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Daily Devotionals
Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God
Devotional: September 12th

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Morning Devotional

They who feared the Lord, spake often one to another; the Lord hearkened and heard it.- Malachi 3:16.

The tongue, though but a little member, yet is capable of being employed to the best services, or to the worst purposes. We are assured he is a perfect man who offends not in word. He is a man after God’s own heart who prays daily, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer."- Psalms 19:14. "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge amongst you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom."- James 3:13. Thus perfection, real godliness, and true wisdom are ascribed to our words and conversation. "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."- Matthew 12:37. Most weighty considerations! Let us take heed that we offend not with our tongue. But most encouraging assurance, our God hearkens to his dear children when we converse together about his kingdom and glory, and our peace, edification, and holiness. Yea more: O, condescending love! "A book of remembrance was written before him of them who feared the Lord, and THOUGHT upon his name." Is such kind notice taken of our converse? Then what emulation ought to fire us, that our tongues may edify and provoke each other to love and good works! What shame to Christians, that they too often meet and talk, and their poor hearts are neither edified, warmed, or comforted! Why is this? Truly the end of their conversation, "Jesus the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever," was not considered. He is always most worthy to be uppermost in our hearts and tongues. This, like a live coal from the altar, is the only fire to make cold hearts glow with love, and warm hearts burn with affection. The best news of the day, the fittest subject for conversation, is the rich, free, sovereign grace of our God, the love of Christ, the glad tidings of the gospel, the joyful news of salvation finished by Jesus. This we are going fully to enjoy. What then should we talk of by the way but this? O disciple, dost thou find a dull frame and a sad heart? therefore, sayest, I am unfit to converse of these things? This is really like staying from the fire, because cold, or abstaining from food, because hungry. Consider the conduct of the disciples. "Jesus drew near to them, and asks, what manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are SAD?"- Luke 24:17. Though they had lost sight of Jesus, though their hearts were sad about it, yet they refrained not talking and communing about HIM. And he soon made their hearts burn within them. "Let your conversation be as becometh the gospel of Christ."- Philippians 1:27.

Evening Devotional

She said, truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Matthew 15:27.

Here is blessed reasoning. It produced admiration in the Lord: “O woman, great is thy faith!” It obtained a free grace grant from him also: “Be it unto thee, even as thou wilt.” Great faith! How does it appear? We do not find she came to Christ in full assurance of faith; saying, I know thou art my Saviour, I am assured thou hast loved me, and wilt save me. No. Still there was great faith without this. Look at her faith. Imitate it. She honoured the Lord by it. He honours her for it. (1st.) She was in trouble: she flies instantly to Christ. She tells him of her sorrows. “Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.” To cry to Jesus for mercy, under a sense of being vexed with a devil, is the prayer of faith, and honours the Lord of glory. (2d.) Here are great discouragements. Christ answers her not a word. The disciples desire him to cure her, that they might get rid of her. But Jesus answers (not her, but his disciples) “I am not sent, but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Was not this repulse enough to strike her dumb, and send her away in despair? But, (3d.) Instead of this, her faith grew stronger, and her importunity greater. She falls at his feet, with, Lord, help me. O, that was a strong appeal to the loving heart of our dear Lord. She brought her case to a point. Jesus, you can help me. None but you can. If you do not, I am miserable. Have you no compassion for a poor miserable sinner? Lord, help me. Thus casting herself upon the Lord’s love and power, she at last obtained an answer from him. But O, such a one, as was like a dagger to her heart, “It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and cast it to the dogs.” Now does she turn away like a dog? No. (4th.) She had a child’s heart and a child’s faith too. For she again put her case home to the Saviour’s heart. Mark it. I am a dog; a filthy, unclean creature; let me be fed as such, upon the falling crumb. I know, I do not deserve even that from thee. See what perseverance, faith, and prayer will do. It overcomes all difficulties: surmounts all objections: obtains the sought-for mercy. Some in our day would have thought this woman undervalued herself. But Jesus humbles those sinners to the very lowest, whom he raises to the very highest. O take up this resolution, “I will wait upon the Lord who hideth his face: I will look for him.” Isaiah 8:17.

Tho’ vile, tho’ hopeless is my case,

And in myself I’ve nought to plead;

Yet will I look to Jesu’s grace,

He has all fulness for my need.

Tho’ he don’t grant at first my suit,

Yet will I hope, believe, and pray:

My soul be still importunate,

The wretched he ne’er sends away.

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