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Daily Devotionals
Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God
Devotional: May 17th

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Morning Devotional

So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him (or chase him away).- Isaiah 59:19.

When a poor sinner knows what human nature is, and sees his brethren and companions after the flesh, "living without Christ and without God in the world;" making a mock at sin, and ridiculing the truths and ways of Jesus; and finds his own heart touched with a holy, loving fear of the Lord, then he is ready to cry out, Whence is this? He can only say, ’Grace reigneth; the sun of righteousness hath risen upon me. So Lord, it seemeth good in thy sight-I have not deserved this- thou hast spoken in truth, and fulfilled in faithfulness. So thy word runs, so thy gospel is glorified, free as the sun, powerful as the wind.’ Jehovah’s SHALLS are his people’s triumphs. Here are two most absolute declarations for faith to fix upon and plead, in any hour of Satan’s attack.

For as sure as the fear of the Lord shall be in our hearts, so also shall the enemy oppose us; for if he dare plead with the Saviour, "Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive be delivered?"- Isaiah 49:24. Verily he will follow after his once seized prey, and strive to regain his ransomed captive; yea he will challenge the poor sinner as being his property. One would be ready to ask, Is it not strange that the loving, almighty Saviour suffers the enemy, like a surly dog, to snap and snarl at his dear children, and be ready to tear their victuals out of their hands, and his peace and love out of their hearts? No: it cannot be otherwise in our present state; for we are clothed with an earthly, sensual, devilish nature, to which Satan has easy access.

Humble souls have little reason to complain that they have not known so great a degree of wrath, nor have been terrified with such dreadful apprehensions of hell and damnation as some others. O rather love and praise Jesus, if thy soul is brought to cleave to him in faith, and choose him as thy Saviour and thy all, than wish to have the enemy let loose upon thy soul. But if this is the case, he shall not go beyond the length of his chain; his power is thy Father’s permission; he may terrify with wrath, but it shall issue in love. Yea, though he should, like a powerful deluge, come in and distress with blasphemous injections, horrible thoughts, perplexing fears, and pronounce hell and destruction to be thy doom, even then thou art safe. The Saviour’s power is thy shield. "The Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard."-The Lamb on the cross. In the stedfast faith of this, "resist the Devil, and he will flee from you."- James 4:7.

Evening Devotional

What shall we then say to these things? Romans 8:31.

This is a most disagreeable chapter to free-will, pride, and self-righteous spirits. For it cuts the very sinews of boasting. It lays all sinners upon a level, while it proclaims salvation by sovereign grace. A great Arminian professor was lately honest enough to own, that St. Paul does contend for the doctrines of election and the final perseverance of the saints: but was weak enough to add, “I verily believe he does it in his own spirit.” Such was his answer to these things. But when it pleases the enlightening Spirit, to display the glorious discoveries of the Divine mind, in his eternal purposes of grace and salvation, to lost and wretched sinners, the sin convinced soul is struck with horror and amazement, and cries out, “O the depths of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways are past finding out!” All exceeds my comprehension. I bow to sovereign grace. I rejoice in everlasting love. I glory in the finished salvation of the Son of God. Just so, an officer in the navy whom I visited, when near death, when I laid before him the love of God to sinners, and the salvation of Christ for them, clapping his hand to his breast, in an ecstasy cried out, “Where have I lived, that I never heard these things before? Good God! have I got a soul?”

Come Christians, what have you to say to-night to God’s loving us from eternity-choosing us in Christ, and blessing us with all spiritual blessings in him, before the foundation of the world-redeeming us by Christ, in the fulness of time-calling us to Christ, in the day of his power-pardoning our sins, and justifying us by Christ in the time of love-enabling our hearts to choose Christ, and walk with him in holiness? What shall we say to these things? Say! with our Lord, in sweet submission to his sovereign will, even so, Father, for it seemed good in thy sight. We give thee the glory of all. We welcome these things as the glory of our souls. Glory to thee, O Spirit, for opening our blind eyes to see the glory of them, and humbling our proud hearts to submit to them. But what shall we say, to those who oppose these things? Satan will oppose. Resist him stedfastly in the faith of them. Your carnal reason will oppose. Beg Christ to bring it into captivity to him. Self-righteous men will oppose. Pity them. Treat them with love, consistent with zeal for the truth. Ever remember, who made you to differ?

Base pride and wicked unbelief

Reject thy truths, O Lord!

Hence conscience gets no sweet relief,

No comfort from thy word.

My God, instead of bold replies

Against thy sov’reign grace;

Teach me that here true wisdom lies,

To bow before thy face.

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