the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, In whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. The sorrows of death compassed me he brought me forth also into a large place. Psalms 18:2-4; Psalms 18:19. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song In my mouth. Psalms 40:2-3.
These are the words of one who is delivered, liberated, and pardoned, who for a long time has fought against flesh and blood, Satan and the world, to get rid of the power and dominion of sin, who at length through faith in Christ, the Atoner, has found salvation, peace, and power to conquer. Now he clings unto the Lord with the heart’s delight, full of joy and gratitude, because he is no longer compelled to serve sin and Satan; the chains of sin, the yoke of the oppressor, are now broken; his heart finds its pleasure and only joy in serving the Lord, and in being led by His Spirit. Is the same true in regard to you, dear reader? Are you saved out of the horrible pit of evil passions? Or have you, perhaps, only plunged from one pit into the other, floundered from one mire into another? Look into your own heart and see whether there is a mire therein, whether Jesus only is there. Do you stand on this rock? Are you within this entrenchment and so compassed about by Him that your enemies can no more overthrow you? Be careful, dear friend. Do not sing the new song too loudly; do not pose with too much security; you may, perhaps, again make a false step. Let no self-reliance, no self-complacency, dwell together with your . confidence in God in your heart. Be humble, while at the same time you rejoice in your salvation. Nevertheless, be without fear; for the Lord is in reality a rock upon which you may stand in safety Only beware lest you regard yourself an immovable rock.
Rock of Ages, cleft for me!
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy riven side that flowed.
Be of sin the perfect cure;
Save me, Lord! and make me pure.
