the Third Week after Easter
Daily Devotionals
Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God
Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless, at thy word I will let down the net.- Luke 5:5.
Whatever one engages in, success gives pleasure, but disappointment causes dejection. The passing over of a black cloud is often followed by the brighter shining of the sun. Naturalists observe, it is always darkest just before the break of day. So here these poor fishermen had toiled through a tedious night of disappointment; not one fish came to net: yet, at Christ’s word they let down the net. Behold the event! The greatest success they ever met with succeeded their fruitless toil: their nets were too weak to hold the miraculous draught of fishes they had taken. O, how adorable is Jesus’ power and godhead!
The occupation of a fisherman is not unlike that of the Christian’s vocation. It is his employ to fish in the wide and deep ocean of God’s eternal love and grace revealed in his word of truth. What he taketh here he is to live upon day by day. It is sometimes his lot to toil through a dark night of disappointment, and take nothing which may refresh his spirit and rejoice his soul. Here "patience must have its perfect work." Not one, nor many nights’ bad success, makes the fisherman quit his trade and forsake his calling. So the Christian should consider he has need of patience, that after he has done the will of God he might receive the fulfilment of the promises. These are blessed encouragements for him ever to fish in the great and wide sea of God’s covenant love and faithfulness. In his word are blessings innumerable. Ever remember, "He that believeth shall not make haste:" that is, be in a hurry and confusion, as one in surprise and fear in time of trouble. Though God’s mercies are not styled swift, yet they are called "sure mercies,"- Isaiah 55:3. Where the grace of faith is in the front, perseverance shall be in the centre, and glory shall be in the rear. The soul thirsting after comfort, shall in God’s time be refreshed with the plentiful showers of heavenly consolation. Some souls have been so filled herewith, even like these disciples’ nets that broke with the great draught of fishes, that they have cried out, "Lord, stay thine hand; my brittle vessel can hold no more." Live upon the word of God’s truth, and thou shalt be sure to enjoy the comforts of God’s faithfulness. Whatever fails, his word is sure; his promises certain; his covenant immutable; his oath irreversible. Consolation, yea "strong consolation from God, awaits every soul who has fled to Jesus for refuge, to lay hold on the hope set before him."- Hebrews 6:18.
Our anchor’s cast within the vail
Where Jesus ever reigns,
We walk by faith and live by hope;
Assur’d of endless gains.
If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Hebrews 10:26-27.
Awful words! enough to make one’s heart tremble, excite a holy fear, and provoke a godly jealousy. Wilful sin brings on woful complaints. Yes, says a soul, I find it so by dreadful experience. I have received the knowledge of the truth of salvation by Christ Jesus, and O what have I done! Sinned wilfully, and now I must be punished eternally. There is no hope nor help. My sin is unpardonable. There remains no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain, fearful looking for of destruction. I am shut up in despair. I wait with terror my dreadful doom. Stop a little. Write not such bitter things against thyself. True, thou art condemned for thy past wicked conduct. It is proper you should take shame to yourself, and repent in dust and ashes. But this text never was intended to drive to despair, even the wilful sinner, who sees and is sorry for his vile conduct. Consider, if every wilful sin is unpardonable, after a person has received the knowledge of the truth, the whole must be condemned for ever: not one sinner would be saved. If so, that word could not be true, “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin,” (1 John 1:7.) Then backsliding sinners must perish without hope. God himself must prove false to his word; “I will heal their backslidings,” (Hosea 14:4.) And Christ must be a false prophet when he declares, “All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men,” (Matthew 12:31.) Consider well, two words in this text. (1st.) There remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. Now this awful sin, is rejecting the one sacrifice of Jesus-treading underfoot the Son of God-accounting his blood an unholy thing, and expecting to be saved some other way. Here is a total apostasy and final unbelief. Whereas your guilty conscience seeks no sacrifice beside the one offering of the Son of God. (2d.) Mind it is the adversary who is to be devoured. Is your heart set against Christ? Do you turn from him? Do you desire to have nothing to do with him? O no? I will answer for you, the one desire of your soul is to be pardoned through him, accepted in him, and saved by him. Then you are not an adversary to Christ. You shall not be devoured. This text no more belongs to you, than to angels in heaven. But this does: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1 Timothy 1:15.)
Backsliders, who your misery feel,
Attend your Saviour’s call;
Return, he’ll your backslidings heal;
O crown him Lord of all.
