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Daily Devotionals
Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God
Devotional: June 26th

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Morning Devotional

And now, little children, abide in him; that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.- 1 John 2:28.

’A burnt child dreads the fire:’ so a soul who has fallen into any snare of the enemy, when rescued by grace, fears the same evil and wisely cautions his brethren against it. I fell, do you beware. So it was even with the beloved disciple John. He did not abide by Jesus in the day of trial; but, with the rest of his disciples, forsook him and fled. But who can tell the sorrow of his heart? who can paint the distress of his mind and the shame of his face, when Jesus appeared to them, and John said, "It is the Lord?"- John 21:7.

And is Jesus gone but for a season? will he assuredly come again and take all his little children home? and do we expect his appearance? do we believe we shall shortly see him in the glory of his Father and of his holy angels? What constancy and courage should this inspire us with! how ought Christian soldiers to abide in Jesus the captain of their salvation; abide in a steady profession of his name; in a firm reliance upon his death and atonement; in a confident hope of being righteous in him; "accepted in him the beloved;" in an uninterrupted obedience to his will, and an earnest endeavour to follow his example! and above all, to abide in child-like dependence upon him, loving to be near him, conversing freely with him, pouring out our hearts before him, simply telling him of our weakness and dangers, our troubles and sorrows, and praying him to keep us from falling. This is sweet and pleasant, thus always to abide in the faith of our Lord. The more we thus delight ourselves in the Lord, the more we grow dead to all things beside him. But, soul, be assured that conforming to a vain world, complying with its sinful customs, gratifying the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life; as this is not abiding in the teachings of Jesus, it will weaken thy confidence in him, and bring shame upon thy soul before him. Thou findest it so even now, when thou dost approach unto his throne of grace. How often, from thy foolish forsaking thy master and his ways, have thy hands been made to hang down, thy knees feeble, thy heart faint! O how hath holy boldness in Jesus forsaken thee, and shame and doubts and fears overspread thee! O then if thou hast any regard for the glory of thy Lord, any concern for thy present peace and joy, study and pray to live and walk so as to enjoy the presence of thy Saviour.

I cannot bear thy absence, Lord;

My life expires if thou depart;

Be thou, my heart, still near my God,

And thou, my God, be near my heart.

I was not born for earth or sin,

Nor can I live on things so vile;

Yet will I stay my Father’s time,

And hope and wait for heav’n awhile.

Evening Devotional

Saw ye him whom my soul loveth? Song of Solomon 3:3.

An abrupt question. Very oddly stated. Had this enquirer no name for her beloved? Can she suppose every one she asks, knew who was the beloved of her soul, and was acquainted with her loss of him? The spouse of Christ here seems to be in great discomposure of mind. Just like a tender mother, who had lost the beloved son of her womb: or an affectionate wife, in search after an indulgent husband; thinking every one has heard of her distress, asks with the utmost eagerness, have you seen him? O for more of this love of Christ in our souls! Observe here, the actings of a gracious heart, under the sense of Christ’s withdrawing his comforting presence. That Christ, for wise and good ends best known to himself, doth withdraw himself, is a truth that has been experienced by all his saints. You have not been long married to Christ, if you have not taken up the words of the church of old, “Verily thou art a God who hidest thyself, O God of Israel the Saviour.” (Isaiah 45:15.) How does this affect you? O say some, we do not live upon our frames. Your frames! We are speaking of living upon Christ, and enjoying his presence: sweet intercourse, fellowship, complacency, and delight in and with him. If you are contented to live from day to day quite easy, careless and unconcerned, without this, you have got into a very bad frame indeed. It is most plain, your heart is taken up with some other vain and worthless lovers. Yea, it is much to be doubted, whether such hearts ever were in a right frame with Christ; for to loving souls, Christ’s presence is their heaven; his absence causes a hell of uneasiness in their minds. Now here is a sure evidence, whether your heart is towards Christ, or the world: your face towards heaven or hell. But do you say, it is the grief and burden of my soul, that I have lost the sense of my Lord’s love and presence? If so, he has still left his love in thine heart. He still dwells there by faith. Seek for him. Inquire after him. Was he found of thee at first, when thou soughtest him not? He will not live in heaven without thee. He will not let thee live on earth, without again refreshing thy soul with the manifestation of his presence. Mark this gracious word to disconsolate seekers, “Fear not ye, for ye seek Jesus.” (Matthew 28:5.) For mind, though the spouse had lost sight of Christ, her soul loves him. Still she says, “HIM whom my soul loveth.” Here is the evidence of a heart truly converted to Christ. In the darkest seasons, and under the greatest distresses, there is love to Christ, and breathings after him. “The upright love thee.” Song of Solomon 1:4.

Ah, when of Christ we have lost sight,

We should for him inquire;

Tis like a dark and stormy night,

To lose our heart’s ‘desire.

Tis he creates our heav’n within,

We hence his presence love:

He frees our souls from guilt and sin,

And gives us joys to prove.

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