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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
Devotional: December 31st

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MORNING

Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. Luke 2:28-32.

Do not envy pious Simeon, for you may have Jesus just as near, yea, even nearer than he had Him. He had Him upon his arms; but Jesus will come to you, into your heart, and be one spirit with you, live, dwell, and move in you. Stretch forth the arms of your soul, and of your faith, and of your love for Him. Open your heart to the newborn Savior as Simeon did, who longed for Him during his whole life, who waited for Him as the consolation of Israel; who, knowing of no other joy than that of beholding Him, would gladly die after having seen Him. Such hearts desire to receive Him, and they most assuredly do receive Him. If there be nothing else in your soul but ardent desire and burning thirst for Him, then He is certainly in this thirst, in this desire; then shall He certainly reveal Himself to your longing and thirsting heart, so that you shall prize the joy of possessing Him above all the joys of life; you shall no longer live to the world, yourself, and sin, but unto Him who has given Himself to you. This Child is born unto all. (Isaiah 9:6). He lies before the eyes of all in His Word; by the preaching of the Gospel He is offered to us and engrafted in our hearts. (James 1:21). Take Him, then, up in your arms; lift Him by faith and love out of the Word; ensconse Him in your heart, for He is willing and able to save your soul.

Sin, death, and hell, and Satan

Have lost their victory;

This child shall overthrow them,

As ye shall surely see.

Their wrath shall naught avail them;

Fear not, their reign is o’er;

This child shall overthrow them,

O, hear and doubt no more!

EVENING

I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach. Job 32:7. Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it. Luke 13:8.

When the years speak, what do you hear? What does God hear? What do the brethren hear about you? The deduction you make can be nothing else but this: Repent! All your days cry out to you, Better yourself! The Lord comes to-day into His vineyard seeking after fruit. When He stops before the tree of your life and asks your days, and, more particularly, the days of this year, what do they answer? Does He find the desired fruit? Much grace has He bestowed upon you; much has He given you, but to whom much is given, of him shall much be required. The Father says, "Years have I come to seek after fruit on this tree, but have found none; cut it down. " What if this were resolved to-day in heaven? Is it not possible? Have you not deserved it? At all events I have. What, then, must we do? We must, without delay, and with all our heart, go to Jesus, fall on our face before Him, who is our only mediator, and beseech Him to appear in our stead before the Father to make intercession for us. Then He will in our behalf, for you and for me, say unto the Father, "Let him alone this year also, till I shall dig about him, and dung him: then, perhaps, he will bear fruit; and if not, Thou shalt cut him down. " Behold, it is due only to the intercession of Jesus that God has given you so many years. But, perhaps the coming year will be your last. Therefore, use it, and keep close to your God and Savior, that He shall not have occasion to say, "Cut him down; why cumbereth he the ground? " God is long-suffering, which may be seen in His patience at the time of Noah; but the longer respite they were given, the greater became their wickedness. At length He let His judgment break loose. The ancient God still lives. Close, therefore, this year with earnest prayer and supplication that God may not cut you down, but, through Jesus, renew your heart unto true repentance and betterment, and that He may grant you a life according to His own pleasure.

Before Thou shalt as judge appear.

Plead as my intercessor;

And on that awful day declare

That I am Thy confessor.

Then bring me to that blessed place

Where I may see, with open face.

The glory of Thy Kingdom.

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