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Daily Devotionals
Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God
Devotional: May 23rd

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Morning Devotional

The Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.- Psalms 84:11.

Vulgar minds have but very contracted ideas of the magnitude of that glorious luminary, the sun. The most knowing of the children of men, form but very inadequate notions of the nature and properties of that grand source of light and heat. We daily see his power and feel his influence. This he incessantly sheds upon the whole creation FREELY. How vain and arrogant would he be deemed, who should pretend he could procure the cheering light and comforting warmth of the sun! Dwells there, in the breast of man, a thought, that he can procure the light of grace; or by his doings entitle himself to the comforts of salvation from Jehovah? Yes: so vain, so arrogant is that vile worm, that weak creature, proud, fallen man. By sin how stript of all but shame! by pride, he "opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God."- 2 Thessalonians 2:4. But grace, like the streaming light of the sun, freely and powerfully sheds its benign, humbling, comforting influence upon the ungodly and unworthy. So the Lord enlightens and renews the soul of man; makes it fruitful to his glory; and with his almighty arm shields and defends the newborn, heavenly replenished soul, from the violent attacks of every foe. Grace as well as glory are God’s free gifts.

Children of God, members of Jesus, how safe! salvation, how secure! For it is all of rich grace, free favor, unmerited love, unconditional election; not earned by any doings of ours, but freely given by promise. Glory, not procured by conditions, but freely bestowed through Jesus. See thy portion, believer- read it with joy-dwell on it with triumph. Here is a redundancy of promises; what the Lord is-what the Lord will give, will give it freely, "without money and without price," all things, every thing for his own glory, and his children’s good.

Love overflows all bounds; gives the fullest vent to its gracious disposition. No good thing will the Lord withhold. From whom? See the character of those, upon whom the sun of grace hath shined. Is it thine? They are not in angelic purity, or sinless perfection; but upright, sincere in heart with Jesus, chaste virgins, married to him in faith and love, they see that he is all in all to them "their wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption." They choose him for their only king to reign in them and rule over them in love; delight in his work and way, grieve for, strive and pray against all that is contrary to him. Of their sins they are ashamed-in their own righteousness they have no confidence. In Jesus their bridegroom they glory. It is truly said of them, "The upright love thee."- Song of Solomon 1:4.

Evening Devotional

Honor the Lord with thy substance. Proverbs 3:9.

O may this be the daily study of our hearts, and the constant practice of our lives! “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to the Lord: for the marriage of the Lamb is come.” (Revelation 19:7.) He is our husband: we are espoused to him by faith. Consider the work of honoring the Lord, and the reasons for it. (1st.) The work. What! can I, a worm of the earth, honour the Lord of heaven: Yes; thou art called to it, and formed for it. This honour have all his saints. It is our greatest honour on earth to honour our Lord in heaven. “All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord! and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power: to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.” (Psalms 145:10-12.) So they honoured the Lord of old, in displaying the glory of his grace. This work you are called to, if you have seen the glory of his kingdom, felt the power of it, and entered into it by faith. “Honor the Lord with thy substance.”

Do not put such a dry, shriveled comment upon the word substance, as though it meant giving a trifle now and then to the poor. Remember, the liberal deviseth liberal things, and by liberal things he shall stand, or be established. (Isaiah 32:8.)

Do not dispense shadow, when the Lord requires substance. If thy soul is liberal, thou wilt devise liberal things. This text will not only remind you, of liberally dispensing of your substance to the poor and needy: but also of honoring your Lord, by the faith of your heart, the love of your soul, placing your whole affections upon him, and devoting your substance, your whole spirit, soul, and body, unto him. You will not be content with notions without life; form, without spirit; worship, without the heart; religion, without the soul. For, (2d.) Consider the reason of this. (1st.) God has put the highest honour upon you. “He has called you into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:9.) “He has blessed you with all spiritual blessings in him.” (Ephesians 1:3.)

There is not one blessing God has to bestow, or Christ is possessed of; but is treasured up for you in Christ, and shall be received out of the fulness of Christ. Can you walk in the fellowship of Christ, and not delight to honour God with your substance? (2d.) You received all this freely; therefore, you ought to give freely. You are a pensioner upon God; and God is, as it were, a petitioner to you. Can you refuse him who speaks? Can you withhold any thing from him, by whom you enjoy your ALL? (3d.) You have but a little to honour your Lord. Let the faith of this stir you up to exert all your might.

Only call in, and consult faith and love, and act under their influence to God’s love.

O grant me, Lord, this one request,

And I’ll be satisfy’d;-

That love divine may rule my heart,

And all my actions guide.

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