Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: October 20th

This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.- Acts 1:11.

The parting of dear friends is very grievous and affecting; but sorrow is alleviated from expectation of meeting again. O the joy of meeting our dear friends in glory, who are gone before! but what will heighten all, will be sight and enjoyment of our best friend and dearest Saviour. The disciples were looking stedfastly to heaven, after their dear master ascended to glory, when they received this assurance: they saw his human form, the same dear man, their beloved companion with whom they had so often eat and drank and taken sweet counsel, and who was lately crucified, dead, and buried; this very man Jesus they saw ascend; the Son of God came from heaven in Spirit; he assumed a body of flesh and blood; he lived in it on earth; and having "finished the work his Father gave him to do, he took the same body with him to glory: this same Jesus shall so come again in like manner." Every eye shall see him in the last day in his human form.

Thus in all the transactions of Jesus by faith, we "behold the MAN." View him in his birth, an outcast babe in poverty; in advanced years of life, "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, despised and rejected of men:" in death he died as another man; yea, an accursed death, as a malefactor; in his resurrection and ascension with a human body like our own; such was thy Saviour, believer, a man "like unto thyself in all things, but without sin;" and having perfectly expiated and atoned for all our sins, he is now at the right hand of God, the glorified MAN, still in human form pleading our cause. "And he is able to save them to the uttermost who come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession."- Hebrews 7:25.

God is in Christ; thou canst not come to the Deity but through the humanity of Jesus: mind that. Who can tell the uttermost of Jesus’ salvation? It is unto all manner of perfection both of soul and body. How sweet and encouraging is this to faith, that our Saviour, our brother, our friend, is in our nature before the throne! "He ever lives; he is able to save." And canst thou ever doubt of his love and willingness? O, remember Calvary! think of his agony and blood-shedding there. And canst thou want a proof of his love, poor sinner? If thou, whilst an enemy, wast redeemed and reconciled to God by his blood, how much more, being reconciled shalt thou be saved by his life! It is thy happiness to be ever looking upon and unto Jesus as the man and Mediator by whom thou comest to God; be looking for him to see him in his glorified form. "He shall come again in like manner," "to be glorified IN his saints and to be admired IN all them who believe."- 2 Thessalonians 1:10.

But one thing is needful. Luke 10:42.

Happy, most happy for that soul, who can simply bring all things into a unit, to centre in one point. More than one object perplexes the mind. If, to double business bent, we stand and pause where we shall first begin, and perhaps both neglect. What is the one thing needful? It is plain our Saviour means, the soul keeping close company with himself. This Mary did. She sat at his feet and heard his word. Every thing else is but cumbering work, compared with this. For this one thing comprises all the holiness, happiness, and heavenlymindedness of the soul. O if we have the presence of Jesus, guilty tears vanish-dejecting doubts are scattered-legal terrors are silenced-anxious cares subside-strong temptations lose their force-Satan is resisted-afflictions sweetened-turbulent passions calmed-raging corruptions subdued-pride is brought down-humility is excited-peace with God is enjoyed-holiness is promoted-the fear of death conquered-the terrors of hell chased away-the prospect of glory, in the full fruition of Jesus, is aspired after, and longed for-earth loses its charms-heaven is in the heart-to be absent from the body and present with the Lord, becomes the one desire of the soul. Say, O Christian, what one thing else can produce so many, such blessed effects, as close communion with our Saviour? Is not this then the one thing, above all others, needful? Needful at all times and in all seasons: needful in the hour of prosperity, and in the day of adversity. O, if this one thing is maintained in the soul, believer, you may live as you list, and do what you please. For sweet communion with Christ, ever subjects the will-attracts the affections-and begets holy conformity to him. You will not list, you cannot love, you dare not follow any thing which is contrary to your Lord, while you live near to him, and dwell in holy fellowship with him. Thus religion is brought to a single point. Holiness and happiness resolved into one thing. There is but one Lord, to make you holy and happy. But one faith, by which you know it, and cleave to him for this. But there are a thousand things to prevent this. O may this one thing needful rise superior to all! Think, O my soul, of Mary’s choice. Remember thy Saviour’s approbation of it. Do thou also choose this good part, which shall never be taken away.

Beset with snares on ev’ry hand,

In life’s uncertain path I stand,

Saviour divine diffuse thy light,

To guide my doubtful footsteps right.

Engage this roving treach’rous heart

To fix on Mary’s better part-

To scorn the trifles of a day,

For joys that none can take away,