apostate sinners! It causes a hell upon earth to a renewed soul, to hear and feel just upbraidings from the Lord of heaven: this is one of his severest chastizings to his children. Here is an awful charge, and a severe reproof: the Lord keeps us clear of the one, that we fall not under the other. Consider, (1st.) the charge: it is idolatry. They had gods of their own choosing. For the Lord’s sake, and for our soul’s sake, let us not think, we are in no danger of falling into this sin! It is committed by professors every day. Aged Paul wept over such. Though they professed Christ, yet they were enemies to his cross: their belly was their god: “Their hearts were set upon earthly things.” (Philippians 3:19.) Such are not content with Christ as their own; to live in fellowship with him: to walk in self-denied love and obedience before him; and to derive all their comfort and happiness from him. The lusts of the flesh they gratify. Earthly things have their hearts. Thus they give up the Lord, and give in to idolatry against him. O! what a most heinous crime is this! how much practiced! how little thought of, deplored, and deprecated! Christians, where are your hearts? Who has your affections-God, the flesh, or the world? If not God, depend on it you will soon, very soon hear from him, in such a way as will be awfully distressing. Consider, (2d.) the reproof. A day of tribulation will come. When sorrow and distress seize on your minds, then God is a blessed refuge. But O! then, to think, ‘Alas! I have forsaken the Lord-have preferred other lovers to him-chosen other gods besides him: the world has had my heart and my hope: I have lived to the flesh: I have minded earthly things, and indulged covetous desires.’ Well, but I read, not withstanding all this, “The children of Israel cried unto the Lord, saying, We have forsaken our God, and served idols.” (verse 10.) Ah! but mind the Lord’s cutting answer: “Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you.” A more severe reproof is scarcely to be found in the Bible. O! lay it to heart. Deeply consider its import. Do not, I pray you, cast away this with contempt, as very legal. For, consider, the Lord, though he, as your Father, may everlastingly love your persons in Christ; yet he hates your conduct, and will make you smart for it in your conscience. True, it is said, “The Lord’s soul was grieved for the misery of his children.” (verse 16.) But, O consider, the great misery they must feel to grieve the soul of the Lord! What a compassionate Saviour is our Christ! “In all our afflictions, he is afflicted.” Isaiah 63:9.