Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: April 27th

Then had the churches rest and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.- Acts 9:31.

The form of godliness without the power, is sufficient to make men saints, good church-men, honest souls in the eyes of the carnal world. But when, by the power of the Spirit our hearts possess the faith of Jesus, it cannot be hid, but the life of Jesus also will be manifested in our walk and conversation. Then persecution awaits us, the world hates us, their former esteem for and good opinion of us, is changed into hatred and opposition. The word of the Lord must be fulfilled, "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."- 2 Timothy 3:12. This is the lot of every disciple, it is a touchstone of faith; but this is overruled by our master’s wisdom, for his glory and our spiritual advantage. These have proved the most thriving seasons to the church of God, most prosperous to the souls of disciples; then the love of this world has been most purged from the heart, and the closest fellowship with Jesus enjoyed: without adversity our graces wither.

But is the rage and fury of opposers abated? Have we a little more rest and quiet from those, who, at our first conversion to Jesus, vexed and oppressed us? Here a godly jealousy is needful, close examination necessary. Is Jesus still dear to us? Do we keep close to him as the beloved of our souls? Are the promises of God still precious? and do we stand steady against the smiles of the world, preferring Jesus to all? See, mark the blessed connection between edification of the truth, walking in the fear of the Lord, and enjoying the comforts of the Holy Ghost. So the church of old prospered when rest was given them. These things are inseparable. True saving knowledge of Jesus in the heart, ever discovers itself by a holy, loving, filial fear of the Lord in the life. The more we are edified in the faith, this fear increaseth: faith and fear are founded in love, and will be accompanied with the comfort of the Holy Ghost.

But though the churches had rest from persecution, still the members were in the body; Satan was active; afflictions and temptations ceased not. In this, nor they nor we shall ever be exempt in this vale of tears: to endure them, we are taught, is part of our blessedness.- James 1:12. By them we learn many useful lessons of faith, patience, humility, and resignation to the will of God, and are made the more to partake of his holiness; so the Holy Ghost sanctifies them to our profit, and enables us to glorify the Lord our God, being cheerful and confident in Jesus’ promise: "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation."- Revelation 3:10.

That your love may abound yet more and more, in knowledge and in all judgment. Philippians 1:9.

The soul that is not concerned that it may be so with him, is not alive to God. We see many professors, who have lost a warm sense and comfortable feeling of divine truths. But are they deeply concerned for it? Do they earnestly wrestle with God, fervently crying out, O that it were with me as in months past? Alas! no: they say, We are not called to live upon our frames and feelings. Very true: neither, blessed be God! are we called to live without warm frames and comfortable feelings. O, let us beware, lest we despise the comforts of the Holy Ghost! Some professors, by their spirit and conduct, remind us of the fox in the fable, who lost his tail in a trap, and told his brethren he ran so much the lighter without it. So some, having lost their warm and lively feelings, think little about them, and seem to say, they can run well without them. Truly, so they do; but not in the ways of the Lord, but in the ways of the world, of sin, and folly. They awfully take up with other frames and feelings; not of a spiritual, but of a carnal and sensual nature.

O Christian! pity such. Bless the Lord, if he has kept you from thus falling, and that this text is the prayer of your soul. (1st.) “That your love may abound more and more.” To whom? to the God of love; to the Son of his love; to the Spirit who sheds abroad his love; and to the children of his love: yea, with a love of pity to all men. O, this is a most precious frame to live and die in! But, (2d.) how is love to abound? (1st.) “In knowledge.” The more we know and believe the everlasting love of God the Father; the everlasting salvation of God the Son: and the everlasting consolation of God the Spirit, real love is increased to Jehovah and to our brethren in Christ. Do not set love before knowledge: do not think knowledge contrary to love, or that love abounds by ignorance. (2d.) “In all judgment,” or sense and feeling, as in the margin of some bibles. Insensible love, unfelt love is a strange kind of passion. My dear brethren, you who, like me, have warm passions, let us pray God that our love may as sensibly be felt as our anger, and may daily abound over it: yea, over all our sins; over the love of the world; over every enemy to the love of our Christ, and to the glory of our God. “Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind; live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11.

“Tis sweet by faith to know Christ’s love,

As taught us by his sacred word:

‘Tis sweeter still, when from above

We feel its comforts shed abroad.

Lord, make me daily know and feel

Religion’s more than empty name:

‘Tis love and joy unspeakable,

To live by faith upon the Lamb.