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Daily Devotionals
Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God
Devotional: August 30th

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Morning Devotional

Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.- Matthew 5:3.

In the day of the Spirit’s power "the lofty looks of man are humbled, the haughtiness of man is bowed down, and the Lord alone is exalted in that day."- Isaiah 2:11. Then a man’s own righteousness, wherein he trusted, is seen as filthy rags. His strength he boasted of, is found to be perfect weakness; his heart, in which he gloried as good, is found to be deceitful and desperately wicked. Then he becomes in his own eyes a POOR SINNER. He knows his poverty; he feels his wretchedness. Thus, when Jesus alone is exalted in his sight, he becomes little, vile, and mean in his own eyes; then he is poor in spirit, a mere BEGGAR, who must be wholly indebted to free-grace bounty and free-gift mercy. Though he sees his state to be guilty, wretched, and desperate, yet he is blessed: Why so? Merely because he sees and knows himself to be wretched, poor, miserable, blind, and naked? Alas! this knowledge, like Job’s friends, would prove but as a miserable comforter to his soul. He can no more trust in his known poverty and rags to entitle him to the kingdom, than in his fancied robes and riches. But such are blessed or happy, because the grace of the kingdom is in their hearts NOW, "and theirs is the kingdom of heaven in glory." Most joyful consideration! They are chosen to it by the love of the father; they are blessed in Christ Jesus with all spiritual blessings; and, as an evidence of this, the Holy Spirit bestows on them "wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus: he enlightens the eyes of their understanding; then they know what is the hope of their calling, and what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints."- Ephesians 1:17-18. How unspeakably blessed! How immensely rich are the poor in spirit! "Having nothing in themselves, yet possessing all things in Christ Jesus."

It is usual, in worldly commerce, where a person’s credit is not established, to value himself upon the credit of some rich person: so he gains credit and repute. Thus the poor sinner values himself upon the riches of Jesus Christ for all esteem and acceptance in the sight of God, and herein we have confidence for all things. Who is our wisdom? Jesus. Who is our righteousness? Jesus. Who is our sanctification? Jesus. Who is our redemption? Jesus. He is our glory, our crown, our hope, and our daily rejoicing. Here, O soul, is thy precious inventory! Read it, and rejoice at thy riches. "All things are yours:" ministers, the world, life, death, things present, things to come, are all yours. Why? because you are faithful to grace, and have fulfilled terms and conditions to gain or secure the favor of God? No: infinitely higher cause; "Ye are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s."- 1 Corinthians 3:23.

Evening Devotional

I said in my haste, all men are liars. Psalms 116:11.

We are prone to be too hasty in our censures of others, while the greatest fault lies at our own door. David here brands all men, with being liars, when he himself was the greatest liar of all, if we take the words in this sense. Here, he even charges Samuel the prophet of the Lord with a lie. For he had anointed him to be king, and assured him of the kingdom. But he spoke in haste, without due thought and deliberation- unadvisedly, under temptation, when he was off his guard, and fled from the rage of Saul. Though some think, David rather uttered the bold language of confident faith. I said in my flight, that notwithstanding all the fury of Saul, and all the suggestions of my enemies to the contrary, “Let God be true, and every man a liar.” (Romans 3:4.) The Lord will surely preserve me. I shall certainly be king. David was the subject, both of faith and unbelief: of a hasty spirit, which exalteth folly, as well as of a meek spirit, which in the eyes of the Lord is of great price. Times of temptation, sometimes draw from the lips, hasty speeches, which wound the heart, and cause it to mourn. O believer, though thou hast cause to be ashamed of thy unbelief and hasty folly, yet be not ashamed to confess it. To commit a fault, and strive to extenuate it, proceeds from pride and unbelief. Settle it well in thine heart, what thy present state is. Consider daily the number and force of thine enemies. Their name is legion, for they are many. Never forget the total sinfulness of thy own nature. All this will make thee humble, and watchful over thyself. Know and remember also, the love and faithfulness of thy God and Saviour. He who has redeemed thee to God, by his own blood, will save thee from thy sinful self, and from the power of all thine enemies. Say of all who dare contradict this, they are liars.

Though weak in thyself, be strong in thy Lord. Though sinful in thyself, rejoice that thou art righteous in him. Let the faith of this inspire thy heart with boldness before the throne of God. There go constantly, as a poor, helpless, needy sinner, viewing thyself perfectly righteous in Christ, and perfectly accepted of God in his beloved Son. Give God the glory of his truth. Pronounce all liars who dare oppose it. Give no credit to the suggestions of thy own mind, contrary to the full and free declarations of thy Lord’s love and grace.

Remember the convictions of sin by the Spirit of truth, are to bring thee comfort from Christ. The accusations for sin by the lying spirit, are to distress thy heart and drive thee from Christ, who is the truth. John 14:6.

Forgive my Lord each hasty word,

Against thy truth and grace,

I foolish am, and self-abhorr’d,

O shew thy smiling face.

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