Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: May 8th

I find then a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me.- Romans 7:21.

The heathens in their sacrifices were wont to cry out, ’Keep at a distance, O ye profane:’ but they withheld not their offerings, lest the unhallowed should be the more polluted, or their sacrifices be defiled by them. For the godly consolation, edification, and establishment of sanctified souls, it seemed meet for the spirit of wisdom that the apostle Paul should leave his experience in this epistle to the Romans. Here he confesses himself a poor sinner, yet a holy and happy believer in Jesus. Hereby to many precious souls Jesus hath been made more infinitely precious, while sin has been viewed as more exceeding sinful, and themselves made to sink lower in humility at the feet of sovereign grace. Let those who dare advert to this blessed testimony for contrary purposes, remember the judge is at the door. Shortly they must account, if they turn the food of God’s word to the poison of their own souls.

Fools make a mock of sin, while godly souls groan under the burden of indwelling corruption. The former’s conduct is an awful proof of their state. The sorrows of the latter is a certain evidence of the spiritual life and sanctification of their souls, being born again of the Spirit; to do good is the delight of their hearts. Being living members of Jesus by faith, they love conformity to their head; being sons of God by adoption, it is their joy to love, obey, and please their heavenly Father in all things. Perfection in holiness they aspire after; entire freedom from sin they comfortably hope for: but the God of truth will not suffer his own elect to be deceived, and to think themselves what they are not, nor ever will be in the flesh, perfectly freed from sin; for the old man, with his affections and lusts, is ever near, ever present with them. "In their flesh dwells no good thing," nor ever will; they are not to expect any good from it; it lusts only to evil continually; their best thoughts are often interrupted and diverted, their most holy desires are often damped and discouraged, their best actions are seldom, if ever, free from the bold intrusion of unwelcome guests from the world, flesh, and the Devil. ’I would be wholly devoted to the Lord, saith the gracious soul; all my powers and faculties, time and talents, all that I possess and enjoy, would I wholly (as assisted) freely and willingly dedicate in love to Jesus.’ Scarce the pleasing thought is conceived, but the evil of pride injects. What a rare name will this acquire me! how shall I be admired, and shine as somebody in the Christian world! O this sinks the Christian with shame, and causes him to hide his head with holy blushing. But let not this discourage thee. Paul abated nothing of his zeal for God’s glory and doing good, because of this. Follow his steps. "Trust in the Lord and do good."- Psalms 37:3.

And take the helmet of salvation. Ephesians 6:17.

It is excellently said, “Resolve for hardships, or lay down thine arms. Few come at the beat of Christ’s drum to his standard. Many that list by external profession under him, after a while drop away and leave his colors It is suffering work they are sick of. Many men are more tender of their skin than of their conscience. They had rather the gospel had provided armor to defend their bodies from death and danger, than their souls from sin and Satan.” Gurnal’s Christian Armour.-All this is, because they have not on the helmet of salvation. What is this? “For an helmet, the hope of salvation.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8.) Do not all naturally hope to be saved? Yes, some in one way, and some in another. But all natural hopes are false hopes.

Therefore they die and perish. But this helmet is a supernatural and divine hope. All men have not faith. Therefore they have not Christ, who is the helmet of hope. “The Lord Jesus is our hope.” (1 Timothy 1:1.) We have received him into our hearts by faith. He is the only hope of our souls. Now soldier, you are daily, and every day, to take and put on this precious helmet of salvation, that you may lift up your head in every day of battle. Ever lay this down as a fixed maxim in your heart, whatever grace the Spirit works in you, hope, love, etc. it is, that you should exalt Christ the Lord of all grace, out of whose fulness you receive grace for grace. Mind this. You are not to live upon hope as a grace within you; but to take Christ, all that he is to you, and has done for you, as the object of your hope, and the helmet of your salvation. Many are apt to look more to, and trust more in graces in themselves, than Christ giving himself for them. The Spirit does nothing in us to glorify us, but to glorify Jesus, to endear him to us, and that we should glory more and more of him, and in him. Take this helmet, for this keeps hope alive in the heart. It is of continual use to us. We are in perpetual danger. It defends the head. It makes the heart happy. Inspires with courage. Fortifies the mind, and purifies the life.

No wonder then the enemy strives to rob us of the comfort of hope. No marvel, the Spirit, the Comforter, commands us to take, put on, and keep on, this blessed helmet of salvation, the work of Christ, which is our finished salvation. In that we stand perfect and complete, in the will of God. This will guard our heads against corrupt doctrines, and give courage to our hearts in the heat of battle, against affliction and distress. “Hope thou in God.” Psalms 42:5.

In thy salvation, O my Lord,

May I ever stand complete;

‘Tis this doth peace and joy afford,

This is my only helmet.

This helmet doth my head defend,

From all deceit and error:

Gives courage to my heart and hand,

‘Gainst Satan’s rage and terror.