the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Daily Devotionals
The Poor Man's Morning and Evening Portions
November 21—Morning—Isaiah 11:5
"And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins."—Isaiah 11:5.
Mark these expressions, my soul, concerning thy covenant God in Christ. The Lord condescends by them to represent both his righteousness and faithfulness, as they are engaged to make good the purposes of redemption, in the Father and the Son. Jehovah’s righteousness, and Jehovah’s faithfulness, are blessed securities for this purpose; for so saith the Holy Ghost. "God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins." Wherefore? Because "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness. to every one that believeth." And do not overlook the striking figure of the girdle, which is chosen to represent it by; for as a man binds on the girdle round his loins, as a strengthener; so Jehovah takes to himself the righteousness of his dear Son. "Let him take hold," saith Jehovah, "of my strength, to make peace with me, and he shall make peace with me," Isaiah 27:5. This is the girdle of Jehovah, which compasseth him about, and cleaveth to him all around; so that his people, whether they are behind or before, may lay hold of the girdle of his perfections, and hang upon them, and depend upon them, and even when God’s providences seem to frown, or the Lord seemeth to have turned his back upon them. Oh for grace and faith both in Jehovah’s covenant faithfulness, and Christ’s righteousness, thus to trust, and thus to stay; for he is faithful that hath promised.
November 21—Evening—Song of Solomon 1:2
"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for thy love is better than wine."—Song of Solomon 1:2.
And what are the kisses of Jesus, but the manifestation of himself to his people? Old testament saints longed for this blessing; and new testament believers live by the same faith in the enjoyment of it. The cause is most evident indeed; for the love of Jesus passeth knowledge. Nothing of the nether-springs in comforts can even describe the blessedness of it; for corn, and wine, and oil, when they increase, cannot satisfy those desires, which Jesus in himself and his upper-spring mercies, can alone fulfil. Wine indeed may act as a temporary cordial to the body’s weakness, and it may for the moment relieve worldly sorrow; but in both cases, the maladies will return, sometimes with double violence, and baffle all its powers; nay, if wine be used too freely, so far from affording relief, it will add drunkenness to thirst. But thy love, blessed Jesus, never fails of its gracious end and design. Its power and efficacy is not confined to the relief of bodily distresses, but extends to those of the soul; yea, it raiseth the sinner, who is dead in trespasses and sins, and infallibly saves him from the second death. And such is its cordial and refreshing nature, that it not only gives the body ease, but cheers and gladdens the soul; and, unlike the juice of the grape, where large draughts injure both; he that drinks deepest into thy love, thou blessed Jesus, can never find an excess of injury, but delight. Every one that hath only tasted of thy love, is constrained to cry out with the church: "Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples; for I am sick of love," Song of Solomon 2:5. Shall I not then join in this sweet scripture, and say, as she did "Let Jesus kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for thy love is better than wine!"
