Daily Devotionals

Mornings and Evenings with Jesus

Devotional: November 29th

As for God, his way is perfect. - Psalms 18:30.

IN a parallel passage God’s way is called his work, where it is said, “God is the rock; his work is perfect.” The meaning, however, is the same, and applies to the whole course of his proceedings. Let us therefore observe,-First, His way in creation; and we shall find this to be perfect. Hence, when the first creation was produced, we read that the angels (and they were no mean judges) “sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” But we have also the declaration of the Judge of all, who, when he had finished the work, pronounced it to be very good. All his works praise him by bearing impressions of his attributes and designs.

There is an immense difference between the productions of men and the works of God. If we take a piece of human workmanship, however exquisite it may be, on examination we shall find it capable of improvement, so that the more we know of it the less we admire it. But it is otherwise with the works of God: they are a source of wonder and admiration. Here there is nothing redundant, nothing defective; nothing can be added, nothing taken away. Here, as we examine, we feel ourselves not on the verge of perfection only, but even of infinity, and we exclaim, not only admiringly, but adoringly too, “This thing proceedeth from the Lord of Hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and mighty in working.”

Secondly, This will apply to his way in redemption. In the economy of redemption, there is something so benevolent in the design, so infinitely wonderful in the contrivance, so exceedingly adapted to all the circumstances of man as a fallen creature, and all harmonizing with the divine perfections, that even now the believer can exclaim, with the apostle, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,” and he is “determined to know nothing among men save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

Thirdly, His way in renovation is perfect. We readily conclude that it is not finished at once; but then it is perfect as far as it goes. It is perfect in kind and degree, though not perfect in its consummation. But this consummation is as certain as if it were present or had already taken place. The apostle, therefore, says to the Philippians, “He”-that is, God -“who hath begun the good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Lastly, In the dispensations of providence his work is perfect.

There is no such thing as chance. What we call chance is nothing less than the appointment and the work of God. But “he worketh all things after the counsel of his own will,” and “he doeth all things well.”

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. - 1 Timothy 1:15.

HERE is an exhibition of grace and truth, of truth and grace, in connection. The gospel message is truth; and therefore we are to receive it with the firmness of conviction and assent; the more important the news, the more evident assurances are necessary to establish it that it is true as to its object. It was thus regarded in the beginning; the original receivers of it felt their feet upon a rock; their goings were established: a new song was put into their mouths; they received this saying as it is in truth the word of God. Their confidence in it was equal to the reality; we are told that it is the “substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen.” Yea, their works proved not only the reality, but the degree of their confidence in God to be such that they ventured their all upon it, all for time, and all for eternity. Do we thus receive it? Are we thus convinced? Can we say that we know that we are of the truth, and can assure our hearts before him.”

Then it is a gracious message. It brings us “glad tidings of great joy;” and therefore it is impossible to receive it properly unless we receive it also with cordiality, gratitude, and with joy. The first Christians thus received it. The people were not only taught the truth as it is in Jesus, but they were made blessed by it. The jailer at Philippi who, a few hours before, found his soul filled with horror and despair, “received the word with joy, believing with all his house;” and the Thessalonians “received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.” It was universally the case then; they believed, and believing “they rejoiced with joy unspeakable, and full of glory;” they knew the truth, and the truth made them free-free from the burden of guilt- free from the torment of sin-free from worldly anxieties and future forebodings; they were “careful for nothing;” “the peace of God which passeth all understanding kept their hearts and minds by Christ Jesus.” They were happy without the vanities and dissipations of the world; they were borne up under their trials; they gloried in tribulations also; they triumphed in the valley of the shadow of death.

Do we thus regard the gospel? Do we thus receive it? Alas! there are thousands called by the Christian name who do not thus consider the gospel worthy their acceptation; or that it is the truth and grace which hath come unto them by Jesus Christ. They neither seem to believe the one, nor feel the other. We can never too frequently nor too seriously reflect that the introduction of the gospel has placed us in a condition of the most solemn responsibility, for it may “become the savour of life unto life;” or it may become “the savour of death unto death.”

If we have received the gospel, we are to exemplify it, “As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye with him;” and we are also to extend and diffuse it by our prayers, and by our practical devotedness to his cause. There is no Christian but may do something in his own sphere, and in his own circumstances, to make manifest the savour of these glad tidings.