Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: April 20th

God hath chosen us in Christ, before the foundation of the world.- Ephesians 1:4.

So the apostles wrote and preached, to comfort and establish their brethren in the faith of Christ, in the love of God, and in the sanctification of the Spirit unto all true holiness. The election of sinners, by God the Father in Christ Jesus, from all eternity, is the foundation from which all faith and hope spring. If this truth is rejected, the atonement of Jesus is made precarious, the work of the Spirit uncertain, salvation doubtful, faith void, the promise of none effect, and the hope of eternal life is made to depend on the will and power of weak and vile sinners, instead of the grace and truth of God.

But in every age, men of corrupt minds, destitute of the truth, have opposed God’s sovereign grace, everlasting love, and eternal purposes. God hath suffered it, "that those who are approved might be made manifest."- 1 Corinthians 11:19. Humble, self-emptied sinners, who are poor in spirit, and lowly in their own eyes, plainly discern that systems of human pride, schemes of self-confidence, are set up to establish vain hopes and self-righteous pleas, in opposition to the truths of God: "If it were possible to deceive the very elect of God."- Matthew 24:24. But his love towards his children is too great to suffer it. And they do well to take heed to the true light of electing grace and love; which shines with such glory in the person of Jesus, to the comfort of their souls, through the faith of him.

"Beware of men; call no man Rabbi," saith our divine teacher. Yet saith Paul to his son Timothy, "The things which thou hast heard of me, the same commit thou to faithful men; who shall be able to teach others also."- 2 Timothy 2:2. So a standing ministry hath been established, whom God hath sent forth in every age boldly to preach the God-glorifying, soul-humbling, faith-establishing, sin-subduing truths of the gospel. Human compositions, agreeable to God’s truth, are precious; as they are made establishing to the faithful. Thanks to God for those sweet and comfortable words of the 17th article of the established church. Our pious reformers say, ’The godly consideration of predestination, and our election in Christ, is full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort to godly persons, and such as feel in themselves the working of the Spirit of Christ, mortifying the works of the flesh and their earthly members, and drawing up their minds to high and heavenly things. It doth greatly establish and confirm their faith of eternal salvation, to be enjoyed through Christ. It doth fervently kindle their love towards God." Here are blessed scriptural marks of a true Christian: if thou findest them in thine own heart, give God the glory of electing love, and "hold fast this form of sound words in faith and love."- 2 Timothy 1:13.

I have all and abound: I am full. Philippians 4:18.

Happy Paul! infinitely richer than the most opulent monarch under heaven. Ye poor, wretched, covetous, worldlings! whose gold is your god, and who are laboring to add heap to heap-how long? Till ye drop into eternity, die like fools, and forever lose the idol of your hearts? Behold here a man, who has more than ever you possessed. He has ALL: you only obtain a part of what you aim at; you are still in want of more. Rich, happy Paul possesses ALL. “And,” says Paul, “I abound.” Not in want and wish, but in full enjoyment. “I am full.” I can contain no more. He had “the unsearchable riches of Christ” for his portion. His wealth consisted in his mind being contented with that, as his greatest treasure.

O! thou poor, murmuring disciple of Christ, who art often fearing and distrusting, lest thou shouldst want the bread that perisheth for thyself and family; and thou, my soul! who hast often been exercised with this sore temptation, learn a lesson to-night about rich and happy Paul. Of all men in the world, would you expect to hear St. Paul say, “I have all things and abound: I am full”? What! he, who has been in necessities, destitute, in want, in nakedness; who, like his Master, had not where to lay his head; yet for him to say, “I have all and abound: I am full!” O, may the Lord contract our wants! they are most of them more imaginary than real. Lord, enable us to be content with such things as we have! What are they? Come, Christian, count up your riches: look over the deeds of your inheritance: see what vast possessions you are entitled to. Verily, no less than what St. Paul once had by faith, and now enjoys in full possession; even Jesus, the God of his salvation. Christ is all in all. If he dwells in your heart by faith, he filleth all. You have all; you abound in all; you are full of all. The flesh may lust for more. The spirit must be quite satisfied with HIM. “For all things are yours; and ye are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” (1 Corinthians 3:23.) Learn hence, the use and blessedness of your faith: it brings the unsearchable riches of Christ into your hearts. When flesh and sense require to be gratified, here is the work of faith, “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Romans 13:14.

Jesus, thou art all my treasure:

When fill’d with thee, I want no more:

This is still my greatest pleasure,

To glory in my heav’nly store.

Come, come, my Lord! O sweetly come,

And take possession of my heart:

Then, other lovers find no room;

Thou, only thou, my portion art.